S&W M&Ps in Iraq

[rbernie]

Found this interesting:

http://ir.smith-wesson.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=90977&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1220183

Forces
SPRINGFIELD, Mass., Oct. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (Nasdaq: SWHC), parent company of Smith & Wesson Corp., the legendary 156-year old company in the global business of safety, security, protection and sport, announced today that it has shipped 7,500 M&P9 pistols to the U.S. Armed Forces in Iraq for distribution to Iraqi military and security forces. The procurement order was issued by the U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command. Smith & Wesson will also supply supplemental accessories and spare parts for the firearms.

Leland Nichols, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing of Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation, said, "We are extremely pleased that the M&P9 pistol was selected for use by the Iraqi government for its military and police forces. Since its introduction in January 2006, the M&P pistol series has been selected for purchase or as an approved firearm by over 430 law enforcement and security agencies in the United States and 16 other countries throughout the world. Today's announcement reflects the first order we have received for shipment of the M&P9 into Iraq. Its performance continues to demonstrate that the M&P polymer pistol series is highly suitable not only for law enforcement and personal protection, but also for use by military professionals."

Engineered to become the handgun of choice for global law enforcement and military personnel, the M&P pistol design is based on input from numerous law enforcement and military organizations. Manufactured with a Zytel(R) polymer frame reinforced with a rigid stainless steel chassis and a through-hardened black Melonite(R) finished stainless steel barrel and slide for added durability, the M&P pistol benefits from enhanced shootability along with a reduction in felt recoil. Other standard features of the M&P pistol include three interchangeable grip sizes; a sear release lever that eliminates the need to press the trigger to disassemble the firearm; an ambidextrous slide stop; reversible magazine releases and a passive trigger safety to prevent the firearm from firing if dropped. The M&P9 has a 17 + 1 capacity and the 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.

Nichols, added, "In addition to the M&P9s currently used in Iraq, Smith & Wesson firearms have also been used in active duty for the last two years with several security forces in Afghanistan including the Afghanistan National Army and Border Patrol as well as the Afghanistan National Police. To date, over 80,000 Smith & Wesson firearms are currently being used in these two countries. Reports from the field continue to indicate that the firearms are exceeding all expectations in the areas of reliability and durability. We are honored to continue delivering firearms that support men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan and we remain committed to supplying high-quality small arms to the military and federal government."

 

[tinroad37e]

When I was in Iraq, Beretta and Glock could not keep up with the demand. At a police academy in Jordan, we were issuing Glock 19s to all Iraqi Police cadets. I guess S&W is getting a piece of the pie. I'm wondering where the Springfield XD is at? I never saw one in Iraq or Jordan.

 

[KBintheSLC]

Perhaps it may be time to give the 'ol M&P line a serious look. They look like a great alternative to the Glocks we have loved and gotten bored with.

 

[Dday]

Oops - might this signal a price increase on M&P as demand/supply dynamics are impacted by this?

 

[GRIZ22]

I believe someone complained about the US buying Glocks for the Iraqis. If we're spending the money buy American. can't disagree.

 

[tinroad37e]

Our Glock shipments kept getting smaller and smaller until we could no longer issue Glocks to all the cadets. During my last month, we started receiving small shipments of Rugers to compensate for the shortages. I had a M&P .45 and I regret selling it. Another one is next on my list.

 

[CZF]

Despite being (probably) loaded with 9mm ball ammo. I think they will be well armed.

 

[Odd1]

In 2004 the Iraqi national guard (which later was renamed the Iarqi army) was being issued Walhter P99. Must be nice when you are not paying the bill.

I know this becasue I was working as a LNO with the Iraqi Police (before all these transition teams became the new word).

An Iraqi NG Colonel was visiting an Iraqi Police General while I was there. they were relatives, the Army colonel came by to show off his new Walhter.

Being a gun guy I was also admiring it. The colonel asked me if I wanted to keep it, true to the culture, when you admire something, they are quick to make a present of it.

Of course the US Army would frown on this little present, I had to turn him down.

If you ask me the whole idea of shipping pistols over there is dumb. They have the machinary, let them churn out some HP knock off, it would add to thier industrial base and create jobs as oppossed to shipping in all these new pistols.

 

[Lone_Gunman]

S&W will be glad they have this contract when Obama reactivates the HUD agreement with them, and their US sales plummet.

 

[flyboy1788]

S&W will be glad they have this contract when Obama reactivates the HUD agreement with them, and their US sales plummet.

Smith and wesson isnt even owned by the same company that made the clinton deal. The ownership has been changed since 2001. Use your internet search function and do research before spewing out nonsensical statements next time.

 

[MarcusWendt]

I think the M&P is seriously underrated and deserves more attention from the Military and LE.

Glad to see S&W is getting some business here.

