1775usmarine
Member
- Joined
- Nov 1, 2013
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Hey Ozark Marine have you gotten your 5946 yet?
That poor thing looks like it was dumped in a lake. Give her some love!!
Had a little project today...
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After about an hour of sitting out in the front yard in 20 degree weather making a big mess with my $20 Harbor Freight blaster...
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I tried to avoid the laser-etched stuff as much as possible. I'm sure it's quite a bit faded compared to when it left the factory (from some angles it looks more like MITH & WESSON). Ah well.
There's a U stamped into the frame in very bizarre fashion:
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Still need new grips.
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I definitely considered spending the $600 for one of the brand new ones, but where's the fun in that?
I am the same, while I have bought new many times, I seem to more enjoy getting something that has a bit of history. I wonder what that "U" was meant to indicate?
We've had threads about the "U" stamp before. S&W does it to indicate that they sold it as a used gun.I wonder what that "U" was meant to indicate?
We've had threads about the "U" stamp before. S&W does it to indicate that they sold it as a used gun.
The brand new guns at Cabelas I suspect are over runs/returns from the NYPD contract. NYPD dumped the 5946 in 2014 so those build dates make sense. After they moved production from Springfield to Houlton quality took a nose dive. Apparently the Houlton guns are so bad the range staff beg people to transition to the Sig or one of the Glocks. I know one guy with a Houlton gun who's firing pin snapped and the range guys told him S&W out sourced a lot of the parts and they are of poor quality. He loves the 5946 and is trying to find an older Springfield made one to carry. While it's cool guys are still finding new production third gens, from what I'm hearing I would avoid them.
Please go over it carefully before spending any money.
Last time I went to the range they noticed my extractor was getting worn and sent me to the gun shop to get it checked and replaced if necessary (which they did). The first thing the armorer asked me when I said I had a Smith was "where was it made?" When I said Massachusetts he said "ok, good", it was like he was relieved he didn't have to go on a Sig/Glock sales pitch. Or they are just tired of working on Houlton junk. The whole situation is really sad to me. I hate seeing once great manufacturers go down the tubes.
Kickin myself for not buying a new one at Cabelas'. I hope they come on sale again?