• USA Today/AP, Tuesday, December 19, 2006 12:15 PM

Smith & Wesson, whose firearms already account for 47% of national revolver sales, said yesterday that it is buying Thompson/Center Arms, a company that specializes in muzzleloaders and rimfire rifles. The move lets Smith & Wesson target the $1.1 billion long gun market, which is 80% larger than the country's handgun market, according to CEO Mike Golden.

Hollywood helped make Smith & Wesson famous by putting its .44 magnum in the hands of Inspector Harry Callahan, played by Clint Eastwood in a series of "Dirty Harry" movies. The company introduced a line of tactical rifles in March, but marketed them to law-enforcement agencies and competitive target shooters.

Golden says he doesn't expect a tough marketing transition now that the company is trying to sell guns to hunters. "People already think we're in the market," he says.

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