I just bought one and was curious if there are any 6946 fans on here. I am very pleased with the trigger in mine, even thought its DAO. I was looking for a good alternative to the ocean of polymer guns out there, and stumbled upon a nice, low-mileage example at my LGS. It felt great in my hand, positively ejected magazines, has a thin profile (no external safety), and has an acceptable capacity (12+1). Also, what holster/carry method are you using?

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Matthew 5:9

I have had one for several years, and took it to the range just this weekend. It was a sheriff's dept gun before I got it. I love it, it shoots as well as I can. I tend to prefer the DAO, as I like the trigger pull to be the same every time. I seem to shoot better with that type of pistol as compared to the TDA models.
If you like the thin profile of the 6946, try to find a 3953. That is a single stack, so you loose a few rounds in the mag, but the grip is very slim.

I love all the DAO 3rd gen Smiths and the 6946 is a good one. One thing I've found is that the triggers tend to be a bit better in the full size frames and there really isn't any noticeable difference in frame size between the full and compact when the compact has the finger extension base plate(which all of mine do). That makes my dream carry gun a 5943 SSV but until one comes along the 6946/6944 will do nicely.

I also keep 3953s around for the slimmer frame. All fit interchangeably in the various holsters so the double-stacks go when they can and the single-stacks fill in when necessary.

Very nice. I'm very pleased with mine. I'm brand new to the 3rd Generation Smith Semi Autos, but it looks good laying in the safe next to my 1911 E Series Stainless, with a few K Frames to keep them company. Thanks for the heads up on some other models to keep an eye out for. I'll be adding more 3rd Generations to my collection.

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Matthew 5:9

I have owned more than one of the 3913s and lady smiths but I have sold them but I kept the 6946 I now have. I bought it online from police trades for 284.00. My only regret is not buying two while they were available.

The 6946 is an outstanding gun!

Stylish and ergonomic. The rear set trigger of the partially cocked hammer seems to fit the trigger reach of most people just right.

Not too big, not too small, nice weight and balance, one trigger pull, no safety's to mess with - it was ahead of its time and in my opinion a much nicer pistol than all the plastic fantastics out there now.

Use a full size 59 series magazine with the adapter and it feels great in your hand without really adding much more length over the finger extension and also gain three more rounds of capacity.

Yes I am a Fan! Be careful though - they tend to multiply and then eat the money in your bank account LOL.

The pictures below have been posted already, but you can see the 6946 with and without the extensions and the 6946 between the single stack 3953 mentioned above and another amazing Smith 3rd Gen DAO - the 4586..........

[QUOTE=kaveman;138415176]One thing I've found is that the triggers tend to be a bit better in the full size frames and there really isn't any noticeable difference in frame size between the full and compact when the compact has the finger extension base plate(which all of mine do). That makes my dream carry gun a 5943 SSV but until one comes along the 6946/6944 will do nicely.[QUOTE]

I know you probably really want a 5943 SSV, but could you put the slide from a 6946 on a 5943 frame and have your perfect carry gun?

If the frankengun works you can carry it and when you get the real deal then you can baby it and keep it nice (Notice I did not say not shoot it, just not carry it)

Yes, you can. That's what Smith did with the SSV. I haven't got a 5943 but I do have short slides on a couple of 5946s,......one stainless slide and barrel from a 3953 and one blue carbon steel from a 6944.

That's one nice thing about the 9mm 3rd Gens,..........single-stack, double-stack, full size or compact, blue or stainless,........all the barrel/slide assemblies are interchangeable and will work on any frame(as long as we exclude the TSW guns). I'm not so sure about the .40cals. It gets complicated due to the TSW rails and the odd frame size on the 4053. .45s I know nothing.