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Since 1852 we’ve been an industry leading manufacturer of pistols, revolvers, rifles, and shooting accessories. We continue to bring innovative firearms to market that meet the needs of every shooter and deliver on exceptional quality with a brand you’ve learned to trust.

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Consumer

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Smith & Wesson

Smith & Wesson (Consumer)

Did you know you could purchase firearms online? In fact, yes you can! While you can make the purchase online, it's not like buying a coffee maker on Amazon and having it shipped right to your front door. Federal law requires firearms be shipped to a federally licensed firearms dealer (FFL) in your state of residence. The process goes like this: You’ve been scrolling <a href="http://www.smith-wesson.com/">www.smith-wesson.com</a> and you’ve found the gun for you. <img height="auto" src="https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltb61dcb3c40854cd9/blt544e82881fae9bdc/63728247da728110eb03a10a/buyonline-blog-001.jpg" width="715" max-width="715" style="width: 715px; height: auto;"/> When you visit your local FFL to pick up your new gun, you’ll need your driver's license or valid I.D., and permit if required by your state. The <a href="https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/resources/ccw_reciprocity_map/">USCCA</a> is an excellent resource for information on your states’ permit requirements. Once you have shown these to your FFL, they will give you a Firearm Transaction Record (Form 4473) to complete; they will then submit your 4473 Form to the FBI for a background check. After you pass, and pay a separate nominal FFL transfer fee, the firearm is yours. <img height="auto" src="https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltb61dcb3c40854cd9/blt6f624fc53bb0b852/6372826732130110b27973e3/buyonline-blog-002.jpg" width="715" max-width="715" style="width: 715px; height: auto;"/> Since firearms are regulated purchases, even online purchases become in-store experiences. While shopping online may afford you the ability to order something your local dealer doesn’t have, we still encourage you and especially first-time buyers, to trust the expertise of an in-person dealer experience. Nothing online can compare to being able to touch and feel the firearms you are wanting to purchase to be sure they will work for you. The beauty of an in-store experience is really the salespeople. They have spent numerous hours behind the counter, have seen a variety of firearms come through the cases and can guide you toward the ideal firearm and caliber for your needs, size, and budget. If your FFL has an on-site range, you can often try before you buy, something you just can't do online… To find your nearest Smith & Wesson retail partner, visit our <a href="https://www.smith-wesson.com/dealer-locator">Dealer Locator.</a>.

It's not quite like making other online purchases, but it can be done!

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DID YOU KNOW YOU CAN BUY GUNS ONLINE?

Initially designed to replace the 9x19mm cartridge we all know and love, the 5.7x28mm cartridge looks and performs very differently from its adversary. As opposed to the 9mm, the 5.7 is a bottlenecked-style centerfire cartridge, visually akin more to rifle style ammunition. With this style of cartridge, the projectile is significantly smaller and lighter in grain weights than that of the 9mm, with more space within the casing to increase the amount of powder used to propel the round. As such, you can see how the 5.7x28mm cartridge easily outperforms the ballistics of the 9x19mm. With the lightweight projectile and more than adequate firepower, the 5.7 is known for its high muzzle velocity and flat trajectory with mild recoil. The combination of these three factors make the 5.7 an enjoyable round to shoot and allows for generous magazine capacity. With all of the firepower behind the 5.7 round, it hasn’t always gotten the best track record for reliability. Containing the gasses that come with a higher velocity of the 5.7 is a challenge for even the best of engineers… This is where the <a href="/search?query=M&P%205.7" target="_blank">M&P® 5.7</a> comes in. Designed with the new S&W® TEMPO™ two-part barrel system, this gun is built to be the most reliable 5.7 pistol on the market. To achieve this, the fire control system of the M&P 5.7 is like no other. So, what makes it tick? Not only is it internally hammer-fired but it is also gas operated with a locked breech. And what does all of this do you might ask… proper timing; the combination of hammer, gas operation, and locked breach allows the bullet to pass the gas port before the barrel cams open. This functionality means the shooter can enjoy repeatable and consistent extraction and overall firearm reliability. Adding to the reliability and firepower, the M&P 5.7 brings additional features to this new M&P pistol. Every M&P 5.7 comes equipped with a 5” threaded barrel with a 1/2x28 thread pitch. The slide reciprocates quickly and smoothly with dual mill cuts along the top, lightening the weight of the slide for faster and more consistent follow up shots. With the unique size of the 5.7 cartridge, these pistols boast a generous 22+1 magazine capacity. The grip of the M&P 5.7 is also derived from the shape of the 5.7 cartridge. These firearms have a slim and well textured grip, allowing for a nice even purchase with enough room for your hand to comfortably reach the single-action flat-face trigger. Carrying over some features from many others in the M&P M2.0® line, these pistols come optics ready, with metal white dot sights, have forward and rear slide serrations, Picatinny style rail, ambidextrous slide stop, and reversible magazine release. The first new Smith & Wesson® you can expect this year is kicking off SHOT Show with a bang. Make the new M&P 5.7 the first new addition to your collection this year. Shipping to stores now, find your local dealer on our <a href="/dealer-locator" target="_self">Dealer Locator</a>. You can also shop online at <a href="https://www.guns.com/smith-wesson" target="_blank">Guns.com</a>, <a href="https://www.gearfire.com/smith-wesson/" target="_blank">Gearfire</a>, or <a href="https://www.galleryofguns.com" target="_blank">GalleryOfGuns.com</a>. For more information about the M&P 5.7 <a href="/product/mp-57-with-thumb-safety" target="_self">visit the product page</a>.

