Fresh off record breaking profits in the first quarter of fiscal 2013, Smith & Wesson is looking to the future, reducing operating costs and gearing up for increased production of the M&P pistol line.
According to a press release from Smith & Wesson, Q1-2013 (ending August 31, 2012) was quite good for the company with record net sales and profits plus a reduction in operating costs.
Key Points
net sales of $136 million, up more than 48% from Q1-2012
gross profit of $51.3 million, or 37.7% of net sales
gross profit up from $26.5 million in Q1-2012
operating expenses down by $1 million when compared to Q1-2012
net income a record $18.9 million, up from $2.3 million in Q1-2012
Here are a few new guns and other gear I have stumbled across recently.
ARES SHRIKE 5.56 Upper
ARES Defense is now selling an AR upper that allows the user to swap between magazine fed and belt fed. Â This upper is chambered in 5.56 NATO and is compatible with all M4/M16 magazines and M27 linked SAW ammo. Â No word on pricing.
Nautilus Rotating Rail
I’m really not clear on what I would ever use this for, but I’m sure some serious engineering went into the development of this kit.  Made by Ballista Tactical, the Nautilus Rotating Rail gives the shooter a “shift on the fly” capability to rotate rail accessories in 45 degree increments.
LMT Pig Package
Lewis Machine and Tool Company is making a Pig Man .308 rifle as part of an endorsement deal with Brian Quaca’s television show. Â The show is called “Pig Man: The Series.”
One of our writers is at the 2012 NRA Show this weekend, so watch this page for news and photos of guns and gear being shown in St. Louis. Please note that the NRA Annual Meetings and Expo is the largest public event in the USA for shooting enthusiasts. For members of the shooting industry, the annual SHOT Show is the big event you will want to attend.
Rock River Arms Varmint Rifle
Rock River Arms (RRA) showed the new Fred Eichler varmint rifle at the show. The guns are based on the company’s LAR-15 platform and have a variety of upgrades designed to enhance accuracy. The MSRP for these guns is $1,510.
Here is a video of the gun:
Beretta ARX 160 in .22 LR
This is a video of the new Beretta ARX160 chambered in .22 LR. The Beretta team also announced that the ARX160 in 5.56 should be released later this year.
New Products from CrossBreed Holsters
Mark Craighead talks about some of the new rigs the company is now making. Also, they are offering a 15% discount for all NRA show attendees if you are at the show.
Advanced Technology International Halo Heatshield
This is a new free-floating heat shield for shotguns. It includes ghost ring sights and the ability to add Picatinny rails if desired.
New Gear from Fort Knox Gun Safes
Fort Knox has a number of new safes and accessories that they introduced at the show. The corner bolts on the safes look impressive.
Ruger 22/45 Lite Pistol
Ruger showed off the new 22/45 Lite pistol. This is an impressive little rimfire pistol. I would love to get one of these on the range.
Crimson Trace
CT introduced a number of new products at the NRA expo. Included among them were new pistol mountable lights called the RailMaster Light. They throw 100 lumens and have a run time of 120 minutes.
The company also brought out some new green laser aiming devices. Green is all new for the company with red in the name. There will be a number of new products using the green lasers.
On September 8, 2010, Ruger announced the Mini Thirty Tactical rifle. Chambered for the 7.62×39 cartridge, the new Mini-30 offered a more compact version of the company’s existing Mini 14 and Mini Thirty platforms.
Let’s take a look at this rifle and where it is today.
Well, the 2011 SHOT Show is closer than the 2010 Show, so I thought I would take a look at some of the most popular new guns of 2010. Â Popularity was determined based on Google keyword searches and forum posts that I read. Â So, yeah, this list is pretty arbitrary, but hey, it’s my list. Â Your feedback is encouraged!
Gen 4 Glock (any) – Like them or hate them, the Glock line of pistols is one of the most popular series of handguns currently in the US. Â One of the few complaints about the Glock has been the size of the grip. Â Answering public demand, Glock introduced the Gen 4 series of pistols that feature an adjustable grip size, new grip texture, a magazine release button update, and a double recoil spring assembly.
Initially offered in the models 17 and 22, the Gen 4 Glock 19 is now available, and the Gen 4 Glock 23 should begin shipping in the next 30-45 days.
Taurus 740 Slim – Based on the success of the 709 Slim, Taurus introduced the .40 caliber version in 2010. Â The 740 Slim is a compact, single-stack pistol chambered for the .40 S&W cartridge. Â Larger than the current crop of .380 pistols in the market, the 740 is still a very compact package that offers 6 + 1 rounds of a respected self-defense cartridge. Â Also unlike many diminutive pistols, the 740 Slim has good sights that, while smaller than a full-size gun, are easy to pick up and are adjustable. Â Read this for a full Taurus 740 review.
Ruger SR9c – The SR9c pistol is the compact version of the full-sized SR9. Â Ruger has re-made itself in recent years, offering many more concealed carry and tactical products like the LCP, LCR, and SR556. Â The 9mm SR9c is a continuation of their self-defense concept. Â I have not been able to shoot an SR9c yet, but from all indications, Ruger has a real hit with this pistol.
Smith & Wesson Bodyguard – Smith & Wesson has always been known for their great revolvers. Â Armed citizens and cops alike have favored the J-frame revolvers for pocket and ankle carry, with models like the 442 and 642 being some of the most popular guns in the S&W catalog.
This year S&W introduced a polymer-metal hybrid revolver with an integrated laser called the S&W Bodyguard chambered in .38 Special.  The revolver looks similar to the J-frame ‘hammerless’ revolvers that sell so well for S&W, but apparently are a complete redesign, sharing no parts with their all-metal predecessors.  One of the obvious changes is the ambidextrous cylinder release that was moved from the side of the revolver to the top where you would normally find a hammer on a revolver.
Fresh off record breaking profits in the first quarter of fiscal 2013, Smith & Wesson is looking to the future, reducing operating costs and gearing up for increased production of the M&P pistol line.
ARES SHRIKE 5.56 Upper
Gen 4 Glock (any) – Like them or hate them, the Glock line of pistols is one of the most popular series of handguns currently in the US. Â One of the few complaints about the Glock has been the size of the grip. Â Answering public demand, 