3rd Gen Obsolete?

[Laddy Smith]

Fastbolt...

As we are talking about "retired" 2nd/3rd gens and you are "retired"... on behalf of many of us I hope you took early retirement and are only in your 30's

You are an invaluable source of information and experience. We need you around for many, many years.

Now, get off the computer and go hit the treadmill

Lad

 

[Fastbolt]

Thanks for the concern.

The 60 year mark is looming ahead much closer than I'd prefer.

Trust me, I'm trying hard to keep on top of some of the inevitable issues that can arise as we fight the ravages of aging (work-related injuries & health issues which have occurred over the years can complicate things, a bit, too).

After apparently (hopefully) having successfully dealt with a serious health issue almost 2 years ago (which pretty much side-lined me for most of a year), I've been back to hitting the weights, continuing my lifelong arts training ... and even doing some general aerobics (I hate running).

A good friend of mine has often reminded me that 50 is the new 30, which means I really ought to only feel like I'm in my late 30's again, right? (Hany Rambod, who might be familiar to some weight training enthusiasts from his articles in bodybuilding magazines, his Evogen supplement line and him being a trainer for the top couple of Olympia winners.)

 

[ColColt]

Getting older rather sucks. You loose teeth, hair and muscle tone and begin to sag and get wrinkles. You have hair growing in your ears and nose when it should be growing on your head. It's a treat to be able to get up and walk down the hall in the morning. An all nighter means you get to sleep all night without having to get up and pee. Enjoy your youth, guys and gals...it goes quickly.

 

[18DAI]

The GUNS are not obsolete. No comment on those of us using them.

 

[thomast]

I was told the 908 was now obsolete also by s&w. I assume that the very common parts that the gen 3 models share may be available like mags.

I had a worn out mag catch and wanted a new one. S&w no longer sells the part. They did send me a return by fed ex to return the pistol to them for repair......i assume they may have some parts in house for warranty work but who knows.

I found one last 908 catch at brown ells and bought it. If it is a newer metal one then that will be great!

 

[BillLester]

As for as the 3rd Gen being obsolete, that's like saying the P-51 Mustang (despite being a great platform for eight .50cal Brownings!) is out to pasture as a fighter!

While I fully agree there is nothing obsolete about the 3rd Gen auto, the P-51 Mustang most assuredly is as a fighter. Has been since 1944 when the first Me-262 jet flew into combat. And depending on the model, the Mustang carried four (P-51A/B/C) or six (P-51D/H/K) .50 cal. Brownings. The only operational eight gun American fighter was the larger P-47 Thunderbolt.

 

[OK Hog Shooter]

This is a great thread. Thanks to the OP for starting this discussion. I only have 7 3rd gens... my solution is to try and have two of each model... so I still have a few to pick up. I'll shoot one and keep one for parts.

Hog

 

[bpatza]

Thanks for the concern.

The 60 year mark is looming ahead much closer than I'd prefer.

Trust me, I'm trying hard to keep on top of some of the inevitable issues that can arise as we fight the ravages of aging (work-related injuries & health issues which have occurred over the years can complicate things, a bit, too).

After apparently (hopefully) having successfully dealt with a serious health issue almost 2 years ago (which pretty much side-lined me for most of a year), I've been back to hitting the weights, continuing my lifelong arts training ... and even doing some general aerobics (I hate running).

A good friend of mine has often reminded me that 50 is the new 30, which means I really ought to only feel like I'm in my late 30's again, right? (Hany Rambod, who might be familiar to some weight training enthusiasts from his articles in bodybuilding magazines, his Evogen supplement line and him being a trainer for the top couple of Olympia winners.)

Hey guys you are all puppys. I'm about to turn 77 and just purchased my first Smith semi auto (4553TSW). My plinker guns are 44Mags and a FA 454 and I want to try the Smith for a carry gun. I joined the group to see what I needed to help it out if it needed it. My supplements are Angus ribeye, six eggs and a bunch of bacon for morning starters,and a gallon of ice cream a week. 6'5" 338lbs and shoot iron sights. Real firearms are pieces of art and not made of plastic. Now I hope I didn't upset anyone because you all seem to be great with needed information and I'm sure I will be looking.

 

[Fastbolt]

Hey guys you are all puppys. I'm about to turn 77 and just purchased my first Smith semi auto (4553TSW). My plinker guns are 44Mags and a FA 454 and I want to try the Smith for a carry gun. I joined the group to see what I needed to help it out if it needed it. My supplements are Angus ribeye, six eggs and a bunch of bacon for morning starters,and a gallon of ice cream a week. 6'5" 338lbs and shoot iron sights. Real firearms are pieces of art and not made of plastic. Now I hope I didn't upset anyone because you all seem to be great with needed information and I'm sure I will be looking.

Sounds like you're a wang leather, beef & beans kind of guy? Hey, my dad was a cowboy on a working ranch in Colorado at one point when I was a youngster.

