3rd Gen parts - I'm afraid we're on our own Gents

[Mossy Pops]

Springs

How about a set for a 4553tsw?

 

[Practical]

Electronics don't have the longevity of a firearm. Nobody expects sony to have spare parts for a 20 year old tv. S&w sold MILLIONS of these guns and most of them are still out there and working fine. They should keep making parts for these guns. Making frames? OK, MAYBE not those since I suspect they break very rarely, given the toughness of these guns. But springs, extractors, and other small parts should still be made

The 3rd gen guns are the only gun that offers hammer fired, manual safety, and mag disconnect in a metal frame. I don't want a plastic M&P.

The NYPD still issues the 5946. At least 10,000 of them in service right now. The 3953 and 908 in DAO are still being carried as off duty weapons. Then add in the millions of civilian owners. I guarantee you s&w is not telling big contracts like the NYPD that they are on their own.

"should" is a wishful word.

The company I work at maintains our 20 year old products MORE easily then newer products because we can solder through hole parts and still get the.

We can't get many chips, GPS receivers and processors boards.

The more recent products are actually harder to support.

S&W MUST do what makes sense to make money, maintaining OLD products which are now likely starting to show signs of unreliability and if repaired will ONLY damage the quality reputation of their brand by having view point that smiths are unreliable and by maintaining old guns it lowers new sales and ensures that the secondary market is flooded with product that is less and less reliable and results in support costs which ensure they don't sell new product.

It makes sense to retire products decisively.

 

[DanP7]

"should" is a wishful word.

The company I work at maintains our 20 year old products MORE easily then newer products because we can solder through hole parts and still get the.

We can't get many chips, GPS receivers and processors boards.

The more recent products are actually harder to support.

S&W MUST do what makes sense to make money, maintaining OLD products which are now likely starting to show signs of unreliability and if repaired will ONLY damage the quality reputation of their brand by having view point that smiths are unreliable and by maintaining old guns it lowers new sales and ensures that the secondary market is flooded with product that is less and less reliable and results in support costs which ensure they don't sell new product.

It makes sense to retire products decisively.

If anything, the perception of third gen smith autos is enjoying a renaissance.

They are not old. Nor are they unreliable.

They are also part of S&W's legacy. Which is in reality, their brand value.

I do agree that S&W needs to do what makes financial sense to stockholders. It makes no sense to start milling spare slides and frames for all of the obscure third gens. However, it would be financially viable and beneficial to protect the brand and loyalty by assessing their most used replacement parts, assessing commonality between various handguns, and then providing the most commonly replaced and most commonly shared parts with subcontractors that can provide on an on-demand basis based on decking projections of the actual handguns in use.

I would expect this to essentially be limited to various springs, magazine parts, extractors, and other assorted small parts. This will keep a lot of people happy for a long time. If someone cracks the slide rails off a shorty40, well....they might be looking at an offer for replacement or some other corporate goodwill if they are the original owner.

Also, everyone is going to be worried and trying to stock up on parts, resulting in longer backorders, etc. So no surprise to hear many items are out of stock.

 

[hemiram]

I have been trying to assemble a set of parts for each of my guns, the 3rd Gen S&W's included. I have a large amount of parts for my Dan Wesson 715 and 15-2 revolvers. Anything short of a broken frame, I can fix it, I even have a cylinder. A while back, I ordered extractors for my 5906, 4006TSW, 4506, and 6906. I don't remember who I ordered them from, it was over a year ago. So when I started reading this thread, I bought some springs and some grips, assuming that the extractors were correct. Well, two of them, the ones for the 6906 and the 4006TSW, the guns I almost never, ever shoot, do appear correct, but the ones for the 4506 and 5906 aren't. Not even close. One is way too long, and the other is too thick. So I guess I should start looking again.

But the whole idea that S&W isn't supporting the 3rd gen guns anymore is turning me off with regards to buying anything S&W makes in the future. To be honest, the chance of me buying any semiauto pistol they will make in my lifetime almost zero, same goes for the current revolvers made presently. I don't like polymer or striker fired guns, and I'm not a 1911 fan at all, and nothing in the current revolver catalog interests me. At this point on, CZ, EAA, and Canik are probably going to get my future semiauto handgun business, and the only S&W revolver I really want is a 28. And as soon as I do buy a gun in the future, I will look into getting a spring set, an extractor, and some pins, to keep parts problems from happening in the future.

 

[18DAI]

Just so this thread isn't entirely "woe is me" I thought I'd post the following information from a telephone conversation I just had with a SOCAL LEO.

He works in a fugitive apprehension unit. He carries a 4566. In the last five years he has fired 15K rounds through it. Almost all of those rounds were Ranger 230 grain JHP duty ammo. He also fired "a bunch" of 45+P too.

