There's a lot of love here for the first and third generation guns here, but less for the second generation. I've owned a couple of Model 39s, a 6906, and a 908 over the years, never a second gen. I've read that the middle platform was less good than the older and newer models. Was I missing anything essential?

Well, it's time to find out. A 469 finally called my name and I couldn't resist it. At least, not for only $250. I gave it a good cleaning, not that it needed much in that department, and put almost three boxes of 115 grain FMJs through it. It shot exactly like the 6906 that I fondly remember. It was certainly combat accurate for me, meaning that at 15 yards I can hit a gallon milk jug in fairly quick fire. Otherwise, how does it stack up to the later pistol?

It has the standard hooked trigger guard of the breed. My previous 6906 had the rounded guard. The pistol still fits my holsters, so that's not an issue. Since I don't ususally shoot with a high off-hand, the squared guard doesn't help or hinder me. It's there, though, so I might as well practice with it to see if it help my shooting.

As far as sights go, I know some shooters prefer the Novak style sights to the rounded design of the 469. This is just a matter of what we're used to, IMHO. Like lots of older shooters, I've shot decades of pistols from the Colt Government model on down without Novaks. Did the new sights suddenly turn me into Annie Oakley? Hah! White dots? The 469 has the white outline rear and that silly yellow stripe on the front sight. No help there. On the other hand, no hindrance, either. The blade is integral with the slide while the 3rd gen has a drift adjustable front sight. There's an advantage there for some; I've never drifted a sight nor had one replaced.

Some people will miss the right side safety. I rarely used the one on the '06 and didn't miss it on the 908. I consider its lack on my 469 a blessing, considering the clunky design S&W used.

One thing S&W did right on the 3rd gen were the grips. The second generation grips – I guess you'd call it a pebble texture - may be attractive, but they're slick as owl s***. On the plus side, the backstrap is possitively checkered and offers much better purchase than the grip of the '06.

A design change from 2nd to 3rd was the elimination of the half-cock notch on the hammer. There doesn't seem to be advantage to firsing DA from the half-cock, although I sort of like the brief take-up. Unless there's a safety issue in carrying the gun that way, I may spend a little range time firing that way. I know there are ex- and current armorers here. Am I being unsafe?

The pistol, BTW, either didn't need the safety recall or was sent in and repaired. Is there any way to tell if it was fixed? Did Smith mark overhauled guns?

The serial prefix is TAE. I think that's 1986. Right or wrong?

Although I'm not old old, I'm getting to the point that the guns I buy are probably my last. So far, I'm satisfied with this one.

Sorry for being longwinded. Even my students are starting to notice...

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469s' and 669s' are nice pistols. To speak in 'generations', there were no compact double stack (69 series) in the 1st gen line-up. To me, the 2nd generations were 'improvements/design changes' and with more models over the 1st generation. Same thing applies to 3rd gens over 2nd gens. Now that the 469 and 669 had no predecessors in the 1st gens,it easy to consider the 469 and 669 as 1st gens of their type, succeeded by 6904,6906,6926,6944,6946 of the 3rd gens,but really the 2nd gens of their type. I'm ready to get 'flamed' by everyone.

Haha, well I won't flame you, but most folks have a helluva time sorting out S&W pistol models already... your theory actually confuses that even more. Even so, I see your angle.

Each Generation was intended to be an improvement. The 2nd Gens offered a new (optional) adjustable rear sight, ambi decock lever and the added firing pin lock. On the full size 9mm's, a new steel frame was an option.

The 3rd Gens added new models and new firing systems as well, but the upgraded features were new and improved sight options (front and rear) but the big upgrade in my opinion was the ergonomic improvements... slimming the pistols down, shaving metal in important places for a better grasp and whack down many of the sharp corners and edges.

My 469 in particular has some extremely sharp points and edges, they are begging to be lightly taken down.

After having a long time love of the first gen Smith 9`s I`m down to just 2. Both second gens. A 539&559. Both I am very fond of. !st, 2nd or 3rd, how can you go wrong?
Great report on your "new 2nd gen Smith 9.
Jim

I have a Model 639 that I shoot very well and have had no problems with at all. Its is one of my favorite range guns. I never read or hear much about the 639's though.

639 is one of the most beautiful of all!
Jim

A 639 is what sucked me into the never ending search for older S&W semis.

Yep. It's the one 2nd Gen that I continue to look out for. But in my case, it has to have the round trigger guard, fixed sights, wood grips and a non-ambi safety/decocker or I'm out.

I didn't get exactly the 639 you're looking for. But, when one popped up on a local forum, I was so anxious that I made the deal, met the guy and owned the gun within an hour.

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The second gen grips/frames to me feel like I'm holding a 2X4.........had a 469 but traded it as soon as I held a 6906!

My only regret is not getting a 639 with round trigger guard and fixed sights...............still hope!!!

I received this generations chart from a forum member on another post.

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While they did make any (factory) compacts in the 1st Gen guns... the 1st Gens and the 2nd Gens have exactly the same grips/stocks and grip frames and fit/feel the same.

I always use my 659 and a 5906 to show the ergonomic improvements of the 3rd Gen line of pistols. The difference in feel between them is quite noticeable.