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December 19th, 2009
Two S&W Performance Center revolvers have been recalled by Smith & Wesson due to potentially dangerous manufacturing defects. The model 460PC is being recalled due to potential barrel failure, while the Model 329PC has been recalled due to possible frame damage during manufacturing.
Performance Center Model 460 Revolver Recall
Smith & Wesson has received four (4) reports of barrel failures involving its Performance Center Model 460 revolvers. These barrels were manufactured by an outside supplier. S&W found that the quality of steel in some of these barrels was sub-standard and may have contributed to failure of the barrel. Model 460PC owners should stop using the revolvers and return them immediately to Smith & Wesson.
This recall applies to Performance Center Model 460 revolvers shipped by the Smith & Wesson Performance Center prior to September 18, 2006. This recall does NOT apply to Smith & Wesson standard production Model 460 revolvers. The affected revolvers can be identified by the following Serial Number Range: EBD0001 – EBD0524, EBF0002 – EBF0251, LHZ0000 – LHZ0511, LLL0000 – LLL0702, LRR0001 – LRR0552, MMM0001 – MMM1809, XMC0001 – XMC0109
Performance Center Model 329 Revolver Recall
Smith & Wesson has issued a recall for the limited edition model 329 revolver. This safety recall notice applies to 270 revolvers manufactured at the Performance Center bearing serial numbers ranging from BVA0004 to BVA0210 and DEW0001 to DEW0099.
S&W states: “It has been determined that damage to the frame may have occurred during assembly of the single-piece barrel. As a result, there exists the possibility that the revolver may rupture during firing, causing a failure of the firearm and creating a risk of personal injury.” NOTE: This safety recall notice does not apply to the model 329 PD. The model 329 PD is designed with a two-piece barrel.
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October 1st, 2009
 The 2009 IDPA Nationals were held in Tulsa, Oklahoma September 23rd through 26th. More than 350 competitors participated in the 4-day defensive pistol shooting event. Among the many action pistol disciplines, IDPA competition is probably the most “realistic” — the closest to actual defensive handgun use. Competitors use off-the-shelf pistols, suitable for carry. No exotic race-guns are allowed. Match stages simulate self-defense scenarios and real life encounters. An IDPA match is more than just a trigger-pulling contest. Shooters must use cover when available, and employ the same defensive strategies they would use in a real gunfight.
The IDPA’s founders developed the sport so that practical gear and practical guns may be used competitively. Shooters can spend a minimal amount on equipment and still be competitive. The main goal is to test the skill and ability of the individual, not equipment or gamesmanship.
In IDPA competition, firearms are grouped into five (5) divisions: 1) Custom Defensive Pistol (.45ACP semi-automatics only); 2) Enhanced Service Pistol (9mm or larger caliber semi-automatics); 3) Stock Service Pistol (9mm or larger caliber double action, double action only, or safe action semi-automatics); 4) Enhanced Service Revolver (.38 caliber or larger double action revolvers); and 5) Stock Service Revolver (.38 caliber or larger double action revolvers).
 2009 IDPA Nationals Results
The 2009 IDPA Nationals were hosted at the United States Shooting Academy (USSA) in Tulsa last week. Participants fired a minimum of 241 rounds through 17 courses of fire which featured moving targets, a shoot house, low-light scenarios requiring use of a hand held flashlight, shooting from cover and prone positions including from in and around motor vehicles, with target distances ranging from three to ninety feet.
Team GLOCK Captain Dave Sevigny won his 8th IDPA National Championship in the Stock Service Pistol (SSP) division while teammate Randi Rogers won her 3rd title in the High Lady category. Bob Vogel of Team Eotec won the Enhanced Service Pistol Division as well as the High Law Enforcement Champion title and Backup Gun Champion. Tom Yost won Senior Champion and placed 4th in Stock Service Pistol Division.
IDPA Membership Continues to Grow
The International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA) is the governing body of a shooting sport that simulates self-defense scenarios and real life encounters. It was founded in 1996 as a response to the desires of shooters worldwide. The organization now boasts membership of more than 13,500, including members in 36 foreign countries.
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September 9th, 2009
 Copying the promotion that has boosted sales of new automobiles, SIG SAUER is now offering $200.00 if you trade in an old handgun and purchase a new Sig pistol or SIG556 rifle. As SIG SAUER still makes some of the best pistols on the market, this is an attractive offer for those who need a quality handgun such as a P226 or P220.
Details of Offer
Purchase a new SIG SAUER® P220, P226, P229, 1911, SIG556 pistol, or SIG556 rifle from September 7th through November 30th, 2009, and SIG SAUER will give you $200.00 for your old KLUNKER pistol or revolver. To receive your $200.00 payment, send your old handgun with a copy of Form 4473 and proof of purchase of your new SIG pistol (or SIG556 rifle) to: SIG SAUER, Inc., 18 Industrial Drive, Exeter, NH 03833, ATTN: CK-1 .
What Qualifies for the $200.00 Rebate
A qualifying “KLUNKER” can be from any manufacturer, but semi-autos must be at least 9mm caliber, while revolvers must be at least .38 caliber. The gun must be operational and free from cracks in frame or other key components. NOTE: Sig Sauer reserves the right to reject any firearm submitted as a KLUNKER that does not meet Sig’s criteria. To get the $200.00, you MUST submit your old gun on or before 12/4/2009. This is an absolute deadline — NO EXCEPTIONS.
CLICK HERE to download the KLUNKER Program Rules.
