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Old 02-29-2012, 11:56 PM
heekma heekma is offline
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Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto?  
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Default Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto?

Hi folks,

I know this is a S&W forum, heck I'm here like everyone else because I really enjoy them. That being said, I've owned a fair number of handguns-some like SIG, Glock and Beretta were admirably reliable, but even so, none have been as reliable as my 3rd Gen. S&W autos.

These guns just work...and work...and work...and keep working. I've been shooting for a fair number of years, never seen this kind of rock-solid reliability.

When the sheep hits the fan, I'll grab a S&W.

Anybody else have a S&W auto "Out SIG a SIG or Out Glock a Glock" in terms of reliability?

Outdoing those two brands is a difficult thing indeed, but I'd put my 5906 or 4506 against either of them all day long.

Best,

Heekma

Last edited by heekma; 03-01-2012 at 12:03 AM.
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Old 03-01-2012, 12:20 AM
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Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto?  
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Nope, not so far. My Glock 19 is great. The two 1911's I own are superbly reliable, but required some tweaking right out of the box. Like my 1911's, my 4566 was extremely reliable and would feed empty cases as slick as hardball, but it did it with less required careful inspection and maintenance. It just plain did what was expecte of it everytime. Despite complaints one might have or preferences for other guns, the 3rd gen S&W's are superb examples of form, function and workmanship.

Turning that 4566 in when I left my last department left a hole in my soul I'm yet to fill!
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Old 03-01-2012, 12:20 AM
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Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto?  
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On my "to get list" 5906, 469,3913...
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Old 03-01-2012, 12:36 AM
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Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto?  
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Glocks. .
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Old 03-01-2012, 12:48 AM
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Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto?  
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Glocks.
I very much disagree. Glocks are fine guns and at best equal the 3rd Gen's, but they are in no way more relaible. In fact, Glock has really screwed the pooch with their 4th Gen 9mm guns.
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Old 03-01-2012, 12:53 AM
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Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto?  
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Never had a problem with any of my Sig's.
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Old 03-01-2012, 12:55 AM
Dragon88 Dragon88 is offline
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Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto?  
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My Gen 3.5 Glock 19 has never malfunctioned once that I can remember. Same for my G21SF. My Springer 1911 is 100% reliable with Metalform mags. I own two 3rd Gens, a 4006 and 4506. Both have had an occasional hiccup, but are generally reliable guns.

I would be comfortable with any of these guns, or some of my others, in a bad situation. However, I wish I could say otherwise, but the gun next to my bed right now is the Glock 21SF with a TLR-1.
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Old 03-01-2012, 01:05 AM
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Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto?  
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I think Glocks are a good gun but also a lot, I mean a LOT of hype...all my Smiths go "bang" every time. Glocks have their following and that's fine but I can't lay my hand on something that offends my eye so badly! JMHO.

All of my Smith revolvers, 3rd gens and 1911's have outstanding reliability.
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Old 03-01-2012, 01:51 AM
mr.hipp mr.hipp is offline
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Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto?  
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92fs never gave me a reason to question its reliability. There is something about those 3rd gens that just feels more reliable. If I could I'd keep the 1006/4506-1 in the night stand but if I did shoot a home intruder my kid would probably go deaf in the process. So I've traded the 92fs for the 5906 as my nightstand buddy.
Now I'm a 4006 away from finishing my 3rd gen s&w semi-auto pistol collection.

DSCN3667 by bigg hipp, on Flickr

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Old 03-01-2012, 02:28 AM
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Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto?  
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I have been shooting and collecting 3rd Gens for many years. I currently own 3913,4013,4513,5906,4006,4566,1066 actually several duplicate models of each. I can honestly say I have never ever had any malfunction of any kind out of any 3rd Gen I have ever owned. I have had a few glocks over the years G19&23 and never had the 1st problem out of them either. I would say they are fairly equal at least for me in terms of reliability.....However the S&W are hands down more attractive and have a special place in my heart. The glocks are just tools to me.
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Old 03-01-2012, 06:59 AM
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Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto?  
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Glocks. .
I was just yanking your legs. Please in the future ignore anything I post while drinking.

