Smith and Wesson 4006 opinions/info

Looking for info and opinions on this model as I'm in the market for a compact SS auto in .40 S&W. Any particular good or bad points to consider? How is the weight and width vs accuracy?

What's the scoop on the rear sight, is the shroud meant to be removable or is it an integral part of the slide? I'd like to replace it and just use a smaller sight without the shroud/hood but it looks like the slide is milled for a large rear sight base. (Not sure what they call this type of rear sight set up.)

Don't know much about this S&W model but I like its looks and it's the right caliber and barrel length. Thanks for any input.

Well, it is an excellent pistol based on the 3 gen 59 series 9mm's and basically just like the 5906, in that it has an all steel construction and will shoot almost forever. I don't know anyone who has wore one out. I have the 9mm 5906 and I'll say if there is any down side, it would be the weight-very heavy compared to most other autos. This is not a problem for me, but it is about the only complaint I have seen others make in regards to it at all.
Very dependable to a fault of almost being boring. This is a good thing. Accuracy is about as good as the dependability-excellent.
The sights in the picture are the protected adjustable factory sights, most folks love 'em or hate 'em. I love em. You drop the gun, the sights are protected from breaking or chipping pretty well. The pistol also came with a very nice fixed Novak type sight that is easy to find as well. If you are looking, just keep your eyes open and you will find one they are plentiful and reasonable in cost. You can't do better for a quality pistol imo.

Thanks for the info. So the rear shroud can be removed. Is the Novak sight large enough to cover the milled cut out for the protected sight? ie. does it still look like a factory fit with just a Novak type sight?

Just noticed this from that site:

"This is the Early Solid Stainless Steel Frame and Slide, not the later Alloy Frame made to look like Stainless steel"

Which 4006 is the alloy frame?

The 4003 is the alloy equivalent of the 4006

Sorry, I don't think a replacement site will work for the one pictured. It would be easier to find a slightly later version with the low Novak already installed as original. Watch Turner's consignment page as they come up for sale there every so often. If the price is right on the one pictured, you may want to jump on it.

UCLALAW said:

Thanks for the info. So the rear shroud can be removed. Is the Novak sight large enough to cover the milled cut out for the protected sight? ie. does it still look like a factory fit with just a Novak type sight?

Just noticed this from that site:

"This is the Early Solid Stainless Steel Frame and Slide, not the later Alloy Frame made to look like Stainless steel"

Which 4006 is the alloy frame?

Click to expand...

I don't think there are any after market sights that will completely replace the factory rear sight including the shroud/guard. The replacement sights I've seen are just the front and rear sight blades.

Meprolight makes a nice set of nightsight blades.. Item #22736.

With the spurless factory hammer and adjustable rear sights, I'm thinking that the pistol in your pic is the 4006CHP version, like the one I have:



There's a slight difference with the internals that makes the feel of the trigger pull different from the regular model 4006, the 4006CHP does not have a trigger free play spring on the drawbar, which was specified by the CHP.

Without the spring it allows the trigger pawls to "float" around on the engagement surface of the drawbar and it make a snapping/clicking noise when it pops into place. The free play spring does not let that happen and makes for a smoother pull.

Why the CHP made that a specification is beyond me.

The steel frame does a much better job of dampening the snappy recoil of the .40 S&W... I'd stay with it.

The CHP4006 also came with a steel recoil guide rod as opposed to the lighter alloy guide rod. Also, the mag well was "beveled" compared to the standard 4006. I don't think you can replace the rear sight assembly with an aftermarket fixed sight. These guns are tanks and very reliable. One of the most controlable 40s I've ever shot / owned.

Those are some great looking pistols!

As said, if you like the low profile sights better try to find one with them already installed. The slides are cut differently for the two sights.

Here's a pic for comparison.
The 4506-1 and the 5906 have the adjustible sights with the "elephant ears" protectors. The 4006TSW in the middle has the factory installed Novak sights.



Also, the 4006 pic in the OP has a bobbed hammer. Quite a few of the police surplus S&W pistols may have some alterations from factory. Learn as much as you can, don't jump on the first great deal you find, it may not turn out to be exactly what you wanted.

I have owned two all-stainless 06's and currently own alloy framed 4003TSW's. The recoil seemed stouter with the all-stainless if you can believe it. I have a well-used 4003TSW that I carry daily and shoot very well with it. I am liking the alloy framed 3rd gens better every day.

Also, the 4006 pic in the OP has a bobbed hammer.

