Your 3rd Gen collection is not complete until...

[TTSH]

Your 3rd Gen collection is not complete until... (fill in the blank).

The reason that I bring this up is that I think I've got most of the bases covered except for the big three:

1) No PC pistol yet.
2) No integral rail pistol yet.
3) No frame decocker pistol yet.

I know some would probably add to that list at least one Melonite-finished 3rd Gen.

As my "good years" continue to dwindle down to nada, I'd most like to concentrate on getting my very last Bucket List gun this year: A suitable classic 9mm BHP. Unfortunately, that is not so easy in my heavily-restricted moonbat state... and especially so given that the BHP now appears to have been discontinued by Browning.

So my attention is slowly turning back to the idea of finishing up my 3rd Gen collection instead. I'll be keeping my eyes wide open for a suitable PC pistol in either 9mm or .45 ACP and I'll probably jump on a CHP 4006TSW once I get over the notion and risks of ordering a used pistol sight unseen one last time.

The big decision for me will be which frame decocker to shoot for (no pun intended). It would appear that the Model 1076 is the most readily available and probably makes the most economic sense. Parts availability appears to be pretty good for a 3rd Gen... all except for the grips. Factory grips for most 3rd Gens are fairly easy to come by, but not so much for the frame decockers... and I do like a nice clean set of grips on my 3rd Gens. That could be a problem.

Have I left anything out? Is there anything else that absolutely must appear in a 3rd Gen collection for the collection to be essentially complete?

 

[armorer951]

I have no idea why, but I would like to have one of the .45acp caliber variants. Not only do I not own one, I've never fired one. Sad.

 

[Arik]

356tsw?

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[cherrypointmarine]

I want a M952, also a M845, but that's for another post. I was also skeptical about ordering a used pistol sight unseen, but then I tried Summit. You get what they say you will get. When they first got the CHP guns, I ordered one of each, and was pleasantly surprised. I have not heard one bad thing about him on the Forum. I have a M945 and I want it's brother a M952. I don't use GB, or at least rarely, so I will have to wait till someone here sells one, which is how I got my M945. I posted in the Want section, and I got several offers. I think this hunt will be much harder.

 

[TTSH]

I have no idea why, but I would like to have one of the .45acp caliber variants. Not only do I not own one, I've never fired one. Sad.

There's a nice pre-rail TSW one for sale in the classifieds as we speak, but I think I'm going to hold out and try for a Model 1076 first.

356tsw?

That would be fabulous, but probably not very realistic. Oddly enough, however, I do know where I can pick-up a .356TSW magazine if I ever need one. One local FFL has one for sale.

 

[TTSH]

I want a M952, also a M845, but that's for another post. I was also skeptical about ordering a used pistol sight unseen, but then I tried Summit. You get what they say you will get. When they first got the CHP guns, I ordered one of each, and was pleasantly surprised. I have not heard one bad thing about him on the Forum. I have a M945 and I want it's brother a M952. I don't use GB, or at least rarely, so I will have to wait till someone here sells one, which is how I got my M945. I posted in the Want section, and I got several offers. I think this hunt will be much harder.

It does seem that most who ordered through Summit were satisfied with what they received even if some were not up to the near "as-new" condition of others. On the other hand, I've seen some offered on-line that were a mess so I know that all are not coming out of the CHP clean. Trust me, I would be the one guy in a thousand who ordered one blind and had it come in like it was dragged behind a pick-up truck for 10 miles down a bumpy, potholed road.

 

[vigil617]

Got to go with a Third Gen Performance Center pistol. Any will do, but for a 3G collection to be complete, one simply must include a piece de resistance from S&W's custom shop.

If I had to pick a representative of all these, I would have to go with one of the first-run Shorty 40's, which were the PC's foray into the third generation semiautos. I've owned two, and they were superb, but I let both go in my caliber-downsizing.

Sentimental favorite, for me, would be a Shorty 45.

There are others better -- the 952 comes to mind -- and others rarer -- the approximately 200 9 Recons, for instance -- and others prettier -- the 3566TSW's of course -- and others just-plain-cooler -- the Stocking Dealer 9, 40, and 356, hands down -- but to round out a collection, I think the Shorty 40 would be a champ.

 

[BAM-BAM]

The "ones you like".....................are the ones you should strive to acquire.

 

[TTSH]

Got to go with a Third Gen Performance Center pistol. Any will do, but for a 3G collection to be complete, one simply must include a piece de resistance from S&W's custom shop.

If I had to pick a representative of all these, I would have to go with one of the first-run Shorty 40's, which were the PC's foray into the third generation semiautos. I've owned two, and they were superb, but I let both go in my caliber-downsizing.

Sentimental favorite, for me, would be a Shorty 45.

There are others better -- the 952 comes to mind -- and others rarer -- the approximately 200 9 Recons, for instance -- and others prettier -- the 3566TSW's of course -- and others just-plain-cooler -- the Stocking Dealer 9, 40, and 356, hands down -- but to round out a collection, I think the Shorty 40 would be a champ.

