S&W 3rd Generation Compact 40 cal and 45 ACP

Jetpilot007 · #1 10-25-2009, 03:38 PM

I know that S&W manufactured several models of 3rd Generation Semi-Auto 40 calibers.

Besides the CS40 and CS45, what other compact 3rd Gen 40 cal & 45 ACP did S&W produce? I am researching a model that is similar in size and weight to my S&W 6906 9mm!

KurtC · #2 10-25-2009, 04:43 PM

The 4013TSW/4053TSW used the same double stack frame as your 6906. The 4056TSW used the same size frame, only in stainless.

The 4013/4053/4513TSW/4553TSW were single stack compacts with alloy frames.

The 4516/4556 were single stack compacts with stainless frames.

Obviously, any model number starting with 40 is a .40, and any starting with 45 is a .45.

A 3 on the end means alloy frame, a 6 means stainless.

A 1 near the end means a DA/SA action, while a 5 means DAO.

There will be a test at the end of the lesson.

Jetpilot007 · #3 10-25-2009, 04:53 PM

The TSW I believe stands for Tactical S&W that incorporates a rail for a tac light. Can one also substitute a laser?

I've got pen and paper handy for the exam! :-)

KurtC · #4 10-25-2009, 05:17 PM

Not all the TSW models have the rail. The ones made in 1998 do not. They include the double stack 40's on the 6906 frame.

S&W uses a standard rail, but the cut for the crossbolt is in an odd location. The Streamlight TLR series fits.

The rail can be easily removed simply by drilling out the rivets.

FirebirdV8 · #5 10-25-2009, 09:33 PM

There is also the 4040PD. It was only made for a few years, but it is a single stack (7 rnds) scandium alloy frame 40. They can be hard to find but they are great guns.

Tracer_Bullet · #6 10-26-2009, 03:35 PM

Also the 4596, which was my first handgun. It was a limited production gun for Lew Horton produced in either 1990 or 1991 IRC, used a 4506 frame and a 4516 slide. Kind of a semi-compact due to the full-sized frame with the short slide. I wound up trading it off because I got used to 1911's and kept wanting to flip the 4596's safety the wrong way