Hi all I am currently in the market for a 6946. I have done a little research on this gun and a lot of folks talk really good about it and I plan to cc this weapon on a normL basis. My problem is when i talk to my local gun shops they cannot find this model in their handbooks. Is there another name to go bye for this gun or is it even available anymore or what. Also what do you guys think about this gun as a ccw for iwb carry.

The 6946 is no longer made. You can find them on Gunbroker or Guns America, or sometimes in the classified section on this forum. I paid $400 for one about a year and a half ago.

Good hunting. If you find one, you may want to consider replacing the hammer spring with a 17# spring from Wolff (much nicer trigger pull).

There was one on GunBroker that went for around $275 this weekend. Man, 3rd Generation S&W semiautos like the 6946 are often a great deal used - replace the recoil spring, maybe the mag spring and the tritium lamps, and you're good for a loong time.

I've carried a 6946 before, and I liked it a good deal. It's a little on the large side for concealed carry w/o a cover garment (you can do it with a SmartCarry), but it worked wonderfully for me IWB with a sweatshirt or something like that. Accurate and utterly reliable, too.

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Now go make God proud...

I do see where CDNN has the 6906 for a good price. I have one as my truck gun and it is very reliable and a tack driver. JMHO

$275! That's a steal!

They are definitely great guns. I picked one up for 400 a couple years back in LNIB condition, although the sights were ******. I use it as my CCW when I carry and have had no issues with mine. Good luck in your search...

I carry one IWB with a ClipDraw all the time, and have for years, and likely will for a long time.

I may have to put one of these in the stable, I love my 3953 and this seems like a next addition. Can you use the 5906 mags in this? I know they wil stick out a little, but what about locking in and function?

Yes, the 5906 mags work....if you hunt around you may find the filler baseplates that used to be made for this exact combination, can't remember the name of the company, I will check when I get home and post pics of them.....

If your heart is not set on a double stack semi, the 3953 is essentially the same thing on a 39xx compact frame made of aluminum alloy. There is even one for sale in the classifieds.

Thanks Grif684

These guys make the "+2" grip adapters for the 5900 series mags to be used in the 6900 series pistols:

Precision Gun Specialties

I just grabbed one on gunbroker for $315 last week. Still waiting for her arrival. You might as well get a head start on holsters and extra magazines. They both seem to be hard to come by at the moment.

Big Mike, you're exactly right, here's a couple pics of the parts, installed on a 5900 mag, then inserted in a 6904...

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Thanks guys for the link and the pics.

grif,

I always thought the 6900 series pistols with the +2 mag conversions felt better in the hand than just about any other 3rd gen pistol. It reminded me of a model 39. Thus far, the only pistol I regret trading away was my 6946. Looking now at a bunch of 6906 and 6904s on GB.

I personally have always favored the compact double stack myself for a CCW.....started with a 669, then went 469, then 6906.......and the +2 baseplates for the 5900 series mags are great as well, they don't add any real length to a 69 series pistol, as these had the finger grip base that protruded as much, and you actually get +3 rounds, in the newer 5900 series mags......the +2 baseplates were introduced back during the early second gen, when a 59 series had a fourteen round mag, not fifteen.....

I gave $348 for my 6946, and it came with an extra mag....it's nice and compact.....love it

Here is a police trade that sold for 284 + 20 shipping. I always wished I had bought two at that time. I have since lost this one to my grandson.
6946

Adapters for 15 round mag(5906)

I bought this model 6946 I good condition from Gander Mountain before they closed. They did a Police bulk buy out when the police changed over to their new carry model. I paid $ 325 for I,t came as pistol with one 12 round mag.
I would say overall it is one of the best guns I ever bought. All man. brands eaten up with out ANY failures. It I a little large frame fro concealed for me but winter under coat no problem. I bought extra mages and have shout probable over 700 rounds though it. It shoots dead on and is a comfortable 9 mm. If you can get one reasonable, grab it without a doubt. Stainless cleans real nice. Hope this helps

Welcome to the best place on the 'net to discuss Smith & Wesson 1-2-3rd Gen pistols and it sounds like your 6946 has been a great buy for you!

Please note before anyone replies to the first 19 posts in this thread... it is a necro-thread from 2012. The prices in the first 19 posts are fun for discussion but currently irrelevant.

I was right! Still carrying this 6946, only the clipdraw is gone and I have a nice IWB holster. Churned a lot of guns in seven years, this one is going nowhere.