Posted on 06/29/2012 12:02:31 PM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer
NEW YORK -- Do you feel lucky, punk? If you're a gun manufacturer named Smith & Wesson, the answer is a resounding "Yes!"
Smith & Wesson's stock surged 16% Friday, a day after the company reported unexpectedly strong earnings.
Smith & Wesson reported a 20% increase in net sales to a record $412 million for its full fiscal year, which ended April 30.
Chief Executive James Debney attributed the increase to strong firearms sales, particularly its Military & Police (M&P) series of polymer pistols and sporting rifles. Sales of the gunmaker's newly released M&P Shield, a compact polymer pistol, has been "fantastic," he said in a statement.
Smith & Wesson forecast sales from continuing operations will expand by 36% in the current quarter and jump 17% for the year.
Cowen & Co. analyst Cai von Rumohr said that future sales are heavily dependent on presidential politics. In a research report, he said demand for firearms could slow down if Republican nominee Mitt Romney wins, "but it could remain strong if Obama wins as gun buyers may fear tighter gun controls in his second term."
(Excerpt) Read more at money.cnn.com ...
I helped. ;-)
(Though I'm really a CZ man, myself....)
Until recently, and now I find myself 2nd owner of an M&P15 (not the Sport).
M&P! Know a few 1911 loyalists (self included) who have made the switch.....
DR or Trijicon sight, 38 rounds (W/two spare full cap mags), not a bad carry package.
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
I like S&W revolvers. They are well made and shoot well. I don’t like their semi-auto pistols though. They are not as well made as their revolvers in my opinion.
I’ll stick with Springfield on my 1911s.
The only S&W gun I would want would be a model 29 with a 6” barrel. Dark blue. That and a S&W Schofield or American #3.
But again, that’s just my opinion.
Ruger stock (RGR) is also up sharply. And Ruger has no debt.
I own a few Rugers (Redhawk 44 mag, Security Six 357 mag, mini 14 223) but I stopped supporting Ruger when old Bill Ruger came out in support of the 10 round limit for pistol and rifle magazines. He is the one who gave the idea to anti-gunners to limit magazines to 10 rounds.
Lost my taste for his guns after that. Too bad though, cause they make some good guns.
I wish S&W would start making the N frame and K frame like they were during the 60s, 70s and before. That is the classic style to me and they are getting hard to find. I can’t stand the full underlug.
I remember several N frames in .44, .41 and .357 which performed about as well as it is possible for a gun to perform. I once won part of a match hitting long range rams or whatever they were with a model 27.
After the match, judge told me I had hit the two which didn’t go down. I had on ear protection and didn’t realize that, thought I had missed.
I really would like a k-22 also.
What’s the MSRP on the M&P Shield?
Bill is dead. They now make factory 30 rd mags for the Mini 14 and 30.
Nice. Looks like a self defense rifle to me.
I saw the interview, maybe on 60 minutes or a similar program.
Ruger actually said 15 rounds which just by coincidence was the capacity of his automatic pistol. The idea is the same tho, limiting the capacity of guns.
I think his Son is in charge now, if so he seems like a much more pro gun type. Ruger has become much better about selling high capacity mags for their military type guns.
I will say one thing for Ruger. He turned out some really fine guns at reasonable prices.
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