I asked him what has broken on his 4566. "Broken? Nothing has broken. It runs like a Swiss watch. Well, I did have to replace two of the trigger play springs. I guess if you want you could say they broke. And I'm on the fourth recoil spring in it. But that is just a maintenance thing. Nothing breaks on these pistols. They are built tough. A guy on my squad has a 4506 with probably even more rounds through it. He has used it for over ten years. Same thing. No breaks no complaints."

So, his experience mirrors mine. No broken parts in what is probably about three times the "service life" a non LE member here will fire their 3rd gen gun.

His back up plan is the same as mine as well. He owns a pristine 4566 that he keeps in his safe. Identical to his duty 4566. Just in case.

Don't worry. Be happy! Step away from the keyboard and go shoot your 3rd gen guns! They won't break. Regards 18DAI

 

[DanP7]

I have been trying to assemble a set of parts for each of my guns, the 3rd Gen S&W's included. I have a large amount of parts for my Dan Wesson 715 and 15-2 revolvers. Anything short of a broken frame, I can fix it, I even have a cylinder. A while back, I ordered extractors for my 5906, 4006TSW, 4506, and 6906. I don't remember who I ordered them from, it was over a year ago. So when I started reading this thread, I bought some springs and some grips, assuming that the extractors were correct. Well, two of them, the ones for the 6906 and the 4006TSW, the guns I almost never, ever shoot, do appear correct, but the ones for the 4506 and 5906 aren't. Not even close. One is way too long, and the other is too thick. So I guess I should start looking again.

But the whole idea that S&W isn't supporting the 3rd gen guns anymore is turning me off with regards to buying anything S&W makes in the future. To be honest, the chance of me buying any semiauto pistol they will make in my lifetime almost zero, same goes for the current revolvers made presently. I don't like polymer or striker fired guns, and I'm not a 1911 fan at all, and nothing in the current revolver catalog interests me. At this point on, CZ, EAA, and Canik are probably going to get my future semiauto handgun business, and the only S&W revolver I really want is a 28. And as soon as I do buy a gun in the future, I will look into getting a spring set, an extractor, and some pins, to keep parts problems from happening in the future.

Did I really just read that you would trust some johnny-come-lately Turkish brand to pick up the customer service slack that you feel that S&W is not going to provide?

I'm sure it cannot be any worse than EAA's idea of CS.....

Guys. Take a deep breath. Everything is going to be okay. Do you see Colt collectors slowing down because the factory doesn't make their DA revolvers or non-1911's? No. Of course not. They are only increasing in desirability.

 

[djh1765]

NO PARTS:

S & W wants to try to force us to buy new guns.

What happened to the Lifetime Warranties? Maybe S & W just forgot. HA!
djh

 

[Brooklynite]

Just adding what I was told via Email by S&W CS when I asked about future support for 3rd gens, the 3906 (which I've been looking to buy) specifically:

SUBJECT: 3rd gen pistol support ?

Dear Customer,

We still back up all of our products. We do very limited runs on parts for the older models. You can still order mags and parts for the 3906, some just might be on back order.


Sincerely,

R***

 

[SonnyJames]

Good morning all. I am not sure where I read this, but I know it was in the Forum somewhere. Didn't someone say there are still LE agencies in the Northeast that still use the Gen 3's and the mothership still makes them available for purchase new? If this is true wouldn't it stand to reason somewhere they would have a pile of catalogued parts in boxes if we ever needed them? And as a final thought why would S&W only offer the 3rd Gens to LEO and not the public, which I do believe would prefer them over the MP series? Just a thought that crossed my mind. Happy Friday guys!

 

[TTSH]

And as a final thought why would S&W only offer the 3rd Gens to LEO and not the public, which I do believe would prefer them over the MP series? Just a thought that crossed my mind. Happy Friday guys!

Loads of people would love a brand new run of 3rd Gen Smith & Wessons. I hope it happens someday. I'd love a brand spanking new 4506 or 1006! Put me first in line please!

 

[Brooklynite]

Good morning all. I am not sure where I read this, but I know it was in the Forum somewhere. Didn't someone say there are still LE agencies in the Northeast that still use the Gen 3's and the mothership still makes them available for purchase new?

I know cops around here still carry them...

 

[TercGen]

I'm still waiting on my CS9 springs from Midway, they are listed as 'overdue.' It's a good sign that most of the 3rd gen parts have an expected date of arrival at Midway, even if they won't do backorders on them.

