Smith & Wesson is one of America’s oldest gun makers. Famous for its revolvers, from the police Model 10 to the .44 Magnum, the company today is just as well known for its M&P polymer pistols.
Company at a glance
| Founded | 1852, Norwich, Connecticut; present company formed 1856 in Springfield, Massachusetts |
|---|---|
| Founders | Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson |
| Headquarters | Maryville, Tennessee (since 2023) |
| Ownership | Public company, Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ: SWBI) |
| Status | In operation |
Locations and moves
Smith & Wesson was based in Springfield, Massachusetts for more than 160 years. In 2021 it announced a move of its headquarters to Maryville, Tennessee, citing proposed Massachusetts gun laws, and the move was completed in 2023. Springfield remains a major manufacturing site.
- Maryville, Tennessee: headquarters, molding, assembly and distribution
- Springfield, Massachusetts: machining and manufacturing
- Houlton, Maine: parts, handcuffs and restraints
Timeline
- 1852 Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson form their first partnership.
- 1856 Smith & Wesson Revolver Company formed in Springfield, Massachusetts.
- 1870 The Model 3 becomes the first cartridge revolver adopted by the U.S. Army.
- 1899 The .38 Military & Police, later the Model 10, is introduced.
- 1935 The first .357 Magnum revolver.
- 1955 The Model 29 .44 Magnum.
- 1965 The Wesson family sells control of the company.
- 2005 The M&P polymer pistol line is introduced.
- 2020 The company becomes Smith & Wesson Brands after spinning off its outdoor products business.
- 2023 New Maryville, Tennessee headquarters completed.
- 2025 Wins a unanimous U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Mexico’s lawsuit against U.S. gun makers.
Major pistols
| Model | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| M&P 2.0 | Striker-fired | Full-size and compact service pistols |
| M&P Shield, Shield Plus | Striker-fired 9mm | Slim carry pistols |
| M&P Shield X | Striker-fired 9mm | Updated Shield |
| M&P 10mm 2.0 | Striker-fired 10mm | Full power 10mm |
| BodyGuard 2.0 | Pocket .380 | Deep concealment |
| SD VE | Striker-fired | Value line |
| Model 39, Model 59 | Hammer-fired 9mm | Historic, among the first U.S. 9mm pistols |
| SW1911 | 1911 | Steel 1911 |
Also makes: revolvers (Model 10, Model 29, J-frames, X-frame .500 S&W), rifles and carbines, and handcuffs.
Important people
- Horace Smith: co-founder
- Daniel B. Wesson: co-founder
- Mark P. Smith: President and CEO since 2020
Notable events
- More than 6 million Model 10 revolvers have been made. It was the standard U.S. police revolver for much of the 20th century.
- The Model 29 and the .44 Magnum became famous through the Dirty Harry films.
- A 2000 agreement with the federal government led to a boycott by retailers and buyers.
- In 2025 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 9-0 for the gun makers in Smith & Wesson Brands v. Mexico.
Videos
Smith & Wesson gallery
Smith & Wesson pistols from the Gun Websites collection.
More makers: Pistol Brands · New to pistols? Start with Where to Start.
Company details change. Information current as of October 2026.