Hi. I need a little help with this 4006 I just picked up. The serial number and product code indicate it to be a fairly early example 4006. My question involves its connection with the California Highway Patrol, if any.

It doesn't have all the same features of the CHP-issued 4006 pistols I've read descriptions of (like inventory numbers), so I wouldn't normally have suspected any CHP connection. However, the mystery arises from the special factory label overlaying the standard label listing the model as a "4006 CHP."

Has anyone seen this designation before and/or do you have an explanation for it?

Thanks!

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Steve
NJ State Trooper (rtd)

Could that be a label the distributor put on it and not a factory label?

I am far from an expert on the CHP 4006s but the few boxes I have seen had a product code of 103934 on it and features said CHP.
That one does look to be from 1990 and the ones I have seen were 1991.

The reason I assume it is a factory label is because the font exactly replicates that used by S&W though I suppose a distributor could duplicate it. However, if this is the case, the "why?" eludes me.

I agree. This pistol is almost certainly a first year (1990) example.

I do have a "Letter of Authenticity" form en route to Smith & Wesson along with a photograph of the label. Hopefully, if I don't find an answer here, they'll be able to shed some light on things.

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Steve
NJ State Trooper (rtd)

Good point. That is the exact same font.
The thing that made me wonder if it was a distr label was the "SWE". Looked to me like they were identifying it as a S&W in their system.

I look forward to hearing what you find out from the letter.

Ive been told the story that about 400 CHP 40s were returned for a minor REpair when they were first issued (no firing pin) dont know if the story was true.Maybe that was some kind of label to accomodate that repair. IF the story is true. That tale went around CA years ago,dont know just something I had heard. Nice looking box for that old.

Interesting story.

Thanks. Yes, the box is in great shape and has everything in it including the original owner's manual, uncompleted production registration form, warranty pamphlet, anti-rust paper, unused tool kit, black trigger guard post, and orange chamber plug.

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Steve
NJ State Trooper (rtd)

Is there a "U" stamped around the left side of the trigger guard ?
I have seen overlabels like that before and assumed they were added by the distributor for their tracking system

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PC semiauto collector

Since this 4006 is an early example and its label is marked "4006 CHP" yet it doesn't have all the features nor inventory numbers found on later CHP-issued pistols, I've been trying to think of possible explanations.

One possible theory is that it could be one of the original T&E (testing and evaluation) pistols that would have been sent to the CHP at the beginning of their selection process. The first pistols submitted would, naturally, not be equipped exactly as the later-issued pistols would be because those specs wouldn't have existed at the earliest stages of the process.

As an example, when we in the New Jersey State Police first started the selection process for a semi-automatic pistol to replace our revolvers, Heckler & Koch originally submitted the P7 PSP for testing. After the first stage of testing was completed, our firearms training unit requested a larger trigger guard to accommodate a gloved hand, heat shields for trigger guard and trigger, and a thumb-activated magazine release to replace the heel-mounted mag release of the P7. With these changes to the P7, the P7M8 was born. It then was submitted for testing and eventually won the selection process.

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Steve
NJ State Trooper (rtd)

Hi, Grinder.

No, there is no "U" present.

I just checked my other two 3rd Gen Smiths, a 1026 and a Kentucky State Police contract 1076. One has the "U" stamped on the underside of the trigger guard and the other has no "U."

Does this mark hold some significance?

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Steve
NJ State Trooper (rtd)

The "U" means it was returned to S&W and then resold after they checked it out.
T&E, sales samples, trade ins, you get the idea.
It would be more likely a T&E if it was marked
Good luck on finding out more

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PC semiauto collector

Gotcha. Thanks for the help, Grinder.

I sure hope Smith can shed some light on this label. I honestly don't care about the CHP connection one way or the other, but I sure hate unsolved mysteries.

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Steve
NJ State Trooper (rtd)

Pistols that were sold and then resold by S&W usually had a different, "used guns" product code label. pc: 179000 is one of those codes.

Whatever this pistol's history, I don't believe it was sold and then resold by Smith & Wesson.

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Steve
NJ State Trooper (rtd)

It will be three weeks on Thursday since Smith & Wesson received my request for a LOA so I'm hopeful that I'll get it soon. When I get it, I'll post an update.

In the meantime, does anyone know what the current turnaround time has been running on letters of authenticity?

Thanks!

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Steve
NJ State Trooper (rtd)

I received the letter of authenticity today. and here's what I've found out.

First, the pistol has no connection to the CHP. It was shipped to Nationwide Sports Distributors, Southampton, PA on August 30, 1990. Regarding the label and the "4006 CHP" on it, Mr. Jinks in the letter writes, "I cannot explain the over label on the factory label. The records show no relationship of this pistol to CHP."

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Steve
NJ State Trooper (rtd)

Heck, you never know...maybe it was something where S&W was running behind on their production of 4006's for CHP and said that if they had any dealers/distributors with any in stock to get them ready to send to CHP and sent them a special label, just in case. Maybe they sent the label over to Nationwide Sports, they slapped it on, but S&W never asked for their model to be sent over and/or they forgot to send it out to CHP when they were supposed to.

Just a thought I guess. Either that or it just happens to be a glitch and the letters CHP aren't for the CA Highway Patrol and mean something else "in house" for them on their own stickers and they just use the same font as S&W so it doesn't confuse them. Don't know.

Any way you can call Nationwide Sports and maybe give them any of the stock numbers or what not on the side and see if someone there knows something? I know it's a long shot since that was 21 years ago, but what the heck. Maybe there will be an old timer working there that remembers some incident or situation that occurred.

