Question for the 3rd gen fans

[ncairman]

Since I just picked a 4506-1 recently, I would like to know from the ones on here in the know answers to these questions.


What is the most respected and used CC 45acp in the 3rd gen line?


What is the most respected and used CC 9mm in the 3rd gen line.


These questions are relevant to me as I am not a striker fired fan, and I really like the decocker on the 4506-1 As you know it is too large for EDC, so I am looking for the best in 45acp and 9mm for EDC for the group that knows. Decocker and/or DA only please. Hard questions I understand, but as an old man who hates plastic, I trust the ones in the know. I am completely new to the S&W semi guns, so please keep that in mind. I am a true S&W revolver fan, who wants more capacity in an S&W EDC semi auto. Also, not a collector here, true shooter and reloader who uses his guns.

Thanks
Ron

 

[GaryS]

My choice is the 457 for .45 and 3913 for 9mm. Neither comes with a spur hammer, but it's fairly easy to swap one in.

 

[Jeppo]

My choice is the 457 for .45 and 3919 for 9mm. Neither comes with a spur hammer, but it's fairly easy to swap one in.

Hard to argue with those choices. If you begin searching for a 3913 (which could also have the suffixes TSW, DAO, LS or NL), consider that the 3914 and 908 are virtually the same gun.

 

[PeteC]

In about 1991, S&W promoted the DAO versions of the 3rd gen line as having a trigger pull that most closely resembled their revolvers. There is a flyer published that shows a graph of the trigger pull compared to a revolver. I will try to attach it in .pdf form. The second page also lists all the 3rd gen DAO pistols.


I would probably go with the 69 series, 6906 or 6946 for carry

 

[CALREB]

I can tell you that the most trouble free version of the 45 is the 4506 or full size model. The 4563(alloy frame) was very popular with Detectives and as a off duty full size gun. The smaller 4513/4516 versions work fine BUT you have to do your part and really grip firmly. As an older guy myself I would stay away from the smaller 45s.
If you want a really nice gun the Performance Center 6906/Shorty9 type guns are really great. I have carried one for over 20 years (when they were cheap) and even though it has a few bruises it still shoots as well as most high dollar custom 1911s. They are getting pretty pricey but the 40 cal Shorty 40 version can be found quite a bit cheaper. Like someone said earlier a regular 6906 is a fine gun and would handle anything you needed to get done.

My EDC is the bottom one, with the pictured adapter it uses a 5906 magazine so holds 15+1. Normal mag is 12. The other was purchased as a backup and never fired.

 

[sctman800]

I do carry a 4506 on a regular basis, it is a bit heavy but still doable for this 76 year old. A gun you would be more interested in for EDC would be my 4513TSW, mine is the early model 6+1. This one has been just as reliable as my larger 4506 or my 645.
Can't help with the 9mm, I have only two. A Glock 26 that I got in a raffle and a Ruger P-95, so they are both plastic and the Ruger is full size. Jim.

 

[URIT]

I am a true S&W revolver fan too. I carried revolvers exclusively for over 30 years. Today, I own mostly Gen3 9s and .40s.

I tried to carry some TDAs, but felt most comfortable with the DAO models 3953 or 4053 for EDC.

I like to keep it simple.

 

[Charlie Foxtrott]

I would pick the 4566 which I have two.

One of which I carried for years. And I really like the 915 which I also have a copy of.

 

[BAM-BAM]

9mm hard to beat the 3913..unless it's a Performance Center Shorty-9. These have been my primary carry guns for over 30 years!!!!

I've had several 3rd Gen .45s over the years ..... the only one left is a 4566... Think Colt Commander

My carry .45s are Sigs..... a W. Greman 220 and the Compact 245s.

 

[ultratec00]

Back in the day when I carried 3rd gen, was either 4566, 457, or 3913. Still have all three and wouldn't part with any. That said would have gone 4513 vs. 457, but wasn't as financially well off at the time. The 4566 is a bit on the heavy side for every day carry unless it's a duty, or shoulder, holster. 3913 is a shooter and very concealable. All that said, they have long been retired but not forgotten.

 

[petepeterson]

3914 for me.
Don't own a .45 Smith, but the 457 would be my choice.

 

[hoytx10]

All depends on how much you want to spend. You can find reasonably priced 3913s or 3914s in 9mm and 457’s in 45 auto.