Breathing new life and reliability into the unique high-power 5.7x28mm cartridge.

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M&P 5.7

If you’ve ever had the chance to shoot a big-bore revolver, you know how powerful it can feel. While heavy recoil tends to be associated with larger calibers, powerful hunting or defense rounds out of small, lightweight firearms can kick too. If you’re planning to shoot any of these, hopefully, you’ve had the chance to prepare for significant recoil to make it a positive experience. If not, or if you’re interested in shooting more powerful firearms, here are my tips for success with revolvers and ammo that pack a punch. Foundation Building When we think about making a successful shot, it starts with the fundamentals of grip, stance sight alignment, and trigger control. Getting into a good stance and having a secure grip on the handgun is critical to your success. When I know I will be contending with more recoil, I’m much more aggressive with my stance. I spread my feet so they are wider than my shoulders and as a right-handed shooter, I move my right foot back much more than I would when shooting softer loads. I also lean forward, bending at the waist to help my body absorb recoil better.<img src="https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltb61dcb3c40854cd9/blt58fbeec6a7cfb90c/63d064c33968ef285bb1c43c/BigGuns-1.jpg" height="auto"/>Where you can easily adjust your stance, getting a proper grip can be more complicated. A small AirWeight® J-frame has a tiny grip compared to the generous grip size of a Smith & Wesson® 460XVR™ or S&W500™. For someone with smaller hands, the J-frame may be easier to grasp than the larger X-frame; add in grip features like finger grooves, and it might be harder to achieve an ideal grip. Grip material can also come into play when it comes to shooting comfort. As much as wood or G-10 grips may look nice or provide additional checkering, rubber grips are often preferred by those who shoot hotter ammo. When it comes down to it, the softer rubber adds more cushion in the hand and disperses the recoil more evenly. As with any pistol shooting, your goal should be to eliminate any space between your hands in your two-handed grip while still being able to reach the trigger. The larger the grip, the more challenging this can be. Pay extra attention to your support hand thumb, keeping it away from the revolver’s cylinder to avoid a potential burn and discomfort. This is what makes the thumb-over-thumb grip technique for revolvers so popular. It prevents potential injury. <img asset_uid="blt1173f820d3db2bc1" src="https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltb61dcb3c40854cd9/blt1173f820d3db2bc1/63d064c3f305c35fff9c0eef/BigGuns-2.jpg" height="auto"/>Take the time to practice both grip and aggressive stance in dry fire. It may feel silly, but the more you practice trigger control with the ideal grip and stance, the more successful you’ll be when you’re ready to take the shot. If you’re practicing with a heavy revolver, it might call for a shooting rest, sandbag, or shooting sticks. Your stance will change for these options, but you’ll still want to lean into the gun to put as much mass behind it as possible to control the recoil.If the revolver has an external hammer, it’s a good idea to dry fire both double-action and single-action pulls. Even if you only intend to shoot single action, focusing on a smooth pull in double action will improve your overall trigger control. That improvement will carry over to every firearm you shoot. Shot anticipation can be a tough issue to overcome. When we anticipate something uncomfortable, it’s normal to try to counteract it and even worse, the expectation can cause a natural flinch reflex. This is why dry fire is so helpful, it allows you to focus on the shot process without the distraction of recoil. It builds confidence through familiarity. You’ll feel more prepared because you have spent time learning the best way to hold the handgun, the position your body should be in to control recoil, and knowledge of how the trigger feels when you press it. Ready for the Range Ideally, plan a range session with a smaller caliber revolver first, starting with the softest loads and building up. For example, shooting a revolver in .38 Special with target loads will help you prepare to shoot hotter +P ammo or magnum loads. When you feel ready to fire a big bore, opt for softer loads instead of the most powerful options. Set up an easy, close target with a defined aiming point. Dry fire the handgun a few times to feel the trigger in your ideal grip and stance, focusing on proper technique. When you feel ready, load it with a single round. This ensures the revolver cannot fire another round and makes it safe so that you can put it down if you need to. Repeat the same focus on the fundamentals, set your sights on the aiming point, and press.Congratulations! Once you’ve taken that first shot, take the time to reflect, not just on the power or recoil, but on the steps, you took to prepare for it as well. Now that you know what to expect, you can improve and make new goals.

