To view this site you need Adobe Flash Player and your browser must allow javaScripts. Go here to get the latest Flash Player. Massad Ayoob Dealers Profit From S&W Performance Center Services T he Smith & Wesson Performance engraving patterns can get complicated. still available. Center and its upscale, fine-tuned But, Miele said, “We will work with dealSmith & Wesson is doing some truly handguns have elicited much inter- ers on pricing.” gorgeous nickel now — as you’ve seen est from gun enthusiasts who apon some of their Classic models preciate top-quality pistols and — and this can be done on your revolvers. But does the Perforcustomers’ guns, as well. Check mance Center offer anything for with the Performance Center for the dealer? The answer is yes. the cost for the three options: However, to make a worthwhile bright blue, nickel or polished profit, the dealer must do a little stainless — dealers get 20 perpicking and choosing. Tony Miele cent off. runs both the engraving operation Turnaround time to finish and the Performance Center. work was recently quoted at “Most hand-engraved guns seven to 10 days, but make sure are done direct through the comto double check when you place pany,” Miele said. “The problem your order. is, dealers don’t come looking I’ve seen some truly beautifor us. Usually, the end-user ful triggers come out of the Percalls Smith & Wesson directly, formance Center. Their doubleand they just go through dealers action revolver hones are quite for the shipping.” good, and what they do with the Miele says dealers who are Dealers can take advantage of the Smith & Wesson Performance trigger pulls on S&W semiautointerested in engraving jobs Center’s wide range of custom services. matics is simply extraordinary. should call Pat Frates for quotes The price list for the center’s at 1-800-331-0852. Many of us old shooters sigh about the action work can be found easily on the Allow some time to share the details days when that superb, bright blue finish company’s Web site, www.smith-wesson. needed for the quote. Gold inlay, for ex- was standard on the higher-priced Smith com. Take 20 percent off the price if you’re ample, is quoted by the inch and custom- & Wessons. Fortunately, its equivalent is ordering as a dealer. Unique Performance Center Guns iele says the best-selling guns built in the Performance Center are the Model 945, the V-Comp and the Stealth Hunter. The hunting revolvers may be big, but they “shoot small,” appealing to handgun-accuracy buffs and dedicated handgun hunters. The V-Comp series of defensive revolvers, are sized and “edge-melted” for concealed carry. There is a small but enthusiastic market of traditionalists who prefer double-action revolvers for home defense and concealed carry, and will spare no expense to get maximum performance. The 945 — Smith’s crossbreed of their double-action duty pistols with a single-action — predated their hugely successful 1911 line and still has an almost cult following. The TRR8 — a high-tech revolver in big N-frame persuasion, with enough .357 Magnum chambers to warrant the “8” in the name, can accept tactical light and laser attachments, and has captured the attention of serious revolver shooters. Miele says the Performance Center has sold “a ton of X-frames” — the mighty .460 and .500 Magnum revolvers. The center’s more reasonably sized .44 Magnum hunting model sell at a steady pace, Miele says. The same goes for the Model 952, the old Model 52 target pistol rendered as a practical 9mm, instead of being 32 M limited to original .38 Special wadcutter target ammunition. Some less popular “niche guns” are not big sellers, but are absolutely unique, and will create satisfied customers when sold to a patron who This is the engraving and finish the Performance needs these Center can do for your customers. specific attributes. Case in point is the PPC5906, a long-slide 9mm target pistol with a trigger that has been known to group under 2" at 50 yards. The center turns out a couple of these guns a month on special order. Oddly enough, they have traditionally been sold only to police. www.shootingindustry.com • SHOT SHOW SUPER ISSUE 2009 Read SI DIGITAL