** Smith & Wesson's SWBI.O shares down 7.3% premarket to $13.15, a 6-mth low, after firearm maker's qtrly rev disappoints
** Co late Thurs said fiscal Q1 rev fell ~23% yr/yr to $88.3 mln and posted adj loss of 2 cents/sh
** Avg estimate of two analysts called for rev of $102.5 mln and loss of 2 cents/sh, per LSEG data
** CEO Mark Smith said overall demand in qtr was softer than co anticipated, but added "the typically busy firearm demand season upon us, we expect to more than offset these temporary headwinds during the balance of the fiscal year, and continue to expect top- and bottom-line growth for the full year"
** Co also said its board authorized $50 mln stock buyback program
** Through Thurs, SWBI gained 4.6% YTD vs Nasdaq's .IXIC 14% advance
** In the past, gun makers have seen increased sales heading into presidential elections on concerns potential gun control legislation could restrict people's future access to firearms
(Lance Tupper is a Reuters market analyst. The views expressed are his own)
((lance.tupper@thomsonreuters.com
lance.tupper@tr.com 1-646-279-6380))