SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Handgun maker Smith & Wesson, which cut 15 percent of its work force a year ago, reported $7.6 million in sales during the month following the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

The boost in domestic sales helped the company, which had been struggling with consumer backlash because of its deal with the Clinton administration to end federal lawsuits, post profits of $663,000 for the month.

The company lost about $2 million during October 2000, according to chief financial officer John Kelly.

“I believe these results are a very positive indicator of our progress and represents a decisive turnaround,” Smith & Wesson president Bob Scott said Wednesday.

Last October, the company laid off about 125 employees, or 15 percent of its work force, at its Springfield headquarters. The layoffs and subsequent smaller cutbacks have left the company with about 550 workers here and 64 at its plant in Houlton, Maine.