Smith & Wesson Retools Image as Lawsuits Falter

The Wall Street Journal ^ | Wednesday, October 16, 2002 | VANESSA O'CONNELL and PAUL M. BARRETT

[TroutStalker]

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- For a brief time, one of the most fabled names in the gun business looked set to play the role of peacemaker.

In March 2000, Smith & Wesson, a unit of British conglomerate Tomkins PLC, agreed to settle a raft of government lawsuits by promising to restrict the marketing of its handguns. For gun-control advocates, it was a stunning victory. President Clinton hailed the pact as historic, asserting it would sharply reduce the flow of handguns to criminals.

[TroutStalker]

Current results of the poll:

Have the Washington-area sniper attacks changed your views on gun controls?
	Yes, I now favor greater gun restrictions 12 votes (8%)		No, I've always supported greater gun controls 50 votes (34%)		No, I am opposed greater gun controls 29 votes (20%)		No, but I'm afraid that Congress will be convinced to enact controls 23 votes (16%)		Current gun controls already go too far 34 votes (23%)
148 people have voted so far

[Pistolshot]

S&W bailing on the Klinton-Bore contract is pretty much my experience.

As a part-time gunsmith, I had purchased a sizable amount of S&W parts for their revolvers and semi-automatic handguns. Having worked on Smiths for a number of years I had a sizable client base for work. I was in the process of contracting the police department academy for the rebuiding of the academy revolvers, which take a huge amount of abuse. This promised to be a money generator and excellent experience.
After S&W signed on to the Klinton-Bore agreement, I was hounded by S&W for a copy of my business tax certificate, a list of customers, including type of firearm and work performed.

I would not participate and informed S&W. All the parts I had purchased were boxed up and sent back with a refund request. My reasoning was the agreement, and as long as S&W were signed to it, I would not work on ANY firearm manufactured by them.

Soon after the Tomkins sale, I was called by the Customer Service department and was asked if I would be willing to start ordering parts again. I said as long as Smith was part of the Kliton-Bore agreement there would be no business from me. The representative said that Smith was not going to cooperate any longer under the new management. Sales had fallen dramatically and they were looking to renew old ties.

I am still deciding if I want to take the risk. The offer is at a sunstantial discount, so there is incentive. My only problem is now I am part-time and have changed my priorities on gun-repair.

[TroutStalker]

Unfortunately, many people such as yourself, have been economically impacted by Thomkin's decision to capitulate to the clinton administration. On the bright side, they provided a lesson to others in the industry that we will not tolerate a sellout, as they finally retreated back to Britain with their tail between their legs.

I had purchased two S&W's in the year prior to the agreement, and did not hesitate to voice my displeasure to management vociferously. I have been slow to warm up to S&W since then, but I'm now happy to welcome them back into the fold.

[RogueIsland]

bang

[stevio]

I was deeply disappointed when S&W signed that agreement. I had purchased a snub nose .357 a couple of years prior and I really like that gun. Glad to see that they got their priorities straight. Welcome back Smith and Wesson!

[SJackson]

Translation: The federal settlement was dead...

I'm glad to be corrected, but it's my understanding that it's still in force, particularly as pertains to dealers. PS, I'd be curious if that's no longer true.

Also, aren't there plans in the works to move the Springfield works to AZ to save on labor costs. Nothing wrong with that, but I think the biggest losers in this fiasco were the employees, who may be losing again.

[TroutStalker]

One of my dealers here said that the provisions of the agreement are no longer being enforced. That being the case, it is esentially dead.

I did hear that production may eventually move to AZ. The benefits being a non-union workforce. The employees of S&W were screwed by Thomkins and clinton and their own state.

[toddst]

Welcome back Smith and Wesson!

The boycott worked beyond my expectations. The Brits are gone and American leadership with vision and committment to shooters and the NRA is clearly in place.

S&W has always offered some of the best double-action revolvers made IMHO. It's great to be able to again recommend them with pride and confidence.

[Gorzaloon]

I did hear that production may eventually move to AZ. The benefits being a non-union workforce. The employees of S&W were screwed by Thomkins and clinton and their own state.

And anyone want to bet who they voted for?

Payback's a b'tch.

That said, the old "Donut shop" K-15's we have here have absolutely the best fit and finish of anything in the house, and that's saying a lot.(Sigs, Berettas,Colts,etc..etc.)

[TroutStalker]

If I owned S&W, it would already be gone from Kennedy country.

[The Other Harry]

I am still deciding if I want to take the risk. The offer is at a sunstantial discount, so there is incentive. My only problem is now I am part-time and have changed my priorities on gun-repair.

Just looking at the numbers ($132,000 in profits on $20.6 MM in sales) and the prospect of another anti-gun president someday in the not too distant future, I wouldn't invest too much if I were you. Not unless something else happened in the interim, like a major Supreme Court ruling.

[Maceman]

Once again, we have gun control "advocates" vs. "pro-gun forces" and the "gun lobby."

The WSJ is just as bad as the rest of the liberal media once you get away from its editorial page.

[section9]

So what's the consensus?

Should I purchase an S&W .357 longnose or stick with my plans to get a model 1911.

Be Seeing You,

Chris

[dasher]

Try shooting a 6" barrel 686, you'll be amazed at what the revolver can do to a target.

[dd5339]

Ping

[tje]

My sister bought a 686 to carry when she's on the road hauling horses (she's into cutting). She'd never fired a handgun and wanted me to show her the basics. Needless to say, I was impressed with the 686 and I ended up buying one for myself. Nice weapon.

[KarlInOhio]

Yes, I now favor greater gun restrictions 36 votes (5%)
No, I've always supported greater gun controls 170 votes (25%)
No, I am opposed greater gun controls 147 votes (21%)
No, but I'm afraid that Congress will be convinced to enact controls 95 votes (14%)
Current gun controls already go too far 237 votes (35%)

[Destructor]

I will settle for nothing less than a full apology to all American gun owners! Until that apology is offered I'll never but anything that Smith & Wesson sells- ever again!

[SJackson]

I did hear that production may eventually move to AZ. The benefits being a non-union workforce. The employees of S&W were screwed by Thomkins and clinton and their own state.

Screwed by S&W too. During the boycott S&W used the distress of their long term employees as a major reason the boycott should be broken.