So I was looking at my usual gun board sites and saw a posting about S&W coming out with the M&P compact that is the size of a Glock 19..This got me wondering about their semiautos. There are a ton of people that love the plastic fantastic guns, and the striker fired is here to stay and replace the traditional DA/SA handguns. What about all of us who miss and love the all metal series of S&W handguns such as the 3rd gen smiths. I know it is never going to happen but it would be awesome if Smith would come out with a gen 4 series of all metal hand guns as an option for those of us who do not like and trust plastic fantastics...

what are your thoughts???

Would any of you but a gen 4 series Smith that was all metal????

__________________
M.J.Hanna

I guess the metric ton of lightly used and like new third gen guns hiding across America will have to suffice.

I'd buy a new all metal Smith before it hit the shelves.

I've had my share of the plastic wonders, probably a dozen or so from different manufacturers including S&W. They do their job and I don't think any less of anyone who chooses one as their primary. They work, but they lack soul and finesse in my experience. I regret parting with only one...a Glock 26 that was UNNATURALLY accurate. I have only one now, a Glock 19 which should essentially perform the same (same gun, larger size) but doesn't. Again that 26 was a perfect storm off the assembly line, in my book.

Aside from that, the rest of them just seemed like the Toyota Camry of the gun world...functional, but no substance. No soul. No natural connection that made the whole thing work. Just functional.

That being said, my Glock 19 is my primary car gun because it's the only one that works with my mounting system. But my 915 rides on my hip and has proven itself several times now on the range. The thing is the most natural feeling handgun I've owned and has that "feel"...of real trust, substance, and quality that a plastical could never have. For me, in any event. And that's where I stand.

Now here's an interesting comparison for you guys...by all rights and means the 915 and it's siblings/cousins are a full size gun, able to carry 17+1 with the available Mac-Gar magazine that adds no additional size (pictured at bottom in attached pic). The Glock 19 is a midsize gun...carrying 15+1 and has EXACTLY the same profile as the 915 and related 5904 & 5906. The full size Glock 17 does manage 17+ 1 but is much larger than either.

So could these outdated S&W autos keep up with today's plastic tech wonders? You bet, they were probably ahead of their time as it was. The difference between the 19 and the 915 pictured is a good 20+ years, but the 915 is every bit the weapon the 19 is...and quite a bit more...in the same size package.

Attached Images

IMG_3599.jpg (55.3 KB, 112 views)

Exactly my feelings about the Glock 23 I had and sold, and the M&P 9c I had and sold. A year or so back, I missed out on a 3953 and the guy at the counter suggested I hold an used Shield 9mm they had for sale. It was cheap compared to what they had just sold the 3953 for, so I held it in my hand for about a minute. Then I handed it back, thanked him, and went home to kick myself in the butt for dithering over the 3953.

Fortunately, some months later a nice one appeared at another shop, so I bought that.

I guess I'm a Luddite, but I just can't wrap my head around a polymer frame, striker fired gun.

Camry's are very well made, comfortable cars. I wouldn't cry if I had to buy one, but I'd still miss my truck. Same sort of thing with polymer guns. If I needed a gun and had no other options, I could live with it. At least until a better option came along.

__________________
Can open, worms everywhere.

I would definitely buy a NIB S&W 3rd Gen if they kept making them, and just missed the boat on some of those 3953TSW's that were floating around this last year or so. It seems like the company may not have many people around anymore who know how to keep these guns working, and some of the last LEO contracts for 3rd Gens have been cancelled, so I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for a comeback.

Like TNZ71 mentioned, we'll just have to keep having fun finding them on the used market.

I'm not sure about that "metric ton" of them since I see so few for sale up here these days... ... but I've still managed to find and build up a collection of them over the last few years that will easily last me my few remaining good years.

One interesting note in the cheap plastic vs. all-metal pistols debate: I was going over my records yesterday and realized that with just 3 notable exceptions, I haven't bought a cheap plastic wonder pistol in over 2 years. The overwhelming majority have been all-metal. And of the 3 exceptions, 2 of the cheap plastic wonders are up for sale as we speak. The third one is a pocket mini-mouse gun that will stay as there is no better alternative in all-metal for the time being.

It's a strange strange world we live in............

I've bought 2 more 3rd Gen Smith's since the first of the year;both as new in box, maybe never fired ....... a 6906 and a 6904..... average price $292... LGS........ felt that was the best they could do...on 'used" guns... when there are so many cheap new autos w/ rebates.