There's something to be said for blued steel and wood. No argument.

I grudgingly accepted stainless steel ... even though it doesn't look as clean, as quickly, as blued steel.

I'm not much of "breakfast" person, myself (unless "breakfast" is at noon). Coffee to face the world, and then something else if it looks like the world is still worth facing for the new day. (My nutritionist & bodybuilding trainer friend gives me some chiding over not downing a good slug of protein first thing in the morning. I've just found that strong black coffee & a good cigar seem to get those early mornings working a range session go better.)

I applaud you for your health and activity in your late 70's. Keep it up into your 90's, if you can make it work.

I took various injuries (mostly work-related) and a couple of related surgeries more or less in stride when I was younger (like I had a choice?), but once the teeth and some joints decided they weren't inclined to keep pace with the rest of the body ... and an experience with cancer which required surgery and chemo came along ... well, the whole "aging" thing made me wonder what else was hidden in the fine print. (I'll be the first to admit it beats the hell out of the alternative, though. )

Enjoy the 4553TSW. Good self-shucker. Hogue grips might help improve it a bit if your hands are as large as your height/weight might indicate. I never cared for the DAO models as much as the traditional DA models, myself, but they're pretty good when you start to compare them to other metal-framed DAO pistols.

Best regards.
fb

 

[MP1518]

I guess if someone is worried about availability of parts for a psitol or revelver that they carry and shoot, I would stick with VERY common guns that were issued to LE and military worldwide and were made in huge numbers.

Browning Hi Power P35
Full size 1911 in .45ACP
Glock 17.
Beretta 92 series
SIg P226
S&W K/L frame DA revolvers 38/357

My .02 worth.

 

[bpatza]

Sounds like you're a wang leather, beef & beans kind of guy? Hey, my dad was a cowboy on a working ranch in Colorado at one point when I was a youngster.

There's something to be said for blued steel and wood. No argument.

I grudgingly accepted stainless steel ... even though it doesn't look as clean, as quickly, as blued steel.

I'm not much of "breakfast" person, myself (unless "breakfast" is at noon). Coffee to face the world, and then something else if it looks like the world is still worth facing for the new day. (My nutritionist & bodybuilding trainer friend gives me some chiding over not downing a good slug of protein first thing in the morning. I've just found that strong black coffee & a good cigar seem to get those early mornings working a range session go better.)

I applaud you for your health and activity in your late 70's. Keep it up into your 90's, if you can make it work.

I took various injuries (mostly work-related) and a couple of related surgeries more or less in stride when I was younger (like I had a choice?), but once the teeth and some joints decided they weren't inclined to keep pace with the rest of the body ... and an experience with cancer which required surgery and chemo came along ... well, the whole "aging" thing made me wonder what else was hidden in the fine print. (I'll be the first to admit it beats the hell out of the alternative, though. )

Enjoy the 4553TSW. Good self-shucker. Hogue grips might help improve it a bit if your hands are as large as your height/weight might indicate. I never cared for the DAO models as much as the traditional DA models, myself, but they're pretty good when you start to compare them to other metal-framed DAO pistols.

Best regards.
fb

Information needed already. My 4553tsw came with 7 round mags that stick out of the grips when installed. Am I correct in that #107950 curved butt plates would cure this, also which hogue grips do you recomend for large hands.

 

[ColColt]

My supplements are Angus ribeye, six eggs and a bunch of bacon for morning starters,and a gallon of ice cream a week. 6'5" 338lbs and shoot iron sights.

That and hamburgers are all what got my cholesterol out the ceiling(over 275) and triglycerides over 580. As a result of years of body abuse with doughnuts, hotdogs, red meat, etc., I now am on two cholesterol meds, had bypass surgery on my left leg due to a clogged artery and on an aspirin, Plavix and Warfarin regiment. Diagnosed with PAD(Peripheral Artery Disease) with intermittent claudication and atherosclerosis I watch my diet. Wish I could eat like that and still be healthy but, no dice.

 

[gtoppcop]

I just got back one of my 4003TSWs from Jim Rae and his Team at the Performance Center. For $148 they did the following:

--Took off the TSW Rail
--Refinished the lower half
--Replaced the drawbar (paucity of parts???)
--Replaced the plastic disconnector with a STEEL one
--Replaced ALL of the springs
--Bead Balsted and re-marked the slide with a smaller, less garish TSW logo
--Replaced the grips
--Replaced the spurred hammer with my supplied bobbed hammer

I will send my other 4003TSW to them for a complete re-finish. These guns were bought from Robertson's Trading Post and were Westfield, MASS PD guns dating from 2001. They were NASTY! The one (w/o the rail) is for all intents and purposes NEW.

The dedicated rail gun that will go out next week was modified (by opening the aperature of the TSW rail) to accept the X300 (with backplate filler taken off). It too when completed, will be for all intents and purposes NEW.

To say I am pleased is a gross understatement! Jim Rae is to be commended for his work on my pistol.

