When gold miners and gun-toters lag the broader economy, it's usually a good sign that conditions are on the mend. Both sectors outperform when times were tough, but this year, their growth has slowed relative to the market has a whole.

The S&P 500 index has gained 57% since March 9, 2009, according to a USA Today report, while Barrick Gold (NYSE: ABX) and Newmont Mining (NYSE: NEM) are up 36% and 21%, respectively, for the same period. Smith & Wesson (NASDAQ: SWHC) is up 30%. Again, these are definitely respectable results, but they aren't keeping pace with the index.

Late Wednesday, Smith & Wesson Holding Corp. (NASDAQ: SWHC) stepped into the earnings spotlight to release its fiscal first-quarter results. The firearm firm raked in a profit of $12.6 million, or 21 cents per share, sharply higher from its year-ago earnings of $2.3 million, or 5 cents per share. Revenue for the period jumped 30% to $102.2 million, buoyed by a 30% increase in firearm sales and a 39% gain in non-firearm sales.

The results soared past analysts' expectations, which called for a fiscal first-quarter profit of 10 cents per share on $94.1 million in revenue. SWHC's bottom line received a boost of 5 cents per share during the recently concluded quarter from its acquisition of Universal Safety Response Inc.

"Vice stocks have consistently outperformed most other market sectors, especially during recessionary times," says Alexander Green, whose 'Seven Deadly Sins Portfolio' is up 59% in six months.

One strong performer in that portfolio is Smith & Wesson Holding (NASDAQ: SWHC). Here, the investment director of The Oxford Club explains why investors should load up on the gun maker.

"Smith & Wesson has been a partner in law enforcement since the 1800s, developing crime-fighting tools that set the standard for the field.

Smith & Wesson Holding Corp. (NASDAQ: SWHC) is sharply higher today after shocking Wall Street with a better-than-expected fourth-quarter forecast. Last night, the company reported that strong demand for its handguns and tactical rifles sent revenue up 20% during the quarter to $99.5 million, outpacing analysts' expectations for sales of $90.83 million. SWHC's full fourth-quarter results will be reported Monday, June 22.

President Obama has already succeeded in stimulating one area of American business. Those convinced that his administration will bring restrictions and taxes to the gun industry are scrambling to arm themselves, so much so that the nation is suffering a widespread ammo shortage.

The panic, fanned by the NRA, is good news for companies such as Smith & Wesson (NASDAQ: SWHC), Colt's Manufacturing Company, and Remington.

Sales of safes are booming in New York and probably around the United States. (SentrySafe is a large safe manufacturer that probably has an opportunity for an IPO if it's profitable -- its stock would represent another great "fear play.") The price of gold hit $927 an ounce this week. And stock in Smith & Wesson (NASDAQ: SWHC) is up 79% since inauguration day (despite losing $76 million in its fourth quarter).

It's beginning to feel a bit like the period after 9/11 when people went out and bought gas masks, duct tape, and the antibiotic Cipro.