So your telling me you won't take that for it right now? Lol

While I completely agree with Caj, here's my take on this...

They ain't makin 3rd gens any more... they're all metal... they shoot better than I do... if I want one and it's reasonably within my budget I'll jump on it like an Oklahoma chicken on a June bug in May... and finally... I'm a firm believer in buying high and selling low - it's my contribution to the economy and a way to spread the S&W fever to unsuspecting converts...

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Isaiah 55:8-9
Phil. 4:13

Capitolism
I just bet if you had 12 stashed and wanted to buy something else you would be thrilled
The world is one place if you are a buyer and another if your a seller
Hank

Pythons must really make you crazy!

Nope-The most reliable pistol I've ever had. I wouldn't take twice that for it.

I think this thread alone is going to drive prices up 10%!

OK Thats funny and maybe true!!

Oh its true, I just went over to a LGS and the price of a 1006 went up a hundred bucks cause the owner follows this forum

You too, Phil.

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Sure you did

Okay, you got me! That's why I posted those photos.

Here, let's see if we can't shoot (pardon the pun) for 12%. . These are from a period when I was shooting almost exclusively 3rd gens. Once you get use to the triggers, they shoot pretty good.















The 1006 below groups a hair right. Maybe I'll sell it . . . NOT!


I am the original owner of the 4013 below. I purchased it in 1995. The only 3rd gen I own that I purchased new.


I got no excuse for those two strays below and the one above . . . maybe there was a pretty blond gal shooting next to me . . . hey, it's the best I could come up with.

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1st Signal Brigade, RVN '70

Your killing me Dick, now I'm envious of your guns and your shooting, maybe I should go home and use a gun on myself! Lol jokin

I have a high priced CS45 out in the classifieds. I did because the condition is great, the supply is low and the worst thing that can happen is that I will still own a CS45!

Here's one at a great price,imo. I wonder why no one's snagged this yet? The square trigger guard?

http://smith-wessonforum.com/guns-sa...ts-6906-a.html

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Sure you did

The sights are after market (2nd gen style), and it looks like they were roughly installed which could have compromised the dove tails. It looks as though the pistol originally came with standard Novak sights. The squared trigger guard indicates a transition model (between 2nd and 3rd generation). For me, the pictures do speak volumes. FWIW

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1st Signal Brigade, RVN '70

Thanks Dick, shows what I know about 3rd G Smith's

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Sure you did

Try to not go by the age of the pistol but instead by condition and production numbers. If S&W came out with a new production 4506 it would likely sell for 700+. I'd gladly pay that than 900+ for a Sig 220, of which I have owned. A pristine 3rd gen is worth upwards of 600, IMO.

I took my 5906 and 4506-1 to the range yesterday. There were a couple of younger guys next to me. They started watching after I put 6 mags in the black of (6) 3" Shoot n see's. I am a competent shooter but not an competition shooter. These guns just shoot and feel really good in my hands. MY 5906 and my 4506-1 tie for my 2 most accurate guns I own. (at least most consistent grouping) MY 1911 does as well but that's a different breed of gun. I can't say enough good about SW 3rd gen handguns.

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John 1:17
NRA Life Benefactor

I totally hear ya! My 5946 is more accurate than me. I neeeeeed a 4506! I've never even shot one, I feel so alone and sad........lol

When pricing, you have to compare apples to apples. It is similar in the car business. Take a nice Buick LeSaber Limited (leather interior, low miles) that is good shape, one owner vehicle. Asking price is $11k. Of course it is priced a little high because no one pays retail, even if it is worth it, they ALWAYS expect you to lower your price, no matter how fair you price.

So a guy comes in to trade his 2005 Buick LeSaber. It is a Custom (cloth interior, few amenities) and has 185k miles, cracked windshield, bald tires and ratty interior. He is very offended when you offer a very generous $2000 for his trade. The fight is on, "Why, I just looked at one JUST LIKE MINE at xyz car lot that they want $11k for it! Mine should be worth AT LEAST that much!

Same thing happens with guns. People see nice specimans with box and all the goodies selling for a decent price. They try to equate/justify asking the same for their nicely used speciman with no box or papers and fully expect to get it. Problem is that when buyers pay it, everyone else follows suit in their asking price.

