Yes that's what new old stock is...old pistols never sold before...NIB pistols at least the ones at Cabelas

Bill

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Fast is Fine Accuracy is Final

So I got my S&W 5946 from Gander Mt today and it is a Houlton ME gun made in 2014. No night sights, original box, and only 1 15rd mag. Gun is in barely used shape. The outside looks as if they threw a bunch together in a box. Yet for 369.14 can't beat the price. I was able to save 30 bucks with the code GMT5. If your on the fence go online and get one before they are gone.

That sounds like an incredible deal, enjoy your new 3rd gen S&W.

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DAV Life Member

Well I just ordered one. Used code JAN25, saved $25.00.
My total is a little less for some reason. $363.72 which includes $349.99 for gun, $13.73 tax and $25.00 2nd day air shipping.
The ad I saw said 1 ten round mag not 15. Guess I'll find out next week.

EDIT: That JAN25 code = free shipping. Fantastic deal.

My state tax is 7%. I think as long as you live in a free state you'll get a 15 rounder. I mean even if you were to get (which I doubt) an older 5946 the price we're paying is far below what they would go for on GB.

I have noticed some differences between the 2014 and the one I have from 1992. Aside from those already mentioned is the ejection port on the 2014. It has some more rounded edges and near the ejector it is rounded out further, maybe to help with a more consistent ejection.

Yeah I'm in the most free in the Union, Missouri by God.
I'm sure I will get a 15 round mag. But I have quite a few Mec Gar mags for my 915. I think they will work?

Semper Fi
Edit: Just checked that other site...one $795.99 the other one $749.00.
Yes sir, heck of a good deal we got.

The mags should work just fine. I have around 20 factory mags myself for my 5900 series and 6900 series if I decide to get back into a 6906 again. I have read Mec-Gar makes most factory mags for the big firearm manufacturers.

That was my thinking going to Gander to pick it up especially it being the 13th. I figured if it was below my expectations I can at least get rid of it for 400 no problem, but was happy when he opened the box and I saw the Houlton ME on the slide. I think the guy behind the counter was shocked at my knowledge of 3rd gen smiths especially for someone who is only 30.

I will call S&W Monday to see if they can give me a manufacture date and product code. I've had good luck when calling on any S&W for the info I want.


Semper I......... well you know the rest.

I was looking at the ad after I ordered the 5946, and Gander has a killer deal on other 3rd gens too... 6946 for $299.99. If I hadn't bought the S&W 640, I'd jump on that 6946 in a heartbeat.

Here's the Gander Mt 5946

Hey that is nice. Did yours come with a S&W box?
Or the standard card board box?

I seen that too. Though Im not sure of any threads here talking about police departments using them and switching or whatnot. Not a bad price though in any case. When I was at store I seen 3 S&W 910's all for $530 and they were all cerakoted different colors. I shook my head as this was a better deal and no one in their right mind would pay for plastic parts on a value series for anything over 325.

No original box just the brown cardboard they used at Gander to sort these out. I did get the fired casing and Instruction manual with warranty card. i thought about filling it out for S's & G's just to see what happens.

Well I think you did real good getting the one you got. Checked out the pics on that other site and to me the overall condition of yours is better than the one starting at $500.00.

Yeah I would say with the slight wear it we would be looking at a 400-450 on GB. I'll try it tomorrow and see how she does, but need to hit the hay. I'll catch ya later.

So are the ones at Gander Mountain used and the ones at Cabala's new? Or are they the same gun sold by two different sellers. All seem to be 2014's from the posts. Just trying to figure this out.

The ones at Gander Mountain are PD trade-in's.
I bought one last night.
Cabelas are NOS?... I'm not sure but some of the guys here say they are mint.

I would assume they are the same lot, but Cabelas will put out the best of the best to sell first whereas Gander you'll get whatever they draw you if you order online.

The one I got shot low left from about 10yds but the 10 I shot were in a nice group.

So yours functioned good with the mag you got with it? No jams or stove pipes?

Nope no issues and I would say the mag is/was barely used.

That is good news.
Will just be waiting for a tracking number.
Ordering one at 2300 hours on a Friday night I'm not expecting delivery till at least Friday with MLK day Monday.
I never got that day off.

Mine shipped via Fedex 2 day. I would think you should have it by wed.

Yup, I was thinking it was going USPS. Forgot it's shipping Fedex 2 day air and that is cool.
But since I always get a NICS delay (even with my CCW) it makes no difference. But maybe I'll get lucky this time cause my regular FFL is not on Gander's FFL list. Using a new guy.
Just looking forward to getting it.

I had mine sent to my local Gander. Took about 20 min to go through the process.

Just picked one from Cabela's today. New in box, three mags. Fired case and night sights dated 2014.

for those who keep asking...no one has reported this lot at their Cabela's are anything other than New Old Stock...3 mags and night sights...bought on the new gun side and not from the used Gun Library...

Those bought at Gander Mountain have been reported as used condition with one magazine...

They may have come from the same lot or same PD but they aren't the same...

My Cabela's had several NIB and none as Gander Mountain buyers describe theirs...

Hope this helps those interested

Bill

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Fast is Fine Accuracy is Final

I went to my local Cabela's and they had at least one out with the new guns at the front counter. I asked to look at the gun and it was brand new. The guy behind the counter did not know a lot about it other than it was on sale until the 18th for $599.00. He also did not know how many magazines but I suspect three from what others have said. I don't need another gun but it sure did have a nice feel!