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June 19th, 2009
Jerry Miculek once again stood atop the leader board, capturing both the Overall and Open Division titles at the International Revolver Championship (IRC) at the Hogue Action Pistol Range in Morro Bay, California. With his recent win, Jerry has accomplished an unprecedented feat by capturing his 17th IRC championship title while extending his record winning streak of back-to-back title victories since competing in the 1993 IRC match. Using an 8-shot S&W Performance Center Model 627 V-Comp, Miculek was able to post top scores in 10 out of the 12 stages of fire, allowing him to easily capture the championship title by over 26 seconds.
Miculek competing earlier this year at the Steel Challenge. Photo Courtesy SteelChallenge.com.
Team Smith & Wesson members earned six division titles. The IRC match was highlighted by wins from Jerry Miculek, new team member John Bagakis, Craig Buckland, Annette Aysen, Elliot Aysen and Team Captain, Julie Golob. In the Limited Division, Team Smith & Wesson members swept the top two spots with John Bagakis edging out teammate Elliot Aysen for the division title. Aysen went on to win the High Senior title. In the Women’s Limited Division, Annette Aysen decisively defended her Ladies Limited title by over 11 seconds. Each of the winners in the Limited Division used an 8-shot Performance Center Model 627.
Junior Division Video Highlights
In addition to adult competitors, junior wheel-gunners participated at the IRC in Moro Bay. In the video below, posted by S&W Team Captain Julie Golob, check out the future of the sport as these young shooters pair off against one another in the Junior Shoot-Off event of the IRC (guest appearance by the Jerry Miculek). (EDITOR: Very cool video, definitely check it out!)
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May 27th, 2009
 Jorge Ballesteros of Spain captured the coveted Steel Challenge title at the 2009 European Speed Shooting Championships held May 22 and 23 in Winterswijk, Netherlands. Facing Europe’s best shooters, Ballesteros won the Open Pistol title with a time of 61.31 seconds, besting last year’s top time by over two and a half seconds. Jan ter Borg of the Netherlands finished second while Germany’s Oliver Damm placed third for the second year in a row. Defending 2008 champion Saul Kirsch of the Netherlands finished fourth.
The European Steel Challenge drew 135 top speed shooters from Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Spain and the United States, all vying for their share of $40,000 in cash and prizes and the title of Europe’s Fastest Gun. The match was shot indoors and featured six of the eight stages used in the USA Steel Challenge: Smoke & Hope, Five to Go, Roundabout, Speed Option, Accelerator and Outer Limits.
“The European Steel Challenge is growing in popularity thanks to the hard work of match director Hans Wigger and, with so many strong competitors, it’s only a matter of time before we see a squad of top Europeans competing at the World Speed Shooting Championships here in the U.S.,” said Dave Thomas, executive director of the Steel Challenge Shooting Association (SCSA).
Fierce Competition Among Wheel-Gunners
In the Open Revolver division, shooters from the Netherlands ran the table with Mario Siemeling leading the way and defending his 2008 win by posting a time of 68.99. Harry ter Borg, who finished third in 2008, moved up to second shooting a time of 77.00 seconds. In third, with a time of 78.35, was Jan ter Borg. Below is a video from the 2008 ESC showing Harry ter Borg, Mario Siemeling (at 4:00 minute mark) and other wheel-gunners in action.
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May 15th, 2009
 From June 5-7, 2009, the International Confederation of Revolver Enthusiasts (ICORE) conducts the 18th Annual International Revolver Championships (IRC) at the Hogue Action Pistol Range in San Luis Obispo, California. The IRC is the highlight of the revolver shooting season and more than 230 of the nation’s top revolver shooters, as well as several from outside the United States, are expected to compete and negotiate their way through 12 stages of fire putting more than 70,000 rounds down range.
CLICK HERE for MAP to Hogue Action Pistol Range.
The Hogue Action Pistol Range, site of this year’s ICORE Int’l Championships, is the premier action pistol range on the West Coast. A modern facility with 10 shooting bays, the Hogue Range is part of a large complex of shooting sports facilities operating on a former U.S. Army test range located between San Luis Obispo and Morro Bay, California. The public rifle range, located just North of the Hogue Action Pistol Range, is shown below. This is a beautiful place to shoot, with moderate weather year-round. You’ll find good hotels and excellent campgrounds nearby. The San Luis Obispo region is a great weekend destination for the whole family, with beaches and tourist attractions nearby. Visit the San Luis Obispo Sportsmen’s Assocation (SLOSA) website for more information on the Hogue Range and adjacent shooting facilities.
ICORE — All Revolvers, All the Time
The International Confederation of Revolver Enthusiasts (ICORE) was founded in 1991 by Mike and Sharon Higashi, long time active shooters in all the handgun sports. Envisioned as an alternative to the “arms race” that was occurring in the other action shooting sports at that time, a revolver-only competition would allow even the most basic equipment to be used and still provide enjoyment and satisfaction. For further information on ICORE or the 18th Annual International Revolver Championships, visit www.icore.org.
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March 20th, 2009
Across the country, Americans are purchasing handguns in record numbers, and Smith & Wesson is riding this wave of gun buying. S&W reports that its pistol sales rose a whopping 45.7% in the third quarter of 2008. Due in large part to the rise in handgun revenues, Smith & Wesson Holding Corp. (NASDAQ:SWHC) reported Thursday that it posted a third-quarter profit of $2.4 million, or 5 cents a share, compared to a loss of a loss of $1.8 million, or 4 cents a share, a year ago.
The company’s third-quarter results easily beat Wall Street estimates. For the quarter, pistol sales jumped 45.7 percent during the quarter while net product sales rose 25.9 percent. Said CEO Michael Golden, “While our hunting business continues to suffer in the current economic environment, the market for hunting rifles in a healthy economy is a sizeable one. In addition, this portion of our business produces barrels for our tactical rifles, products that are clearly in very high demand right now.”
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