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otis

pc-Fight the feeling...good things come to those who wait. Cast those lustful eyes on these...





I once had this one and silly me traded it.

It moved. Lol

FWIW:

Right now, here's what I think (IMHO) are proper price ranges (very good price - fair price) for 99% 3rd Gens without box. If it has original box, add $25 to $50 depending on condition of the box and if it has all the paper and tools. By the way, I don't count night sights much at all because they've all gone out or dulled over the years. Trijicon (they originally installed the lamps in the Novaks for S&W) will re-lamp them for around $75-80. I think that includes return shipping.

645: $600 - $750 (this 2nd generation is tough in this condition and has almost a cult following)

1006: $550 - $650
1066: $550 - $675
1076: $600 - $700 (non-FBI)

4506: $450 - $575 (incl. -1)
4566: $450 - $625 (for some reason, I just don't see many in this condition)
4576: $600 - $750 (S&W only made 1,386 of these hard to find frame decocker made
4616: $450 - $575 (incl. -1 and -2)

4006: $500 - $600
4013: $500 - $575
4014: $550 - $650 (S&W only made 550 of this blue 4013 were made; blue 3rd gens are rare in 99%)

5906: $450 - $575
5903: $475 - $600 (harder to come by than the 5906)
5904: $500 - $625 (blue 3rd gens are rare in 99%)

6906: $475 - $550
6904: $525 - $575 (blue 3rd gens are rare in 99%)

3913: $475 -$575 (almost a cult following)

Some may think that these price ranges are a bit high, but I'm assuming true 99% or 99%+ pistols. The pistol should basically look new. In fact, it should look so nice you should wonder why there's no factory box with it. Interesting thing about these 3rd Gens that I've found is that they sometimes show up in lovely condition, but their grips have dings, stains or have otherwise discolored for some reason. They make them look like a 95-97% pistol. A simple replacement with a new factory grip makes an unbelieveable difference. I've socked away several various new factory 3rd generation grips that I have purchased over the past five year for just such occasions. The grips ran me about $17-18 each from Brownell or S&W. Since I bought several at a time, shipping was not really a factor.

NOTE: I live in Southern California. So, depending where you live (and shop for 3rd Gens) the price range above may vary downward by as much as 10-20%.

Now, get out there and buy up those pristine 3rd Gens!

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1st Signal Brigade, RVN '70

Shhhhh.....I have many 3rd Gens yet to purchase,and I don't need smart sellers changing grips and charging $100 more per auction.

Thank goodness for those replacement grips being available still. It's how I can cope with the idea of getting a rough looking police gun, polishing it up and making it look new for my own collection.

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Wheelguns 'n 3rd Gens.

So, Denver Dick, I don't see the CS pistols on your list, do you think I'm out of line with my CS45 price? http://smith-wessonforum.com/guns-sa...ffl-yours.html

I'm not familiar with the CS series of pistols. Except for the 5904, I've shopped for, dickered for, and purchased all the models I listed. However, I have watched prices on the 5904 and may purchase one someday, if I find one in the right condition for the right price.

Good luck with your sale.

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1st Signal Brigade, RVN '70

Me next! Me next!!

Might have missed it but didn't notice anyone mention CDNN. Picked up a good 5906 for $289 (I think that's right) plus $20 shipping and $15 FFL.

I'm not a professional collector or any such, but I am of the mind that the 3rd Gens haven't quite gotten to collector status just yet.

The prices on the 5906, 4506, 1006, and 4566 are rising to be sure. Notice anything about those particular weapons have in common? They are the most visible ones people are likely to know and encounter from media and Law Enforcement. If anyone's watched TV in the past 10 years or seen an action movie they certainly have seen at least one of the above 4 models. Thus, the more people who know of a gun the more who demand it, triggering an increase in the prices accordingly.I offer this opinion because while 5906s sell for about $500 on Gunbroker via 7 day auctions, its 5946 TSW equivalent on the same site will have "Buy it Now" for $350. Deals can still be had on peripheral models of the 3rd Gen that aren't in the public awareness.You can see this with other gun companies too-the Beretta 92 routinely sells for $50-$100 more than the Model 96 on the same auction site.

