A little background, I have become quite addicted to this whole 'Smith and Wesson' thing and will be the 1st to say that my kids are gonna have a hell of a time going through the safe one of these days

I have 42 SW handguns that I have managed to acquire, but please don't tell my wife All but 7 are revolvers. I love my revolvers, but I am dipping my toe in on the semi-auto side. I have several .22s...a nice A series model 41 with box and docs, a 622, 422, 2213, and M&P 15/22 Pistol. All equipped to run with suppressors....my other addiction

As far as centerfire, I have a shiny nickel 439 and a mint 6904, both with box and docs.

What are some other centerfire guns that I should look for? What are the semi-auto equivalent of the 27-2 revolvers? I have Kimbers and Nighthawks in 1911, but I am interested in SW 1911s too. There are 3 generations of semi-autos if I am correct? How bout some models that are nice? I do like nickel and I do like wooden grips. I have plenty of guns to carry and sit in the nightstand. Any ideas on some good semi-auto candy?
45 or 9mm preferred. I don't have any .40 or odd caliber semi's and would like to keep the ammo hoarding to limited calibers.
Thanks for any ideas.
Rick

IMHO You can't beat a nice Model 39 Smith for good looks and function. It as the first semi-auto pistol I ever bought back in 1980 or so. Feels great in your hand; eats any decent ammo you want to feed it, shoots to point of aim. Walnut grips looks really nice. Maybe you need a nice 39 or 39-2 to keep your 439 company.

How about a Model 52? Five shot, .38 special wadcutter only with one of the best triggers you'll find. The 52-2 was probably the best version.

I agree with the 52-2, I also think that the stainless 952 might be a good fit for your list as it is a 9mm.

I like the DK 1911 in 45 too.

Your desire for wood eliminates all 3rd generation and newer S&Ws except for 1911s and Performance Center target guns. If you also insist on nickel then you're limited to 2nd generation and older autos in 9mm.

I hope this helps you focus you search.

Best Regards
Gil

You could look for a M46 to keep your M41 company.

Thanks...I do like wooden grips. Nickel is nice, but not a deal breaker. Some bling is good

IMO, 39, 3913, 4516, 4513TSW, CS9, CS45, 645, 4506........and all the Performance Center 1990-2000 pistols. Regards 18DAI.

I can only say which models I like,

Of course old Model 39's and 39-2's but I personally prefer the older 1st gen high cap 59 to the later 459/659 because of the rear site,
They also seem undervalued .
Original 645's and 745's if you can find a clean example.

You can always get Hogue wood grips for a 3rd generation. I put a set on my 4566 (45 acp) because I didn't like the thin single stack feel. Now the grip is a little thicker than a 5906 (9mm) double stack and is comfortable to shoot. I would think wood grips on the 5906 would be too thick.

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Inconsistently consistent

You used a 27 as a revolver example of what you want. In my words, a top of the line large service gun with considerable appeal to target shooters and power for hunters. S&Ws only autos with compareable power were 10mm, and all of them were 3rd generation brushed finish stainless autos with a plastic stock, besides you specified 9mm or .45 ACP. S&W's top of the line 9mm target gun, the 952, was originally produced as a polished blued gun with wood stocks. They've only been made in stainless for a while. Hopefully a member more familiar with 945s and 1911s can steer you toward a .45. Those two model .45s have the most of what you want although I think all 945s are stainless and you already have 1911s. None of S&W's top of the line autos have been around long enough or been produced in sufficient quantity to have the wide spread recognition of a 27, but starting a quest for an early 952 might make you happy.

Happy Hunting,
Gil

This one is the top of my list:



I only have two, so I'm still hunting.


Cat

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Think for yourself.

got some good ones there... but you gotta have the 39 or 39-2... for sure... Since you mention the Kimbers and such... then you HAVE to have a PC 945 and or the PC 945-1 compact.. bad to the bone guns.. I'd say a couple M&P's but plastic may scare ya... my favorite guns to shoot..

945-1

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Jack C

So far I only have 1 S&W auto, a 745

That's a beauty Richard... like it alot.

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Jack C

I lean toward collecting significantly historic Smith & Wesson semi-automatic pistols. Here are half a dozen that I think are the most important Smith pistols.

The Pre-Model 39 is very important since it was the first double action 9x19 pistol made in the United States, and spawned all of the traditional single-action/double-action Smith & Wesson pistols that followed, as well as the Model 52 target version. So the first should be a Pre-Model 39, or, if you cannot find one of those, then a "pure" Model 39.

