re-assembly 6946 and another question

[DeafSmith]

Ok guys,

I have taken apart a 6946 I picked up in a trade. I mean totally disassembled down to the bare frame. Lots of parts I tell you that. I cleaned all the grudge out of the frame and parts (it looks like a police trade in.)

So is there a manual on how, step by step, to put it back together? I can maybe do it all myself but I’d prefer a guide if there is one available.

Also, this 6946 has serial numbers stamped on the slide, barrel, and frame on one side that match the last four digits of the serial number on the other side. European issue or some police organization in the U.S.?

And one more question. I have a S&W 6906 safety. If I install that on the 6946 to replace the blanked out drum will the safety work to disengage the trigger and lock the firing pin on this DAO pistol?

Thanks.

[mlk18]

To answer your second and third questions first: Most early DAO's had the serial stamped all over. My early round trigger guard 5943 is the same way. But there is still a good chance that it was a PD gun as that was the target market when they first came on the scene. And no, I do not believe you can just part swap in the safety lever. I have seen DAO Smiths with safety levers but they were always custom jobs done by the performance center or a highly skilled gunsmith.

[mlk18]

Here is a video on detail stripping a S&W 3rd Gen, not the same as your 6946 but similar. There is also a part 2 to the video. Reassembly is obviously the reverse of detail stripping.

YouTube - Smith & Wesson Mod 4506 advanced takedown

[Fastbolt]

Detailed disassembly & reassembly of S&W 3rd gen pistols isn't really a good idea for someone unfamiliar or untrained. (Usual disclaimer.)

That said, if you're going to look at a video or DVD of a TDA (traditional double action, or DA/SA) gun being disassembled & reassembled and try to apply it to a DAO model, there are some differences between the TDA & DAO guns when it comes to reassembly.

The firing pin retainer (plug body in slide instead of a manual safety assembly) must be installed so the flat cut faces the rear of the slide during reassembly.

The disconnector must be installed before the drawbar is connected to the trigger (unlike how it's done in the TDA guns).

Depending on the vintage of the DAO frame, there may be room on the right side of the hammer for either one or two levers.

Some DAO frames have space for two levers on the right side, and some for only one lever. The frames which have space for two levers use a modified sear release lever which lacks a foot and has two holes in the upper body of the lever is used as a spacer. A spring must also be used under the levers on the right side when there is space for two levers there. This is called the Spring Rule.

The Spring Rule states:

Left side - Ejector lever must always have a spring in the spring hole (under the ejector).

Right side - If the frame has space for two levers, a spring must be used under the right side levers. If the frame has room for only one lever (firing pin safety lever), a spring must not be used.

Be careful when reinstalling the factory grips so the bottom legs of the sideplate aren't damaged.

Also, remember that just because someone posted a video on the internet, that doesn't necessarily mean it contains correct, or the best, information. I'm sometimes amazed at what people will post in video clips when it comes to doing something with a firearm. An instructional DVD by someone who actually is familiar with maintenance and repair of 3rd gen guns is probably a better way to start.

Got a local gunsmith who might be willing to spend some time with you?

I don't have the answer about the manual safety and the older DAO frames & slides because I've never tried that particular modification in an older DAO model. The newer DAO parts are different and designed to fit and function in the regular slides & frames. You might call back and ask to speak with a tech at the factory to inquire about whether this is a simple modification. I'd call to ask if someone wanted me to try it in their old style DAO gun.

[DeafSmith]

FB,

I got it back together!

Turns out you have to put the disconnector in BEFORE the trigger bar, not after!

Actually it was not hard getting it back together! Youtube had a segment on it, using a 4506, but it was essentially the same thing.

Now the fly in the ointment. The safety I have has a extra amount of metal on the left side that fits a cutout on the 6900/5900 series. It stops the safety from going in any further.

I think safeties made for it have to be custom machined to take that extra metal out

Bummer. There is a company that will do it but at $135 plus shipping both ways, well it does get pricey!!

Not sure what I’ll do about that.

I will say this, it sure makes me appreciate my Glocks! And I can see why the M&P series is now popular.

[Fastbolt]

Glad it worked out for you.

Sorry I posted about the difference in disconnector installation order late. It is opposite to the TDA guns.