We'll know the age of the Collectable 3rd Gen has begun, when we see obscure weapons like the 5903TSW command $1000 selling prices online. Right now id chalk up the current prices as people re-discovering certain models of the series.

About a month ago I picked up a 4553 TSW that functioned great and only showed holster wear and the night site lights were out. How was $300 for a price. I shipped it to the preformance center for complete refurbish two weeks ago and have not heard a word. Is that normal?

Yup totally normal! All the sudden it will just arrive

Cerakote finish

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I'm surprised the "Vaue Line" models haven't been mentioned so far in this discussion. I paid $270 for a 915 and $275 for a 910 (both in excellent shape) locally, which surprised me because good deals rarely ever happen in my neck of the woods. I've seen these same guns listed on Gunbroker (complete with numerous nicks and scratches) for $400-$500. The problem with GB is that a lot of folks pay those prices just the convenience of finding what they wanted without even having to get out of their chair. Buying a pistol for what it's truly worth requires patience and shopping around, even with a new one let alone a discontinued one.

I have a few 3rd gens. I like them, but many do not. The traditional DA/SA trigger seems to have fallen in disfavor to the Glock and M&P safe action trigger. I also hear many (including former LEOs) complain about their weight. Will they become collectible? Perhaps, but I have my doubts given the lack of excitement for 1st gens. Of course there will always be some who will collect NIB and LNIB versions of just about anything, but I don't see any of the S&W 3rd gens become the next Pylon or Registered Magnum.

Sorry, original sights! It was my gun and some came with the night sights...have seen several like this although they are most common with the Novaks. I assume a previous owner adjusted them (poorly?) which accounted for the paint scratches...the rest of the gun was great...dovetails fine or I would have said. I bought a 6904 from a guy who had two...one round guard and one square. The square guarded one also had the night sights that were identical to the sights on my 6906. Hence my opinion that they are original (you may be correct that they are what Smith put on 2nd gen as this was an early 3rd gen). That is about what I paid for the gun so I think the square trigger guard is not as popular as the round. (I bought the round guarded 6904!) I only sold the 6906 to turn it into a 3913. I will keep the 6904 because I need at least one non-stainless 3rd gen auto!

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After looking at the photos again, the slide is not cut for Novaks. I've previously owned what I call transition 3rd gens (usually they lettered to 1989). They do come with 2nd gen type sights. However, I'm still not convinced that these are the original sights. However, if you were the original owner and said it came this way, then I would not doubt it. The discoloring, scratches or whatever on the side of the rear sight is an immediate red flag about possible aftermarket sights, at least for me. That doesn't mean they are absolutely aftermarket, but that's what I meant by saying the photos do tell the tale for me. I personally stay away from squared trigger guards on 3rd gens. I do own two, one (4566) came to me, I didn't go looking for it. As for the other, there were only 1,386 of the 4576 made and I believe they all came with squared trigger guards. So . . .

I think you did good by keeping the 6904. There were less blues made. I'll always stop and look at a blue 3rd Gen, even if I'm not really looking that day. As for the 3913 you picked up, well let's put it this way, there's a reason I have three of them.

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1st Signal Brigade, RVN '70

I never did know exactly why the rear sights were scratched. The sight itself is still smooth and not nicked or gouged...just missing the paint...maybe wear from how it may have been carried. I was not the original owner but the gun ran flawlessly and in otherwise very good shape. It will make the new owner a very nice shooter. You are correct about the date...it is a 1988 gun so probably 2nd gen sights. Thanks for the background info.

My 3913TSW (non-rail) transaction should be completed in a week or so...look forward to the thinner grip as opposed to the double stack 6906. Already watching for a 3914. Any advice on the 39xx series?

Small correction Denver Dick... While I don't have a clue as to the exact number of each type of trigger guard models produced, there were very definitely 4576 pistols produced with round trigger guards. As it happens, I just missed out on a nice one that was listed last year in our own classified section -- by 10 minutes!

Link to the above-mentioned ad with pic: SOLD: S&W 4576 LNIB

I also noticed you didn't include the 4536 on the list of pistols and price ranges you posted earlier in this thread. I have one of these pistols and prior research [no factory letter to support - second hand info] points to there being 683 of these really hard to find frame decocker, round trigger guard, compact all-steel 45s that were produced in 1991. I would be curious to know what its rarity equates to in terms of a current estimated market value?

