Smith & Wesson Company 2004 Volume 1 Issue 3 Fall 2004
Smith & Wesson 2100 Roosevelt Avenue Springfield, MA 01102-2208 800-331-0852 www.smith-wesson.com
The Smith & Wesson Club 1852 Newsletter for Members Only
Smith & Wesson Owners Sound Off
S&W Employees Join the New S&W Club 1852
S&W Thunder Ranch Model 21
High Capacity Magazine Offer
Take the S&W 1911 Survey
Smith & Wesson Club 1852 Newsletter
Page 2
S&W Customer Corner
Consider this your meeting spot. Every issue we will feature someone like you; a proud S&W owner. Whether you shoot competitively, carry for duty, hunt, just learning, or a seasoned pro, we want to hear from you. If your story appears here, we’ll send you a $50 certificate for the S&W online store. Just send your story to: Smith & Wesson Club 1852 Customer Corner 2100 Roosevelt Avenue Springfield MA 01102-2208 I had been competing for the past four years in the United States Practical Pistol Association (USPSA) matches with my S&W Model 99 in .40 S&W (what a great weapon!). In January of this year, my husband and I began putting on monthly International Confederation of Revolver Enthusiasts (ICORE) matches. This led to our attending ICORE’s IRC National Match this past June in Morro Bay, California. I’m a certified range officer so I was able to indulge my love of people and also got to shoot. What a great event! S&W is a major sponsor and really made the event one for everyone to remember. I currently compete with a S&W Model 686 in .38 Super. I had started out with a model 625, then to a model 610, a 646 and finally the 686.
Toni Clancy wrote to us from Las Vegas Nevada, thanking S&W for sponsoring the ICORE National Match of June 18, 2004. Not only does Toni shoot S&W’s but she is also a shareholder!
And now, the second reason I shoot. I love to hear the big bang and see the hole in the target!”
Thank you Toni Clancy!
“You may ask, ‘Why do you shoot?’ and I’ll tell you, first, I love people and shooting has enabled me to meet the best folks around. Everyone gives a hand to a shooter, from pointers, to loans of ammo, holsters, belts, and weapons.
Toni Clancy, bottom row, second from left, with other women members of her shooting league. Toni has found that the shooting sports offers her a chance to get out and meet people and have fun!
S&W Employees Join Club 1852
The rain held off for the official launch of the S&W Club 1852 for the employees of Smith & Wesson. Roy Cuny, President and CEO of S&W, attended three parties commemorating the employees’ membership into the new customer loyalty program. Roy was up early at 6 a.m. to share coffee and cake with the red-eye shift and spoke during the day to a crowd of employees and local media at noon. His day ended with him meeting and discussing the program with the night shift at 6 p.m.
Bill Brown, Manager of Retail Services; Paul Pluff, S&W Director of Marketing Services and Roy Cuny, President and CEO of S&W announcing the membership to over 600 Smith & Wesson employees.
Cake and soft drinks as well as membership packages were made available to all of the Smith & Wesson employees. The new S&W Club 1852 already has over 10,000 members from across the United States and is growing rapidly!
Smith & Wesson Club 1852 Newsletter
Page 3
Roy Jinks
The Smith & Wesson 1950 Model
The .44 Military - The First Model 21
The new Smith & Wesson Model 21 Thunder Ranch is a modern version of the .44 Hand Ejector Fourth Model 1950, Military. In his book on Smith & Wesson’s history, Roy Jinks, S&W historian explains... Smith & Wesson produced its new 1950 Model in both military and target sight variations. From its introduction in 1950, this fixed sight .44 Special revolver was produced in a very limited quantity. The demand for fixed sight .44 Special revolvers decreased after World War II and the production of this model was eventually changed to special orders, with the factory assembling revolvers to satisfy orders as they were received. The .44 Hand Ejector Fourth Model was listed in Smith & Wesson’s catalog as the 1950 Model .44 Military until June 1957 when it was assigned the model designation of Model 21. It was listed in the catalogs until late 1966 when it was finally discontinued. Smith & Wesson produced only 1,200 of this model during the sixteen years that it was catalogued. These revolvers were manufactured with the same engineering changes as found in the Target model and their serial numbers are scattered between S75,000 and S263,000. Because of its limited production, it is one model seldom seen in a modern Smith & Wesson collection.