Next should be the Model 52 target version of the Model 39. The early pistols are works of art. If you cannot find a "pure" Model 52, an early Model 52-2 would be a second choice.

Third should be an early Model 59, the first double-stack, double-action pistol.

Fourth should be an early Model 41. The early ones with the cocking indicator and muzzle brake are gorgeous.

Next should be an early Model 645, the first Smith .45ACP.

Finish up with a Model 669, the first compact high capacity pistol. It was also the first to combine stainless steel and an alloy frame.

Good luck.

645 should definetly be on the list.

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Sie vis pacem parabellum

[QUOTE=turbo38gn;135881976]got some good ones there... but you gotta have the 39 or 39-2... for sure... Since you mention the Kimbers and such... then you HAVE to have a PC 945 and or the PC 945-1 compact.. bad to the bone guns.. I'd say a couple M&P's but plastic may scare ya... my favorite guns to shoot..

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I figure this thread has the potential to cost me a bunch. I am not too afraid of plastic...I have the HK Tactical in both 9mm and 45, an HK p30 threaded, an FNH .45 Tactical in black, and am picking up a FNH .45 Tactical in FDE tomorrow.

[QUOTE=gr8smiles;135882296]in that case.... M&P9,40 and the 45 is an amazing shooting gun. Went to the range last nite with my son, who is a new shooter, who I've gotten to the range now about 3 times. He loved my Thunder Ranch 325 the 1st time out, shot my model 640 last nite with a 357 magnum shell, then I handed him my M&P45 .... he blew through another 100 rounds and when I looked over was destroying the bullseye..

Oh ya... one more gun he shot..... he was grinning ear to ear when I put my S&W500 - 4" revolver in his hand.

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Jack C

One of these would be nice,645 or 659
Dick

I have to chime in and say you should seriously consider adding a Model 52 to your collection.

I have several other centerfire semi automatic pistols. Beretta 92, 2 Glocks, a FiveSeven, and a Springfield Armory Range Officer. I had a Colt Gold Cup Series 80 that was really bad, but got rid of it. Any of them are OK for defensive use, but none of them are very much fun to shoot. The Model 52 blows them all away in regards to fit & finish and accuracy. If you've never shot one, try it!

Went by a local shop today that I had not been to in a while. I had been watching his website and knew he had a really nice SW 1911 in stock. I took an older LC Smith as a possible trade, since this a predominantly 'high-end' shotgun store. My LC Smith is definitely a shooter and a little below his grade of guns. He convinced me to keep the shotgun as it is a nice little 20 gauge.

I ended up coming home with the gun that I had wanted to trade for anyway Funny how that happens. I had an extra set of Sarge grips and knew they would dress up my new Smith.

.45 cqb...?

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With out a doubt a 52 is a requirement.

The model 39 is also a requirement.

Then you should get a 645, 745, 845, and 945.

Then a PC 1911 (dk 38 super?)

The closest to the revolvers is the old 35 auto, this is one I do not have or know too much about. Then there is the old single shots.

Much fun can be had with the bottom feeders, welcome to the dark side.

OH ****,....I forgot all about the 10mm! Also a requirement! You better get busy.

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ineedannudernewgun

Any caliber in SW99, 645, 5906, 659, 4506, 4003TSW, 4006, 4566, 1066.

Love the model 52. I have a 52-1 and 52-2 and I can't say one is better than the other. Both superb triggers, both lights out accurate.

The caveat is dedicated ammo is expensive so unless you want to handload they may be safe queens. I load for them and shoot them alot but couldn't do so with factory ammo.

My two preferences are 39-2 and 4566, the one's I'll never get part with.

My two preferences are 39-2 and 4566, the one's I'll never part with.

I would want to ad a model 52 as well as an 845 to what you have. Then there would have to be a 559.



Not to mention most of the Performance Center offerings.





Then you can look for the guns that never made it to production. Like the Titanium SIGMA



After you have some more of those, you can look for embellished guns to satisfy your bling tooth. A little gold wire line inlay and some engraving never hurt.

I think that I am a pretty quick learner. I saw a very nice 39-2 this afternoon. I quickly thought about all the models that have been recommended here and that one keeps coming up repeatedly. So, let's check that one off the 'bucket list.' This one is mint as far as I can tell. She came with 2 mags, but she did not have a box. Took her apart and lubed her good and wiped her down. Guess I have to decide whether to shoot her or not now

I'll add the 5946 DAO, 4516-2, and 645. And if you really want rare try finding a model 44. And the 1046, I believe it's pretty rare too. Dale

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"Long live the S&W 3rd. Gen.!"