 

[redrock]

Lots of hand wringing here. Wondering if some of that isn't a bit overblown. One of the reasons I like 3rd gens so much, is how damn robust they are compared to most everything else. Parts failures? Sure, but hardly a common occurrence in my personal experience. I have (or had - some traded or sold now) plenty of examples of 3rd gens with high four or even five figure round counts that have had zero parts failures. Rode many of them like a rented mule and nothing ever broke.

I'm not shooting nearly as much as I'd like to these days, so I'm less worried than ever about my low to moderate round count remaining 3rd gen shooters going the distance. These guns are rugged little beasts and I tend to baby older faves more than in the past, now that stupid cheap prices for 3rd gens have played out. I've also found the more guns you own, the less you shoot anyone one gun. Good reason to keep buying more! Call me cynical, but I'm starting to think those fanning the flames of worry the most are really secretly hoping that fear mongering will get people to dump guns that likely will never wear out or break from use -- so they can pick them up on the cheap.

Someone here mentioned Jack First Gunshop (see: Jack First Gunshop - First in Gun Parts - Rapid City, South Dakota). This is one example of a place that not only stockpiles parts, but has three machinists on staff to crank out parts and is a business that claims to "specialize in making high-quality, difficult-to-find, difficult-to-make gun parts." Guide rods are cake work for a even the poorest of machinists. Other parts might be a bit more challenging, but certainly do-able for most small parts. DIY parts making projects are more possible than ever with places like TechShop (access to the cool tools you can't afford to own) popping up in major metro areas. (see: TechShop is America's 1st Nationwide Open-Access Public Workshop -- What Do You Want To Make at TechShop?). We have some really talented machinist haunting these pages, and if so inclined (or nudged), could probably have a great little sideline business.

The third gen party ain't over folks. Yeah, you may want to stockpile a few critical parts for easy replacement later, and you should be mindful of changing springs before you needlessly batter your pistol, and you should keep them cleaned and lubed, but I wouldn't let some irrational fear of breaking something that can't be fixed, stop you from shooting your 3rd gens and adding more to your collection. Party on third geners!

 

[TercGen]

Just called S&W and ordered some 3rd gen parts that were in stock, no problems. It was my first time calling the mothership and I'm impressed with how quick and easy it was.

I definitely should have done this sooner! My new (to me) CS9 hasn't been out for a walk all summer, waiting on a recoil spring from Midway. At least I'll get her out for the last few weeks...

 

[03Fatboy]

Just a friendly update. I just got a call from S&W regarding one of my three orders, two of which were made over a year ago. The orders are all for small 3rd Gen parts, primarily springs etc.

Anyways, I needed to provide updated CC information since it was expired and one of my orders is shipping. That is good news and I appreciated the phone call!

 

[GatorFarmer]

ProMag might be a solution for replacement magazines. If memory serves, they offered a specialized magazine to sit flat in the older 39 series autos. Their quality is better than it used to be. Keep Shooting.com might be another source, they made their own HK P9 mag batches etc.

I believe Mecgar still makes 5900 series magazines.

 

[Fastbolt]

Just a friendly update. I just got a call from S&W regarding one of my three orders, two of which were made over a year ago. The orders are all for small 3rd Gen parts, primarily springs etc.

Anyways, I needed to provide updated CC information since it was expired and one of my orders is shipping. That is good news and I appreciated the phone call!

Yeah, I just got an email notifying me part of a back-ordered shipment was received and is going out, but I still have a couple different 3rd gen parts as active back-orders. Some parts are getting harder (taking longer) to get.

 

[TercGen]

As an update, my order arrived from S&W last week, which put it at just under a month for 'in-stock' items. A little longer than I was thinking, but they did have to collect the items from different warehouses before sending.

My CS9 mag springs seem to be a darker color of red than others I have seen (maybe because they are new).

I also had a backorder of 457 guide rods come in from Midway, they were the 1-piece design with plastic plunger, and no 'flat' on the lug, as had been reported with some 45 guide rods (IIRC).

 

[waffenmac]

For 3rd Generation pistol grips, let me suggest the following shop:
H&H Firearms, 262 Rocktown Rd., Jefferson City, TN 37760

Harry Hance is the owner, and several years ago he secured the grip inventory of of a local S&W distributor when that person sold his business.
He does not have a computer, but you can contact him by telephone at
(865) 475-2049. I have talked with him during the last month, and he told me that he still has a lot of grips that he is willing to sell. I don't have any 3rd Generation pistols so I wasn't interested, but if you are looking for grips you may get lucky. Business hours are "roughly" 10:00 am to 5:00 pm M-F and perhaps a little shorter on Saturday.

He does indeed have 3rd gen 59 and 69 standard grips but he doesn't ship period. I just got off the phone with him.

 

[rwsmith]

At the start of this thread...

I contacted several known suppliers of parts including S&W and only got one answer back which was 'no parts'.