5926 and other 3rd Gen decocker issues

[hammy5150]

While scouring the local consignment gun shops for more 3rd Gens I happened across a 5926 for $500. Apparently belonged to a retired cop, and has two mags, the original cardboard box, documentation, and an old beat up leather duty holster as well. It's got a bit of holster wear on it but it looks in decent shape and $500 seems like a pretty good deal even in America and in California it's a ridiculously good one. I love the 3rd Gen pistols, and my only issues with them other than their discontinuation and being pretty tough to acquire in California was the slide-mounted safeties, so the SIG-style frame decockers make them grail guns for me. That being said, I do remember that the frame-decocker S&Ws had issues that could render them inoperable and had a recall to fix said issues at some point. Just from looking over this one briefly it looked like it still worked but I can't tell if it had been reserviced at any point and whether or not it'd brick itself on me. Does anyone know under what conditions the decocker 3rd Gens would malfunction? Or if they can still be fixed?

 

[GaryS]

You'll want to call Customer Service to see if they still have parts and get a shipping label. First, check under the decocker lever to see if the two stamped dots are there. If they are, then you are all set.


SMITH & WESSON
MODEL 1026, 1076, 4526, 4536, 4576, 5924,
5926, 6924 and 6926 PISTOLS
RECALL: Models affected have frame mounted decocking levers.
Other model Smith & Wesson pistols are not affected by this advisory.
We have determined that it is possible for a Smith & Wesson Third Generation 9mm, 10mm and .45 ACP pistol with a frame-mounted decocking lever to malfunction so as to make the pistol inoperable.
In order to safeguard our customers from the possibility of such a malfunction, Smith & Wesson will inspect and, if necessary, modify these pistols free of charge. Owners of Smith & Wesson 9mm, 10mm and .45 ACP pistols featuring a frame-mounted decocking lever with model numbers listed above, and which do not have two dots stamped on the frame underneath the decocking lever (when the lever is depressed) should send their pistols and accompanying magazines to Smith & Wesson for a no-charge inspection.
Please send your pistol and magazines to:

Smith & Wesson
2100 Roosevelt Avenue
Springfield, MA 01102-2208
Attn: Service Department-DL
​

If you have any questions regarding this product advisory, please call 800-331-0852 ext. 211.
While we have your pistol, our armorers will stamp your pistol with two dots under the decocking lever, and give your pistol an ultrasonic cleaning and full lubrication (a $25.00 value) at no charge.
We apologize for this inconvenience. Smith & Wesson remains committed to building the safest, most reliable and finest-performing firearms possible.
Source:

• AFTE Journal, October 1991; Volume 23, Number 4:939
• American Rifleman, October 1991; page ?
• Guns & Ammo, October 1991; page 112
• Shooting Times, November 1991; page 95
• American Handgunner, November/December 1991; page 128

 

[hammy5150]

You'll want to call Customer Service to see if they still have parts and get a shipping label. First, check under the decocker lever to see if the two stamped dots are there. If they are, then you are all set.

I did look under the decocker and I didn't see the stamped dots, I've asked S&W about it but I'm not likely to get an answer until Monday at least. I'd like to think that if this was someone's duty weapon it'd already been fixed and I don't have to go to the extra trouble of hoping S&W will still bother to do it years after discontinuing these guns instead of just shrugging and asking if I'd be interested in a new M&P.

 

[GaryS]

People seem to have better luck calling Customer Service as opposed to.email. I think a member here recently had a recall done a long out of warranty gun.

I know that they sent me a new set of grips for a 1989 made 3914 that had the original grips still on it. I called, they looked it up and mailed the grips.

 

[cherrypointmarine]

Midway had/has the frame decocker assy's for sale . Mine was on back order and I got it about 2 weeks ago . They also fit 10mms and my 4536 .

 

[Sevens]

The other item to be aware of is that all 3rd Gen pistols require the one-piece S&W grip or an aftermarket equivalent but the xx26 and xx76 models or any 3rd Gen with the Sig-style thumb decock lever has a grip that is it's own animal and I don't believe that any aftermarket option was ever available and the slew of old stock original 3rd Gen grips won't work as they aren't molded to allow for the decock lever.

