To have and to hold- my 39-2

For serious purposes- I'll take my 3914LS.

It shows the depth of sickness when the question was "which one is your favorite?" and more than half the replies list multiple guns!

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Because of the metric system?

That reminds me, did I mention my 4516? Yes please put that one one the list............somewhere. My 4516-3........not the 4516-2 or the 4516 no dash.......although both of them are fantastic guns too and should be somewhere on the list as well............it is a sickness. Regards 18DAI

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7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

....and a Kel Tec. So

Top on the list the 5943 third gen. Aluminum frame so though full size, it's carryable. But then. It's a great shooter as well way beyond SD distances. I hope never to part with it.

A close second would be the Shield. Why? It's a gun in a million (literally) The trigger is superb. Take down is easy. It's very concealable/carryble, it's comfortable to shoot and shoot well.

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Way down here is the Kel Tec P-11. A good gun, good design. No fun to practice with. Made for for scaring perps by shooting AT them instead of hitting them. It's like a pair of dime store pliers that you keep in your kitchen drawer. They work on the little stuff.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

I own a number of 3rd gens.
My favorite is the 1066 my son gave me as a birthday present. Feel the S&W 10mm's are simply the finest 10mm pistols ever produced.
Saying that I open carry a well worn 6904 most of the time at work but alternate carrying it at times with ether my Shorty .40 or 4013TSW.
Love the 4013 and Shorty but in the end prefer the 9mm round to a .40. reason is that snappy recoil of the .40 or .357 sig to me is more uncomfortable than a 10mm with hot loads. 10mm is more a hard push than that super sharp snap with the .40/.357 sig and putting follow up shots on target I find easier and quicker with both a 10mm or 9mm than the .40's.
My favorite conceal carry pistol is my CS9.

Hear you I own a DAO 5943 as well and also really like mine. Need to drop in a lighter hammer spring and work the trigger a little to really get it where I like it. Saying that it's a pistol I hunted for a while and there is no way i would part with this one! Having that DAO to play with on the range REALLY helps my trigger control!

M&P shield 9. I've had all kinds of firearms, but I've never had a favorite range toy that was also a favorite carry piece. Still not my only gun, but for fun and serious purposes, the shield does it all, at least for me.

945, 41, 52..... All scary accurate, but the 945 looks cool too.

That's an easy one for me. M41 7in. Only semi Smith I own.

Chance...

They're all great in their own way, but if I were to pick only one it would have to be my 3914. Accurate, reliable, and just feels like it's a part of my hand... I almost never leave home without it!

I have to agree with sevens and dave_n, 745 rules for me. Cloverleaf groups at 50 feet. I shot this gun 200 rounds a week for about six years, still functions flawlessly. My shooting partner wore out his stainless Gold Cup. I shoot my 845, 945 and 52 even better, but the 745 is my favorite.

Of the ones I have shot it is a close race between the 52 or the 945.
The reason is they were both dead nutz accurate.

Of the ones I currently own its easily the 4506, because its stone cold reliable and the softest shooting .45 I have ever shot.

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Regards,
Guy-Harold Smith II

It would have to be my S/W Sigma sw40c.
This was the Glock clone that Glock sued and won at least 7 million cash from S/W.
It fits my hand. It just feels good! And it protected me faithfully so I could retire and write these wisdoms of truth.
Yes,,,,It was,,, and still faithful to me.
Some out there can relate to this feeling,,,,,,,,,

Oh such an unfair question! I love to shoot all my 3rd generations, my 915 and 5906 are up there with my 4006. Still looking for a 4516 though.

Which is my favorite and why?

I'll "limit" my answer to include only those pistols and accessories that i actually own.

I like them all and they all "fit" my hands (Except for the sub-compacts. My pinkie finger feels neglected).

Because it is "my" opinion (Thank you, Charles.) I will list two.
One "open carry" (i.e. Full size, Combat, Duty pistol).
One "concealed carry" (i.e. CCW, Compact, Sub-compact pistol).

