AIP

ISCS Yoda · #1 03-24-2015, 07:04 PM

I learned something today in another thread:

Quote:

Keep it, AIP's were the very first 3rd gens produced by S&W.

From Richard McMillan:
"Smith & Wesson in the fall of 1988 announce a new line of auto-loading hand guns. The new handguns were referred to by the factory as the "AIP" guns, which was the abbreviation for Automatic Improvement Program. The new models had a new series of four digit model numbers and a total of twenty-three changes from the old models. These were the pistols that were introduced as the Third Generation Smith & Wesson Auto-Loading Pistols. Seven new models were introduced, they were; 3904, 3906, 5904, 5906, 6904, 6906, and 4506. The significant changes which define the Third Generation Guns are; undercut front strap, rounded trigger, 3 dot sight system, polished feed ramp, dull finish, eliminated stainless steel springs, beveled magazine well, magazine capacity numbering, one piece grip, improved slide stop, improved double action pull, extended trigger guard, improved ambidextrous safety lever, and fixed barrel bushing."

Query - what is the difference between an AIP pistol and any other 3rd Gen pistol?

Thanks.

18DAI · #2 03-24-2015, 07:16 PM

IIRC they have AIP as the prefix in their serial number. Regards 18DAI