For the higher end performance center guns a 6 round 945 in 45 auto is ideal, but they are hard to find. A shorty 45 is also a phenomenal carry gun.

 

[mikerjf]

I’m going out on a limb with another suggestion… technically violates your parameters but possibly not your actual need? Anyway… just for yucks, take a look at the SW99. S&W auto, reasonably hi-cap, has a striker but it’s not pre-tensioned AND HAS A DECOCKER, so it’s safe like a TDA. Available in 45, 40, and 9. Unfortunately plastic, but that does have some advantages.

Ok, getting back in the box…

 

[GaryS]

If I decided I needed to carry a double stack gun, it would be my 6946. Mine has a great a great trigger. That was a gun that found me, not the other way around. LGS had a ANIB one listed for $325.00 with one magazine. When I bought it it had a second magazine which they hadn't mentioned. A bonus 12 round magazine.

 

[Trooper224]

Since I just picked a 4506-1 recently, I would like to know from the ones on here in the know answers to these questions.


What is the most respected and used CC 45acp in the 3rd gen line?


What is the most respected and used CC 9mm in the 3rd gen line.


These questions are relevant to me as I am not a striker fired fan, and I really like the decocker on the 4506-1 As you know it is too large for EDC, so I am looking for the best in 45acp and 9mm for EDC for the group that knows. Decocker and/or DA only please. Hard questions I understand, but as an old man who hates plastic, I trust the ones in the know. I am completely new to the S&W semi guns, so please keep that in mind. I am a true S&W revolver fan, who wants more capacity in an S&W EDC semi auto. Also, not a collector here, true shooter and reloader who uses his guns.

Thanks
Ron

No, it's not.

 

[Engine49guy]

Tda single stack 9mm aluminum frame the 3913 series, dao version is the 3953.
If you want more capacity the 6906, IIRC the Performance Center version of the 6906 was called the PC9,
Has a blued slide, not as common a gun but much higher fit n finish.

 

[stansdds]

If I decided I needed to carry a double stack gun, it would be my 6946. Mine has a great a great trigger. That was a gun that found me, not the other way around. LGS had a ANIB one listed for $325.00 with one magazine. When I bought it it had a second magazine which they hadn't mentioned. A bonus 12 round magazine.

A 6946 has been my EDC for many years now.

 

[Heinz]

With a good belt and a good holster I can carry my 645 as readily as my 4516. My 5906 is a slightly smaller package, but when loaded with 16 9mm is almost the same weight as the loaded 645 and heavier than the 4516. You need both the holster and the gunbelt

I am an old-time NRA bullseye shooter and do not like DAO. Probably great for law enforcement, but I like the single action pull for my shooting

 

[kshock]

Bought a police trade in 3913 back in the mid nineties and wouldn’t part with it for any other. Just try to find one that comes with extra mags as they’re hard to find and pricey when you do

 

[Jon651]

Since I just picked a 4506-1 recently, I would like to know from the ones on here in the know answers to these questions.


What is the most respected and used CC 45acp in the 3rd gen line?


What is the most respected and used CC 9mm in the 3rd gen line.


These questions are relevant to me as I am not a striker fired fan, and I really like the decocker on the 4506-1 As you know it is too large for EDC, so I am looking for the best in 45acp and 9mm for EDC for the group that knows. Decocker and/or DA only please. Hard questions I understand, but as an old man who hates plastic, I trust the ones in the know. I am completely new to the S&W semi guns, so please keep that in mind. I am a true S&W revolver fan, who wants more capacity in an S&W EDC semi auto. Also, not a collector here, true shooter and reloader who uses his guns.

Thanks
Ron

I suppose you want personal opinions rather than raw sales data. Frankly, the 4506 is the patriarch of that family - a full-sized .45 with a 5" barrel that is as tough as a tank and weighs almost as much! They probably made the most of that model, but I don't have access to any production numbers. My personal preference, however, is the 4596 which combines the lower end of the 4506 (for the larger mag) and the upper of the 4516 (for its 3-1/2" barrel). That one is my favorite.

As for the 3rd Gen in 9mm, I am partial to the 6906/6904 (I have a 6904) because of the double-stack mag. IMHO, if I'm going to limit myself to a single-stack in a heavy 9mm then I might as well shoot my .45.

Just my two cents...