Picked up my Brinks 4046 today after buying from that other site. Paid 319 total after all was said and done. Came with a 10rd follower in a 11rd body, came in a FN soft case inside a FN cardboard box.

Has dim unmarked night sights, an average condition straight back grip, and is filthy inside. The riveted rail has no play and wear on the front edge. The brinks badge is very sharp with minimal rubbing. Overall I would rate this a 90%. Fired 5 rds for functionality and no issues there.

Now to clean her up on my off days and post some pics. Should have date of manufacture from the mothership by then as well.

Please tell me that there is absolutely no reason to buy this gun if you have a CHP 4006 TSW. Remember I am not good with temptation.

Ive got a CHP4006, but then again gotta bump up my 3rd gen numbers. Sitting at 12 or 13 models right now. Plus 1 franken gun. This is the 2nd 40cal in my entire collection and I think the 40 cal 3rd gen bug rolled in thebsame time covid hit.

Put some new grips on her today after giving a cleaning on monday. Looks even bettter. The firing pin channel was filled with crud and had to get a pick to pull the spring out.

Also noticed the mag release may be ambidextrous will have to investigate on my weekend. It appears it was notched for the nut but unsure if it was drilled for the plunger and spring.

Does a 10 round follower look different than the standard follower? I thought the magazine body was the only difference between 10 and 11 rounders.

The yellow follower looks the same as the blue ones that hold and say 11 on them. I seen the mag springs for 10rds and they have a block on them. The mag spring I pulled doesn't. May also swap springs from one that holds 11 and see if it makes a difference, if so I'll look for new springs and replace them all. I even tried manhandling the 11th rd with no luck.

I see that one place sold out of their brinks 4046tsw. My 4046tsw is ambi when it comes to the mag release. Mag locks in, slide locks back, and mag ejects properly. May end up converting the 4046 to 4006 and my chp4006 to a 4046.

That looks like it can be converted to DA/SA? Just an observation as I've never cared for the DA only guns, in my respectful opinion

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This is the way....

It can but not sure if I want to go through the hassle of swapping parts. Would be nice to have a left handed night stand gun which the 4046 would now fulfill but the 4006 has the integral rail which makes it easier to mount lights. The 4046 I would have to test lights before buying.

Don't forget to contact Paul about a new stainless recoil spring rod! I got them for my Brinks 4046TSW, my 4506 and 4506-1 as well. Highly recommended.

Also, CDNN Sports has used factory 11-round mags for $20/ea.

Well, I for one can't tell you that, as I just put a 4046 Brinks on layaway myself and have 2 4006 pistols, one being the TSW! So yeah, don't fight it!

When Brinks started moving from revolvers, their original gun was the 4046. They decided to go national with 40 calibers. They went with the M&P 40. The only reason they did not buy the 4046 was the cost. The price of a all stainless gun was much higher than the plastic M&P.

After a few years they moved to the FN 509. This was a much better gun than the M&P IMHO. The M&P's had the Brinks logo like the 4046's. The FN's do not have the logo. They have BUS (Brinks United States) in the serial number.

I once tried the 4046 and was not impressed. A few months ago I purchased a CHP gun and loved it. I guess I need to find a 4046 now.

Its funny that Brinks started with the stainless Smith and moved to the M&P like CHP. I am curious if the CHP is happy with their M&P's.

Been awhile since I posted here, but ended up reloading some 40 back in Oct and took her out to 25yds. Using 4.6gr titegroup and 180gr bullets can't remember what my OAL is but was shooting a bit low to the right.

I considered getting one of those Brinks 4046TSW pistols a few months ago when they were cheap and converting it to DA/SA to see if my immense dislike of the .40S&W round has been justified all these years. I found a $400 Sig P228 and changed my mind.

I picked up my Brinks 4046tsw a couple of years ago. I removed the tactical rail and cleaned out the tons of gunk in it. It looked like it was never cleaned. It shoots low right but it could be me as I am a Wheel gun guy.