Building up to shooting big bore doesn't have to be intimidating, Julie Golob explains it all...

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Bringing Out the Big Guns - Preparing for Heavy Recoil

An affectionate term in America for firearms has often been: “The Great Equalizer.” Referencing of course, the mathematical symbol used to calculate the sum of two or more numbers the same numeric value, known as the equal. Now let’s take that concept and look at the Smith & Wesson® line of semi-auto pistols. Taking cues from several other firearms in the Smith & Wesson® line, the Equalizer™ is a firearm that combines several features to open itself up as a do-it-all gun for the masses. Though, I might say that as accurate as its name is, the versatility of this gun is actually the name of the game here. However, Versatil-izer doesn’t quite have the same ring to it!I have to admit, upon first seeing the Equalizer, I wasn’t particularly sold on it. Had it not been for my friends at Smith & Wesson, I likely wouldn’t have tried it out. As the specs were released, and subsequent online reviews and YouTube videos came out, I became increasingly interested.What caught my eye the most was the dimensions. It maintains a level of slimness commonly found in micro-compacts and slimline concealed carry pistols. One of the things with firearms of this size that people often gripe about is that they are too small for those with larger hands. In this case, the Equalizer has a bit more to hold onto, including a grip safety, which I’ll get to later. As far as capacity goes, it ships with three magazines of varying sizes and capacity: 10, 13, and 15 rounds. For someone like me who owns an M&P®9 M2.0® Shield™ Plus, the magazines are also interchangeable, which is exciting news. I am a huge proponent of compatibility between platforms and a consistent manual of arms, so this is also more than welcome. The addition of a Picatinny rail to fit most lights and an included optic mount system for the most common red dots, such as the Holosun 507K, attribute to the immediate usability of this gun.<img src="https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltb61dcb3c40854cd9/blte2d5c16b4427bdc0/63c23e81be10fd14ecb45a0f/versatil-izer3.png" height="auto"/> In the past, the EZ lineup was something I really hadn’t considered for myself as the general bias was toward users lacking grip strength for slide manipulation and ease of use. Being a “gun guy” with a long history of strength training, it wasn’t a consideration. While the Equalizer certainly lends itself to ease of operation, light recoil, and a simple takedown for cleaning, its features put it right in the conversation not only with all the other concealed carry gun staples, but full-size pistols as well. With a 10-round magazine in, I can just about get a full four-fingered grip on the gun, offering a tad bit more purchase than my Shield Plus. The interesting part is that when you stand the guns next to each other, the Equalizer is basically the same height and even a bit shorter lengthwise than my current carry pistol!The 13-round magazine gives me a comfortable grip and offers a reassuring capacity. For me, the shorter grip and a thinner silhouette of the Equalizer make this gun much easier and more comfortable to carry than that of a compact or standard-sized pistol. The additional 15-round magazine is not just an exciting component for the Equalizer but is a more than welcome addition to the lineup of magazine compatibility for Shield Plus owners. And whether you have poor dexterity or not, the included Uplula® by Maglula magazine loader is always nice to have.<img asset_uid="blta74a0d66879f6279" src="https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltb61dcb3c40854cd9/blta74a0d66879f6279/63c23e815156964aea43482b/versatil-izer4.png" height="auto"/>On the range, the gun cycles quickly with very little recoil credited to the lighter recoil spring and magic dust S&W came up with. Being hammer-fired, there isn’t much take up or stacking like you may find on striker-fired guns and the break is crisp. I’ve found the Equalizer pleasant to shoot and groups very well even out to 15 yards, which is as far as I typically train. Now, what about my concerns on the grip safety? My initial hypothesis was that the grip safety would either hinder my high grip or cause some friction hot spots on my hands, but to my pleasant surprise, it did neither. I had no discomfort while shooting and maintained a great grip on the gun. Grip safeties seem to get a bad rap, but in testing I was able to discharge the firearm without issue, even when I shifted my grip to different positions.<img asset_uid="blt8cf3329247872012" src="https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltb61dcb3c40854cd9/blt8cf3329247872012/63c23e81b8716675944928d7/versatil-izer2.png" height="auto"/>In a time where we’ve seen millions of new gun owners, having a firearm package this versatile is a real treat. The Equalizer platform should appeal to all, regardless of age, strength or gender. And it’s one that can both be carried and used for home defense, which is unique in today’s market. I am not a fan of blanket recommendations for new shooters, as I prefer to have people pick out guns that interest them, fit their hands and shoot well, but the value has to also be there. Too many guns these days come ready to be upgraded and not ready to use in my opinion, skimping on included magazines and other features. Not everyone will become gun enthusiasts and for someone looking to dip their toes in the water and get one gun to do everything, the Equalizer is a very worthy option.

