M & Ps sales surge

Shooting Industry, August, 2007 by Massad Ayoob

The Smith & Wesson Military & Police auto pistols in 9mm, .40 S & W, .45 ACP and .357 SIG have vaulted to the forefront of sales at many gun shops.

"Right now, the M & P pistols are our single best-selling model," said Jack Pickett at Beckwith's Gun Shop in Micanopy, Fla. "They're at the same price-point as the Glock or a little less, but they come with the interchangeable back panels to fit the gun to the shooter's hand. That is the deciding factor for a lot of our customers."

The introduction of the .45 ACP version, and of the subcompacts in the same size range as "baby Glocks," has helped S & W M & P sales.

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The M & P is accurate and reliable. At matches from IDPA to IPSC (Production class) to "steel shoots," I'm seeing more and more Smith M & P pistols, usually in 9mm. Julie Goloski won the last IDPA national women's championship with a 9mm M & P.

Perennial Seller

The 1911 isn't a best-seller at every gun shop, but it's a steady seller at most. The ergonomics of the 1911 pistol are timeless. The 1911's history in the field is incomparable and its slimness makes it comfortable for concealed carry. With an array of sizes from subcompact to long-slide, and from polymer to Scandium to aluminum to all-steel frame, in addition to a choice of calibers from .22 LR to .50 GI, the 1911 is a perennial seller.

The bottom line is that quality, reliability, reputation and features ranging from size and weight to hand fit are "sale closers" with a huge percentage of your customers.