I just took possession of my new (to me) S&W 5943 DAO 9mm.

I used to have a 5946 (DAO steel frame 9mm). It was an awesome gun and I loved the ultra-low recoil and smooth trigger. It was fine in a duty holster, but in a concealment rig it just felt too heavy. This 5943 on the other hand has an alloy frame and definitely feels lighter in the hand.

It is marked CLVLNDOHPD (which I am sure you can decipher), has working night sights and is in very good condition. My cost was $200 delivered. The dealer just "couldn't sell it" and was willing to break even.

The trigger is a little heavier than the one on the 5946, but it's still very good. Nothing is sweeter than the S&W half-cock DOA. The mag seems to be sticky, but this gun is crying out to be detail stripped and cleaned.

Now I need some new flat backstrap delrin grips (not a fan of the curved grips) and some time to fluff-n-buff her back to life.

Very nice Smith. I don't believe I have seen that "Caution" on a Smith before.

The model number is also laser engraved on the left side of the slide. Must be an early model 5943.

wow great deal! I too have been looking for a cheap full size S&W 9mm of some sort to have as a range/comp gun....$200 is a steal!

That is a good-lookin' $200 sir!

IMO, you got more out of that exchange than your dealer did.

Congratulations,
Scott

P.S. If you ever want to make $50....

So I did some looking around at photos (google images, gun forums, etc.) and I could not find another 5943 with that particular Caution engraving on the slide. But I know I have seen it before. I also did not find another 5943 with the flash chromed trigger and hammer. I am starting to think my assessment is correct and this is a very early model -or- it was specified or requested when Cleveland PD ordered them. I did find a couple 5946's also marked CLVLNDOHPD that did not have the engraving.

CLVLN = Cleveland
OH = OHIO
PD = Police Dept.

Humm, looks like they had plenty of room, they could have bought a few vowels and spelled out "Cleveland". Nice piece, and even better price. How does the DAO trigger on these compare to the DA trigger in a DA/SA gun like say, a 5906?

My March, 1990 5944 (TES prefix) does not have the Caution or Model markings on the slide.



but my June, 1991 (TEY) does.