 

[jon_in_wv]

I have two M&Ps and they are fantastic guns. I've even shared them on the range with a few Glock owners and they were are very impressed. All of them shot better with my M&Ps also.

 

[Lone_Gunman]

Smith and wesson isnt even owned by the same company that made the clinton deal. The ownership has been changed since 2001. Use your internet search function and do research before spewing out nonsensical statements next time.

I believe that when a corporation is sold, the legal arrangements from prior contracts and agreement generally carry forward. The agreement was between two legal entities, S&W and the federal government. It doesn't necessarily matter who owns the corporation. The agreement is not between the owners or stockholders and the government, its between the corporation and the government. The corporation still exists, and is still therefore bound by the agreement.

Now, there certainly is some question whether or not the contract is enforceable, and if Obama chooses to enforce it, S&W may well be able to convince a court that the contract is no longer valid because both sides have failed to follow the contract for many years now. But it is a legally gray area, and even the CEO of S&W acknowledges this. If it ends up in court, it could cost S&W millions of dollars to defend, even if they win.

You can read more about it here, but this is in no way as clear as you seem to want to make it:

http://www.thegunzone.com/rkba/sw-hud+3.html

My statements may be nonsensical to you, but apparently some lawyers out there are not so sure.

 

[flyboy1788]

Lone Gunman, I can see where you are coming from but that doesnt seem to be the case in this particular instance. A couple examples of this is that a particular stipulation of the clinton deal was that smith and wesson make integral locks on all there guns as well as to not make a gun with a capacity of more than ten rounds. Lastly there was a restriction on the amount of guns smith would produce. As you may have noticed, m&p9s are available with 17 round mags if Im not mistaken, and Smith offers the M&P15 rifle that comes standard with 30 round mags and does not have an ILS. Granted, I did not read any official press releases stating the new owners of Smith and Wesson is not honoring the Clinton deal, but IMHO actions clearly speak louder than words, and since 2001 they have made some very large steps to get away from the retarded clinton agreement that was made in 2000. And yes a lawsuit can be filed I suppose, but I cant imagine it would get too much of a foothold. Just my opinion. It is worth what you payed for it

 

[Deepskyy]

Being the proud owner of an M&P 40 and now an M&P 15, I can say... dont blame ya!
I love mine. Easily have putten over 1000 rounds through the .40 in under a year (with meticulous care between range visits!) and I come back smiling every time!

 

[Lone_Gunman]

I think all that has really happend with the agreement is that S&W has breached it, and the federal government has yet to call them on it. Maybe the delay will nullify the contract. I think that will need to be decided in court. The govt has unlimited resources for pursuing this in court, S&W does not. If the choice S&W has to make is either spend millions of dollars in court, or complying with the agreement, they will have some tough choices to make, and are screwed either way.

 

[flyboy1788]

I think all that has really happend with the agreement is that S&W has breached it, and the federal government has yet to call them on it. Maybe the delay will nullify the contract. I think that will need to be decided in court. The govt has unlimited resources for pursuing this in court, S&W does not. If the choice S&W has to make is either spend millions of dollars in court, or complying with the agreement, they will have some tough choices to make, and are screwed either way.

Good point, but either way, I feel WAAAYYYYY better now that smith is not owned by that british company Tomkins or whatever the heck it is called. As for now, the Smith and Wesson brass seem to have them pointed in the right direction, and as gun enthusiasts, we can only hope they stay that way.

 

[Onmilo]

I am not so sure I would say they are on the right track.
They have cheapened up the manufacturing process for their firearms while continuing to increase the overall costs to the consumer.

I personally don't consider this to be on the right track.

 

[flyboy1788]

I am not so sure I would say they are on the right track.
They have cheapened up the manufacturing process for their firearms while continuing to increase the overall costs to the consumer.

I personally don't consider this to be on the right track.

please do elaborate. A source would be nice.

 

[rbernie]

They have cheapened up the manufacturing process for their firearms while continuing to increase the overall costs to the consumer.

I would imagine that's true on the wheelgun side. S&W has moved their 'traditional' wheelguns into the brave new world of locks, MIM, construction with adhesives, and so forth.

On the semi-auto side, the M&P sells for less than the 3rd gen pistols and seems to be adequate in terms of quality.

 

[Thin Black Line]

Brand new S&W still in the original box, unfired, for sale in market in Baghdad
in 5...4...3...2...1...

 

[medic_guns]

corps and contracts

Someone mentioned contracts surviving when corporations change hands. That actually depends upon the structure of the deal. Another corporation can come along and do a deal whereby all of the assets are picked up in an asset deal. Or, a reorg can be done and stock from the buyer can be traded for the assets, not the stock. There are several ways to execute the deal. If a straight stock purchase is made, then all potential suits and the like will survive.