Smith & Wesson Model 21 Thunder Ranch
Smith & Wesson, in conjunction with one of the most renowned firearms training facilities in the US, is proud to offer the S&W Model 21 Thunder Ranch .44 Special, available this Fall. Specifications
Model: Product Code: Frame Size: Caliber: Capacity: Action: Barrel Length: Hammer: Trigger: Front Sight: Rear Sight: Grip: Finish: Material: Special Features: 21-4 161237 Large .44 Special 6 Rounds Single/Double Action 4” .400” .312” Pinned Half Moon Service Service Smooth Wood Blue Carbon Steel Presentation Case, Engraved Sideplate with 24kt Gold Plating
High Capacity Magazine Offer
Now Available at www.smith-wesson.com
For any S&W Sigma Series, SW99 Series, Model 910 and 410, 40 Series, or 59 Series handgun purchased between August 15 to December 31, 2004, S&W will offer two high capacity magazines at no charge. To receive your high capacity magazines, you must submit handgun model, serial number and copy of dated receipt or Federal Form 4473. Details available at www.smith-wesson.com
An artist’s rendition of the Smith & Wesson .44 Hand Ejector Fourth Model 1950 Military, caliber .44 S&W Special. From Roy Jink’s book “History of Smith & Wesson” (Revised 10th Anniversary Edition).
What’s in Your Attic?
Do you have a collectible Smith & Wesson? Want to know more about a Smith & Wesson you may own? Send us a picture and we’ll feature one gun’s history every newsletter.
Smith & Wesson Club 1852 Smith & Wesson Collectibles 2100 Roosevelt Ave. Springfield, MA 01102-2008
SW 99
Smith & Wesson Joins Forces with SKI Motorsports to Field NASCAR Busch Series Entry Beginning in 2005
Smith & Wesson announces a new, multi-year partnership with SKI Motorsports to campaign a NASCAR racing entry beginning in 2005. The Smith & Wesson/SKI Motorsports Chevrolet will make its competitive debut at the NASCAR Busch Series event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 12, 2005. It is also scheduled to enter 2005 Busch series races at Atlanta, Charlotte, Daytona, Bristol, California, Texas and Phoenix. Car number, driver lineup and team personnel will be announced at a later date. "This is truly an exciting day for everyone at Smith & Wesson," said Tom Taylor, vice president of marketing for the Springfield-based company. "NASCAR is absolutely synonymous with racing. Likewise, the Smith & Wesson name represents 152 years in the firearms industry providing the trust, quality and innovation that our customers expect for sports shooting, personal protection, law enforcement & military use worldwide. We are thrilled at the opportunity to go NASCAR racing with SKI Motorsports beginning in 2005." Taylor added that Smith & Wesson plans to aggressively support its NASCAR involvement by way of high-profile marketing programs featuring fan and customer promotions, as well as at-the-track activities including safety educational initiatives. A high percentage of NASCAR fans align very well with Smith & Wesson's overall marketing efforts. SKI Motorsports, with race headquarters based in Charlotte, N.C., is an independent affiliate of Bethlehem, Pa.-based sports marketing and entertainment representation agency SKI & Company, which also has offices in London and New York. "We are extremely proud to play a role in Smith & Wesson's entry into the world of NASCAR racing," said Chris Lencheski, president of SKI Motorsports. "Our company has a history of introducing new sponsors to motor racing and helping them get the most out of their involvement. Smith & Wesson is one of the oldest companies in America and is, without question, one of the most recognized brands in the world. They are thrilled to be joining the NASCAR family of sponsors, and we hope to make this a successful partnership both on the racetrack, as well as their drive to hit new and unique marketing targets via NASCAR racing." Lencheski is a former partner in the Innovative Motorsports organization that campaigned NASCAR Busch Series entries for Kenny Wallace and Shane Hmiel and, most notably, brought sponsors Stacker2 and Mike's Hard Lemonade into the NASCAR realm.
ENTER TO WIN $100 OF SMITH & WESSON MERCHANDISE!
Complete this brief survey and fill out the required information and you will be entered to win $100 worth of Smith & Wesson apparel and/or accessories from the online store at www.smith-wesson.com. Must be postmarked by November 30, 2004. Winner will be
announced December 1, 2004. Must be 21 years of age and a member of the Smith & Wesson Club 1852.
