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The former Springfield-based firearms maker reported a sharp increase in quarterly sales despite a broader decline in background checks nationwide.

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Even as firearm background checks continue to decline from record highs seen during the pandemic, Smith & Wesson is reporting a sharp increase in sales.

The former Springfield-based gunmaker said fourth-quarter net sales jumped 27% from a year ago, reaching $178.4 million. The increase, the company said, is driven by strong demand for handguns and the rollout of new products.

For fiscal year 2026, net sales increased more than 10%, reaching $523.8 million. 

The rise comes even as the total amount of National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) or background checks on people who want to own a firearm or explosive, continues to slide back down to pre-pandemic levels. 

Since the peak levels of background checks in 2020, it has decreased by 34% in 2025. 

But, that isn’t slowing down Smith & Wesson. 

Building on its success, the company, now headquartered in Tennessee, announced it will make significant investments in its Springfield facility sometime before the end of April 2027. 

Despite moving headquarters in 2023, Mark Smith, president and CEO of the company, during the fourth quarter earnings call, said that due to the expertise of the workers in Springfield, “the machining is planned to be there forever.”

In a 2021 announcement, the company which had been based in Springfield since its incorporation in 1852, said it was moving operations due to pending legislation in the state that would have prohibited the manufacturing of certain firearms that are legal in most other states. 

The law was enacted in 2024, banning the manufacturing of ghost guns and added strict regulations surrounding semi-automatic guns. 

In 2021, Smith in a statement said, “This has been an extremely difficult and emotional decision for us,” but after analyzing the proposed legislation at the time felt they were “left with no other alternative.”

Despite the move, the facility in Springfield that focuses on forging, machining, metal finishing, and assembly of revolers remains open, employing about 1,000 people. 

The new facility in Tennessee handles plastic injection molding, pistol and long-gun assembly, and distribution. 

So far, the new set up has been working. 

With new products rolling out in the hunting and concealed carry gun space, Smith on the earnings call said, “all of these products are doing very well for us and helping to elevate the brand in general.”