For any 3rd Gen pistol that you buy used, it's a quick upgrade to replaced a worn or torn-up Delrin grip with a new old stock grip, it's never a hard item to source nor is it expensive... but this is not the case with the Sig-style decock models.

I have never owned one of these -- please correct me if I'm mistaken.

 

[BruceB]

Sevens -

Also worthwhile to order one or two spare sideplates. They are different from the 'normal' TDA models, having an extra pivot for the decocker lever.

When I got my 4026 a few years back, S&W had stock on the sideplates and the unique delrin grips.

 

[GaryS]

This came up not too long ago and I think Numrich has some of the xx26 grips in stock.

Out of curiosity as I don't expect to ever own one, what was the nature of the problem with the frame decocker? Was it the lever itself that needed to be replaced?

The other item to be aware of is that all 3rd Gen pistols require the one-piece S&W grip or an aftermarket equivalent but the xx26 and xx76 models or any 3rd Gen with the Sig-style thumb decock lever has a grip that is it's own animal and I don't believe that any aftermarket option was ever available and the slew of old stock original 3rd Gen grips won't work as they aren't molded to allow for the decock lever.

For any 3rd Gen pistol that you buy used, it's a quick upgrade to replaced a worn or torn-up Delrin grip with a new old stock grip, it's never a hard item to source nor is it expensive... but this is not the case with the Sig-style decock models.

I have never owned one of these -- please correct me if I'm mistaken.

 

[JohnHL]

I think the sideplate was changed to a "beefed up" version.

John

 

[snw19_357]

what was the nature of the problem with the frame decocker? Was it the lever itself that needed to be replaced?

To the best of my knowledge there was too much side to side play in the side plate (pin) and the decock lever could/would skip or jam on the decock pawl. They added a retaining ring to the right end of the side plate pin to keep the side plate tight to the frame.

 

[That One Guy]

My LGS has a beat to death 5926 for $429 and they refuse to take a penny less. The grips are in terrible shape and the gun is pretty scratched up. That said, I don't ever see one for sale. I'm not worried about the finish so much, as I think that could be blasted and turn out ok. I'm tempted to snatch it up, but I'm curious if replacement grips are still available?

 

[GaryS]

Both MidwayUSA and Numrich list them as "Out of Stock" and Midway adds "No Backorder."

My guess is that the only place that MIGHT have them is S&W. It's certainly worth a phone call.

My LGS has a beat to death 5926 for $429 and they refuse to take a penny less. The grips are in terrible shape and the gun is pretty scratched up. That said, I don't ever see one for sale. I'm not worried about the finish so much, as I think that could be blasted and turn out ok. I'm tempted to snatch it up, but I'm curious if replacement grips are still available?

 

[Pine_Worker]

Does the grip have the dimple on the bottom? If not, I would take a picture of it, contact customer service via the form on their CS web page with the serial number and picture and request a post recall replacement. I have had to do this on the last three 3rd gens I acquired. SW sent me replacements on the first two with S&W return address on the packaging. The last one, for a 4516-1, did not have S&W return address on the packaging but from a third party. I wonder if, even though replacements may not be in stock, they still have to make good on the recall, hence the third party replacement, which has the dimple.

 

[Inusuit]

I recently returned a 639 under recall for the safety/decocker issue. S&W paid shipping both ways and I had the pistol back in under three weeks. There was a tiny red dot under the slide stop indicating the repair.

I suspect if it's a recall, they want the firearm fixed so as to avoid liability issues. Customer Service was very helpful on the phone.

 

[GaryS]

I bought an early production 3914 with the original grips. I called Customer Service, gave them the serial number, and requested a replacement grip.

The nice young lady on the phone told me she'd ship one out to me and I did.

As I recall, the replacement came from Kansas, but I thought it was still mailed by S&W.

Even though it's been 30 years or so since the recall, they are still honoring requests.

Does the grip have the dimple on the bottom? If not, I would take a picture of it, contact customer service via the form on their CS web page with the serial number and picture and request a post recall replacement. I have had to do this on the last three 3rd gens I acquired. SW sent me replacements on the first two with S&W return address on the packaging. The last one, for a 4516-1, did not have S&W return address on the packaging but from a third party. I wonder if, even though replacements may not be in stock, they still have to make good on the recall, hence the third party replacement, which has the dimple.