I recently traded my XD45 for a 5906 [almost even trade] because I just didn't like the feel of the polymer gun, and because the 45 is much more expensive to shoot. I have looked in several GSs over the past year and never have seen these pistols, and I went to a gun show a few weeks ago and there were none on the tables. Why are they so scarce?
Why do I not see many 3rd gen pistols
- Thread starter corgiS&W
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
1) They are no longer made.
2) People who have them tend to keep them.
3) When they do show up on the market, they go fast.
One positive note seems to be that the 3rd generation guns are nearing the end of their service life as LE weapons and do show up from time to time. Unfortunately (for me) I live in a state where it is very hard to import any gun that does not meet the state regulations. For those such as you, who have no such restrictions, searching the internet for places that take in police trade ins and then resell them would be a good way to go.
2) People who have them tend to keep them.
3) When they do show up on the market, they go fast.
One positive note seems to be that the 3rd generation guns are nearing the end of their service life as LE weapons and do show up from time to time. Unfortunately (for me) I live in a state where it is very hard to import any gun that does not meet the state regulations. For those such as you, who have no such restrictions, searching the internet for places that take in police trade ins and then resell them would be a good way to go.
S&W1006
Member
What GaryS said. I have 3 and I will have more as soon as I can. They are well made and shoot well I wish Smith still made them.
Most people today only carry poly guns and couldnt imagine carrying a few extra ounces. They offer a lot of nice features over your basic striker fired poly gun. I admit I carry my SD40 from time to time I cant help it the gun feels great in the hand and is beyond light. But I just cant shoot as well with my poly guns.
Charlie Foxtrott
Member
- Joined
- Oct 27, 2009
- Messages
- 1,260
- Reaction score
- 2,109
I own a number of high quality handguns.
If I ever find myself in the position where I have to fight for my life or the lives of other people. It is quite likely that my handgun of choice will be my Smith and Wesson model 4566 that I have had for a very long time. Or my Smith and Wesson model 1006 that I have had only for a few months. These guns are extremely well put together. I can easily understand why they no longer produce guns like this. These guns can only be put together by skilled machinists. Skilled machinists do not work for peanuts. End of story.
If I ever find myself in the position where I have to fight for my life or the lives of other people. It is quite likely that my handgun of choice will be my Smith and Wesson model 4566 that I have had for a very long time. Or my Smith and Wesson model 1006 that I have had only for a few months. These guns are extremely well put together. I can easily understand why they no longer produce guns like this. These guns can only be put together by skilled machinists. Skilled machinists do not work for peanuts. End of story.
4506517
Member
I own 12 and am always looking to add to my collection. I think they are scare because when folks buy them, they realize they're a lot of gun for the money. I think they were so common as duty weapons for so long, people just took them for granted. Now that everyone makes a poly gun, folks are realizing the 3rd gennies are super values and super pistols. Durable, accurate, and flawlessly reliable, they are hard to beat. Those that appreciate those attributes are finding the 3rd gennies too good of a deal to resist.
I don't think I can say it any better than everyone before me has.
I only own three 3rd Gens, & i'm trying to limit myself to that. Unless,
of course, a 4013 TSW pre rail in box taps me on the shoulder! It
doesn't hurt to dream, does it?
*UPDATE*
Well, a Model 4013TSW not only tapped me on the shoulder, It
screamed my name. I saw this beauty on GB, & no one was bidding
on it very hard. I had the top bid, & i figured if anyone started bidding on it I would "Buy It Now". It was a little more than I
wanted to spend, but it looked pristine. I put my SW40VE up for
sale to partially cover the cost, & when I had a buyer I decided to
go ahead & hit the button. As you can probably guess, someone
went ahead & nabbed it. I picked a fine time to snooze! I'll be
kicking myself for awhile over this.
*Yet Another Update!*
On 7/05/2013 I finally bought one of my grail guns, the Model 4013TSW!
I found it at a pawn shop with papers & box. Details & pics are posted
in the Semi Auto Forum.
I only own three 3rd Gens, & i'm trying to limit myself to that. Unless,
of course, a 4013 TSW pre rail in box taps me on the shoulder! It
doesn't hurt to dream, does it?
*UPDATE*
Well, a Model 4013TSW not only tapped me on the shoulder, It
screamed my name. I saw this beauty on GB, & no one was bidding
on it very hard. I had the top bid, & i figured if anyone started bidding on it I would "Buy It Now". It was a little more than I
wanted to spend, but it looked pristine. I put my SW40VE up for
sale to partially cover the cost, & when I had a buyer I decided to
go ahead & hit the button. As you can probably guess, someone
went ahead & nabbed it. I picked a fine time to snooze! I'll be
kicking myself for awhile over this.
*Yet Another Update!*
On 7/05/2013 I finally bought one of my grail guns, the Model 4013TSW!
I found it at a pawn shop with papers & box. Details & pics are posted
in the Semi Auto Forum.
Last edited:
James&theGiant1911
Member
these are nice all metal guns and would cost a lot more if in production today. They would be a 1000-1500 dollar gun new in todays money.
Glenn H
Member
1911 vs 3rd Gen
One thing I don't get is the 1911 love. In so many ways a 3rd Gen S&W is head and shoulders above and beyond a 1911 in safety and function I don't know why you'd pick a Colt knock off over nearly any 3rd Gen.
And no, this isn't trolling. I just don't much care for the 1911, goes back to before my Navy days. If someone gave me one, I'd probably keep it long enough to find a trade.
One thing I don't get is the 1911 love. In so many ways a 3rd Gen S&W is head and shoulders above and beyond a 1911 in safety and function I don't know why you'd pick a Colt knock off over nearly any 3rd Gen.
