I know that after a certain point all the 3rd Gen pistols became TSW models. My question is regarding my 5946, and I guess my 3914 as well. Both guns are around two years old and are made for NYPD contracts. Are they basically TSW's without the rail and markings, or are they built along the specs of the older, pre-TSW models? Do they share TSW features like that goofy hammer cock and oversized frame rails?

I know that after a certain point all the 3rd Gen pistols became TSW models. My question is regarding my 5946, and I guess my 3914 as well. Both guns are around two years old and are made for NYPD contracts. Are they basically TSW's without the rail and markings, or are they built along the specs of the older, pre-TSW models? Do they share TSW features like that goofy hammer cock and oversized frame rails?

Do your guns have the box frame rails? OR is there a "step" in the rails? If they are boxed then it's most likely TSW specs.

The 3914 has a step, I don't have the 5946 handy to check, but I think it does as well.

If they have the step then they are the older style.

Most likely pre-TSW.

I was lucky enough to have my 5946 issued in 1999 (to replace my much used 6906) which was right before the TSW craze, I much prefer my pre-TSW 5946 over the TSW's that I saw. My department had many, many problems with the TSW (QC issues that were causing pistols to jam far too frequently) so much that we had to go to fantastic plastic. I bought my pre-TSW Smith and most of the time I wish I could still carry it.

The problems we had were unexplainable stove pipes with most of the pistols. S&W came on scene early on and "tweaked" pistols but eventually most cops lost confidence in them and they were eventually replaced. I just wish that S&W could have released the M&P series about 4 years sooner, I LIKE THAT GUN!!!!