SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts --Smith & Wesson Corp., the legendary 157-year old firearms maker, announced today that the Washington State Patrol (WSP) has selected firearms from the company's Military & Police (M&P) Pistol Series for duty use. The Smith & Wesson M&P40, which is made in the United States, will be issued to each officer of the Washington State Patrol to replace firearms supplied by a European-based manufacturer that had previously served as the primary duty sidearm. The Washington State Patrol has ordered 1,400 M&P40 pistols. The company has also recently completed shipments of 1,300 M&P pistols to be used by the Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC).

The WSP selected the M&P pistol after an extensive testing and evaluation process, which included various competitors. State Patrol evaluators indicated that the M&P pistol incorporated several key features including enhanced ergonomics and ambidextrous controls that are valuable for their officers. The evaluators added that the polymer pistol's interchangeable grip sizes, ease of maintenance and level of support offered by Smith & Wesson were all primary factors in their recommendation that the WSP acquire the M&P pistol. In addition to the State Patrol's high remarks on the performance of the M&P pistol during testing, officials at Washington State DOC commended Smith & Wesson for its customer service, product warranty and armorer's training conducted by the company.

"Contracts from departments such as the Washington State Patrol and other various organizations within the Washington State DOC, demonstrate the diversity of the M&P pistol series as well as the ability of the M&P product line to meet a broad range of applications and requirements," said Leland Nichols, Smith & Wesson's Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. "The recent orders from the multiple state agencies within Washington include contracts for not only the M&P40 but also for the M&P9 and M&P45 pistol. Our ability to supply each of these agencies with duty firearms that meet their individual needs reflects our continuing commitment to provide law enforcement personnel with the most advanced and innovative products in the marketplace."

Divisions within the Washington DOC that have converted to the M&P pistol include the Correctional Facility, Women's Correction Facility and the Washington State Penitentiary along with several other state institutions.

The M&P pistol features a Zytel® polymer frame reinforced with a rigid stainless steel chassis and a through-hardened black Melonite® finished stainless steel barrel and slide for durability; a passive trigger safety to prevent the pistol from firing if dropped; and a sear release lever that eliminates the need to press the trigger in order to disassemble the firearm. A loaded chamber indicator is located on top of the slide. The firearm also features an ambidextrous slide stop and a reversible magazine release, as well as an enlarged trigger guard designed to accommodate gloves. The M&P40 has a 15 + 1 capacity and the Smith & Wesson lifetime service policy is standard with each pistol. The M&P pistol series is available in 9mm, .40S&W, .357SIG, and .45ACP calibers. Compact versions of the M&P pistol are also available for concealed carry and back-up use.

About Smith & Wesson
Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation, a global leader in safety, security, protection and sport, is parent company to Smith & Wesson Corp., one of the world's largest manufacturers of quality firearms and firearm safety/security products and parent company to Universal Safety Response, a full-service perimeter security integrator, barrier manufacturer and installer, as well as parent company to Thompson/Center Arms Company, Inc., a premier designer and manufacturer of premium hunting rifles, black powder rifles, interchangeable firearms systems and accessories under the Thompson/Center brand. Smith & Wesson licenses shooter protection, knives, apparel, and other accessory lines. Smith & Wesson is based in Springfield, Massachusetts with manufacturing facilities in Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire and Tennessee. The Smith & Wesson Academy is America's longest running firearms training facility for law enforcement, military and security professionals. For more information on Smith & Wesson, call (800) 331-0852 or log on to www.smith-wesson.com. For more information on Universal Safety Response, log on to www.usrgrab.com. For more information on Thompson/Center Arms, log on to www.tcarms.com.