In the interim, I sent my wife's 3914 off to him so he can modify the safety levers to de-cock only. He has been VERY forgiving and is never too busy to answer questions.

As for the springs, I replaced the firing pin springs in all of my 3rd Gen pistols with Wolff Extra Power firing pin springs. They said it would take up to a month to receive them. I had them within a week.

I always save my parts, in case I had to re-build or otherwise replace parts.

I love the reducncy and inherent strength of the 3rd Gens. 18DAI thanks for listening to my rants. I'll let you know how both of the .40s turn out.

 

[Fastbolt]

Information needed already. My 4553tsw came with 7 round mags that stick out of the grips when installed. Am I correct in that #107950 curved butt plates would cure this, also which hogue grips do you recomend for large hands.

You might have an "original" 4553TSW, with the cutaway grip, which uses 6-rd magazines.

Here's an original 4513TSW alongside a newer 4513TSW (which uses the 7-rd mags). The older style with the cutaway grip is on top.

If you have an older style TSW, you need the 6-rd mags for a flush fit. The 7-rd mags will work fine, but will stick down a little, regardless of what butt plate you use.

The bad news, though ...

Hogue doesn't make grips for the older style 4513TSW@. I had to modify standard grip stocks to make them fit my original 4513TSW. Sort of a pain ...

 

[Fastbolt]

I sympathize ColColt. After my cancer surgery I made some modifications to my diet, too.

 

[bpatza]

You might have an "original" 4553TSW, with the cutaway grip, which uses 6-rd magazines.

Here's an original 4513TSW alongside a newer 4513TSW (which uses the 7-rd mags). The older style with the cutaway grip is on top.

If you have an older style TSW, you need the 6-rd mags for a flush fit. The 7-rd mags will work fine, but will stick down a little, regardless of what butt plate you use.

The bad news, though ...

Hogue doesn't make grips for the older style 4513TSW@. I had to modify standard grip stocks to make them fit my original 4513TSW. Sort of a pain ...

I have the newer style grip frame not the one with the cutout. So it looks like hogue grips for the 4513 will work and the curved 107950 to replace the streight, thin butt plate willcover the mag metal. How am I doing.
By the way I may be as unhealthy as I can be and still be alive I just don't go to a doctor and I eat and live as I enjoy life and will until the end. As I said to friends last night " I
may not see the sun rise however I enjoyed watching it set"

 

[StatesRightist]

Yep, 3rd Generations are obsolete and terrible guns. I will however, as a service to the environment, buy all of the good 3rd Gens you want to get rid of for $100 a gun and hope to come out on the salvage...strictly as a Service to Mankind of course.

I will also pledge not to buy anymore plastic pistols to support this charitable endeavor of mine.

 

[ColColt]

I sympathize ColColt. After my cancer surgery I made some modifications to my diet, too.

I remember. I try not to think on things like this but it's hard.

 

[Craig19]

I just got back one of my 4003TSWs from Jim Rae and his Team at the Performance Center. For $148 they did the following:

--Took off the TSW Rail
--Refinished the lower half
--Replaced the drawbar (paucity of parts???)
--Replaced the plastic disconnector with a STEEL one
--Replaced ALL of the springs
--Bead Balsted and re-marked the slide with a smaller, less garish TSW logo
--Replaced the grips
--Replaced the spurred hammer with my supplied bobbed hammer

I will send my other 4003TSW to them for a complete re-finish. These guns were bought from Robertson's Trading Post and were Westfield, MASS PD guns dating from 2001. They were NASTY! The one (w/o the rail) is for all intents and purposes NEW.

The dedicated rail gun that will go out next week was modified (by opening the aperature of the TSW rail) to accept the X300 (with backplate filler taken off). It too when completed, will be for all intents and purposes NEW.

To say I am pleased is a gross understatement! Jim Rae is to be commended for his work on my pistol.

In the interim, I sent my wife's 3914 off to him so he can modify the safety levers to de-cock only. He has been VERY forgiving and is never too busy to answer questions.

As for the springs, I replaced the firing pin springs in all of my 3rd Gen pistols with Wolff Extra Power firing pin springs. They said it would take up to a month to receive them. I had them within a week.

I always save my parts, in case I had to re-build or otherwise replace parts.

I love the reducncy and inherent strength of the 3rd Gens. 18DAI thanks for listening to my rants. I'll let you know how both of the .40s turn out.

How much did they charge to re bead blast it?

 

[Fastbolt]

I have the newer style grip frame not the one with the cutout. So it looks like hogue grips for the 4513 will work and the curved 107950 to replace the streight, thin butt plate willcover the mag metal.

The Hogues for the 4516 will work on the current production 4513/4553TSW's that use 7-rd mags.

The curved butt plate will still extend below the bottom of the frame, just like the bottom gun in the picture of the pair I posted.

If someone installed the thin butt plate (like that used on the 8-rd mags for the 4506/4566) it would look a bit weird.