What caused the demise of 3rd Gen. Smiths?

K Frame Keith said:
In 27 years working as an LEO I carried steel, alloy and polymer handguns. Today, I carry/own only metal frame weapons. Guess I have the luxuary of carrying what feels right in my hand. Today, folks buy what is modern..trendy. Polymer does work fine, but it is a matter of quality. Truly fine watches and jewelery will never be made of poylymer and neither will FINE handguns.
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Amen on that brother,give me a straight gripped Smith anyday.ala 559 659 915 410 4566
 
dacoontz said:
What demise???

IMG_6886-1.jpg


IMG_6879-1.jpg
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Now those are some awesome pistols.
 
VTHokiesDuckHunter said:
P239 SAS Gen 2

SIG can't make their new P239's, P938's and P238's fast enough and are adding additional shifts to get more guns to markets. The 1911 field is ever expanding. Remington and Ruger are both capturing robust sales with their 1911 offerings, and they seem to be able to make them profitably while MSRP's are under $800.

Several of our local LE agencies have switched from Glocks to Sigs. Almost every officer you talk to, that has a choice , will choose a SIG over a GLock.

These are buyers that S&W potentially lost when they abandoned the 3rd gen market. Maybe it was so they could focus only on their M&P lines, but I think it was a big mistake. They also make plenty of sales and plenty of profits on their "classic" revolver line - they should be able to do the same with a limited edition of wither classic 3rd gens or some "4th gens".

In my opinion, it's really foolish to drop the alloy pistol line up and let SIG and Beretta dominate that segment.

By the way, there are some quality polymer framed pistols. I think the M&P lines are good guns. The Walther PPS is an outstanding weapon in its own right, but maybe one of the best CCW guns out there in Polymer. And my favorite, which another post mentioned above, are the FNH guns with hammer fired actions. My son bought one after I convinced him it was one of the better new pistols out on the market. He likes my 3rd gens and wanted a new gun, and already has a Walther PPS. he wanted the new gun to be hammer fired, DA/SA and high quality. After trying many out he locked in on an FNP9. That gun is great handling and a great shooter. Probably one of the best out of the box triggers I've used in a long time and extremely accurate.

I'm probably going to buy a less expensive polymer framed gun - for my fly fishing waders/vest use. Other than that, I'll stick with alloy or steel framed guns. In fact, I'll probably buy a compact SIG P239Gen II this year. That's the 4th gen gun S&W should be making. De-horned slide and frame, etc. Only I wish it had a frame mounted de-cocker.

On the other hand, I just saw a LNIB 3914 go for $335 the other day on GunBroker. It's just amazing that you can buy 3rd gens, LNIB, like a 3913/14; 4513's, etc., for $330-$500. Every time I think I should get a new 1911 or SIG I find some great deal on a 3rd gen S&W!
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Im the same way gunbroker and 2nd and 3rd gen smiths are easy to find under 400.00 but in the last 6 mo nib examples are going through the roof an example was a 6906 nib went for 750.00 and had over 50 bids.
 
I am of the very strong opinion that all 3rd gen Smiths are junk and should be sent to the scrap pile. Please send me all that you have and I will personally see that they are disposed of properly. :D
 
One word: Glock.
For police officers, Glocks are perfect. Inexpensive, easy to maintain, almost completely corrosion proof, and a consistent trigger pull. If they had a safety lever like a 1911 they'd be perfect.
I had a G30 for awhile, finally selling it because it was too thick for carrying inside the waistband. It was a great shooter, though. But it was a full 1/4" thicker than my 1911. That made a big difference for me.
 
andyo5 said:
One word: Glock.
For police officers, Glocks are perfect. Inexpensive, easy to maintain, almost completely corrosion proof, and a consistent trigger pull. If they had a safety lever like a 1911 they'd be perfect.
I had a G30 for awhile, finally selling it because it was too thick for carrying inside the waistband. It was a great shooter, though. But it was a full 1/4" thicker than my 1911. That made a big difference for me.
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You say, "for the Police officers, Glocks are perfect".

I know a lot of officers that would disagree. For their administrators and bean counters, maybe yes. For LEO's that are actual gun enthusiasts, not always the case. Although the big gripe I hear most from my LEO friends that I hunt and shoot with is, that many of today's cops won't do any range time unless they're made to. For those types, who wont take the time or interest in learning DA/SA and 1911 platforms, maybe it makes sense.
 
Fishslayer said:
I can pretty much guarantee that, but probably not for the reason you have in mind.
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Do not be so certain that a polymer 1911 wouldn't sell.

I daresay that with the trends in the gun marketplace today in two decades or less the only new 1911s we'll see for sale with metal frames will be one-off custom orders, with everything mass produced being made out of polymer.
 
Their steel framed guns were as heavy as boat anchors, and none of them were as reliable across the board as the older Sigs and Berettas.
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I don't know where you got that information. Is that first hand experience or are you repeating something someone else told you? I've had my fair share of 3rd Gen models and currently one resides and has earned it's place under my pillow-the best and most reliable 45 ACP I've ever had and one which has never failed in 21 years...the 4506. I'd pit it against any plastic marvel that's out there. I love my HK USP-C 45 but it too has the plastic frame but one heck of a fine weapon. I wouldn't sell the 4506 and keep the HK, however. The 4506 will be with me till the end. Again, none finer as for reliability. SWC's GDHP's, HST, hardball or the Flying Ashtray, Corbon-it never cared what you fed it and still don't. Hell, I fed it frozen green beans once and it eat that as well!!

I had a SIG P220(German) about the same time I bought the 4506 and while a touch more accurate, it was no more reliable than the Smith. Today's P220 I wouldn't give $300 for one.
 
It all boils down to the all mighty dollar. Loss of market share + expense in production = dropped from production.
 
dcopper said:
Hog Shooter, if you get any excess to destroy, please send me some! 3rd Gen forever!!!(6906).
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I've been checking for PMs and emails ever since I posted that. I just knew I'd be swamped in old 3rd gens that needed a final resting place. I'm still open to managing the 3RD GEN OLD GUN HOME for all of those poor autos that need a quiet place of repose.
 
I will only add : I just bought a 559,still have my 1991 Hi Power,buying wheel guns at the moment. Do not own plastic,not a big fan of SS finish. Too old or too stupid: like the wood and blue steel.I agree with several comments,spend more time shooting and getting holes in the right places !
 
Old School

Sorry...I just won't do plastic. I have S&W in different models and all of them work very well.
 
Great thread. Still believe cancellation of Third Gens should make em more collectible and valuable. If they originally cost more they should be worth more on the used market. Nothing against polymers but won't be shedding my CS-9 anytime soon.
 
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