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Old 03-01-2012, 07:51 AM
MR.G MR.G is offline
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Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto?  
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I have owned a lot of guns over the last 40+ years. Some good, and some bad. Never had a reliability problem with a S&W semi-auto.
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Old 03-01-2012, 08:23 AM
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Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto?  
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I have a CZ75B that is close but even it choked a couple of times on WWB ammo. I have put over 1500 rounds through my 5906 & 6906 without a glitch. Most of the ammo was cheap stuff like WWB, S&B, and Fed.
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Old 03-01-2012, 09:56 AM
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Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto?  
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Along with the various 3rd generation S&Ws I've owned over the years, none of my P-series Sigs (226s, 229s, 239 & 230s) have ever failed me. Still, the 5900 series guns are just exceptional, the most reliable and well-made firearms ever made.

My 5926 is the closest thing to my Sig 226/229 (in 9mm), only prettier, smoother, tougher, thinner and it just feels better in the hand. Twenty year old used Sigs always look their age, but beat up 5900 S&Ws just need a new grip, a spring and some polishing to look and run like new. And these days they cost half as much.

I used to trust my Glocks, but that new Glock 19 G4 I bought last Fall...the one that immediately needed a re-designed ejector so it wouldn't consistently spit hot brass in my face (recently another extractor, and who knows what else?, since it's still doing it)...left me wondering how they could needlessly screw up a new gun so badly.
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Old 03-01-2012, 10:50 AM
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Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto?  
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last range trip I ran 250 rds through my 5903 no coughs and my nephew ran the same through his 915 no trouble.
neither pistol have given any problem with around 1K rounds fired. shows no worrys at all
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Old 03-01-2012, 11:00 AM
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Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto?  
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My very first semiauto was 3rd gen S&W1006 has been very reliable and still is! I went on the collect all of them in the 10xx series and all have proven themselves worthy.

However, I wondered about theft or foriture if traveling...not wanting to loose one of my S&W's, I bought the Glock 29 and with a recoil stystem modification, to a Wolff non-captive rod and 21lb spring set this little puppy has also provided a very reliable platform from mild to full potential loads.

If S&W was to make the M&P 10mm, I would explore that one to see how it would compare to the rest of these...
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Old 03-01-2012, 11:09 AM
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Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto?  
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3913, 5906, 6906, CS45, 4566 3rd Gen Smiths plus P6, P220 Sigs never choke on anything!! Haven't shot my CZ-75 (not B) enough to include it in that group, but it is promising. I only had on Glock, a 22 in 40 S&W and it was pretty ammo sensitive.
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Old 03-01-2012, 11:16 AM
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Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto?  
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The bottom line is when Im holding any of my Smiths {4566 410 559 659 915} I indeed fell like Im holding a pistol and accuracy and reliabillity is Second to None.
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Old 03-01-2012, 11:16 AM
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I guess beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. If you want a "pretty" gun then I guess a S&W might be the one. If you want an overpriced gun, then Sig Sauer is the one. But if you want a real self defense gun that does what it is suppose to, and is meant to do the job it was designed to do, then Glock is THE one, without question.
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Old 03-01-2012, 11:19 AM
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Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto?  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by steamloco76 View Post
3913, 5906, 6906, CS45, 4566 3rd Gen Smiths plus P6, P220 Sigs never choke on anything!! Haven't shot my CZ-75 (not B) enough to include it in that group, but it is promising. I only had on Glock, a 22 in 40 S&W and it was pretty ammo sensitive.
I brought my cz 75 not b either, back from germany in 1990 and it is as reliable as my Smiths but it is also an all steel metal gun.And only paid 175.00 to boot.
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Old 03-01-2012, 11:27 AM
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Smile reliability:Doew anything elsr Beat a S&W3rd Gen auto

