Pink Rifles from Smith & Wesson

I don’t much care for pink guns. Too many of them are simply the standard model firearm, dipped in pink and marketed as a “gun for girls.” However, I do like pink guns with attitude. That is exactly what Smith & Wesson is selling through Talo Distributors.

S&W is making two custom versions of the company’s M&P15-22 rifle.  Both are in “pink platinum” finish. Pink platinum is the same finish that the custom Walther P22 pistols were made in last year. I liked the paint scheme on the Walther, and I like it even more on the M&P15-22.

The “standard” pink platinum M&P has an M4-type adjustable stock, quad rail handguard, 16″ threaded barrel, A1-type flash hider and a 25-round magazine. The receiver has a full length Picatinny rail, which allows the easy installation of optics if the standard iron sights aren’t your cup of tea.

The other S&W rifle is a version ginned up for the less-free states. It has a fixed stock, 10 round magazine and a non-threaded barrel (without flash hider, of course). It does have the full length Picatinny rail on the top of the receiver and a quad rail handguard.

These pink guns have attitude, which is exactly what I think the gun companies need to have when it comes to firearms design for women.

Update

Smith & Wesson expanded the color palette in the M&P15-22 line. In addition to the above Pink Platinum, the company is now offering guns in the following colors:

• Purple Platinum
• Harvest Moon
• Realtree APG
• Flat Dark Earth
• tan and black (similar to the Tiger Stripe pattern)

Also, it appears that the guns are regular catalog items and no longer exclusive to Talo Distributors.

A good friend of mine purchased an M&P 15-22 for his daughters. Having interesting colors like these can help interest kids in recreational shooting. Anyone can have a black gun, but a little boy or girl with a special paint color or pattern can feel that they have their own stake in the sport.

Smith & Wesson will be adding a splash of color to the M&P15-22 line of rimfire rifles in 2014. The guns will soon be available in a black and tan combination, Pink Platinum, Purple Platinum and Harvest Moon Orange. Pink Platinum, Purple Platinum and Harvest Moon Orange are patterns developed by Moon Shine Attitude. The patterns have become quite popular, and are now found on guns from a variety of manufacturers.

If you are not already familiar with the line, the M&P15-22 rifles are AR-style .22 LR rifles. While there are a variety of AR-looking guns on the market, some of them do not have controls that are even remotely similar to an actual AR-15. The M&P15-22 rifles have similar controls including a working charging handle. While not perfect for training, the M&P15-22 is not a bad alternative to throwing .223 Rem ammo down range.

While pink, purple or even orange guns might not be your thing, I think it helps normalize the gun culture. Not everyone is looking to be a mall ninja or Navy SEAL. Giving people factory options for a small degree of personalization will probably serve all gun companies well.