Smith & Wesson Returns As Major Sponsor Of IDPA National Championships

BERRYVILLE, Ark. – The International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA) announced that Smith & Wesson, one of the most respected, and best known names in firearms and shooting sports, will once again be a major sponsor of the 2012 IDPA National Championships.

Smith & Wesson joins ACADEMI, CrossBreed Holsters, CZ-USA, the National Shooting Sports Foundation, and Woolrich Elite Series as a gold level sponsor of the match. As part of their sponsorship Smith & Wesson will host the event’s marquee social gathering, the IDPA National Championships Awards Banquet. The company will also be represented in competition by Team Smith & Wesson shooters Jerry Miculek, the defending Enhanced Service Revolver division champion, and David Olhasso.

“Smith & Wesson has been involved as a partner, and a sponsor to many of our major matches, since the earliest days of IDPA. Thanks to their very generous support and unwavering commitment to the shooting sports, IDPA is today the fastest growing of the competitive shooting disciplines, which is why we are so pleased to welcome them back as a major sponsor of our National Championships,” said Joyce Wilson, executive director for IDPA.

“Smith & Wesson is once again honored to be a gold level sponsor of the 2012 IDPA National Championships and host of the event’s marquee social gathering. The IDPA National Championships set the bar for all other competitive shooting events and we are committed and excited to be a partner in the growth of one of the most exciting shooting disciplines available today,” said Paul Pluff of Smith & Wesson.

The IDPA National Championships will take place September 19-22 at The Range in Oxford, N.C. As the pinnacle event of the IDPA competitive season, the match will draw more than 300 top shooters vying for the coveted title of National Champion in Custom Defensive Pistol, Enhanced Service Pistol, Stock Service Pistol, Stock Service Revolver and Enhanced Service Revolver, the five divisions in IDPA competition.

Fore more information, or to get started in this exciting and fun defensive pistol shooting sport, visit www.IDPA.com. You can also follow @OfficialIDPA on Twitter, like ShootIDPA on Facebook, watch IDPA TV, or check out the Down Zero Blog to keep up with the latest news.

About Smith & Wesson:
Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC) is a U.S.-based leader in firearm manufacturing and design, delivering a broad portfolio of quality firearms, related products and training to the global military, law enforcement, and consumer markets. The company’s brands include Smith & Wesson, M&P and Thompson/Center Arms. Smith & Wesson facilities are located in Massachusetts and Maine. For more information on Smith & Wesson, call (800) 331-0852 or log on to www.smith-wesson.com.

About International Defensive Pistol Association:
Founded in 1996, the International Defensive Pistol Association is the international governing body for IDPA competition which offers shooters a fun, safe, and challenging format to practice and test their gun handling skills through defensive-based scenarios. Today IDPA stands as the fastest growing shooting sport in the United States with over 20,000 members from all 50 states and 54 foreign countries. IDPA’s 321 affiliated clubs offer weekly and monthly matches as well as host major championships.