Compare Smith & Wesson products

Smith & Wesson is one of the oldest and most storied firearms makers in the world, and one of the few still in continuous production after more than 170 years. The name is practically synonymous with the American revolver — but today the company is just as much a force in striker-fired pistols and modern sporting rifles. For shoppers comparing prices across the dealers on US-GUNDEALS, S&W is a mid-tier brand that spans almost every category, from affordable carry guns to premium Performance Center match revolvers.

The company traces its founding to 1852, and its revolvers have set the standard for sport, duty, and self-defense for generations. Its two pillars today are the legendary revolver lines — the L-frame 686, the big N-frame 629, and the compact J-frames — and the modern M&P (Military & Police) family of polymer pistols and AR-pattern rifles.

History & background

Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson first partnered in 1852, and after an early venture was sold off (eventually becoming Winchester), the two formed Smith & Wesson in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1856 — the city that would be the company's home for the next 170 years. S&W pioneered the metallic-cartridge revolver and went on to arm police departments and militaries around the world, most famously with the .38 Military & Police revolver introduced in 1899.

In 2021 the company announced it would relocate its headquarters to Maryville, Tennessee, a move completed in 2023. S&W continues to manufacture in the U.S. and remains one of the country's largest and best-known gunmakers, with a catalog that balances heritage revolvers against a steadily modernized pistol and rifle lineup.

What they're known for

The 686 and L-frame revolvers. The stainless 686 in .357 Magnum (it also fires .38 Special) is the cornerstone of the modern S&W revolver line — robust enough for steady magnum use, but better balanced than the heavier N-frame. It comes in 4-, 6-, and longer barrel lengths, in standard 6-shot and 7-shot Plus configurations, and in tuned SSR and Performance Center variants. It's a mainstay of revolver competition and a popular hunting and range gun.

The 629 and big-bore N-frames. The stainless 629 in .44 Magnum is a classic for handgun hunting and big-bore enthusiasts, descended from the legendary blued Model 29 made famous on screen. At the extreme end, the X-frame Model 500 (.500 S&W Magnum) and Model 460 are among the most powerful production revolvers ever built, aimed at large-game hunters.

J-frame carry revolvers. Compact five-shot revolvers like the Model 60 (.357 Magnum/.38 Special) and the lightweight Bodyguard and Airweight models remain go-to choices for concealed carry and backup, prized for simplicity and reliability.

M&P pistols. The striker-fired M&P line — M&P9, M&P40, M&P45, and the carry-focused M&P Shield and Shield Plus — competes directly with Glock and Sig in the duty and concealed-carry market. Interchangeable backstraps, a good ergonomic grip, optics-ready (M2.0 Metal and Optics Ready) options, and competitive pricing have made the M&P a popular CCW and range choice in 9mm. The rimfire M&P22 mirrors the centerfire guns for low-cost training.

M&P15 rifles. S&W's AR-15-pattern rifles in .223/5.56 NATO are widely sold for sport, training, home defense, and varmint use, benefiting from the enormous standard AR aftermarket.

Performance Center and lever guns. The in-house Performance Center turns out tuned, upgraded versions of S&W revolvers and pistols with refined triggers, ported barrels, and better sights. More recently, S&W re-entered the lever-action market with the Model 1854 in calibers like .44 Magnum and .45-70.

Buying guide — which Smith & Wesson is right for you

Concealed carry / self-defense. For a semi-auto, the M&P Shield Plus in 9mm is a compact, high-value carry gun; the M&P9 M2.0 covers full-size and duty use. If you prefer a revolver, a J-frame Model 60 or Airweight in .38 Special/.357 Magnum is the classic pocket option.

Range and revolver sport. The 686 in a 6-inch barrel is the all-around choice — accurate, durable, and able to train cheaply on .38 Special before stepping up to .357 Magnum for matches. The 7-shot 686 Plus adds a round for certain divisions.

Handgun hunting and big bore. The 629 in .44 Magnum is the practical big-game revolver; the X-frame 460 and 500 exist for those who want maximum power and reach.

Modern sporting rifle. The M&P15 in 5.56 NATO is a solid, affordable entry into the AR platform for sport and home defense.

Match shooters who want it tuned from the factory. Performance Center models cost more but arrive with the trigger work and sights many shooters would otherwise pay a gunsmith to add.

A worthwhile tip for revolver buyers: a .357 Magnum gun like the 686 lets you train inexpensively with mild .38 Special and switch to full magnum loads when it counts — and for target work, a 6-inch barrel usually beats a 4-inch for sight radius and steadiness.

Reputation & reviews

The 686 has been a fixture of positive reviews in the U.S. firearms press for decades, consistently praised for build quality, a clean single-action trigger, and reliable accuracy with factory ammo. The most common critique is a stock double-action pull that can feel heavy out of the box — easily improved with break-in or a spring kit. The M&P pistols are well regarded as practical, ergonomic duty and carry guns, and the M&P15 is treated as a dependable mainstream AR. Outlets such as American Rifleman, Guns & Ammo, and Shooting Illustrated cover the lineup regularly; check current reviews for the specific model and generation you're considering.

Smith & Wesson on US-GUNDEALS

Smith & Wesson is listed across the shops on US-GUNDEALS, spanning revolvers, M&P pistols, M&P15 rifles, and lever guns. Pricing runs from value-tier carry guns and rifles up through premium Performance Center and X-frame models. Because so many barrel lengths, capacities, and optics-ready variants exist within each line, comparing current offers across our shops is the most efficient way to find the exact configuration at the best available price.

Sources: https://www.smith-wesson.com/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smith_%26_Wesson https://www.americanrifleman.org/