REALLY would have liked a 3924 NL! Not that another model already produced wouldn't have done the job just as well, but it sure would have been cool!

What 3rd generation model do you wish S&W would have made?

3914 NL with a 4 inch tube. And a 4513TSW With a 4 inch tube and 8+1 capacity....with melonite finish. Regards 18DAI

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7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

Stainless CS-Series compact pistols with one-piece Delrin/Xenoy wrap-around grips.

Agreed. Blued one for me, please.

You'd think the hint would be taken when folks are selling modified grips like hotcakes for a gun that you produce...

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Because of the metric system?

Yep. And you reminded me of another special request: Blued/black 3rd Gen "value series" pistols with an upgraded finish on the slide.

And along that same line, how about an SDVE with a blued/black slide option?

Single stack 3Gs with the grip frame shape and metal back strap of the 39 series.... so you could use 39 style wood grips. An ASP without the crazy sights....... more of a....... IIRC ......... Trapper Scorpion????

My FrankinSmith ....... 6906 frame with a 915/5904 upper ..... reverse two tone




Oh ya.......how about

A whole lot more.....3" 19s

A NL13 and/or 65 with the LadySmith barrel profile!!!!

I'd like for more 4566s, 4563s, 4506-1s etc.... all built under the WVSP contract specs.

I could sit here all day making lists of what I wish S&W would have made, which is surprising since they seemingly made more models than anyone.

To be practical about it, I think they should have made a "full size" version of 457. Like a budget 4566. I think it would have sold very well for Smith. I would also take the 9mm equivalent of the 4040PD in DAO.

Yep, they sure did. Can you imagine how long this thread would be if 3rd Gens were limited to just 10 or 12 models?

I guess I'm one of those "satisfied with what I have" type of guys. I'm so happy with all (5) 3rd Gens that I can't even be greedy and wish for more!

OK, one thing. I'd like my 5906 and 4006 to have the Novak rear sight. Maybe some of them were made that way but mine have "winged" adjustable that I don't care too much for.

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I'm gonna grow fins.

I wish I could have stopped at 5. But then again, I'd probably have just blown my retirement money elsewhere. At least this way I've got something to show for it.

Same here... but I consider it a reason to keep on looking! Wouldn't it be nice to have one of each... fixed sights and adjustable?

Blow and Hookers................ you'd go out with a smile!!!

Always thought a 3G with a K-frame adjustable sight (Often done on Browning HPs) or even the old style 39 rear adjustable sight would look better than the one with 'bat ears"

Oh come on Bam!!! You know I'm way too old and frail for that! You trying to kill me???

Okay, yeah. I'll admit it. The "bat ears" (as you call them) aren't the coolest look. In terms of "what I wish S&W would have made", a better adjustable rear sight for 3rd Gens is high on the list.

I personally never cared for the wings protecting the rear sights with one exception. My 4506-1. To me, the 4506-1 looks better with the adjustable sights. And Vic Mackey agrees with me.

On the other models, 3906, 5906, 5904 et al. they just look out of proportion to the rest of the gun. Regards 18DAI

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7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

While I don't like the overall look of the "winged" sights, it does serve to make a 5906 look more "tank-like," which is well-deserved description.

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Because of the metric system?

I'd sure like to be able to pick up a 3946/3943/3944. Other than a duty-size single stack 9mm DAO I can't think of any holes that I need filled. Maybe the same thing in .40, but I don't even know what the model numbers would be for something like that. There isn't a full size single stack .40 of any variation,.....is there?

Was there ever a non-stainless 10mm produced? Like a 1004?

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Because of the metric system?

I would have liked to have seen Single Action Only (SAO) 3rd gens, especially a 10mm with a 6 inch barrel. And while we're at it, make the hammer internal.

The ones I would have liked to see the most would be some sort of 3913 variant with a stainless steel frame, and the 4040PD with a stainless steel frame. I also would have loved a Melonited 5906TSW with a 5" barrel and integral rail.

I wish they would have made Model 61 Escorts that worked all the time...

(I am batting 0 for 6 or 7 so far.)

A single action 1006 with a trigger pull equal to the 745. Adjustable sights without those hideous "elephant ears" would be great. Believe it or not Smith & Wesson, the 10mm is making a big comeback.

Bruce

Yes, and they'll be happy to sell you a 10mm M&P when they're produced!

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Because of the metric system?

I currently do not own and never will own a striker fired plastic pistol. I thought this thread referred to 3rd Generation stainless steel pistols.

Bruce

What is "NL"?

its a funny lookin 3rd gen

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It is the Indian not the arrow

It's a 3913 or 3914 that has the same slanted dustcover frame as the Ladysmith, without the 'Ladysmith' engraved on the slide. I think the 'NL' stands for 'Non-Ladysmith.'

Ah thanks.

No problem.

My reply was tongue-in-cheek. We are discussing 3rd Gens. What I meant was that if you ask S&W long enough for a 10mm, they'll give you one, but it won't be in the package you wish for!

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Because of the metric system?

A chart explaining their complete line of 1st to 3rd generation semi-auto pistols. Fortunately, Lucky Gunner did that for them

THEY DID MAKE A FEW 3953 WITH A 4 INCH BARREL. PERFORMANCE CENTER "CLASSIC SERIES". MY BUDDIE HAS ONE. ITS REALLY COOL. JP

Some use to say.....NL = "New Line"

AFAIK.......Smith never said what NL stood for.