Picked up my trade-in 5946 from Gander last night. Came with a cartridge dated 6/2016. Regular sights. Box says "15 of 20," in case that's useful.





Very dirty, the grips are pretty torn up, the white dot is missing from the front sight, and there are a lot of shiny spots on the finish, but no scratches, nicks, pitting, or anything problematic or permanent. A little bead blasting, refinish the sights, and replace the grip (when I can find one!) and it will look good as new. I don't think I'll even bother replacing any springs on this one.

The laser etching is a bit of a gray area for me, as I haven't bead blasted anything with it. I imagine it will probably fade pretty fast if I hit it. I'm thinking I will just try to minimize bead blasting to that area and go from there. If it fades really easily and I just end up removing it, oh well.

That poor thing looks like it was dumped in a lake. Give her some love!!

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Matt H.

It appears S&W has dropped the mags for 3rd Gen pistols, but Mecgar makes them in 10, 15, 17 and 20 round, blue or nickel.

Kickin myself for not buying a new one at Cabelas'. I hope they come on sale again?

Hey Ozark Marine have you gotten your 5946 yet?

Yes I got it. Looks good. 1-10 round mag. Grips are OK, far from perfect.
I'll PM my cell # if you want to check it out.
I like the one I got.
Semper Fi

Had a little project today...



After about an hour of sitting out in the front yard in 20 degree weather making a big mess with my $20 Harbor Freight blaster...



I tried to avoid the laser-etched stuff as much as possible. I'm sure it's quite a bit faded compared to when it left the factory (from some angles it looks more like MITH & WESSON). Ah well.

There's a U stamped into the frame in very bizarre fashion:



Still need new grips.



I definitely considered spending the $600 for one of the brand new ones, but where's the fun in that?

I am the same, while I have bought new many times, I seem to more enjoy getting something that has a bit of history. I wonder what that "U" was meant to indicate?

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DAV Life Member

Noticed this on the Gander Mountain website regarding the 5946s.

Product Specialist John
The Smith & Wesson Model 5946 Handguns were a bulk lot purchase from a number of departments, so we are not sure exactly which department they came from.

Mine is UCF915X. Just a few digits off from yours. But it does not have the "U" stamped on it.
And that daughter of yous is a cutie.
Semper Fi

im still looking for another sw 45 cqb. now thats a real unicorn gun.

Mwater, good job!!

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Matt H.

Im wondering whats going to happen with cabelas after bass pro finally takes over. I cant stand bass pro shop and their guns and selection is over priced and pitiful. i mean who pays over retail for glocks?

My son bought one of the 6946's from Gander on line marked NPD. Came in and was nice. Shot about a foot low at 20 yards and to the right slightly but grouped well. Went through a hundred or so rounds flawlessly.

My local Cabela's had them marked down to $599 or whatever the last best price was on them. No longer in the new gun case but there is a used one in their Gun Library for $799!! hahahaha

We've had threads about the "U" stamp before. S&W does it to indicate that they sold it as a used gun.

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"I also cook."

Hello all. New to the forum. Adding pics of the $299 Gander Mountain purchase for posterity sake

Can't explain it but the pistol came with three 12 capacity mags. The holster wear in the pics doesn't seem quite as noticeable in person or, at least, that's what I'm telling myself. Love the size, heft and trigger pull on this thing. Very happy with the purchase. Off to the range.

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Ah, yeah, I remember reading that. It's placed so haphazardly, I thought it had to be there by accident.

I guess that means the guns made it back to S&W before they went out to Gander. That would explain why Gander doesn't know where they came from.

The brand new guns at Cabelas I suspect are over runs/returns from the NYPD contract. NYPD dumped the 5946 in 2014 so those build dates make sense. After they moved production from Springfield to Houlton quality took a nose dive. Apparently the Houlton guns are so bad the range staff beg people to transition to the Sig or one of the Glocks. I know one guy with a Houlton gun who's firing pin snapped and the range guys told him S&W out sourced a lot of the parts and they are of poor quality. He loves the 5946 and is trying to find an older Springfield made one to carry. While it's cool guys are still finding new production third gens, from what I'm hearing I would avoid them.

the one's at the Hoffman Estates, IL Cabela's were Springfield marked pistols...back up to their $799 price however...apparently "Closeout" means something different at Cabela's than it does to me...

Bill

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Fast is Fine Accuracy is Final

I'm going to look at a 3914DAO Saturday, being sold locally.
I'll make sure to check it out thoroughly, it's a Houlton gun.
Mmmmmm..... new 3rd Gens with QC issues.

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Sure you did

Please go over it carefully before spending any money.

Last time I went to the range they noticed my extractor was getting worn and sent me to the gun shop to get it checked and replaced if necessary (which they did). The first thing the armorer asked me when I said I had a Smith was "where was it made?" When I said Massachusetts he said "ok, good", it was like he was relieved he didn't have to go on a Sig/Glock sales pitch. Or they are just tired of working on Houlton junk. The whole situation is really sad to me. I hate seeing once great manufacturers go down the tubes.

After looking at the 3914DAO very closely, it's mine. The price was too good to pass up, and I've been looking awhile.
Off to my range tomorrow to check it out.
The fit and finish are excellent, with a few handling marks befitting a used gun. Mechanically it looks good so far from what I could determine.
Thanks for the advice about looking over closely the Houlton 3rd Gens, not that I wouldn't anyway seeing as anything new nowadays is suspect.

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Sure you did

They're back, online and in my local flyer.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/SMITH...46%26CQ_st%3Db