Click to expand...

I didn't even notice that...

A couple more questions. What's the difference between the 4003 and the 4006? Do all the TSW models have the tactical/light rail?
At least that's what I think I see in all the photos.

UCLALAW said:

What's the difference between the 4003 and the 4006?

Click to expand...

4003 aluminum alloy frame
4006 steel frame

"A couple more questions. What's the difference between the 4003 and the 4006?"

The 4006 has a slide, barrel, frame and most other parts made from stainless steel. It weighs 39 ounces.

The 4003 has a stainless steel slide, barrel and most other parts but the frame is made from a lighter aluminum alloy that is anodized silver color to match the upper, almost. It weighs 28 ounces.

There was also a 4004 which had a blued carbon slide on a black, anodized aluminum alloy frame.

"Do all the TSW models have the tactical/light rail? At least that's what I think I see in all the photos."

While most of the TSW models had a rail on the dust cover, some didn't. I have a 4013TSW I bought new in May, 1999 that has no rail. It would depend on who was ordering them.

I bought the first Model 4006 to hit Salt Lake City in August, 1990. It is the adjustable sight version. If you shoot them much, your eyes get quite used to the wings and help line up the sights.

My department, the Salt Lake County (UT) Sheriffs Office, bought a batch of fixed sight 4006's for their first issue semiauto handgun in 1991. I loaned mine to two deuties who had ordered guns but hadn't gotten them yet when their transition classes were taught. They each put 500-750 rounds through it. I had shot it about 500 rounds before that. I let quite a few other deputies try it out at "show and tells" where I would pack up a case of S&W, Beretta, Sig, Glock and Colt pistols, meet other deputies at the range, check out each others' guns and shoot the dickens out of them. Many deputies bought them before the Office did. They trusted the S&W brand name (we had been carrying S&W M-15's and pre-15's since the early 1950's), liked the stainless steel construction, liked that the gun's full load was twice as many cartridges as their sixguns could carry. Most bought them with tritium night sights and some shot their first perfect scores in the dark because they used the sights for each shot, something the darkness really encouraged.

We had good service from these guns. They were rugged and rarely broke anything. The next batch of pistols the department bought were .40 Beretta Model 96 d.a.o.'s, as a result of a"funny little deal" where Beretta itself sold the guns to us rather than having local distributors bid and Beretta sell the distributors the guns. It really pissed off the sellers that carried Berettas- how can they underbid the company that makes them?

Good solid duty or belt guns but, when loaded, are pretty heavy for a CCW gun.

Looks like the 4003, sans the tac rail, is the one I'm looking for.
Buying a firearm sight unseen is always a dicey scenario; especially when you're not that familiar with it to begin with.
At least now I know what to look for.

UCLALAW
If you are looking for a compact SS .40, shouldn't you be looking at the 4016 model, or the 4013 if you want to go with the alloy? The 4003/4006 guns are full size.

GJH77 said:

UCLALAW
If you are looking for a compact SS .40, shouldn't you be looking at the 4016 model, or the 4013 if you want to go with the alloy? The 4003/4006 guns are full size.

Click to expand...

The 4003/4006 are both 4" bbl pistols, a good all around size. Frame size isn't too critical for me in an auto. The 3.5" bbl 4013 & 4016 pistols to me are a little on the short side, although not out of the question. I'm not in a big hurry so I'll have time to consider both.
Thanks for the suggestion.

The 4003 w/o the light rail is getting a little hard to find. I've got one from the early 90s. It is one of my favorite pistols save the Shorty 40.

Here is the one you are looking for:


Like I said this is my favorite pistol next to the Shorty 40, if you want a really nice concealable 40 take a look at the Shorty. They appear every once in a while. They are well worth the additional anti for a PC pistol.



The 4013 is built on the frame of the 4516, to my knowledge there never was a 4016. The 4003 was built on the 5900 series frame and the Shorty 40 built on the 6900 frame. These are smaller frames than those built on the 45 frame and much more concealable to me. One that still elludes me is the 4040, based on the 3900 series frame.

Cheers,
Sam

I find my CHP 4006 is certainly heavier than my 6906, but shoots very well. Recoil is a bit less than my 1911A1, but not by much. Got rid of the holster shine using a green 3M pad. With new Hogue grips, it looks almost new.

I just qualified with mine with 180grn. Rangers. Pleasant to shoot the coarse with. Instructor was a little mad as I made 6 head shots instead of two. Testing how well I could aim the 4006.