Did you check out the photo of my little 3913TSW pre-rail above in post #59? Excellent pistol, you should love it.

By the way, are the night sights on that 6906 dead (i.e., no longer working)?

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1st Signal Brigade, RVN '70

You are correct, I missed that 4576. Thanks for the information. I've not seen a label for the 4576 before. It appears that one was made/boxed in around March 1991. Mine, according to the factory letter, was shipped from the factory on September 28, 1990. The serial number prefix on mine is TFC and I note the prefix on the one in the photo is TFS. It all makes sense. Some one got a great pistol (with box) for very good price. Again, thanks.

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1st Signal Brigade, RVN '70

You know I hear loud and clear
but I think you just have to be a hunter/picker
I think there are still good deals out there but yes overall others are catching on
I was at one of my regular stops yesterday and found a very fair priced CS40 good shape one scratch the famous "idiot mark"
Not 100% but pretty darn nice.I was surprised on that gun I would have expected this dealer to be 50.00 more

With my 3rd gens I have a CS45 and CS40
I thought I had a CS9 a couple weeks ago but it slipped through my fingers
but that just makes the hunt that much more fun
Hank

People in this very forum though put some beat up tactical 3rd gens on here and expected twice what they should be worth to see if someone will pay it? I have the patience and persistence of an elephant. Will not overpay for any firearm and when I sell something, if I sell something then I at least want my money back.

The 3rd gen smith is for its time a great firearm and is better than the M&P stuff Smith is throwing out now. Everyone makes that gun, Springfield, Glock, H&K does not make a difference.

The TSW I have coming is identical to the pic in post #59! Looking forward to it...I especially like the way the mag fits. I must come clean and admit that I am participating in the upward trend of 3913 prices...I paid $550 for the TSW! But I looked for several months and the TSW's don't come up very often in the kind of condition I want...plus I didn't want the rail. I will evaluate the condition once I have it in hand but am expecting near perfect based on pics. $550 for a like new all metal auto with the track record of 3rd gen Smith's is why people will pay...still cheaper and better than some new stuff.

The night sights on the 6906 were dim but still working. That gun went to a buyer in TN and he will be very happy because outside of the rear sight that gun is very clean. The 6906/6904 guns don't bring 3913/3914 prices I assume because of the fatter grip. I think the 69xx guns are still a great buy in 3rd gen.

I too have been looking for a 3913TSW, they are hard to find especially in the condition I want. Every gun I own is in good to mint/ near mint condition. Did you pick it up from someone on this forum or did you have the line on a shop? I figure some police surplus shops should have them laying around. They were very popular in the LEOs back then.

JamesandtheGiant1911...I posted in the WTB section here on the forum and purchased from a member. I had been searching all the normal sales outlets online and had several LGS's on the lookout but it seems few come up. Saw a couple but not what I was looking for. There is a nice one on GB right now but it is the railed version and not the flush fitting mag. When I found one like the pic in post #59 I had to buy it. Denver Dick seems to have more than his share!

I saw the one on gunbroker, not really digging it since I want one without the rail. I really want one with nearly 95+% of the decal intact and most ALL have holster wear.

I'm with you...not really into the rail. I will continue to keep an eye out and post if something comes up...one will come along at some point.

yeah they always do, GA had a MINT one sell for 575 a few months back. It was almost a 10 could not see much at wrong with it at all.

Sucks to love 3rd gen's in cali seeing as they are off-list and my LGS's do not sell them.
Southern CA prices from the last year:
4506-1=$450
5906=$325
1006=$750(ouch... had to do it. glad i did)
457=$375(earlier today)

DSCN3667 by bigg hipp, on Flickr

A year ago my range sent a notice that they were having their annual Memorial Day weekend used gun sale. Included were (9) 5906's that had been used for demonstration purposes during CCW classes but never fired. Price would not be revealed until the doors opened.
I was first in the parking lot at 7:30 and when the doors opened at 8, first one in.

"Hi John, how much are the 5906's?"

"$279 and one to a customer."





Oh did I mention it is a TSW? Best deal I ever made.

Yep Thats sure a good one
Hank