I've also bought a M&P9 1.0 used but unfired for $300......cus of the new 2.0.

and two M&P .22 compacts.........dirt cheap..... cus they're just fun little guns for the wife and boys.

IMHO there are two groups of buyers out there ...... the biggest are those who just "want a gun" and will only buy one or two in their lifetime; and us! A percentage of group one will move into group two once they start shooting ....... but group one will produce a lot of 'sock drawer guns" for our group in the 2040s...........

I'm another Luddite, right up there with you. I don't own a plastic frame handgun and I have absolutely no reason to get one. The handgun has to have an exposed hammer. The only non-exposed hammer handguns I own are a two Lugers.

__________________
Bill

Not going to happen. At least not in the foreseeable future. Yes I know they make 1911s but to make all their 3rd gens wouldn't be cost effective. Not everyone want a 9, not everyone wants a 45, not everyone wants a full size gun, not everyone wants a single stack, not everyone wants the weight. And like TNZ said......metric ton of like new 3rd gens.

I say this to all the Glock guys who run out and get the latest version too. What's wrong with the (same exact) one you already have? Why would I buy a 4th gen Glock for $550 when my 3rd gen is exactly the same? Same thing with S&W. Why would I spend $700+ (there's no way it would be less) when my 3rd gen is the same.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

The 19 is a compact. 17 is full size. 5906 has a longer grip.

In that case why can CZ manage 19 rounds in their full size but S&W couldn't. Also with a full size G22 holds 15 rounds of 40sw while the full size 4006 only 11. But then G26 is only 10 rounds while the 6900 is 12, if I'm not mistaken. Or you can get full size Kahr which only holds 9 rounds

It's simply about the overall size of the grip.






Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

They are practically giving away brand new M&P 1.0 guns up here in MA this week and probably for a while beyond. Because of our "lists", we are one of the last states where people will be allowed to buy M&P 2.0 guns... so for now, S&W is dumping 1.0 guns like crazy up here. Used ones are going for even less if that's even possible. It's crazy if you actually bought one thinking that it would hold some reasonable percentage of its value despite "plastic"... but you would have been very, very wrong.

Polymer guns seem to hold their value as well as McDonald Happy Meal toys. Which is not the only thing those two items have in common.

My 3rd Gen want list, at least the ones I have a chance of actually seeing for sale, is pretty short. A nice condition 457s, an early 4513TSW. I'd say I'd only buy one or the other, but you all know that's a lie.

The other guns on my list are 3914 variations which are unlikely to show up in MA.

Despite that, I'm content with my accumulation.

The M&P guns are good guns for people who want a gun more or less like they want any other appliance. No one really loves their toaster oven, they just want it to do a particular job.

__________________
Can open, worms everywhere.

Hey guys several of you have mentioned a ton of lightly used gen 3's cheap...Well where are you getting them. I have been looking all over North Carolina and online all I can find are very expensive gen 3's...

__________________
M.J.Hanna

I'd like Chevrolet to start making the 55-57 Chevy 2 door hardtops again and while they're at it bring back the 66-67 Nova 2 door hardtop. I could name a few more but it ain't going to happen.

The third generation of Smith & Wesson's semi-automatic line of pistols reached the zenith of the all metal pistol.

From the flat concealable single stacks to the double stacks and wonder nines (and even wonder forties).

And then there are the Performance Center semi-automacis of the day. The Briley spherical barrel bushing set them off as precision crafted machinery.

Out of the box they are generally reliable and well functioning. With proper tuning by a craftsman who knows his art, they become dead solid, reliable, accurate guns.

With appropriate trigger work they can be smooth and lighter in double action than the finest revolver.

I just feel fortunate that I live in a time when they are still available, although finding ANIB model is an ever more difficult quest.

digiroc

Had this for a while now, it will spoil you really fast.

Attached Images

	bubbagun.jpg (111.6 KB, 59 views)
	IMG_0051.jpg (97.5 KB, 69 views)

airbornerangerboogie, I have a Sig 1911 on my side as I type this that is the same as your 1911...It is super accurate and a pleasure to carry...