I have used S&W pistols and revolvers for the last 60 years and believe they are the best. I am having problems right now with my 6906 but I believe I have it fixed. I dislike the Glock based on looks alone but have heard it works fine. My favorite pistol at this time is the Beretta 92FS. It has never given me the slightest problem since they first came out in the 92F configuration. Smith revolvers are the finest in the world and have never had a single problem with them as far as I can remember. The CZ's are great pistols also.
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Old 03-01-2012, 11:41 AM
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Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto? Reliability: Does anything else BEAT a S&W 3rd Gen. auto?  
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Not in my experience, although my HK USP's are equally reliable as my 3rd gen pistols. Regards 18DAI
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Old 03-01-2012, 11:47 AM
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Quote:
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, and is meant to do the job it was designed to do,
That's the gun I want.
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Old 03-01-2012, 01:56 PM
Stu454 Stu454 is offline
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Consistantly as reliable? A folded-slide P226 comes to mine.

I've made some name guns choke just by looking at them (seriously, how do you get feed stoppages with a USP Compact in .357 SIG???) while others seemingly couldn't be made to malfunction (a mid 90s MKIII Hi Power that was practically unstoppable).

I've had nothing but good showings from a variety of 3rd gen 9mms.

But I do miss that BHP, though :-).
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Old 03-01-2012, 02:36 PM
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My brother's Gen I Glock 19 was a jam-o-matic with mil-spec M882 ball.

The only time any of my 3rd gens have "failed" was when my 1006 did not lock back on an empty mag while shooting Prvi-Partizan cream-puff 10 mm loads (less than a .40 S&W). Can't really blame the gun...

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Old 03-01-2012, 04:36 PM
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WHAT!!! There are OTHER companies that make handguns? I would stake my life on any of my 3rd gen S&W's Actually, any and all handguns I own. If it isn't accurate, reliable, or all metal, it goes down the road.
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Old 03-01-2012, 04:46 PM
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My 4505 does not jam. Other third generation guns I have owned in the past were just as reliable.
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Old 03-01-2012, 08:14 PM
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I have become a 3rd gen FANATIC....since when you might ask? Since they took our 4566s and traded them for the M&P 45 garbage. They're killin me over on the M&P forum for exposing all the problems my agency has had with the M&P. Anyway, the 3rds are my absolute favorite. I own:

4506 (forged hammer & trigger)
4506 (MIM hammer & trigger)
1006
4505
4526
4566TSW
4563TSW
4006TSW
4003TSW

I still see more that I want. Strangely enough, the small compacts don't interest me.....weird
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Old 03-01-2012, 08:27 PM
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I've burned a fair quantity of ammo thru various autos at one time or another, matter of fact I remember a Tysons Corner P226 that I fed some dirty reloads I got from a local cop and it never missed a beat! I just purchased a Beretta 92FS used and want too run it like a rented mule, so I'll get back to ya on that one.
But I look at this old beat up 5946, that I've put over a thousand rounds of mixed ammo (ball, JHP, NATO, +P) and just say "WOW!" it's eaten everything and never burped once! It just sort of looked at me like 'Oliver Twist' and said "Please sir, I want SOME more!"
I've had one Glock, a 3rd. 19 that would pull the stage 3 malfunction regularly enough. My old 17 works well enough, but in lieu of the recent Gen4 foul ups, I'm pretty much sticking to 3Gen Smith...they just WORK! Dale
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Old 03-01-2012, 08:39 PM
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I've only been a S&W owner since last fall, so I don't have enough rounds through the pipe to comment. However the most reliable weapons system I've ever handled personally has been the Beretta 92 series. I've owned six over the years (currently down to one), with a combined total of somewhere between 15-20,000 rounds fired. Not one single malfunction, ever. I've owned several Glocks, and while most were 100% one of them wasn't. Hopefully my S&W autos will prove to be just as good overall, but I'm pretty confident.
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  #31  
Old 03-01-2012, 08:57 PM
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Kelly Green Kelly Green is offline
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The only pistol I’d put up against my S&W Third Generations for consistent reliability is my 1944 Remington Rand 1911. It’s old and it looks like its seen more than one dog fight but in the thousands of rounds I’ve put through it, from FMJ to lead hand-loads, it has never once failed to function.
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Old 03-01-2012, 09:10 PM
heekma heekma is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dsk View Post
I've only been a S&W owner since last fall, so I don't have enough rounds through the pipe to comment. However the most reliable weapons system I've ever handled personally has been the Beretta 92 series. I've owned six over the years (currently down to one), with a combined total of somewhere between 15-20,000 rounds fired. Not one single malfunction, ever. I've owned several Glocks, and while most were 100% one of them wasn't. Hopefully my S&W autos will prove to be just as good overall, but I'm pretty confident.
Hello dsk,