And no, this isn't trolling. I just don't much care for the 1911, goes back to before my Navy days. If someone gave me one, I'd probably keep it long enough to find a trade.
Ranch Hand
Member
Shorty .45 With Trijicon Night Sights Less than 100 rounds prior to my purchase.
4513TSW 2006 vintage 25 rounds 1 owner prior to purchase
4513TSW 2002 NEVER Fired safe queen with Trijicon Night Sights
CS 45 never Fired
SW 686 .357 2in with Crimson Trace
SW 642 with Crimson Trace
Sigma .40 SVE with Crimson trace 2000-3000 rounds no glitches yet.
Told the wife what the bottom figure to sell on each one is. Told her to take her NEW boyfriend to the Bahamas ON ME after I don't need them..
An investment I WON"T be selling.
So will tell her to market them here first for you guys.
RH
"Enjoy The Trip, The Destination Is NOT the Goal"
4513TSW 2006 vintage 25 rounds 1 owner prior to purchase
4513TSW 2002 NEVER Fired safe queen with Trijicon Night Sights
CS 45 never Fired
SW 686 .357 2in with Crimson Trace
SW 642 with Crimson Trace
Sigma .40 SVE with Crimson trace 2000-3000 rounds no glitches yet.
Told the wife what the bottom figure to sell on each one is. Told her to take her NEW boyfriend to the Bahamas ON ME after I don't need them..
An investment I WON"T be selling.
So will tell her to market them here first for you guys.
RH
"Enjoy The Trip, The Destination Is NOT the Goal"
Last edited:
3913- my wife bought it for me.
1006- love it.
4013TSW- my go to/night stand gun (not for sale timn8er).
Russ
1006- love it.
4013TSW- my go to/night stand gun (not for sale timn8er).
Russ
K-framer
Member
They aren't so rare everywhere. A gun shop in a town nearby here has quite a collection in their cases - all police trade-ins. They have at least one 915, a 39-2, several 6906's, a couple each of 5904's and 5906's.....and a few more that I can't remember. The most expensive of the lot are the 6906's, priced at $359.00. I don't know the internal condition of these pistols....most of them show a good deal of external wear, but several are quite nice.
Many of them have been there for many weeks.
VERY tempting.
There is a good chance that, as soon as the holiday is over (maybe this coming weekend) ....I might well take another trip to that shop.....and one of those S&W's just might come home with me.
Many of them have been there for many weeks.
VERY tempting.
There is a good chance that, as soon as the holiday is over (maybe this coming weekend) ....I might well take another trip to that shop.....and one of those S&W's just might come home with me.
K-framer
Member
Not that I have money for another 3rd generation gun, but would you care to share the location? 
As to cost. I'm not sure of where I heard it, but in the time it take S&W to machine a 3rd generation frame, they can pop out 18 ready to go polymer frames. I was out there a few months ago and their CNC machines were busy making slides for the M&P guns, including the released that day Shield. The other thing they use their machines for is 1911 style frames. Oh, and revolvers.
They told us they have more CNC machines than anyone else on the east coast.
As to cost. I'm not sure of where I heard it, but in the time it take S&W to machine a 3rd generation frame, they can pop out 18 ready to go polymer frames. I was out there a few months ago and their CNC machines were busy making slides for the M&P guns, including the released that day Shield. The other thing they use their machines for is 1911 style frames. Oh, and revolvers.
They told us they have more CNC machines than anyone else on the east coast.
GaryS - I've got a Christmas gift for you.....try GFA Arms Tec in Natick. He's got a lot of stuff that's not listed on his website. Each time I've been there he's had several 3rd gens. I bought a 3913NL from him a few weeks ago. Give him a call and tell him what you're looking and if he doesn't have it, he'll call you when he does. He told me he gets old police models.
(I'm sharing my secret source because I need to stop buying these!)
(I'm sharing my secret source because I need to stop buying these!)
LOL! Thanks, I'll have to head out there some day. Of course, you're sharing your secret in the hopes I'll buy them so you don't go broke and I do. 
Badkarma 1
US Veteran
Cause I bought them ALL!
But honestly, I just saw another 5906 adjustable sights, with 3-15 round mags, in it's BOX at my local shop Saturday!
And yeah I bought it! Whike everybody else was freaking out over ARs AIs and assorted poly guns, and the lack of magazines for said pieces, I just poped the 5906 under my arm and tossed the guy my plastic!
And you'll love this! One young customer asked me,"Hey isn't that an old S&W?", "yes.","Wow there kinda old and heavy aren't they?","yes?","wouldn't a M&P be better?","HAHAHAHAHAHA!" and I left!
And it's a rather badly kept secret here on the forum, we just can't seen to stop talking about these grand pistols! Dale
But honestly, I just saw another 5906 adjustable sights, with 3-15 round mags, in it's BOX at my local shop Saturday!
And yeah I bought it! Whike everybody else was freaking out over ARs AIs and assorted poly guns, and the lack of magazines for said pieces, I just poped the 5906 under my arm and tossed the guy my plastic!
And you'll love this! One young customer asked me,"Hey isn't that an old S&W?", "yes.","Wow there kinda old and heavy aren't they?","yes?","wouldn't a M&P be better?","HAHAHAHAHAHA!" and I left!
And it's a rather badly kept secret here on the forum, we just can't seen to stop talking about these grand pistols! Dale
BCDWYO
Member
My only 2 3rd gennies are a couple of 10s...1076 and 1006. Love them both, especially the 1076. I'm definitely on the lookout for a good deal on a nice 4566 and probably one of the nines at some point.
Glenn H
Member
Nice
This is the only proper response.
This is the only proper response.
boingboing
Member
The answer is simple; folks who have them keep them because the 3rd Gen is the only gun that will hold up to the many thousands of rounds that will be fired during the zombie apocalypse.
Similar threads
