Bought this 6946 with box and three magazines from the big auction site. Product Code 108905. Magazines marked "Restricted: Export, Law Enforcement, and Government use only s/n 91394." Box states "LE Program 03/LE" under "features." The pistol is in excellent condition.

The seller suggested that it was made for NYPD. It came from NY. But, I'm not sure. Seems that it could just as easily have been produced for a LEO agency in any magazine capacity restricted state. Can anyone provide additional information?

EDIT: I note that the 5946 for NY lists "New York PD" under features, Product Code 108569. Seems that the 6946 would be just as specific if made for NY.

Second EDIT: My 3914 DAO box specifically identifies it as having been made for NYPD. So, again, seems that this should be just as specific.



Ryan

You've obviously already checked the SCS&W, based on your edit about the 5946. Since my copy is the electronic one, I did a search for "108905" for the entire book, and got bupkis. It exists since you have the box and all - it just didn't make it into the book.

I think your supposition has merit - it could well be made for any law enforcement agency in New York State, not just NYPD. Presuming it really did come from New York. It stands to reason this variation would be used by other states as well.

I think the clues are there. LE program and 3 LE indicate the gun was packaged with 3 high cap mags and was for qualified departments or individuals. I would think a NYPD gun would be noted somewhere on box and maybe gun also.

How many rounds to the mags hold? My 6946 factory mags hold 12.

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They are 12 round mags.

That's a great condition Model 6946! In its original factory box, no less. I'm sure it could be pinned down to a specific department with a factory letter. I find it interesting that the Spec Ord. date (if it is a date in this case) is late-2010 Since the Bible says the Model 6946 was discontinued in 2009, it would have been a special order by the department... unless the mothership still had a bunch of them sitting around post-2009.

Since the Models 6906 & 6946 was discontinued in the middle of the Federal AWB, it is common to see used examples of both sold with LEO/Export magazines or with no magazines at all. How many were sold to civilians with 10-round crippled magazines between 2004 and 2009? It's anybody's guess... but apparently not very many.

Good morning,

The NYC Department of Corrections authorized both the 5946 and 6946 with the magazine disconnect. The NYPD only authorized the 5946 without the magazine disconnect as a service weapon. Ironically enough when the 3914 and 3953 were authorized by the NYPD for off duty/backup weapons they were equipped with the magazine disconnect.

Hope this helps,

BB

Thanks. This has a magazine disconnect.

So, we may have production later than the norm and an unusual product code. Interesting.


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S&W continued to manufacture the 5946 for the NYPD only up until the Department removed it as a selection option. It is not uncommon for manufacturers to do so for large agencies.

I’ll say this...the pistol is nearly “uncarryable” IWB because of that stupid magazine base with the finger extension. I’ll have to grind it off with a Dremel or find a replacement magazine base.

I tried several holsters and positions and could not find any place where the pointy mag base didn’t poke out hard through my shirt while seated.


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I could be wrong, but I'm thinking you could get a 59 series mag floorplate and install it on your 6946 mag and be good to go.
Smith & Wesson Mag Floorplate S&W 4003TSW 4006TSW - MPN: 203470000

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What would Jim Cirillo do?

If a 59 could fit, I might have one you could use to verify. If you don't have one, stop in my neck of the woods next time you're heading east. Or, if you'll be close to home Tuesday, I guess you know which LGS I'll be visiting.

Just a couple of shooting tips not necessarily related to your original question... First, replace the recoil spring. In my experience they take a terrible set, and after maybe 700 rounds can shorten excessively. They will also shorten just sitting there inder tension. S&W really cheaped out in this part. Too short and you risk a cracked frame. Been there.
Second, disassemble the firing pin, or have a gunsmith do it for you, and thoroughly clean the firing pin channel. There is no vent or way out at the front of the channel and ive seen lots of brass chips build up there.. these come from the barrel cycling out of battery and shearing tiny brass chips from the primer around the firing pin impression and having them work in around the firing pin. Ive seen a couple of firing pins lock up from this.
This info is from maintaining about 130 6946's years ago when my agency carried them. Also replaced a few broken trigger stirrups in early generation guns.. we ended up replacing all of them eventually. And then a few of the new ones broke too. Oh well...
There were a few other little quirks that didn't amount to much. I was an instructor/ armorer and personally liked the 6946, which shot well for me.

Could you drop the mag base at Firepower whenever you come down? You can give it to any of the guys behind the counter. I'll be on the road.

Sure will

Oh, yes, I had the same experience with my 6946. Grinding down the finger extension... it's hollow. What I did was to buy a floorplate for a 59xx magazine, then ground it down until it matched the profile of the front strap of the receiver.