By: Friedrich Seiltgen
Copyright © 2023
SMITH & WESSON
Some highlights in Smith and Wesson history:
In 1854 – Smith & Wesson® introduced the .41 Magazine Pistol, “The Volcanic,” and never looked back. It was the first repeating American firearm capable of successfully using a fully self-contained cartridge.
In 1877 – The .38 Safety Hammerless became the world’s first double-action, concealed-hammer revolver.
In 1899, the .38 Military & Police was introduced alongside the .38 S&W Special cartridge, now known as the Model 10; over six million units have been produced since its introduction.
Smith & Wesson produced its first automatic pistol, the .35 Automatic, in 1913.
1935 – Smith & Wesson introduced the .357 Magnum. The .357 Magnum quickly caught the interest of law enforcement agencies looking for a way to deal with more treacherous and better-armed criminals.
1942 – The Victory M&P model was released for the United States Women’s Naval Reserve, better known as the WAVES (for Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) stationed at Norfolk, VA Naval Base, that carried important, confidential messages between various section units.
The Model 36, Chief’s Special®, debuted at the IACP conference in 1950.
In 1955, S&W unveiled the Model 29 chambered in .44 Magnum – the handgun made famous by Clint Eastwood in the movie “Dirty Harry.” In 2005, Field & Stream rated the Model 29 as the 5th best gun ever made, the only handgun to make their top ten.
In response to the U.S. Army Marksmanship Training Unit, Smith & Wesson built a pistol that could fire the newly developed .38 AMU cartridge. In 1961, the Model 52 was introduced and became known as the most accurate target pistol of its day.
In 2003, an entirely new frame size was developed to fire the new.500 S&W Magnum cartridge. The Model S&W500™ is the world’s biggest, heaviest, most-powerful factory-production double-action revolver.
2005 Smith & Wesson® debuts the M&P® Pistol Series. Law enforcement officials championed the new line of polymer pistols. In the first year after their debut, over 100 departments purchased M&P pistols.
The M&P15 is introduced at the 2006 SHOT Show to overwhelming enthusiasm.
2017 – The M&P M2.0™ family is the culmination of a decade of research and design featuring upgrades to nearly every aspect, including trigger, grip, frame, and finish.
THE VOLUNTEER XV PRO
The new Volunteer™ Series platform XV Pro features Smith & Wesson® excellence right out of the box. It’s engineered to perform at a higher level. Plus, it gives you the advantage of name-brand accessories from partners like Radian™ and B5 Systems. The XV Pro is ready to compete.
THE FEATURES
The furniture upgrades on the XV Pro are many. Starting with a B5 Systems SOPMOD stock, B5 Systems upright P-Grip 23 pistol grip, and an ambidextrous Radian Raptor-LT™ charging handle, you’ll feel the difference. Other features include a flat-faced trigger, forged integral trigger guard, and Williams Gun Sight Company Folding Sights.
Other features include a chromed firing pin and Magpul® Type-2 M-LOK rail covers.
THE BARREL
The Volunteer XV Pro 16-inch target crowned, threaded barrel features a Primary Weapons Systems muzzle brake and 5R rifling, with an Armornite® finish on the barrel (internal and external) and a 15.0˝ aluminum S&W® M-LOK® forend to accommodate M-LOK accessories and gives you plenty of room for lights & lasers.
SPECIFICATIONS
Type: Gas Operated, Semi-Automatic Rifle
Caliber: 5.56 NATO
Magazine Capacity: 30 Rounds
Sights: Williams Gun Sight Company Folding Sights
Barrel Length: 16 Inches
Overall Length: 36.25 Inches
Height: 8 Inches
Width: 2.75 Inches
Weight: 108.8 Ounces
MSRP: $1,569
URL: www.smith-wesson.com
THE VERDICT
The Volunteer series offers all the reliability of the M&P and features many additional upgraded accessories that shooters can use to up their game during competition or out hunting.
Get over to the Smith & Wesson dealer and have a look at the Volunteer XV Pro.
That’s all for now, folks! Please keep sending in your questions, tips, and article ideas. And as always – “Let’s Be Careful Out There.”
Friedrich Seiltgen is a retired Master Police Officer with 20 years of service with the Orlando Police Department. He conducts training in Lone Wolf Terrorism Counterstrategies, Firearms, and Active Shooter Response. His writing has appeared in RECOIL, Soldier of Fortune, The Counter Terrorist Magazine, Off Grid, American Thinker, Homeland Security Today, and The Journal of Counterterrorism & Homeland Security International. Contact him at [email protected].