Three years into their relationship, there’s little doubt that Smith & Wesson and East Tennessee are getting along just fine. When it was announced that the storied company would be moving its corporate headquarters and building new facilities in Maryville, Tennessee, early critics predicted challenges ranging from culture shock to a paucity of trained workers.
That has most definitely not been the case. Friday’s opening ceremonies for S&W’s expansive new training facilities on their 236 acre campus seemed more like a welcoming party for the newest neighbor than the block than S & W’s return to the training category.
In fact, the training demonstrations weren’t put on by the Academy’s instructors, despite the facility being under the direction of former Navy SEAL Mark Cochiolo and there being no shortage of former associates in attendance. Demonstrations on the expansive facilities, which include pistol and carbine ranges, a multi-purpose flex range, a 300-yard rifle range, and a two-story immersive shoot house, were done by the Blount County SWAT Team.
The S&W Training Academy features something missing at many training facilities: space. Demonstrations showcased just how large the facilities in Maryville, Tennessee, really are. OWDN photo.
One thing made obvious during the ceremonies was that Maryville, Tennessee definitely isn’t Springfield, Massachusetts. Having taken part in numerous media and training events in the former Shooting Sports Center in Springfield until its closure in 2017, the depth and breadth of the new facilities was testimony to the expansiveness of the Tennessee campus. This new facility not only includes enclosed ranges with acreage, but classrooms, a fitness center, and offices to house what the company says will be “world-class experts leading the training programs.”
The grand opening, held entirely outside, highlighted the fact that S&W has room to expand. It also impressed attendees with the fact that the entire area, apart from the ranges themselves, was carpeted. A lot of carpet.
And there’s no better way to introduce people to your shooting facilities than inviting them to shoot your guns and ammunition to try them out. Following the Blount County demonstrations, attendees spread out across the Academy facilities to give them a try.
Spread across the ranges attendees had the opportunity to try the variety of S&W products, from heavy caliber revolvers (top) to the M&P line of carbines (below) at distances up to 300 yards.
Despite the heavy military and law enforcement presence and participation, the Academy will offer training to “the rest of us.” According to Cochiolo, one Academy goal is “helping individuals become proficient with their firearms.” Judging from the number of police units on hand, there will be no shortage of LE units taking advantage of the facilities as well.
The formal ceremonies contained the usual exhortations and celebrations from the political and business speakers, but the murder of Charlie Kirk added a decidedly different tone to what are usually fairly predictable “grand opening” stump speeches. There was plenty of “yay team” type remarks, but they were tempered with stronger stuff.
From mayors to United States Senators, the speeches touched on a common thread: the need for the majority to speak up. Not just for their political beliefs, but their faith.
No grand opening would be complete without a ribbon cutting. This one, however, differed in the fact that there were a lot officials and dignitaries cutting one very long ribbon.
From S&W CEO Mark Smith, who spoke eloquently to the fact that the nation and Smith & Wesson, had seen difficult times before, but both had faced-and overcome-them, to United States Senator Marsha Blackburn, who praised the facilities that would “train up more great warfighters to keep all of us safe” speaker after speaker added their exhortation that the faith and prayers of the nation would be way each American could contribute.
In his remarks, Smith repeatedly recognized what he said lay at the heart of Smith & Wesson, from the new facilities in Maryville to the nearly 900 workers still on the job in Springfield. “The key to our company,” he said, “isn’t the technology or our heritage. The strength of Smith & Wesson is, as it has been since 1857, our people. They have brought us to this spot.”
During his remarks, S&W CEO Mark Smith reminded everyone in attendance that difficult times weren’t something the nation had faced before. But the nation, like S&W, had come through them- together.
Speaking privately, Smith made no bones about the industry being in a slowdown. But he does’t seem overly concerned. “Ours is a cyclical industry,” he observed, “Smith & Wesson’s come through more than a few slow periods in its history. Not every company is in our position, but we are in a pretty good spot.”
From what I saw Friday, I’d have to agree.
We’ll keep you posted.
— JIm Shepherd