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I might try to tune my load, though my SD was around 10. Will have to test it through my 4006 first to see if I do better SA.

So, that is what that gun is. Saw one at a pawn shop for $379 the other day, but had no interest in a DA only.

Were they made specifically for Brinks? Or was that just what Brinks ordered?

Rosewood

4046TSW was the DAO (Double Action Only) version of the TDA (Traditional Double Action better known as DA/SA) 4006TSW. (Only four parts to convert back and forth.)

4046TSW was a catalog item for S&W and available to anyone.

John

You should go back and try that trigger. I wasn't too warm on DAO pistols too. Then I saw the 4046 and asked to handle it. The trigger is incredible. it isn't a traditional long-action pull. Almost like a striker fired gun. I right away new that I had to have it.
Does anybody know if the Brinks guns came without the rail? I swear that mine said TSW but doesn't have the rail...although I was kinda in a hurry.

I don't know if any Brinks 4046TSW models were delivered without the rail, although I have not seen any.

Brinks DID issue the earlier 4046 (NON-TSW) model and it did NOT have a rail.

John

BTW, because of the extended slide on the NON-TSW models, the hammer is more pre-staged and consequently has a shorter trigger pull than the TSW models without an extended slide and a lesser hammer pre-staging.

John

Maybe that's what I got. I remember the Brinks logo but don't remember if it had the TSW or rail.

I have a Brinks 5946TSW . Wondering if that's all they bought was DAO S&W's . If so , I wonder why .

Thanks. I can't remember if it was a TSW or not. From reading the other post, I;m sure mine is the non TSW since it has the nice pre-staged trigger.

Brinks always had a close relationship with S&W. I do not believe the 4046 was specifically made for Brinks. It was just the model they ordered. The revolver last used was a model 64. It was purchased in 4" and 2" models. After a certain point all revolvers were ordered from S&W as DA only. At my branch we tried to keep the DA/SA revolvers and turn in the DA's. Later all revolvers had to be turned in to Dallas. Each branch paid for their own revolvers ordered from Brinks. Many Brinks managers were upset about not getting any money back for the revolvers. Branches paid for the revolvers and the new M&P's. So all Brinks guns are now DA only.

All of the revolvers were sent back to Dallas and then to S&W. When Brinks changed to the FN's all the M&P's were sent to FN or their distributor. Even the used ammo went to FN.

Some states (maybe Mich and Fla) would not allow private security to carry a police caliber 40's. Brinks issued the 9 mm 5946 for those states.

A feature that made the the 4046 and the 5946 attractive to law enforcement agencies was the double-action only feature. It necessitated that only one trigger press be learned.

Many LE agencies can't/won't spend time and money (ammo) on training. Speaking for myself, the DA/SA pistol requires initial training and sustainment training to be safe and effective. You have a heavier initial double-action trigger press and for subsequent shots, a lighter single-action press. Hence, two different trigger presses. When on the range, I had officers remark that their second, i.e, single action press, broke somewhat unexpectedly.

This long, heavy initial double-action trigger press made the DA/SA semi-automatic pistol attractive to administrators who were concerned about negligent discharges. For me, this is an example of substituting a mechanical device so as not to increase training costs. Sigh. Failure to train is training to fail.

Others may know more though.

Jm2c

JPJ

Does anyone have both a 4006TSW and 4046TSW to compare trigger pulls for me in double action?

I own both and I’m shocked that the 4006TSW (~2001 vintage) feels way smoother and lighter in DA than the 4046TSW (~2005). How is anyone else’s experience with that?

I feel like I might need to take the whole thing apart and see if there are some burrs or more gunk deeper in the gun.

I do have both and agree, I prefer the DA trigger on the 4006. I did smooth all contact points on both pistols, but maybe it's just a stronger spring in the 4046, but it is still harder to manage, IMO.

The 4006TSW and the 4046TSW use the same mainspring (hammer spring), and the trigger/hammer geometry (leverage) is equivalent.