My vote is still for "No Logo"!

I ordered one back in the day through the S&W LE Rep, he said it was Not-Ladysmith. I used to claim it meant "no labia" until my better half gave me that look. You know the one.

Learn something new here everyday.......................

I've been told by S&W executives that their marketing folks couldn't agree on "New Look" or "Non-Lady Smith" as a way of distinguishing the pistol from the 3913LS, so they just used the "NL" designation. Who knows? Could just as easily be more "urban legend."

I just wish there was one gun guy left at the company calling itself s&w who would put the 3914NL back in production.

Make it a 4 inch barrell with Melonite finish. No rail. It doesn't need one as it is perfect for its mission as is. Its mission? Descreet concealment bet your life piece. It excels in that role.

My only gripe with the 3914NL is that it will rust.........fairly easily and quickly. In the miserable NC spring, summer and early fall, I have to wipe mine down weekly with 3 in 1 oil to prevent.........or rather to control, rust.

I just won a 3914NL parts kit off the auction board. The slide included in the kit looks very good. I will use it to return my 3914NL to like new condition. But will probably carry it with the well worn slide. Fine pistol! If I am lucky enough to come across another example I will buy it on sight! Regards 18DAI

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7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

I see carry guns the same way. My 3913 was in great shape, but the grip had a slight groove in it (looked like it melted somehow), and the sights were "old-looking" for lack of a better term. When I found my 3914LS (I prefer blued guns for concealment), I swapped the grips and sights so that the 13 was pristine, and into the safe she went.

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Because of the metric system?

Wish Smith had made a small pocket sized 1911 style .380 like my Colt pocket lite or the new small Kimbers, not just an automatic. I like the 1911 style . I have several small Smith revolvers and like them, even carry my 637 but love my small Colt, not just that it's a Colt.

I'm with PeteP.... I prefer blue/"dark" carry guns...... that said...... I carry my 3913NL "warm/wet/hot/sweaty" season(s) and my 3914 from about Oct to March/April here in the "burbs of the Burgh".

Would love a 3914NL.......

Yea the blue/black guns do have the advantage of being less observable in most situations. Thats one reason I gravitated to stainless finishes on my full size duty guns. I wanted the miscreant it was pointing at to be able to see it VERY CLEARLY.

Off duty and on my own time I wanted something lighter and thin. Easy to carry. But with a good round in it. I don't have an "S" on my chest so my primary concern, on my own time, is to protect me and mine and be a good witness. The 3914NL loaded with Ranger 147 grain RA9B enables me to do those things. And look good while doing them.

I don't recall who said it here, but I remember one member describing the blue finish applied to 3rd gen guns as; "....looks like some monkeys with sharpie markers applied the finish to the slide. About as durable too." Or words to that effect. Accurate description in my experience. It just doesn't hold up as well as other finishes.

But the 3914NL........well all the 39XX NL guns are just really perfectly designed for the task at hand. The single sided safety/decocker and slanted dust cover, combined with the thinness of the pistol and its overall size just make it a joy to conceal and carry. Better than the standard 39XX series guns, IMO.

Mine has actually usurped my much loved 4513TSW as my most often carried pistol. Regards 18DAI

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7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

Mine have held up pretty well these past 20 some years... concealed carry in a good Milt Sparks holster.... with a covering garment to protect from bumps and bruises.. just normal wear on edges and muzzle........ character!!!!!

I'll admit that I don't get the "willingness to deal with rust" thing in order to carry a black 3rd Gen vs. a stainless one. What the heck is wrong with a 3913NL? Or even a "plain Jane" 3913 for that matter?

Out of all my 3rd Gens, I only own one black one... and that one only because I was having a very hard time finding an affordable stainless version. Rust is NOT my thang!

I'd also like to ask in all seriousness... Is there any carry advantage to the "NL" versions of the 3913/3914 beyond the sleeker look?

Lord knows that I love them all and look forward to the day when I finally score an "NL"... ... but for now, I'll just have to live with my "plain Jane" versions.

++++++++

ETA: Opps!!! Looks like I got some of my answers already while I was preparing my breakfast!

This is my main objection to blued/black 3rd Gens (even moreso than the rust issue)... especially for the value series slides.

I forgot about the single sided safety/decocker.

I wish Smith had made a 3" 44 Special with fixed sights like this Taurus 431:

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Loyalty Above All.. but Honor

I wish Smith would make a 1911 in 10MM.

When I was a rookie carrying my trusty S&W 915, my firearms instructor (a very serious guy who had seen some action in a war and on the job) told me to polish the end of the barrel to a nice shine. Said "The bad guy needs to know he's looking at the business end of that pistol". He also told me that if I carry a "tiny gun" for my BUG, to make sure it was stainless or at least silver. The smaller the gun, the more you need it to stand out. So I traded my S&W 37 for a 642. My first year on the job I had occasion to point that 915 at a person who I was willing to send to the next plane of existence. He surrendered and was taken into custody. While putting him in the car he commented about seeing the barrel on that gun and not wanting to die.

A 1911 for under $600.

Yep, but I'm afraid that'll only happen...

Glad you explained that to me. Sometimes I can be a little obtuse, I guess.

Incidentally, are you familiar with the term "non sequitur".



Bruce