My favorite Full size: 4006TSW

Why?: Engineering and versatility.
The TSW pistols were the most advanced of all the S&W metal framed, center fire, semi-automatic pistols and incorporated all of the knowledge gleaned in the nearly 70 years of production beginning with the pre-model 39.
It is all stainless steel tough and durable.
I can set it up as safety/decocker, decocker only, or DAO.
I can set it up with straight back or curved back grips (my preference is curved).
I can install the Crimson Trace laser grips or the LaserMax guide rod laser.
Speaking of sighting, I can carry with the Novak Trijicon fixed rear sight or drift in the LPA adjustable rear sight (or just swap a slide that already has the LPA sight fitted).
While we are on the subject of swapping slides, exchanging the 4006TSW slide for the 4013TSW slide gives me an "SSV".
Last, but most importantly is cartidge capability and capacity.
I consider the .40S&W cartridge to be substantially superior to the 9mm and somewhat superior to the .45acp.
The double stack design gives me a confidence inspiring 12 rounds.
And with nothing more than a simple barrel and recoil spring swap, I now have the same great pistol in .357 Sig, which I consider to be ballistically superior to the .40s&w.

My favorite concealed carry pistol: CS40

Again, engineering and versatility.

The Chiefs Special models were among the very last 3rd gen pistols S&W designed and incorporated the latest features.
It is light and small enough for pocket carry.
I can swap out the Hogue rubber grips for my home made "Big Dog" delrin grips and exchange the ambi safety/decocker for a single sided safety or go DAO for maximum thinness.
If 8 rounds of .40s&w doesn't seem potent enough, I can exchange the slide, barrel, and magazine for the CS45 parts and now I have 7 rounds of .45acp and can use the full size, 8 round .45 mags as back up.

John

If I could just say my favorite S&W it would be my 686 Pro Series, because of the flexibility of optional use of moon clips, conventional speed loaders, or just hand loading, plus the power, accuracy, and smooth trigger. Ooh I luv that wheelgun!

But I digress. The question was about favorite "auto-loaders," so I'll have to go with my Model 41. Reasons: It is accurate, it is beautiful to behold, it is aesthetic, and I have both the 5 inch and 7 in barrels for it. So with the 7 inch barrel I've a super-nice sight radius, and with the 5 inch barrel, I have a Match-Dot mounted on the rail. Finally, it is a "classic" S&W, with old-school craftsmanship built into it.

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US Navy Vet, and NRA Life Member - America is still the greatest country in the history of the world!

Wow tough choice! Well out of all my S&W semi-automatics I think it's a tie between 2 of my favorites.
My 659/5906 interim & 3913LS
First off the reason I am torn between these two is because they are in my mind the tops in both of their respective categories, home/SHTF gun and everyday Conceal Carry gun.
I love shooting my 659/5906 interim with its 14/15 Rd high cap mags. It's super accurate and the stainless steel is buffed shiny. Classic!
I carry my 3913LS everyday, everywhere. It's slim and sexy looking with its rake-ish angled dustcover, and I can one-handed bullseye at 15 yards all day long.

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Know God Know Peace

No contest: the 39-2 I foolishly traded for a 469

or if not that, the second 39-2 I foolishly let get away because it was "no longer authorized" for duty carry.

Or the 39-2 I hope someday to find for sale in my LGS with some price south of $300 on it because "you know you can't get parts for that anymore and you can't mount a laser on it and the grips are made of wood or something".

On the belt in a Bianchi Shadow or IWB all by itself it was the nicest carrying, most naturally pointing, flawlessly functioning semi-auto I ever owned. The only modification I made was to cover the hammer spur with a rubber cap robbed from a coat rack in the PD to protect my sport coat lining.

I couldn't tell a nickel's worth of difference between the "accurized" first one I owned and the second, which had been purchased new, fired once and then allowed to ride around under the front seat of a van for about 5 years before I got it.

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I need ammo, not a ride.

