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November 14th, 2011
Last week we reported that Smith & Wesson was recalling certain Thompson/Center (T/C) Venture rifles because of potential defects in the sear mechanism. Well it looks like the problem is worse than first thought. As a result, Smith & Wesson has expanded its recall to include ALL T/C Venture Rifles manufactured prior to October 28, 2011. The sear issue could possibly cause a Venture rifle to fire without the trigger being pulled. READ Recall Notice.
Expanded Recall of Thompson/Center (T/C) Venture Rifles
This broadens the recall announced by Smith & Wesson on November 8, 2011. This recall applies to ALL Venture rifles manufactured prior to October 28, 2011. To determine if your rifle is affected, please reference the serial number list located at www.smith-wesson.com/venturerecall or by calling Smith & Wesson directly at 1-800-713-0356. If your serial number does not fall within the list of affected serial numbers, your rifle is not part of this recall.
REMEDY/ACTION TO BE TAKEN: STOP USING YOUR RIFLE. Any unintended discharge of a firearm has the potential to cause injury or death, and we ask that you stop using your rifle until we have an opportunity to inspect the sear to make certain that there is no condition which will allow the rifle to fire without the trigger being pulled. To facilitate the inspection and, if necessary, repair of your rifle, please contact Smith & Wesson’s customer service department to receive instructions and a prepaid return label for the return of your rifle to Smith & Wesson. When you return your rifle to Smith & Wesson, be sure to attach the completed information card received from Smith & Wesson, so that your rifle can be returned to you as quickly and efficiently as possible.
CONSUMER CONTACT: Please contact Smith & Wesson directly at 1-800-713-0356, or at venturerecall@smith-wesson.com to arrange for the inspection and repair of your rifle.
November 9th, 2011
Smith & Wesson has announced a recall of recently-made Thompson/Center (T/C) Venture rifles due to a potential defect involving the sears on some Venture rifles produced from August 1, 2011 to October 28, 2011. The text of S&W’s Recall Notice, along with a link to the list of serial numbers of affected T/C Venture rifles, are provided below.
SAFETY RECALL NOTICE – November 7, 2011
DESCRIPTION OF THE HAZARD:
During an internal technical review, Smith & Wesson determined that some of the sears used on Venture rifles produced from August 1, 2011 to October 28, 2011, may not have been manufactured to specification. Because the sear is an important part of the firing mechanism, we are asking that all of the rifles produced during this time period be returned to Smith & Wesson so that the firearm can be inspected by our technicians to ensure that the rifle operates in a safe and appropriate manner.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRODUCT INVOLVED:
This recall applies only to Venture rifles manufactured from August 1, 2011 to October 28, 2011. To determine if your rifle is affected, please reference the serial number list located at the link below or by calling Smith & Wesson directly at 1-800-713-0356. If your serial number does not fall within the list of affected serial numbers, your rifle is not part of this recall. CLICK HERE For List of Recalled Serial Numbers.
REMEDY/ACTION TO BE TAKEN:
STOP USING YOUR RIFLE. Any unintended discharge of a firearm has the potential to cause injury, and we ask that you stop using your rifle until we have an opportunity to inspect the sear to make certain that there is no condition which will allow the rifle to fire without the trigger being pulled.
To facilitate the inspection and repair, if necessary, of your rifle sear, please contact Smith & Wesson’s customer service department to receive instructions and a prepaid return label for the return of your rifle to Smith & Wesson.
When you return your rifle to Smith & Wesson, be sure to attach the completed information card received from Smith & Wesson, so that your sear can be inspected and repaired, and returned to you as quickly and efficiently as possible.
CONSUMER CONTACT:
Please contact Smith & Wesson directly at 1-800-713-0356, or at venturerecall@smith-wesson.com to arrange for the inspection and repair, if necessary, of your rifle.
November 9th, 2011
 Shoot, the much-awaited book by Julie Golob, will be released in early 2012, and it can be pre-ordered from Amazon.com. Julie, Captain of the Team Smith & Wesson Shooting Team, is one of the best lady pistol shooters on the planet. Her new book Shoot: Your Guide to Shooting and Competition covers the training programs and match strategies that have enabled Julie to win multiple World and National action pistol championships. One of the most well-rounded competitors on the pro shooting circuit, Julie has won national and world titles in seven different shooting disciplines.
This champion, veteran, wife and mother is also an accomplished author, writing about the shooting sports in shooting publications, newswires, and internet blogs. In February, 2012, Skyhorse Publishing will release Julie’s first book, Shoot: Your Guide to Shooting and Competition. The book serves as both an introduction to firearms and shooting for novices (with an emphasis on safety) and a primer to help experienced shooters improve their skills.
According to the Shooting Wire, “rumor has it (or is it wishful thinking?) that there might be some copies [of Julie’s new book] floating around at SHOT Show [in January]. Either way, be sure to reserve your copy today.”
