I am seriously thinking about getting a 4003 or 4006 to use if I end up getting a job with a dept where I can choose or have to supply my own duty weapon. I have my app in with one I know I have to supply my own duty gear and weapon and I see Safariland makes a 6280 holster for the 3rd Gen and it is my preferred holster.

So my question is for people that have had to carry one on duty for 8+ hrs a day is, does the extra weight of carrying the 4006 around all day outweigh the advantage of lower recoil due to the same weight.

__________________
M&P .40, M&P 9c & Shield 45

I carried a 1006 for roughly 15 years. Perceived weight is a personal thing. It can be affected by what kind of body shape you have, your level of fitness, the type of gear involved and how much other **** is required to be carried [radio, cuffs, chemical agents, surgical gloves, impact weapon, flashlight, sidearm and ammo plus a cell phone at minimum, possibly ammo for the patrol rifle and a tape recorder also]. Don't forget the armor! Suspenders can help you deal with the weight.

Part of our department was issued the 4006 and they find the M&P40 we now use to have less apparent recoil due to a lower bore line. Frankly, I find the M&P to be a better combat weapon than the TDA pistols, but miss my safety-I carried safety on.

I will note that the 4006 seems to stand up to the abuse of the .40 much better than a great many other designs. I personally don't care for the cartridge. I'd suggest you wait until you have more information. Some departments have lists of approved weapons that can be used. It'd be hard to buy a weapon only to discover it's not on the approved list.

I carry a 5906 in a 6280 holster and there are no issues with the weight.

__________________
N.R.A. BENEFACTOR Member

Is recoil something you really think about when you put the peddle to the metal?

I carried a 5946 and later a 4043. The all steel 5946 is an extremely heavy gun and I did not like carrying it.

I carry a 4506/1006/4516 for duty and detective use. When it comes to weight I guess I'm just use to it, and I wouldn't have it any other way. The heavy piece of steel in my hand is reassuring and inspires confidence just not found in plastic. If you're allowed to carry a 4006, I'd recommend taking a good hard look at the 4566 or 1066.

The all-steel 3rd gen guns can become heavier as the shift drags on.

I carried one or another 3rd gen pistol as an issued weapon for 20 years. Given my choice, I prefer the alloy-framed models because of their lighter weight. I did a lot of shooting as a firearms instructor, though. I ran what I estimated was upwards of 45+K through just one 6906 I was issued over the years, and several to many thousand rounds through each of several other issued weapons I ended up carrying over the years.

Some folks like the all-steel models for their weight, heft, overall balance and decreased felt recoil properties, though, and I won't gainsay them.

If it were me, I'd wait until you're actually hired and learn about whatever duty weapon policies and restrictions may be involved. The job is much, much more than worrying about whatever duty weapon is issued or required, anyway. Really. If you're required to supply your own weapon and gear that's one thing, but if you're looking to focus on choosing an "authorized optional" weapon right away before you really learn the job, that's might be viewed as something else. Who can say? Why not wait and see?


Also, if someone were to choose to carry an optional authorized weapon instead of an issued weapon (or if weapons weren't issued, but were required to be supplied by the employee), it might be prudent to select one which can be inspected, serviced and maintained by a trained agency armorer.

While the older M4006's were excellent guns, they are becoming somewhat long in the tooth, so to speak, and putting a "used" one with an unknown history into dedicated service use without being inspected by a trained 3rd gen armorer (or agency designated gunsmith) might not be something in the best interest of the user.

A newer production 4006TSW (or 4003TSW with its alloy frame) might be a better choice due to being of more recent manufacture.

I also think that WR Moore's comments deserve some attention and careful consideration.

Just my thoughts.

__________________
Ret LE Firearms inst & armorer

Don't forget about the 4563, the aluminum framed version of the 4566, if weight is a factor.

Nope, but I like shooting and will shoot it alot at other times

__________________
M&P .40, M&P 9c & Shield 45

I agree with the others. All steel guns are great but get heavy. I work 10 to 12 hour shifts. For a year I carried a 4566. Went to a 4563TSW and love it. The aluminum alloy frame guns shoot just as well as there all steel counter parts.

I'm not a cop, but I do carry my Shorty 45 all day, every day. With a spare mag and the holster it weighs two pounds 13 ounces, it this helps at all. It's the same size as a 4516, but with an alloy frame.


Cat

__________________
Think for yourself.

The one dept. I was thinking about this is the one where you have to supply everything. Its a part time position, and I work with a person that is currently there (we work at a different dept together in a non sworn position as our fulltime gigs) and and the basic restrictions are it has to be 9 or .40, and I know from interaction with a Sgt there last year while trying to find a parent for a lost child at least one (him) carries a 3rd gen.
All of the other depts I have applied to supply the duty weapon. All Glock 22's

Good points. My thoughts are I would like one because I always liked third gens and wish I hadn't needed to get rid of my 5906 a while back. I like the feel of the straight back grips on a metal frame. So I want one to have one for personal use and if I can also use it on duty even better. I do also own a new (both purchased earlier this year)Glock 22 and M&P9 Pro 4.25" bbl, both with night sights, and while either would work fine, There is just something about metal frame guns I like more.