Taking cues from several other firearms in the Smith & Wesson® line, the Equalizer™ is a firearm that combines several features to open itself up as a do-it-all gun for the masses.

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THE GREAT VERSATIL-IZER?

If you are going to carry concealed lawfully under your<a href="https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/resources/ccw_reciprocity_map/">state’s guidelines</a>, it is important to practice drawing from concealment. It’s a bit different than your typical range day, but understanding the fundamentals of draw stroke, trigger discipline, muzzle awareness and safely reholstering are key to safely and responsibly carrying concealed. <iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rXjlz-X4IFA" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe>

The Importance of Practicing with Your CCW

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DRAWING YOUR EDC!

When shopping for ammunition, you’ll find a wide variety of calibers outside of the norm, like the calibers we talked about in Handgun Caliber Names Explained. Alongside normal 9mm Luger, 9x19mm, or 9mm Nato ammo, you will see boxes that say they are +P. Simply put, 9mm +P are higher pressure rounds that develop more muzzle energy than standard rounds. You will of course find +P ammunition in other calibers as well. The higher muzzle velocity on the projectile creates a more powerful impact but also means there will be an increase in recoil. You should always consult your owner’s manual before using +P ammunition in your firearm. If your handgun is older and you don't have a manual to consult or can't find confirmation from the manufacturer, then it's best to assume you should not use it. +P ammunition in a handgun that is not rated for it can have dangerous and catastrophic results. Some handguns are simply not designed for the higher-pressure loads making this combination of firearm and ammunition unsafe. If you can’t find this information, it is best to stick to standard pressure loads, which means avoiding +P entirely. <img height="auto" src="https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltb61dcb3c40854cd9/blt4410362772da9b19/63726cbfea930410907d6b9d/plus_p-blog-001_0.jpg" width="715" max-width="715" style="width: 715px; height: auto;"/> Now, back to why you would choose to use +P ammo. Aside from producing greater muzzle velocity, there are other factors to consider but for now let's just look at the velocity. A 9mm 124gr Federal® HST® has a muzzle velocity of 1150 feet-per-second (FPS). The same bullet in Federal HST +P has a muzzle velocity of 1200 FPS. A 50 FPS increase is only about 4% faster, but I’ve illustrated with the targets below how that small increase in velocity has a big impact on energy. <img height="auto" src="https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltb61dcb3c40854cd9/bltf85e395e8472034a/63726ce4e07e1711051cd812/plus_p-blog-002.jpg" width="715" max-width="715" style="width: 715px; height: auto;"/> Now let's look at weight, the second key factor in the energy equation. You will see the weight of the bullet in grains featured somewhat prominently on each box of ammunition. Standard 9mm target ammo will most often be 115gr or 124gr. You might hear some people say that the heavier bullets have more energy or “stopping power”. In some cases that is correct, but it is not the whole story and often wrong if you don't consider all the factors. Energy or “stopping power” is a function of the mass of