November 5th, 2011
Smith & Wesson is going to produce an AR15-type rifle chambered for the .300 Whisper cartridge. This will be an addition to S&W’s Military & Police (M&P) Rifle series. As the first production rifle in the AR platform to be chambered in .300 Whisper (and .300 AAC Blackout), the new rifle offers both sub-sonic and supersonic capabilities. Originally developed and pioneered by J.D. Jones of SSK Industries, the 300 Whisper is based on the .221 Rem Fireball case necked up to .308. Notably, S&W says its M&P15 .300 Whisper is compatible with both the .300 Whisper and the .300 AAC Blackout (BLK) cartridges. The latter is a SAAMI-standardized, trademark-free variant of the .300 Whisper.
Manufactured on the M&P15 (AR-clone) platform, S&W’s new semi-automatic .300 Whisper rifle features an 1 in 7.5” twist, 16″ chrome-moly barrel. Both the forged 7075 aluminum upper and lower receivers have been coated with a Realtree APG camo finish. Standard features include forward assist and a six-position, collapsible CAR stock. MSRP for the complete rifle is $1,119. A separate .300 Whisper AR flat-top upper will also be offered, with an $819.00 MSRP.
“As the popularity of the modern sporting rifle continues to grow, more hunters are seeing the advantages of taking these firearms into the field,” said Mario Pasantes, S&W Senior Vice President of Marketing. “The M&P15 300 Whisper gives consumers the ability to use either lightweight or heavy cartridges during hunting or recreational applications without changing rifles or barrels.”
Is Hunting the Real Market for S&W’s .300 Whisper M&P15?
Editor’s Comment: If this gun is intended for hunting, we’re not sure Smith & Wesson got this one right. While the .300 Whisper is an interesting cartridge, it was originally designed to run sub-sonic, or be used with a suppressor. At sub-sonic velocities, the cartridge doesn’t pack much punch — not much more than a heavy pistol round. So you’re carrying around an 8-lb rifle (with optics) that only hits like a pistol. On the other hand, it can be loaded up to supersonic velocities, yielding ballistics similar to the .30-30.
 But if you run it supersonic, why mess with this oddball cartridge at all? There are many other proven, game-killing chamberings for which a huge variety of inexpensive hunting ammo is widely available. (In fairness, .300 Whisper factory ammunition does exist. Hornady now offers both 1200 fps sub-sonic and 2375 fps supersonic .300 Whisper Ammo.)
Now the use of a .300 Whisper with a suppressor is intriguing. But, realistically, how many American hunters are going to get fingerprinted and pay the $200 tax for a suppressor, not to mention the hefty cost of the suppressor itself? As for the rifle configuration, a 16″ barrel is quite short for a hunting gun, and a wobbly first-gen collapsible stock that rattles is the last thing we’d want to take hunting.
 Our guess is that most purchasers of this rifle will simply use it for plinking or tactical games, where the low recoil and long barrel life associated with the .300 Whisper will be welcome. One source suggests that the .300 Whisper has become popular with metallic silhouette shooters due to its low recoil and high accuracy. However we doubt you’ll be seeing many M&P15s on the silhouette course, given the funky, collapsible buttstock and short sight radius. (Under NRA Rules, AR15-type rifles are eligible for metallic silhouette competition under rule 3.1.2, but they must use “standard type stock[s]”.)
Story Tip by EdLongrange. We welcome reader submissions.
September 28th, 2011
Smith & Wesson is replacing its President/CEO. This comes after Smith & Wesson stock hit rock bottom last week, trading at $2.49 per share, a 52-week low. Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ: SWHC) today announced that P. James Debney has been appointed President, Chief Executive Officer, and a member of the Board of Directors, effective immediately. The company said the executive reshuffling was done “in accordance with the company’s comprehensive management succession planning process.” Debney previously served as Vice President of Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation and President of the company’s firearm division. Debney will replace former President/CEO Michael F. Golden, who will continue as a member of S&W’s Board of Directors.
According to the Outdoor Wire: “The remaining term of former President and CEO Michael F. Golden’s employment contact has being bought out by the company, but Golden will continue as a member of the Board of Directors[.] Golden’s contract is expected to impact the company’s current quarter earnings per share by as much as two cents, with the gross numbers to be included in the quarterly 10-Q set to be released after the close of the stock markets today.” Smith & Wesson stock, as of the time of this Bulletin release, is trading at $2.58 per share, gaining back a bit from the $2.49 low on Sept. 23, 2011.
June 22nd, 2011
 On June 20th, SGT Sherri Gallagher of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit stopped by NRA Headquarters (in Fairfax, Virginia) for a tour of the facilities. A highly accomplished shooter, Sherri is the reigning National High Power Rifle Champion as well as winner of the 2009 Long Range High Power Championship at Camp Perry.
Priceless Wild West Guns in Museum Safes
While in Virginia at NRA Headquarters, Sherri met with members of the Competitive Shooting Division, NRA Publications, and stopped by National Firearms Museum Director Jim Supica’s office for look at his famed collection of Smith & Wesson revolvers as well as his safe filled with pistols bearing “# 1″ serial numbers. After digging through the collection, Sherri asked, “If I get a # 1 tattoo, do you think he’ll let me stay?”
Sherri holds Smith & Wesson .320 Caliber, 18″ barrel Revolving Rifle.