As it turns out, there is a Shorty .40 for sale by a local dealer. Whenever they pop up around here they go for $900 (+/- plus tax) and this one is no different. But as I've mentioned in the past, the good wife has put a leash on me re: .40's. I can only get another .40 if I sell a current one... ... and I'm already getting stomach pains about sacrificing my CS40 in order to qualify for the CHP 4006TSW. But if that's what it's going to take to get me into a PC gun, so be it. I'll find another one to put on consignment.

 

[Stentor]

For me two key missing pieces are an 845 and a PPC 6".

 

[TTSH]

The "ones you like".....................are the ones you should strive to acquire.

And that is fine to a point... ... until you realize you have two many guns and too many duplicates and you still haven't touched all the 3rd Gen bases. How many times have I heard members here say that there needs to be a theme or point to a collection or you really don't have a collection at all? You just have an "accumulation" of guns.

Anyway, I think I can still manage to stick to "ones I like" while managing to complete the collection too. Remember Bam that I am running out of "good years" awfully fast. If I don't achieve my goals real soon, I may not be able to achieve them at all.

 

[TTSH]

For me two key missing pieces are an 845 and a PPC 6".

Either of those would be a treasure for sure. My chances of finding one around here? Very small. I've never run into either at any MA shop or any MA show. But if I ever found one at anything less than a king's ransom, I'd have to take it very, very seriously.

 

[loeman]

My 3rd Gen want to get isn't that hard to find. One of these days I'll run across a really nice, 3rd Gen. single stack 9. Hopefullly it will be on a day when my GRA (gun retirement account) is flush with cash.

 

[sousana]

I've got no less than a min of 4 of each 3rd gen model, many many more in the case of the 4500, 1000 and 5900 series.

BUT, my collection won't be complete until my 3rd gen Virginia State Police 1076 arrives.

 

[BAM-BAM]

The "ones you like".....................are the ones you should strive to acquire.

TTSH .......Just me maybe; but I'd rather have guns I like than just a another to fill a hole in a "collection".....never laid claim to being anything more than an "accumulator".......my missing piece would be a 3914NL.....cus I like and carry a 33xx and have since 1990.

I've accumulated a couple of extra 3913NLs and a couple of 3914s but they don't seem to want to breed in captivity...... or my safe!!!!!

There were I believe a lot more Shorty 40s made in the 90s than Shorty-9s as .40 was the new cool kid on the block. I was never a .40/10mm fan boy and I was lucky enough to snag 2 shorty-9s and a SD-9 when no one wanted them.

Good luck..... oh by the way........ you're too much of an grumpy old curmudgeon...so you've got more than a few good years left!

 

[TTSH]

My 3rd Gen want to get isn't that hard to find. One of these days I'll run across a really nice, 3rd Gen. single stack 9. Hopefully it will be on a day when my GRA (gun retirement account) is flush with cash.

Believe me, I know about budgeting. Ask the good wife how many hours per month I spend on it. Watch her roll her eyes and say "practically forever"!

I've got no less than a min of 4 of each 3rd gen model, many many more in the case of the 4500, 1000 and 5900 series.

BUT, my collection won't be complete until my 3rd gen Virginia State Police 1076 arrives.

This is where I'm a bit more flexible. I'll take any old 1076 provided it's in top shape. Doesn't have to be FBI or VSP or any other agency weapon... just reasonably clean and with its original factory box, if possible.

 

[TTSH]

TTSH .......Just me maybe; but I'd rather have guns I like than just a another to fill a hole in a "collection".....never laid claim to being anything more than an "accumulator".......my missing piece would be a 3914NL.....cus I like and carry a 39xx and have since 1990.

Understood Bam. But my motivation at this point is different. I really am approaching the end of my active gun collecting days. "Plugging holes" in the 3rd Gen collection is one of the few things left for me to do that makes any sense. Where do I go after that and assuming I do find my long-sought-after BHP someday? Probably back to pre-IL S&W revolvers! Yes, exactly where I started all those many years ago!

Lord knows it certainly won't be back to plastic!

 

[Triathloncoach]

I sold all of my 3rd Gens, cept my 5906tsw before the election and bought ARs and AKs. I was certain who would win and do a gun ban. I figued I could replace the 3rds. Now I have a bunch of depreciated rifles. Ooops, my bad. ugh.

 

[mauser9]

Understood Bam. But my motivation at this point is different. I really am approaching the end of my active gun collecting days. "Plugging holes" in the 3rd Gen collection is one of the few things left for me to do that makes any sense. Where do I go after that and assuming I do find my long-sought-after BHP someday? Probably back to pre-IL S&W revolvers! Yes, exactly where I started all those many years ago!

Lord knows it certainly won't be back to plastic!

Good to hear you stuck with good investments at least TTSH. Found out much too late What I traded like the 39-2 and the Model 19 snubby are now going for big bucks! Cost new was $125 for the 39-2 in 74 and $180 for the Model 19 in 78. Talk about young and foolish! Man to think we took walnut and high polish blued steel for granted! Best hold onto my CS-9. We need a Time Machine TTSH!!!!

 

[Stentor]

Either of those would be a treasure for sure. My chances of finding one around here? Very small. I've never run into either at any MA shop or any MA show. But if I ever found one at anything less than a king's ransom, I'd have to take it very, very seriously.

Agree--you don't typically see either of those at your local gun store.

They come up for sale on occasion online (forum or auction site), but go for a premium.