__________________
M.J.Hanna

I was in the market for a 9mm. Even though I like big bores, I felt that the 9s I had back in the 70s/80s from S&W was what I was looking for. Not really liking the plastic ones I started doing some research. Got to liking the 3rd gen Smiths because they were like my old 9s but cut down for concealment. Found a 6904 for a great price and jumped on it. I like it very much. Better than the plastic out there now. Yes, Smith should make a 4th gen in 9, 40, and 45. Maybe even in 357 Sig. I like the DA/SA and an exposed hammer. Might change the bobbed hammer on my 6904. No need for it if it's not a pocket carry gun.

S&W will probably never start making 3/4th gen pistols again, even if they did it would never the same. I grew up in Toledo, not the biggest of cities, but in the 80's/90's when we went to a gun show we had dealers that had every 3rd gen pistol smith made, every model and variation. Another dealer had every revolver smith made. Another dealer had every barrel configuration and component to put together a Thompson contender. So many choices, hard to decide. It will never be the same

IT IS HARD TO MAKE PREDICTIONS, ESPECIALLY ABOUT THE FUTURE. THE LATE GREAT YOGI BERRA.

Let's face it - S&W probably won't make a 4th Gen all metal DA/SA.

Not for allot of the normally stated issues - but just because they've doubled down on trying to crush Glock in the polymer and LEO markets.

On the other hand, SIG, CZ and Beretta all make excellent all metal DA/SA pistols and seem to make money selling them.

While I'd prefer a 4th Gen 3913NL for example; I'll probably buy a SIG P239 SAS Gen II next.

Fortunately I have a 4014 as a daily carry and just bought another one LNIB.

If S&W would make 3913's and 4014 type pistols again I'd buy several including one for my son and one for my daughter. As it is; I'll probably buy them P239's or CZ 75 compacts.

While I would love too I probably wouldn't because they would probably be really expensive. I can't believe how much Glocks are selling for in gun shops so I couldn't imagine how much a new S&W would cost. I think Sigs & Berettas are really expensive for what they are.

You also have to look at accessories. Glock & M&P magazines are super cheap. I can buy used PD mags for $10-$13 & new mags are from $15-$20. Used S&W mags, w/ the exception of 4006 magazines, are $25+ & new are $35+. Sig, H&K, FN, etc. magazines are stupid expensive. You could have as much in the price of magazines as you could in the gun.

You can't find any older Smith semi-autos or revolvers for sale the in gun shops here. I have to go online & buy them & have them transferred.

As much as i would like to see them make a comeback, I agree with those here that say it will not be happening. and yes, they would be expensive, and they should be expensive for what they are. I completely disagree with the false notion of "there is no demand". How long after they were stopped produced were these pistols occupying the store shelves waiting to be sold? on the contrary, I recall backorders at many instanses from the back in the hayday. Also how many PDs had special runs ordered long after cease of production? Bottom line, as digiroc said earlier, i too consider my self fortunate to have lived in an era that pistols like that can be had. (In case someone at s&w reads this and they decide to run a special batch, make that square triggerguards please) :-)

You can find Sig mags in the $25 range made by McGar. They are the OEM manufacturer for Sig.

HK mags are a bit more but you can get them for around $35, some cheaper

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

I actually collect S&W Semi-Auto pistols. My collection criteria is that the gun has to be older than I am. (I'm "pre-WW2").

Here is my complete collection..........

Attached Images

M1913R.jpg (123.0 KB, 7 views)

__________________
Dean
SWCA #680 SWHF #446

hahahaha!!!! you should be collecting sig sauer, h&k and glocks of that era too!!! :-)

Technically with Sig Sauer you can. Sauer and Son have been making firearms since 1751. And Sig produced the first semi auto rifle around 1910

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

Actually I kind of have the sig sauer covered....

Sauer&Sohn M1913 and a French SACM M1935A (designed by Petter who also designed the early Sigs.)

Attached Images

	M1913 Sauer1.jpg (280.3 KB, 8 views)
	SACM M1935A.jpg (113.9 KB, 9 views)

__________________
Dean
SWCA #680 SWHF #446

cool!!!! though not a "sig sauer" per se, it is a sig and a sauer. still counts! +1!!! nice speciments too!!

lets see the savage collection now! :-)

Sorry, no Savages. I'm not even sure if I ever owned a Savage.
Surely I must have as I've been "collecting" for the last 60+ years but things are getting harder and harder to remember..

(I do have a passel of pre-war .22 Semi-auto pistols though.)

__________________
Dean
SWCA #680 SWHF #446

i am sure that plenty of people would love to see them, my self even more so ofcourse, if that is ok with the OP, and the rest of the forum, since we are running off the topic here. :-)