Story by Lars Dalseide, courtesy the NRA BLOG.
June 8th, 2011
Here’s your chance to see a wide selection of interesting new products from SHOT Show 2011. Today, Wednesday June 8th, ShootingUSA re-broadcasts its hour-long SHOT Show Special, originally filmed on-site at the Sands Convention Center in January. This 60-minute telecast features nearly 50 new products, including Colt Centennial 1911s, Smith & Wesson 1911s and Performance Center Hunting Revolvers, new Die Sets from RCBS, Les Baer Monolith AR10s, Mossberg Tactical Shotguns, Ruger Mark III Pistols, Hogue stocks for Savages, new Wood LaserGrips from Crimson Trace, and Thompson Center’s new Venture hunting rifles.
 Shooting USA’s hour-long SHOT Show Special airs on the Outdoor Channel on June 8, 2011 at the following times:
Eastern Time: 4:00 PM, 8:00 PM, 12:00 Midnight
Central Time: 3:00 PM, 7:00 PM, 11:00 PM
Mountain Time: 2:00 PM, 6:00 PM, 10:00 PM
Pacific Time: 1:00 PM, 5:00 PM, 9:00 PM
May 24th, 2011
 Many of the world’s best wheelgunners will be in California the first week in June. The 20th Annual Smith & Wesson Int’l Revolver Championship (IRC) takes place June 2-5 at the Hogue Action Pistol Range in San Luis Obispo, CA. This is the 12th consecutive season that San Luis Obispo Sportsmen’s Assn. hosts the IRC, the highlight of the ICORE revolver shooting season. Nearly 200 ace revolver shooters, from the USA as well as 6 foreign countries, are expected to compete. According to Ron Joslin, IRC match director: “This is the highlight of our competition season. It’s where everybody in ICORE comes together to determine who is the best. This is our Superbowl, and it’s been that way for [two decades] now.”
The man to beat in Open Class will be legendary pistolero Jerry Miculek of Team Smith & Wesson. Jerry has won every IRC in which he has competed. When it comes to wheelguns, Miculek is the fastest man on the planet. Also competing will be past Ladies Open Division winner Julie Golob, and past Limited Division Champion John Bagakis.
Along with the adult classifications, the IRC features divisions for Junior shooters. The junior events are always crowd-pleasers. Some of these youngsters are definitely future champions in the making. The video below shows the 2009 IRC Junior Shoot-Off for the overall Junior Title.
May 14th, 2011
Texas native Trevor Baucom, a former U.S. Army Blackhawk helicopter pilot, has joined the ranks of Team Smith & Wesson as the S&W’s first disabled veteran shooter. At the NRA’s 2011 Annual Meeting, Baucom was introduced as the newest member of the S&W Team. One of Baucom’s first events will be the prestigious NRA Bianchi Cup, scheduled for May 25-29 in Columbia, Missouri.
Pilot Wounded in Afghanistan
 With a distinguished service record of 13 years in the U.S. Army, CW3 Baucom was injured in a helicopter crash while serving his fourth deployment in Afghanistan. The injury, which occurred during a nighttime assault, left the Blackhawk command pilot paralyzed from the waist down. Once back in the USA, Baucom began his rehabilitation in Franklin, TN. There he met Shooting USA host Jim Scoutten, who encouraged Baucom to get involved in competitive shooting. The 31-year-old Vet began training with the goal of competing at the 2011 NRA Nat’l Action Pistol Championship, shooting against able-bodied competitors.
While the NRA Bianchi Cup will be Baucom’s first competitive shooting event, the avid hunter and recreational shooter is more focused on enjoying the experience than wondering what his score will be. That said, Baucom is training diligently to improve his X-count.
“For me, this is all about breaking down barriers,” said Baucom. “This opportunity presents a unique challenge for me to push my abilities. I hope that my participation will lead to other wounded warriors taking an interest in competitive shooting and that more matches like the Bianchi Cup will take a look at how they can open up spots for other disabled shooters.”
May 9th, 2011
 Smith & Wesson now offers a rebate program providing substantial savings on gun purchases for active, retired, and disabled U.S. Military personnel and Reservists. This program, which runs now through December 31, 2011, provides rebates on M&P rifles, M&P pistols, and S&W revolvers. Rifle rebates are $100.00 while pistol and revolver rebates are $50.00. Purchase rebates are limited to one rifle, one pistol, and one revolver per customer. CLICK HERE for details.
CLICK HERE to download Rebate Coupon PDF
REBATE RULES: This offer is available to ALL active duty U.S. Military, Retired Military with retired Military Status, active National Guard Reservists and Disabled Veterans of all U.S. Military branches including U.S. Coast Guard. U.S. Residents only. To qualify, customers must submit the following documentation: 1) the Redemption Coupon; 2) a copy of sales receipt; and 3) a copy of the front side of your Military ID card (active or retired) or, a copy of a Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) or, a copy of your Military Orders. All requests for rebates must be postmarked no later than January 16, 2012. If submitting LES or Military Orders, please attach a copy of your driver’s license. Factory direct and Law Enforcement Agency purchases do not qualify.
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