Take care,
Mat

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Mat - M&P 40c & 40 Shield

I honestly don't care enough to purchase it further. This pistol doesn't have some of the features a CHP pistol should have (like the adjustable sights, inventory numbers, etc) which is one of the reasons I had it lettered.

In any case, it's a fine shooter and one of my favorite pistols. These are facts that have never been in question.

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Steve
NJ State Trooper (rtd)

XTrooper - XCHP here and I found your post interesting. I was issued an early 4006 in 1990 and none of the 4006's were marked in any manner with "CHP." They instead had the inventory number you referred to. These numbers were referred to as "Control" numbers and were in place to prevent my barrel or slide getting mixed up with another officer's during cleaning, or when the weapon was sent to the academy weapons unit for repairs (the control numbers were all four digit preceded by a letter). My control number was A4960. The CHP pistol had the adjustable sights you mentioned, the front of the trigger guard had serrations, and the CHP had S&W install a magazine disconnect. The first generation 4006's were replaced by the 4006 TSW and those were in fact marked "CHP" with a control number. I chose not to purchase mine upon retirement because the State wanted approximately 860.00 for a very used pistol.

Just to add, in addition to the above post, CHP issued 4006s had a beveled mag well, steel recoil guide rod and a bobbed hammer. These features were not present on the commercial 4006s at the time. FYI.

When you look at the Parts List for Pistols, you'll find a listing for the 4006CHP, as well as the 4006. There are some parts/assembly differences.

Other agency's could piggy-back orders of the CHP model.

As I recall, a friend of mine who used to also have responsibility as a weapons officer at the CHP field offices where he was assigned (inspection & training) throughout his career, once told me that the original M4006 guns they received had been identified internally (at the agency) as A, B, C & D series guns, meaning when they were ordered and received.

Some changes were made over time at the agency, such as removal of the trigger play springs. (The current TSW replacements come without the TP spring.)

My friend was offered the opportunity to buy one of the older series 4006's before his retirement, as the new guns were being phased in, but the cost he quoted me was significantly than that just quoted in a previous post. Maybe they raised the pricing, or the vendor receiving the guns decided to raise the pricing? I've seen that when older M686's were being sold off and folks were offered the chance to set one aside to buy through the receiving vendor/dealer.

Also, when the CHP originally conducted some extended testing of the TSW version being considered as a replacement weapon, they experienced what they described as increased potential for service-life. I read the memo about the aging 4006 inventory and a brief description of the early TSW testing, and they felt they were getting improved guns that ought to easily last another 20 or more years, even with harder use.

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Ret LE Firearms inst & armorer

When the department replaced the original 4006's with the current TSW's officers were given the opportunity to purchase their old 4006 for just over 200.00. I think my weapon was about 15 years old at the time and I chose not to make the purchase. When one retires they can purchase their service weapon and the current cost of the TSW is over 800.00. Way too much. The CHP attempts to recoup as much money as possible in order to apply it toward the purchase of a new weapon. The weapons were categorized as A,B,C,D,versions. Mine had a control number of A4960. It was issued to me in 1990 during the transition from the Models 67 & 68 revolvers.

You're absolutely correct. I had forgot about those additional features you mentioned.

OP - a lot of good info here. These guys know their CHiPies 4006s.

I found this list online if its helpful at all
https://sites.google.com/site/worldi.../pw_california

This thread has been going on two years and not one picture of a 4006 or 4006TSW? Guess I'll have to google and get my Third Gen fix that way.

NICE!
Here's a sibling

Attached Images

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1363921523.333977.jpg (60.8 KB, 173 views)

Ok then. Here is a sample of the latest issued 4006:

Mike 4, that is awesome, THX! For posting.

Did the CHP pistols have the traditional decocker/safety, or a decocker only, that would not stay down in the 'safe' position?

The current parts list for the 4006CHP is not for the originals, but for the current production one they now sell to the CHP. It has equipment rails machined into the dust cover, no trigger play spring, and the other changes mentioned.

I have & saved some older parts lists, as well.

The current 4006 model listing also lists some of the original parts variations for the original 4006's ordered for the CHP, too.

I still wish the CHP had accepted the Scandium frame variation of the 4003TSW that S&W had offered to produce for their new guns. I remember when they were in discussions for switching from stainless to the Scandium aluminum frames, but when all was said and done, the agency decided to stick with what it had grown to know best, being a stainless frame.

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Ret LE Firearms inst & armorer

The original 4006s issued to CHP had the traditional decocker/safety lever. The current 4006TSWs issued to CHP are decock only.

regards

Awesome pistol, sir!

Oh how I long for the days when you could walk into a gunshop and buy 3rd Gens...


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Since we're sharing...
I post this pic up as much as possible. This is a CA State Parks 4006. It was ordered as a piggyback to the original CHP order. The only difference is the laser engraved title and bear, otherwise it is a CHP spec 4006.


This was taken about 5 minutes after I picked it up from my FFL.

The laser etched bear is a very nice touch. This would make that particular run/order unique. The original "A" series of 4006 were really pretty plain. The only thing that sets them apart is the mechanical features already noted above. I too carried an A series gun and when we transitioned to the new series, "E" I had to have my original semi-auto. When I joined the Patrol we were issued S&W Model 68 revolvers. I have that one too. History is irreplaceable.

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PatrolWulf
EUAD

Mike, how did you happen to acquire that example? I love the look to the 3rd Gens with the integral rail.


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