I would be tempted to say the 39 (nothing) that I was issued in the ISP academy in 1968, and was allowed to buy when it was replaced by the 439 in 1980-ish...but 39s are hard to find parts for now, so my new favorite is probably my recently purchased 659...

There are many good picks here!

My favorite is my 1972 Model 41.

Runs smooth as a clock, very accurate and looks awesome!

Mod 39 carried the most and love it dearly.
Mod 41 gets shot a lot and very accurate.
Mod 952-1 the most accurate 9mm I own.

Stealing EngineGuy's picture and description.............and ditto...... the best concealed carry S&W if I was carrying for "work"; add full size magazine(s) with "Plus-2" adapters as backups!!!!!!!!

Though I must admit 95% of the time my concealed carry is a 3913NL or 3914..... both with checkered Hogue wood grips and 7rd flush fit magazine w/ an extra 8 round magazine ............cus I live in the "Burbs of the Burgh"

I'm also very fond of the plain Jane 915 in a full size 9mm with Mec-gar 17round magazines.........

What day o' the week is it?
Mondays & Tuesdays, its the 10mm 4013
Wednesday is the 4513
Thurs is the CS9
Fridays is always 3913 day
Saturday is 6904
Sunday is 1006 or 4566

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It is the Indian not the arrow

TGIF!!!!!!!




Oh and I like your weekends toooo!!!!

I think the Models 39 and 39-2 are the most comfortable pistols that Smith ever made.

My vintage 1995 4013 (pre TSW). I call it my "Grand Jury Gun". I sat on a county grand jury for 4 months back in '95 and they sent me $42 a week for my trouble. Every week I would cash the county check and stick the money in a coffee can. After I was discharged from the jury, I grabbed my $670 and headed for my favorite LGS. I couldn't pass that little .40 up. Still one of my favorite guns and one of my favorite stories.

Like a lot of you fellows and ladies I have owned some very nice pistols, Baer's, Wilsons, and Browns. The best in my safe are my Smith 945, 952-2, and the Smith 41.

When I am on I can make these babies sing. I love my Smith and Wesson PC's.

My single stack 4053. The perfect carry pistol for me.

The only auto loader I own, SW915.

Model 457. It's the only S&W autoloader I own. Never needed to replace it. Nothing fancy or flashy, but when I point it and pull the trigger, it goes "BOOM" and makes a hole pretty much where I was aiming!

I cannot choose between the Model 915 and the 4506. The 915 is a nice do it all practical 9mm handgun that is extremely accurate and easy to maintain. I would have picked it over the Beretta 92F.


The 4506 is a hand cannon with a more modern and sturdier design than the revered 1911. If I run out of ammo, it is heavy enough to use as a club. Fun to shoot.

There are many I'd like to own, but my 5904 is my current favorite

My Model 59 followed by CS45. The 59 is older that dirt but, can still cut the 10 ring. CS45 is a good carry for this old fat dude.

Quoting myself again with an update to my new favorite auto loading S&W semi-auto.

I just picked up a model 411 in great condition. It's my first .40 and while I wish it was the full 10mm to match my 1006 & 1076 but the .40 lifts the power from my 5906 and only loses some capacity with 11 round magazines (I got 3 with it).

The 411 has night sights (but very dim after 20 years) and I plan to have it re-lamped soon.

Only slightly smaller than my 1076, but significantly lighter with the alloy frame. It carries better and will be my back-up to my always present .357 AirLite (actually my very favorite handgun, as I said love the one that's with you).

But the 411 will be with me a lot as my car/truck gun. I have a secret compartment in my pick-up that will hold the 411 when I go out (the AirLite is in appendix carry).

Digiroc

While thinking how I'd answer this question I realized I don't own enough Smiths yet!! What a fabulous hobby, collecting guns.

While I love them all for various reasons, my early 4513TSW for some reason just makes me proud to own it. Yes I love my old 41, and my 3913's, heck I even have an early 3913TSW but it's just not the same.

