Smith & Wesson 2010

M&P40 5-inch.

So our friends at S&W weren't ready for us when we did our "New for 2010" feature a couple of issues ago. Better late than never, we say. Here's a quick look at its new guns.

For starters there's the new SD. We'll be covering this in detail soon, but the gist is this: The company developed a pistol that fits--price-wise and feature wise--between the Sigma and the M&P. It'll have night sights and a better trigger than the Sigma. Available in 9mm and .40 S&W, the suggested retail is $530.

Other new semiautos include two M&P40s--with five- and 41/4-inch barrels--as well as an M&P9 with a 41/4-inch barrel. There are two new 1911s: a 9mm with five-inch barrel and a .45 ACP subcompact with three-inch tube.

J-frame aficionados will consider this a banner year. In the regular line there are seven .38 +Ps with and without Crimson Trace grips, along with models in .22 LR and WMR with XS or Hi-Viz sights.

New Pro Series J frames include models in .357 Magnum, .38 +P and .327 Federal Magnum. Some of the new models are cut for moon clips.

In the large-frame department you'll find Performance Center snubbies in .357 Magnum, .41 Magnum and .44 Magnum. Having shot all of them recently, my hat's off to those who can practice with the .41, which doesn't offer a low-recoil alternative like the .357 and .44 do. However, there's also a nifty .45 ACP revolver--the 625--with a multicolored laminated grip that's a lot of fun to shoot.

The Classic line this year includes the Model 10 in .38 +P, and four- and six-inch Model 48s in .22 WMR.

Smith is also coming out with machine-engraved guns out of its custom shop. Models include the 442, 648 and 29--along with the Walther PPK/S. Both the wooden grips and metal work are engraved.

And speaking of Walther, get a sneak peek at the 99AS Night Defense Gun at our new blog, "The Firing Line."

Go to handguns.com/blog.

Model 625 .45 ACP.

---