By: Friedrich Seiltgen
Copyright © 2023
ABOUT SMITH & WESSON
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 introduces 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 was 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 SMITH & WESSON RESPONSE
The Smith & Wesson Response breaks barriers for those looking to enter the pistol caliber carbine market. With its innovative FLEXMAG™ System, you can use a wide range of double-stack 9MM pistol magazines from Smith & Wesson® and other manufacturers. The familiar MSR controls make it an easy transition for those looking to use on the range, and the ability to change parts with existing MSR accessories makes optimizing to your needs easy.
“The Smith & Wesson Response is our solution for the PCC shooter that enjoys MSR platforms and prefers interfacing capabilities with various pistol magazines available in the market today. Its compatibility with the vast network of MSR aftermarket accessories allows the user to easily customize the Response to their specific preferences and needs. Smith & Wesson listened to the consumer, and our goal was to deliver a completely versatile pistol caliber carbine that would be a perfect companion to your sidearm. This design is our response.” ~ John Myles, Senior Product Manager.
THE RECEIVER
The Response uses a polymer frame and grip with a Magpul MOE SL adjustable stock. The handguard features M-LOK® slots with a Picatinny-style rail on top. The flat-face trigger provides the shooter with a crisp break.
The FLEXMAG magazine well adapters let you use a variety of magazines from Smith & Wesson (M&P) Pistol double stack magazines and Glock G17/G19 magazines.
THE BARREL
The Response features a 16.5-inch 1:10” twist barrel with a 1/2-28 threaded muzzle with thread protector included.
SPECIFICATIONS
Type: Pistol Caliber Carbine (PCC) / Blowback-Operated
Caliber: 9mm
Magazine Capacity: 23 Rounds
Sights: None/Optics Ready
Barrel Length: 16.5 Inches
Overall Length: 32.13 – 35.375 Inches
Overall Height: 8 Inches
Overall Width: 2.75 inches
Weight: 94.4 Ounces
MSRP: $799
URL: www.smith-wesson.com
THE VERDICT
The Response comes shipped with 2 x 23-round magazines—and four interchangeable palmswell adapters.
Get to your Smith & Wesson dealer and see if the new Response is your next firearm.
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].