I know I've got to get a 39-2 after reading all the love!!

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Kirk / Spock 2020

My 4040pd. Size, weight , caliber and accurate!

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My 659. It was the first firearm that I bought brand new, and since I bought it back in the 80's I've put so many rounds through it that it is smooth as silk.

My two-
645 because it feeds anything thing and weight absorbs a lot of recoil.

And 5906 because the 645 is just too heavy to carry all the time.

952 2 TONE LONG SLIDE .....hands down.....heck any of my 952s...



Followed closely by the 52-2



And the 1006 Salesman Sample



.....almost forgot the 4006PC LIMITED



Too many choices......dang it



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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Dan
SWCA #2789

I own nothing nearly as nice and pretty as some of the above posts, but I'll play.

I do own 3 S&W's; a 39-2, a 915 and a 22A.
For looks and classic styling, the 39-2 wins out.
For shooting, the 915 (the thin factory grips make it no thicker than the 39 to my hand, I get nearly twice as much to shoot per mag, and the trigger is just as nice).

For "lotsa" shooting, the ugly duckling 22A has been as accurate a 22 as I could ask for it to be, and it hasn't choked on cheaper 22 ammo for me.
I just wish it looked better!

Gotta be the 4506. I had to look for a bit to find one that had everything I wanted; hooked trigger guard, large grip and Novak sights. It just screams 'Hey, it's the 80's!' and is built like a battleship....seriously, holding this thing is like holding the Hammer of Thor. The eyes of all the 20 and 30-somethings at work often bug out when I bring it to the range at qual time, they ask me things like "Why does it only hold 8 rounds?", "Why isn't there a rail?", "Are there lights or lasers available for it?" or "Why does it weight the same as a new born hippo?"

I don't bother explaining that it's enough that it's as tough as a Klingon MMA fighter and it was the weapon of choice of Sonny Crockett (Season 5 only, admittedly). I just put some hot 185 gr. +P ammo in it say "Fire away." The miniscule recoil convinces them quickly....no modern polymer 'wonder-clicker' eats up the blast of hot .45 ACP JHP's like the ol' USS Forty Five Oh Six....


(Didn't have a pic of mine handy, this one's from an old auction site)

.

Any of the 9mm autos! I think S&W makes probably the best in that caliber.

My favorite S&W would have to be my 4040PD, even though I'm not
a huge fan of the .40cal. It just carries so well, shoots soft and is very
accurate.

I know this seems to be geared toward older guns, but I've never shot a Smith I like as much as my SD9VE. That is after some trigger work. It is 100% reliable, no matter the ammo. It is more than accurate enough for it's intended purpose. It's comfortable, aims naturally and is easy to shoot. It's my standard carry gun, and I don't know another gun I'd want to replace it with.

My 3953 thank you

3913. A good compromise on all key metrics. Close to ideal in size and weight. Good practical and mechanical accuracy, and a good pointing handgun. And, if we go back to the future, it might have the ideal # of rounds, if there is another "Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994" passed.

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S&W Rover

My 5946 is my favorite I have had it for 18 years. I have the same feelings as the OP about the gun.

Easy...

What? My 4006 CS LIMITED

Why? It's single action, the most accurate pistol I ever owned, and NOBODY I've ever known of has one.

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5943 - eats anything, reliable, good trigger for a DA, accurate and a great shooter. I like the aluminum frame, makes it just hefty enough not to kick much with full power cartridges.

The Shield has the best DA trigger on anything that I've tried. It's close to feeling like a single action.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

I have large hands so mine is the S&W 645. It is "just about" perfect but to be the "perfect" pistol for me, it should have to have a double stacked magazine. (A S&W 659 in .45 ACP!)

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Bill

For me it's the 1006. I have big hands and I love the 10mm. I have slowly sold or traded all of my other 3rd gens but the 1006 will stay until the end. I would also buy another one if I found a good price. I don't own one but the 4506 would be up there too since it is the same size as the 1006.

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