I know you from your participation and posts from another forum and I welcome your experience and expertise here.

I don't have the round count that you've racked up, but I've put several thousand rounds each through a West German SIG, stainless U.S. made Beretta and a Glock 17. Of those three, the Beretta had one malfinction (FTE-odd, considering the open design), the SIG had a FTF and a FTE, the Glock had a few FTF-but those were with novice shooters. Glocks are great guns, but they do not tolerate moderate limpwristing well.

My 4506 has has 3k down the pipe-all kinds, some decidedly suspect, without skipping a beat.

My 5906 has seen over 4k, a fair amount of that teaching some female friends of mine who had never held-let alone shot-a handgun without a single issue.

These same friends caused my G17 to FTF repeatedly.

I learned through personal experience the Glock is sensitive to limp wristing.

The 3rd Gen. Smiths aren't sensitive to anything-assuming the ammo is reasonably assembled.

Considering some of MY reloads I'm not entirely convinced even some moderate ammo issues will stop them.

Best,

Heekma
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Old 03-01-2012, 09:27 PM
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lhump1961 lhump1961 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by v-13 View Post
I guess beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. If you want a "pretty" gun then I guess a S&W might be the one. If you want an overpriced gun, then Sig Sauer is the one. But if you want a real self defense gun that does what it is suppose to, and is meant to do the job it was designed to do, then Glock is THE one, without question.
At least you didn't go so far as to say the "ONLY" one...I won't ask any questions
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  #34  
Old 03-01-2012, 11:18 PM
dsk dsk is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by heekma View Post
I don't have the round count that you've racked up, but I've put several thousand rounds each through a West German SIG, stainless U.S. made Beretta and a Glock 17. Of those three, the Beretta had one malfinction (FTE-odd, considering the open design), the SIG had a FTF and a FTE, the Glock had a few FTF-but those were with novice shooters. Glocks are great guns, but they do not tolerate moderate limpwristing well.

My 4506 has has 3k down the pipe-all kinds, some decidedly suspect, without skipping a beat.

My 5906 has seen over 4k, a fair amount of that teaching some female friends of mine who had never held-let alone shot-a handgun without a single issue.

These same friends caused my G17 to FTF repeatedly.

I learned through personal experience the Glock is sensitive to limp wristing.

The 3rd Gen. Smiths aren't sensitive to anything-assuming the ammo is reasonably assembled.
Well, it's definitely true that any design has the potential to malfunction, so it should never be taken for granted. So far I've only shot a couple hundred rounds through a 4006, maybe the same through a 915, and more recently about 3-400 through a 910. So far I've had one FTE with the 910, but it was with store-bought reloads and I believe the round was a bit underpowered. Honestly I've never had a malfunction with any USGI 1911 pistol either, but I also haven't put many rounds downrange with them as they quickly became too valuable to shoot within the past 10 years or so. Most 1911s I've had that were unreliable were either garbage brands, or were factory customs made by companies too busy making them to watch what they were doing.

