M5946 Melonite - PC 150248 - One of four made

[SmithNut]

M5946 Melonite - PC 150248 - One of five made - Updated

Updated title, originally was told 4 made, but a fellow forum member received a letter on his and the number is actually 5...

A couple weeks back, Mark (handgunner356) ran an ad about his distributor getting in a shipment of interesting 3rd Gen autos from S&W. Among the items listed was this M5946, but at first it just had the model and product code (150248).
In calling S&W with the product code, the nice Customer Service gentleman indicated that this was a "Classic" model M5946, but his information did not include the finish, nor whether or not it had the equipment rail. His information did include, however, the fact that the factory made a total of 4 of these guns (yes, that's FOUR FIVE).
So, in contacting Mark, he offered to go take a look at this gun and get the info on finish and features. When he returned with Melonite finish, night sights, integral equipment rail, I was more than hooked. I've been looking for this model (albeit a different product code) for a couple years, ever since Joe & Deb Auctioned one off for about $1200. I contacted Joe and he looked for another, but could not find one.
Anyway, I'm not sure what is different with this particular product code from the guns made for the RCMP (night sights, maybe the equipment rail? It's been so long I don't totally remember what the RCMP features were.), but this is totally cool and will fit into the DAO collection mighty fine.

Thanks Mark, great gun, great price and fast shipping.

(Pardon the dust and oil smudges.... )

Enjoy!!

Happy Thanksgiving....

 

[EvelMe]

My goodness! Very nice score!




Good job, thanks for the pictures!

 

[FirebirdV8]

Thats a nice pistol. I like how the slide sits flush with the whole frame.

 

[MTS Cop]

Wow. That's all I have to say. I'm glad my 5946 is in my locker at the precinct, otherwise it would be very jealous right now. Thanks for the pic.

 

[SmithNut]

Wow. That's all I have to say. I'm glad my 5946 is in my locker at the precinct, otherwise it would be very jealous right now. Thanks for the pic.

MTS Cop,
Is yours like this?

I got this from one of the NYPD firearms guys...... the box is marked NYPD.

 

[MTS Cop]

That looks familiar...

That's exactly my gun, down to the straight back grips. I've seen and heard about a lot of them that have the boxes marked New York Police or something similar. I bought mine straight from the Equipment Section and mine isn't marked. All it says is special order. I guess it's another case of S&W/NYPD weirdness.

 

[S. Kelly]

VERY nice 5946, S&W would sell a ton of those if they made them. I also like the NYPD guns, I have grabbed a few of them.

 

[SmithNut]

That looks familiar...

That's exactly my gun, down to the straight back grips. I've seen and heard about a lot of them that have the boxes marked New York Police or something similar. I bought mine straight from the Equipment Section and mine isn't marked. All it says is special order. I guess it's another case of S&W/NYPD weirdness.

Nice MTS Cop,
Mine and yours are probably pretty close. My hammer and trigger have been polished so I'm not sure if they started out as flash chromed or blackened, I'll have to check to see if they are MIM or not.
Thanks for the pic.

 

[Cruiser RN]

MTS Very nice pistol.My brother is NYPD retired in 2006 and I could never figure out why he would have a Glock when a 5906 was approved for duty use.Let's just say guess it is a case of CHEAP.......God Bless....Mike

 

[SmithNut]

........... I could never figure out why he would have a Glock when a 5906 was approved for duty use.Let's just say guess it is a case of CHEAP.......God Bless....Mike

Only my opinion, but I'd bet it has to do with a case of "lighter". I'm pretty well established as completely and utterly obsessed with S&W DAO models, but there are also a couple/few G19's hanging around here. I used to be 100% biased against the Glock line - that is until I actually bought one and started using one for carry on occasion. Now, my go-to bag (the one that's always with me) has a G19 in it. One can't dispute that the Glock family, while not totally ugly, are not blessed with clean lines like my favorite Smiths, however if you look past aesthetics and see what that gun brings to the table (light weight, utter reliability, high capacity) it's virtues are compelling. On the other hand, I'd not put the "safe action" into the hands of non-gun people, newbies or folks that are not totally trained nor dedicate time to weapon familiarization (I feel the same way towards the 1911, but that's another subject).
If I had to carry a duty belt with all the bells and whistles all day long, I'm sorry to say that I'd be doing the same drill as backpackers and mountain climbers do, I'd be shaving as much weight out of my kit at every point.

 

[MTS Cop]

I'm pretty sure my trigger and hammer are MIM. I don't have the gun handy to check.

As for the weight thing, yes it is a factor. After working for 16-18 hours straight, which I do a lot more than I'd like to, that 5946 puts a hurtin' on your hips. I don't fault anyone for carrying a Glock anymore, I understand not everyone is tough enough to hump a 5946 all day (j/k). I wouldn't give up my 5946 for anything (well, maybe a .45), I'm very comfortable with it and my ability to use it.

 

[SmithNut]

I wouldn't give up my 5946 for anything (well, maybe a .45), I'm very comfortable with it and my ability to use it.

I hear ya, on the .45 thing, the best two shooting autos I own are my pair of M4586 guns. The S&W .45 line is, to me anyway, the best shooting .45 autos made, they are tanks and will shoot any ammo I've been able to get my hands on. Accuracy is another bonus.

If I knew I was headed into harms way, there's no doubt what I'd be strapping on.... (to supplement the AR or 870 )

 

[Scotter260]

I love your new 5946.

It's also nice to find someone who actually likes DAOs. I think we're in a minority however. The nice thing about it though is it seems like no one likes DAO and they can therefore be picked up cheaper than their DA/SA brethren.

Very nice score sir,
Scott

 

[dmb]

The RCMP verson lacks the accessory rail, other than that it looks the same as what the ERT teams and APO's carry.

 

[Jim PHL]

Scotter 260;
Put me in camp with you and Smithnut. There have been 'unflattering' things said about S+W DAO's - even here among S+W fans - so I was skeptical. But I've always thought it an ideal trigger system for a carry gun and has the bonus of removing some external controls from your carry gun, too.
I picked up a pair of 3953's the other day and shot them for the first time yesterday. I had long been a 1911 .45-only auto guy until getting a 3913 a while back. Yesterday I was shooting the DAO's as well or better then the 3913 in SA. So, yeah, I'm in the DAO club and may be searching for a 4586. (Smithnut, I've got you to thank for that!)

 

[SmithNut]

(Smithnut, I've got you to thank for that!)

Glad to do my part

As to the negativity regarding DAO's, I find it to be from several camps:

1- folks that do not like S&W autos at all
2- folks that have never tried one (too bad)
3- folks that don't even like the first shot out of a TDA auto (you know, 1911 types that can't shoot anything but a single action. You've seen them - they always cock their DA revolver too.... oh, so, so, uncool.....)

I agree that the lack of interest brings more opportunities for us that are in the know....
Given that the trigger pull is smoother and shorter than a revolver, and there are no safeties to mess with (smooth slide surfaces), and capacities greater than most revolvers (six shooters), there's something to be said about these (original 3rd gen models) autos.
Don't tell anyone, OK?
Let's keep it our secret.

 

[presspics]

That gun is SEXY!!!! Nice score!!

 

[chiefbob81]

SmithNut, where did you get the S&W poker chips?

 

[SmithNut]

SmithNut, where did you get the S&W poker chips?

If I recall correctly I posted a WTB on the forum and a nice forum member sold a small quantity to me.

Give that a try, you might smoke out a few.

 

[SmithNut]

BTT

This one is too cool to not come up for viewing from time to time...