NAME: ADDRESS: CITY STATE ZIP
Design Your Dream 1911 - Check 1 item for every category.
Caliber: 9MM___ .40 S&W___ .45 ACP___ Sights: Fixed___ Adjustable___ Finish: Black___ Silver___ Frame Size: Compact___ Mid-Size___ Full-Size___ Full-Size w/ Integral Rail___ Magazine: Single Stack (low capacity)___ Double Stack (high capacity)___ Safety: Right-Handed___ Ambidextrous___ Grips: Wood___ Rubber___ Other___
Smith & Wesson Club 1852 Newsletter
Smith & Wesson 990L Series
Model: Product Code: Frame Size: Caliber: Capacity: Action: Barrel Length: Front Sight: Rear Sight: Grip: Finish: Material:
990L 9mm- 120230 .40 S&W - 120232 Compact 9mm, .40 S&W 9mm - 10+1 Rounds .40 S&W - 8+1 Rounds Short Double Action Only 3.5” Interchangeable White Dot Adjustable 2-Dot Integral with 2 Interchangeable Backstraps Black Frame, Melonite Barrel & Slide Polymer Frame, Stainless Steel Barrel & Slide
Model: Product Code: Frame Size: Caliber: Capacity: Action: Barrel Length: Front Sight: Rear Sight: Grip: Finish: Material:
990L 9mm- 120231 .40 S&W - 120233 Full Size 9mm, .40 S&W 9mm - 10+1 Rounds .40 S&W - 10+1 Rounds Short Double Action Only 9mm - 4” .40 S&W - 4-1/8” Interchangeable White Dot Adjustable 2-Dot Integral with 3 Interchangeable Backstraps Black Frame, Melonite Barrel & Slide Polymer Frame, Stainless Steel Barrel & Slide
Model: Product Code: Frame Size: Caliber: Capacity: Action: Barrel Length: Front Sight: Rear Sight: Grip:
990L .45 ACP Full Size .45 ACP 9+1 Rounds Short Double Action Only 4-1/4” Interchangeable White Dot Adjustable 2-Dot Integral with 2 Interchangeable Backstraps
Finish:
Material:
Black Frame, Melonite Barrel & Slide Polymer Frame, Stainless Steel Barrel & Slide
RUSH!
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S&W Shooting Tips by Doug Koenig
Hunting season is underway and in many parts of the country the cold weather has chased many shooters indoors. Now is the perfect time to get out and fine tune your shooting. With less people on the range, you will have more time to set and achieve your daily goals. Where do you begin? Go back to the beginning. Review your shooting achievements this past year. Are you getting good groups? Are you putting more distance between you and the target? Are you shooting faster and more accurately? What are your goals for next year? Write them down. What you will find after a brief analysis is that this is the time to concentrate on fundamentals. Look at your stance. Draw and fire. Change stance and draw and fire again. Find the position that allows you to draw quickly and safely, present the gun to the target, fire and re-acquire the target with minimal gun movement. If it’s not your stance, check the position of your grip when drawing, presenting and firing. If you have to re-grip your gun as you are presenting it to the target, you are losing time, accuracy and just being plain unsafe. Your grip is the most fundamental skill you need in shooting and the one skill you need to review consistently and constantly. When drawing from a holster, grip the gun high. The web between your thumb and forefinger should be pressed firmly against the tang. As you withdraw the gun, your thumb should be in line with the barrel and your forefinger resting in a safe position along the slide. Remember rule one: Don’t put your finger on the trigger until you have the target in your sights and you are clear to shoot. Your remaining fingers should firmly curl around the grip. As you bring the gun up, your support hand moves into position. The support hand should also be high on the gun with the thumbs now pressed together and in line with the barrel. Your four fingers should wrap around your shooting fingers with the forefinger of the support hand firmly pressed under the trigger guard. Practice drawing and presenting until it feels natural. Too often, people will blame their gun, the ammunition, the weather, the targets, anything else when they fail to have a successful day at the range. If they just took the time to review the very basics that make up good shooting skills, they just might find they have a whole lot of room for improvement.
Smith & Wesson Club 1852 2100 Roosevelt Avenue Springfield, MA 01104
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