the bullet multiplied by the square of velocity. Velocity is determined by the powder charge used to propel the bullet. The +P charge on the 9mm HST I mentioned gains 50 FPS over the standard charge but remember that energy is a square of the velocity. That means for the same weight bullet we’re now multiplying by a much bigger number. Without detailing out the math, that standard 124gr HST with its 1150 FPS has 364 ft-lbs of energy. The 124gr +P HST has 396 ft-lbs, a 9% increase in energy for only a 4% increase in velocity. Now let's look at what a heavier bullet does for energy. With a heavier bullet, the diameter and the overall length of the loaded cartridge has to remain the same to fit the magazine and chamber. That means extra weight must be on the bottom of the bullet which is seated in the cartridge. That means there is less room for powder in the case. For this reason, you generally won't see a 147gr +P, though some do exist. What you will usually find on the shelf is 147gr HST with a muzzle velocity of 1000 FPS. The bullet itself is 18% heavier than the 124gr, but it's now traveling 150 FPS or 13% slower. When you look at the result of the energy equation, the 147gr HST ends up with 326 ft-lbs, an 11% decrease in energy from the standard HST. The bullet has more mass, but it has a lot less energy because it can't reach the same velocity. Another factor related to both the velocity and bullet weight you should consider is the expansion. Hollow-point bullets are designed to have controlled expansion which is caused by simple physics. The hollow point has seams designed to split like petals on a flower and curl back; these increase drag make the diameter larger. This does two things; it creates a larger impact point and dissipates energy to the target faster meaning the bullet will dissipate most of its energy inside the target. Generally speaking, the faster a hollow-point is traveling, the more it will expand. Think of throwing a water balloon, if you throw it slow, it may not break, or you just get a small splash. The same balloon thrown much faster splatters and sprays much wider. A bullet is obviously much tougher, but the same idea of expansion relative to velocity applies. <img height="auto" src="https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/bltb61dcb3c40854cd9/bltddde581c139a8632/63726d0cdeb37610ecbb2bb4/plus_p-blog-003.jpg" width="715" max-width="715" style="width: 715px; height: auto;"/>Often, you'll hear "a bigger bullet makes a bigger hole." As we showed with energy, that's not necessarily true. Let's talk expansion by looking at the Federal HST lineup for 9mm again. These numbers are averages from testing in ballistics gel out of a 4” barrel. A shorter barrel will reduce velocity so these numbers can change if you’re using a different gun. On average, the 124gr 9mm HST expands to around 0.63”. A 124gr 9mm +P expands to 0.67” and the 147gr 9mm expands to 0.62”. All of these have very good expansion, but the higher velocity +P has a bit of an edge over the slower rounds. When it comes to ballistics, there is a lot to cover and a multitude of options to choose from. And as with all things, there are trade-offs… Choosing a +P round comes with higher recoil but better ballistic performance and more energy. What works for one person will not be the same for others; as with every aspect of firearms, you should test your options and decide on what works best for you.

The same caliber, the same grain weight, with greater velocity? What is +P anyway?