I have both and have converted both back and forth.

The TSW DAO model triggers feel heavier than the DA/SA (TDA) models because when you begin the trigger press on the DAO models, the mainspring is already partially compressed so you are pushing against a heavier force.

As you continue pulling the trigger the forces equal out.

John

I've had my Brinks 4046TSW for several years now and I agree that there are ZERO reasons not to get this pistol at that price! Mine was filthy as well, but some elbow grease and a set of Hogues that I had lying around waiting for an opportunity turned it into a nice looking - and great shooting - pistol.

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My 4006CHP is my bedside gun (in memory of my now gone best friend who was a CHiP). I couldn't say no to one of the Brinks 4046s...and then found a 410 at a very attractive price.
As someone who wears a belt and suspenders I put that 410 slide on the 4046 and now have a nice smooth, longish, DAO trigger and the added safety of a -- safety if I want it.
But that 4046 is a heavy carry, and I find myself toting a .40 SW99 compact more often than not.

And there is no reason on god's green earth not to have both.

Alright bringing up the trigger question again. Does anyone know if Brinks put heavier mainsprings in or something? I ask because I just picked up a non-TSW 5946 that has the most amazing double action trigger I’ve felt. The 4046TSW feels so much heavier that despite it being smooth it’s tough to master.

So my thoughts/theories:

Did TSW guns have a stronger spring? Did Brinks put in a heavier spring? Did Brinks just never shoot these things and the 5946 is worn in?

Curious as always..

I share your curiosity.

I don't know if Brinks specified a non-standard mainspring for any of its pistols.

The standard service replacement spring from S&W is the #103620000 for all the full size 9mm/40s&w models.

Wolff Gun Springs says that is a 20lb. spring.

HOWEVER...

It has been reported that early DAO models were equipped (from S&W) with a lighter mainspring.

Indeed, on their website, Wolff reports that: "***Some 4046's have a 16 lb. factory hammer spring."

SO...

Could your 5946 have come from the factory with a lighter spring?

Quite possibly.

Could your pistols have different levels of "wear", resulting in different trigger pulls?

Without pulling the springs from the guns and testing them, it's hard to say.

The TSW models certainly have a longer DAO trigger pull due to the design of the TSW with its lesser "pre-staged" hammer.

On top of that, Wolff sells mainsprings with weights between 16 and 23 lbs., and without knowing the complete history of both guns, it's impossible to know if anybody changed anything.

A simple experiment...

As both guns take the same "size" mainspring, and lacking the ability to test their weight ratings (it's relatively easy to fashion a spring tester), swap the mainsprings between pistols and try to notice any changes.

I'm anxious to hear your report.

John

I swapped the mainsprings and based on the high precision measurement of my finger, I’m convinced that it’s just the difference in the geometry of the TSW not precocking the hammer as far. The non-TSW xx46 series stops at a point that gives you a bit better leverage when pulling the trigger.

I have the CHP 4006 TSW and it is an awesome shooter; I just got a used 5926 that I will be sending to S&W Performance Center (along with my 4506-1) for complete 3rd Generation action job and bead blast the entire gun. Looking to buy both S&W 5946 and 4046 TSW if I can find both after I get a new Glock 26 Gen 5 to replace my Glock 26 Gen 3 as my secondary weapon for work.

BTW: anyone know what parts are needed to convert a 5946/4046 to a 5906/4006? I have a complete safety assembly with plunger and springs and a DA/SA hammer and mainspring assembly. What else is needed?

If you wish to convert a 5946/4046TSW to a 5906/4006TSW, you will need a trigger, a hammer, a manual safety/decock assy., and a sear release lever.

If you wish to convert a base model 5946/4046 to a base model 5906/4006 you will need a milling machine, a TIG welder, a hand-held grinder, grinding and polishing stones, an assortment of files, sand paper, bead blaster, trigger, hammer, manual safety/decock assy., sear release lever, sear release lever spring, various other small tools and fixtures, and a whole lot of skill and effort.

John