Team Captain Julie Golob Marks 7th Anniversary With Smith & Wesson® With NRA Action Pistol Distinction

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (August 29, 2013) --- Smith & Wesson Corp. announced today that seven-year Smith & Wesson Shooting Team Captain Julie Golob has recently been awarded the National Rifle Association (NRA) Action Pistol Distinguished Badge, one of the NRA’s most prestigious shooting awards A member of Smith & Wesson’s elite shooting team since 2006, Golob is one of just four women who have earned this coveted award designed to recognize excellence in the area of competitive shooting.

A three-time NRA Action Pistol Women’s Champion, Golob’s fierce determination and remarkable skill set has made her a familiar face in the winner’s circle at many of the sport’s premiere events. Throughout her noteworthy career, Golob has established an NRA Action Pistol Women's National record on the Moving Target course of fire as well as being named a four time Military and Women's Shoot Off Champion.

Despite her hectic schedule as a mother of two, devoted wife, published author, firearms instructor and spokesperson for many of the industry’s most recognizable brands, Golob made time to sit down with Paul Pluff, Director of Marketing Communications for Smith & Wesson, and reflect upon her storybook career.

PP: Julie, first off, congratulations on receiving the NRA’s Action Pistol’s Distinguished Badge. By now, your trophy shelf has turned into more of a closet, but this is certainly one honor that we know means a lot to you.

JG: Thank you. I’m extremely honored to join the ranks of the incredibly talented shooters who have earned this distinction. It has been on my bucket list since I started competing in the Bianchi Cup and I’m very proud of this accomplishment.

PP: Anyone who follows competitive shooting understands that this is an award that can often take several years to accomplish, sometimes even a career, but you were able to accomplish it much sooner than most. What do you value most about this award?

JG: To me, the Distinguished Badge represents dedication and longevity in one of my favorite shooting disciplines. So many great shooters have earned this award and to be associated with these top shooters, like my teammates Doug Koenig and Jerry Miculek, is something that I will always cherish.

PP: In 2006, you donned the Smith & Wesson blue for the first time and instantly took the reins as Team Captain. What were some the factors that led to your decision to join the team?

JG: My first sponsor as a junior competitor was Smith & Wesson and because of that I have always appreciated the company’s commitment to youth programs. When the opportunity to work for Smith & Wesson came up, I jumped at it. I knew right away that this was a position, which would further help me grow within the industry. Regardless of what I’m doing, I love flying the Smith & Wesson blue. The pride I feel at being able to showcase the product that so many dedicated employees worked to produce is indescribable.

PP: During your time as Team Captain, you’ve had the opportunity to shoot several products in competition. How has this aided your success?

JG: It's every shooter's dream to be able to have so many excellent firearm options for competition. Because of Smith & Wesson I have been able to compete with everything from revolvers to M&P15 rifles.  I especially love the SW1911 line. I grew up with the 1911 platform so it is naturally one of my favorites, but it’s certainly in close competition with the M&P pistol. I’ve been fortunate to work with the company on new additions, like the M&P9 JG and I firmly believe the M&P pistol is the next step in the evolution of the polymer pistol. It's so comfortable and so dependable that I love shooting it in competition.

PP: Even when you are not competing, you always seem to find a new way to use your voice as a shooting celebrity. Through your writing, personal engagements, or social media, your message is always positive and welcoming. What do you hope those listening are able to take away from your most recent accomplishment.

JG: I hope others, especially those young women who are competing in the sport, looking to experience competitive shooting for the first time or perhaps just enjoying the shooting sports in general, understand that there are no limits to the accomplishments they can achieve. This goes for not just shooting but for their personal lives and any career path they choose to follow. The shooting sports have been a great teacher and the confidence it bestows is one of those universal benefits that we can all use. The great things in life are very rarely achieved without some sacrifice and hard work. Give your best 100% of the time and remember to enjoy it!

Smith & Wesson is proud to continue its promotion of the shooting sports through a variety of sponsorships and programs within the industry. Through its dedication and that of its shooting team members such as Julie Golob, the company has renewed it’s commitment for 2013 by acting as the title sponsor of the NRA Women’s Television Network, various women’s shooting programs and the certified NRA Pistol Instructor’s Program.

About Smith & Wesson

Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC) is a U.S.-based leader in firearm manufacturing and design, delivering a broad portfolio of quality firearms, related products and training to the consumer, law enforcement, and military markets. The company's brands include Smith & Wesson®, M&P® and Thompson/Center Arms™. Smith & Wesson facilities are located in Massachusetts and Maine. For more information on Smith & Wesson, call (800) 331-0852 or log on to www.smith-wesson.com.