Those of us NOT selling off your 3rd gens, which is your favorite?

[SonnyJames]

Well, I am partial the 2nd gen 645's for some odd reason, but as for my 3rd gens, my 4506's or 4566TSW's for me. I love the 4566's "Hurricane in a box" feel in my iwb holster or on my OHAI bedside rig. Small ( to me ) but I can feel the hard steel weight of justice comforting me in an uncomfortable world. I did the plastic thing for years and still own many. But there is truly something comforting about the weight of a 3rd gen S&W on your hip. It is almost as if God himself said "here Sonny, if you run out of ammo you can brain them with it!"

 

[Gunhacker]

Well... when the other "kids" are not within earshot, I tell my Performance Center 4006 IDPA model that it's my favorite because it's stupid accurate.

But after it leaves the room, I whisper to my 4506-1 that it's really my favorite because it's stupid reliable... unless the 4566 Melonite happens to walk in on us... then I deny everything and claim that I said 4566, not 4506.

Of course... I never let any of my 3rd Gens catch me when I'm telling my M16-4 revolver that I had re-chambered to .327 Federal, that it's my favorite.... I'm such a fickle cad...

 

[growr]

For me, it is still the 3913!!

The KING of CC then and now....too many other 3rd gens in the stable that I could pick from, but it is the 3913 that goes most places I do....if it is not the 3913 then it is my M36 in a pocket carry.

Randy

 

[pharmer]

I bought and been carrying this (disregard the knife) 6906 since 1994. Got about 7K rounds through it, never a burp. Bought a 5906 in the same order, that one is still NIB. I'll shoot it when this one, Beretta 92, CZ75, Glock 17, Sig 226 and 228 wear out. Joe

 

[JohnHL]

My favorite?

It's always the next one.

John

 

[cpeblue]

I bought and been carrying this (disregard the knife) 6906 since 1994. Got about 7K rounds through it, never a burp. Bought a 5906 in the same order, that one is still NIB. I'll shoot it when this one, Beretta 92, CZ75, Glock 17, Sig 226 and 228 wear out. Joe

So you will never get to shoot it as you will never wear out the guns you listed . Who are you saving it for ??

 

[Bartman3562]

Shorty 40. Same size as a 6906, with the power of a 40. And of course, being a PC gun never hurts.

 

[lhump1961]

Well, I carry the 6904 and 3913 and I would have to say that bodes well for those, although I really like my 3913TSW no rail and my 3913LS that has all the toys it came with.

But it really comes down to the two Shorties...a 9 and a 40...and I have to give the nod to the Shorty 9. It's just so smooth and good looking that, while I love 'em all, the Shorty 9 is the one that stands out in my mind...it's also complete like the LS. Those are the only two 3rd gens I have with all their stuff.

Come on guys...pics!

 

[625smith]

I just can't decide which one of this group is #1.......


TSWs



4596



4567



4505



Steel 9s....5905, 559, 539

 

[mbliss57]

I like those steel 3rd gens too. But my favorite carry is my 4513TSW no rail hands down...no contest! I like my 3913s and 3914 but not like the .45. As far as full size go..4506-1 and my 5906. Classics.

 

[timn8er]

My favorite is my 6906, 3913TSW, 5903TSW, 5906TSW, 4013TSW, Shorty Forty, 4006CP, 4513TSW, 4566TSW, & 4506-1. Yes that's the ticket...that's my favorite!

 

[Jaymo]

Why would anyone sell a third generation Smith?

 

[M29since14]

It would be a close race between the 3913 and the 4040PD. I suppose the 3913 would eventually win but I would be perfectly happy with either.

My only concern about the 4040 is longevity of the frame, and it's likely the only people who know much about that won't be saying anything.

 

[RobG5589]

4566, 45 acp horsepower and perfect balance.

 

[pharmer]

So you will never get to shoot it as you will never wear out the guns you listed . Who are you saving it for ??

My son is 25, good character, appreciates guns and nobody else alive in my family.
Alternately, at 61 I am probably going to sell off at least 1/3 and hopefully half of my accumulation in the next 5 years. Next owner can have the joy of shooting a 20+ y/o brand new gun. I'm not as attached to "things as I was 20 years ago. Joe

 

[cpeblue]

My son is 25, good character, appreciates guns and nobody else alive in my family.
Alternately, at 61 I am probably going to sell off at least 1/3 and hopefully half of my accumulation in the next 5 years. Next owner can have the joy of shooting a 20+ y/o brand new gun. I'm not as attached to "things as I was 20 years ago. Joe

I'm 62 and if I had a 69 396 Camaro with less than 10k miles on in my garage I would look into the mirror , laugh and go out and do burnouts . When I go I want all my 'stuff' as worn out as me. I may acquire but I don't collect , when I'm done I want to slide in sideways and say 'man that was one heck of a ride'.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

Favorite 3rd Gen.?

The 3rd Gen's all have a solid feel & design that just appeals to me. So...

- If I had to pick on fit, finish & quality, my 845 with it's sweet SA trigger & glassy smooth action, is tops. Super accurate & a joy to shoot. (It's my first & is the one that started me down this road.)

- If I had to pick on power & uniqueness, my 1076 would be it. I really like the look & symmetry of the 4-1/4" barrel in the large frames. And those "big bangs" are a hoot.

- But for some reason, whenever I grab one of my (fraternal) "twins", the 4013 & 4516, they just put a smile on my face. And for whatever reason, I can just shoot the "little big guys" good. They just feel right in my hand. The 4013 is younger (4 yrs.) & lighter (8 oz.), but that 45 caliber bore of the 4516 is probably the tie breaker. It's close though.

Man, now I feel guilty... why did you have to make decide!?

.

3rd Gen Group Photo

.

 

[nocents]

I'm 62 and if I had a 69 396 Camaro with less than 10k miles on in my garage I would look into the mirror , laugh and go out and do burnouts . When I go I want all my 'stuff' as worn out as me. I may acquire but I don't collect , when I'm done I want to slide in sideways and say 'man that was one heck of a ride'.

cpeblue....we share the same interest in 3rd. gens,are the same age, and cars and what we would do with them.......but....while I love me some big blocks.......make mine a 69 Z28...which I wish I had back

 

[photocosmo]

WOW!

Looking at all of the awesome lists of 3G pistols people have sure makes me envious! I only have two; the iconic 4506ND and it's crazy little brother CS45 or the "Chief" as I like to call it. I love 'em both for different reasons but my hands-up(!) favorite is the "Big Boy". Yup, the 4506 just looks, feels, and shoots so sweet that I still reach for it first when I want to have a little fun at the range. That's not to take anything away from the CS because it's every bit as trouble-free and easy shooting as it's big brother and darn accurate for a "compact" .45 to boot! I just love that square trigger guard I guess. It's easily as sexy as a Beretta 92 but 100% All-American!

 

[pharmer]

when I'm done I want to slide in sideways and say 'man that was one heck of a ride'.

Without giving details, I got that covered. Joe