Document and Entity Information (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011	Sep. 01, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	SMITH & WESSON HOLDING CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0001092796
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jul. 31, 2011
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--04-30
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 211,198,166
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		64,611,531