I have recently put 3000+ rounds through a Gen4 Glock 19, one of the first ones with all the "bad" parts still inside it. So far no malfunctions of any kind, which goes to show you can't ever predict performance. You always have to test to be sure.
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  #35  
Old 03-02-2012, 12:59 AM
BHPFan BHPFan is offline
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I haven't posted in a while, but in my experience with the semi pistols I've owned in the past: The SIGs (P220, P225, P239), HK P7, all my previous Browning Hi Powers, Ruger P90, Walther P99 and CZ75 were just as reliable as the S&W 3rd Gen.

Now, with current semis that I own and have shot: My current BHPs (and clones) and the Walther P99C are just as reliable as my 3rd Gen S&W semiautos.

Glock, not so much, as it could not shoot reloads reliably like my CS9 (or the 3914 and 6906 that I used to own ages ago) as well as my BHPs.

I recently got a M&P9C that I have yet to shoot. Next to my BHP pistols, I love S&W handguns: I currently own a 617, CS9, 4506, 457 and M&P9C. I also have a Walther P99C (imported by S&W) and I currently have a 625JM on layaway.

True... S&W pistols are great!!!

Last edited by BHPFan; 03-02-2012 at 01:09 AM. Reason: Added Ruger P90
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  #36  
Old 03-02-2012, 11:56 AM
Nuclearmike Nuclearmike is offline
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I've had a few 3rd Gens, i.e, 4586, 5904, 4553, 1026, 4506-1, 4566TSW. I've never had one do anything other than what it was supposed to do. Pull the trigger followed by a bang and the next round loaded in the chamber.

I've had a love-hate relationship with the 3rd gens. I love the looks, the function, the accuracy. Hate the dang slippery plastic grips. With all that being said a 4566TSW or 4506-1 with non-slip tape on the palm swell grips sits on my nightstand every night and as soon as I get my CCW the hunt for a 3913 or a CS9 will begin.
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Old 03-02-2012, 10:38 PM
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cololab cololab is offline
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I own pistols that I consider to be as reliable as my 3rd Gens, but none of them do I consider to be more reliable.
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  #38  
Old 03-03-2012, 02:34 PM
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ColColt ColColt is offline
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I've owned a few Glocks over the past 15 years to include the G19, G22 and 23 and the G30SF. That one is the worse of the lot with FTRTB issues that never were fixed by the armorer I gave it to and it was the worse for chewing up brass. I'll never own another G30SF.

To date the G19 has been most reliable but, I wouldn't trade the 4506 for 20 of them-or any other Glock for that matter. The HK USP-C 45 has proven itself to be the equal of the 4506 to date.
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Old 03-03-2012, 03:47 PM
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calmex calmex is offline
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I have a 3904 and a Glock. My ammo situation is always tenuous, in fact I rarely get to fire factory ammo through either and have to reload for both. Primer selection is based on what I can find, not what I would like.

Factory ammo available is loaded with very hard primers. As well, often the primers available for reloading are quite hard. I seat them all below flush to give the BEST chance of ignition. The Glock has an extra power striker spring, but every couple of hundred rounds, I will get a mis-fire requiring a second strike. The S&W NEVER has required a second strike to begin with, and were it required it would be a simple matter to just pull the trigger again. The Glock does not give you a simple "second pull" in the event of a misfire.

The Glock is a fine weapon, I will admit, and I am happy to own one. However, in areas where your ammo supply is variable and very hard primers might be the order of the day I do not think it's what I would choose personally. I use my Glock as a fun gun to impress the peanut gallery and the 3904 is what sits in the gun clock near the front door because I feel I can truly count on it. I am delighted to own it and always love shooting it. It has also become my wife's favourite auto, meaning that it might not be possible for me to shoot it as much as I want when she comes shooting with me.

I really feel the S&W 3904 is as reliable an auto as I'm going to get around here.

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