Went down to Springfield today w/a Buddy and had a wonderful time.
Called the Customer Support number a few days ago asked about tours, was put in touch w/a gentleman who arranges them. Was told 5or6 people were needed for a tour but he might be able to hook us up w/a tour already scheduled. Sure enough there was a 10AM tour, a pack of Cub Scouts!
The kids were quite well behaved, a few times I had to stop and think what I was like at their age.
The Tour Guide was a retired S&W employee, very knowledgable and good w/both big and little people. When the tour was winding down he told my Buddy and I to stay put, the scouts had to finish up but he'd take the two of us back into the production area and cover some more.
It was more relaxed, he knew everybody and was able to give us a much closer look at some of the processes and the workers could answer our questions directly.
Everyone we came in contact was extremely friendly and polite.
I'm very impressed the security officers are actual S&W employees instead of being from a contracted firm.
The whole thing is a real class act.
We went over to the range/store complex a short distance away. For a very reasonable fee I was able to have the use of a lane,a gun and a box of ammo. The other day when I'd called I asked about bringing my own firearm and ammo. S&W policy had no problem w/this except Wolf ammo was not allowed. It was pointed out to me that my bringing a firearm into Mass was a gray area and that the law allowed it if I were to participate in a competition(which doesn't have to be officially sanctioned). My thinking was that my Buddy and I would have a Fri the 13th match.
I rented a 945 and shot it alongside my 845 for a comparrison. It was great!
Didn't have enough time to see the Firearms Museum so will have to go back to Springfield again.
Kevin
Called the Customer Support number a few days ago asked about tours, was put in touch w/a gentleman who arranges them. Was told 5or6 people were needed for a tour but he might be able to hook us up w/a tour already scheduled. Sure enough there was a 10AM tour, a pack of Cub Scouts!
The kids were quite well behaved, a few times I had to stop and think what I was like at their age.
The Tour Guide was a retired S&W employee, very knowledgable and good w/both big and little people. When the tour was winding down he told my Buddy and I to stay put, the scouts had to finish up but he'd take the two of us back into the production area and cover some more.
It was more relaxed, he knew everybody and was able to give us a much closer look at some of the processes and the workers could answer our questions directly.
Everyone we came in contact was extremely friendly and polite.
I'm very impressed the security officers are actual S&W employees instead of being from a contracted firm.
The whole thing is a real class act.
We went over to the range/store complex a short distance away. For a very reasonable fee I was able to have the use of a lane,a gun and a box of ammo. The other day when I'd called I asked about bringing my own firearm and ammo. S&W policy had no problem w/this except Wolf ammo was not allowed. It was pointed out to me that my bringing a firearm into Mass was a gray area and that the law allowed it if I were to participate in a competition(which doesn't have to be officially sanctioned). My thinking was that my Buddy and I would have a Fri the 13th match.
I rented a 945 and shot it alongside my 845 for a comparrison. It was great!
Didn't have enough time to see the Firearms Museum so will have to go back to Springfield again.
Kevin