While the weapon (other than being proficient with its use) obviously is waaaay down the list of importance , I'm thinking about it and getting opinions because at this particular dept we do have to supply everything. So its in the back of my head and I want to be ready should I be lucky enough to get the position.

I am a volunteer reserve officer at another dept and we carry everything but a firearm and taser (baton, cuffs, OC,radio etc.) so I have an idea of the weight before the firearm. Just trying to get an idea how it would be adding the weight of a steel frame vs alum frame.

__________________
M&P .40, M&P 9c & Shield 45

I'm fortunate to work for an agency that lets us choose from a list of approved handguns. We purchase our own handguns for duty.

I chose the 4566, 4516 and 3913. Accurate and reliable. I use a 511 belt and quality holsters and don't find the weight to be an issue.

I hear folks talking all the time about how "perfect" a carry gun the 1911 is. IIRC even the 4506 is lighter than the average 1911. The 4566 is lighter for sure and in my experience more reliable.

Having participated in a T&E on the M&P 40, and having shot several examples including the 9mm and 45 - I have no use for that pistol.

Try a bunch of handguns to find what works best FOR YOU. Remember, the primary purpose of your handgun is to enable you to fight your way to your shotgun! Regards 18DAI.

Next time I am at the local gunstore that still has a bunch of 3rd gen police trades(also where I got my 5906 about 4or so years ago),I am going to see if they have both a 4003 and 4006 to rent. Before I bought my 5906, I did rent a 4006 from them and loved it, just went with the 5906 for ammo cost. I also loved the 5906 when I had it,but sometime you have to do what you have to do.

If/when I do get another 3rd gen, does anyone know if S&W will give it a once over for a reasonable price to make sure its up to snuff? I had no problem with the 5906 what so ever so I don't imagine there would be any problem, but better safe then sorry I guess.

I agree to both

__________________
M&P .40, M&P 9c & Shield 45

I carried a 4566 for about 8 years before being directed to carry a Glock 21. The greater amount of ammunition carried more than made up for the difference in the weight of the firearm itself. Since most of my duty was on foot at special events, I tended to be careful about weight. I wore all leather, not nylon, gear, and I believe the leather did a better job of carrying and distributing the weight. I would gladly carry an all-metal gun again, the key is finding how to best carry the weight.

I carried a 5946 first, then a Glock 19. I never noticed the difference. With a duty belt and belt keepers, I never felt the weight. I prefer a hammer fired gun for duty. Train yourslef to place your thumb over the hammer and you all but negate the possibility of an accidental discharge while reholstering. Ever do a felony car stop? Ever reholster after running three blocks? Ever try to reholster while fighting some drunk? That hammer has saved quite a few cops from an AD.

Deleted because of professional indifference.
The poster does not make sense.

in 98, I went from G21 to 4506-1.

I could feel the weight difference for uniform duty carry.

I left the streets and went plain cloths narcs and carried a 4516 in a pancake under my shirt.

I always new I was packin due to the felt weight.

I was turned on to alloy CQB and sold the 4506 to help pay for it. Big weight difference.

I returned to the street in 2003 and carried the CQB on duty for 2 yrs. I carried my DPA for about 30 days as the CQB took a ride back to the PC. I could again feel the heavier gun.

I parked my CQB in 2005 and went plain cloths in Investigations.

I carried an all steel Officers ACP. Could feel that weight bearing down on my belt. I did buy a Colt CCO which was an alloy frame and big weight difference.

Yes...alloy for comfort all day but steel for durability. With that said, my alloy CQB was bought used. I pumped a min of 13 K of ball and duty rounds through the gun and only slight change to slide to frame fit.

Currently I am packing a full steel 5" 1911 for duty and plain clothes. I know its there and my thoughts are for a LWT sister of the same model. just checked my gun fund.....keep wishing.

i carried a model 19 or 66 for years be for going to a auto (4506-1) loved the old brick ...shot very well and looking down the wrong end it looks like you was shooting a cannon...now that i am "old" (40) had to switch to a lighter gun (M&P) love it too..but the old work horse in still around and still shoots like it came on the 1st day

__________________
Scott from Canton Ohio

What doesn't make sense? The OP asked if you felt the weight of a metal gun. I told him I never did. With a duty belt and belt keepers, the weight is evenly distributed. The hammer on a metal S&W is a big plus over a striker fired gun, as well. At the time I left the NYPD, there was not one reported AD with the S&W 5946 or the SIG 226, only with the Glock 19. Just another plus for a metal gun.

It makes sense to me and I am not a LEO. I occasionally CC all-steel guns and I have always recommended to people they get a nice leather holster and belt to help carry the gun properly and help mitigate the weight of the gun.

I had a buddy who wanted a Colt OACP and had me find him a decent one.

I asked him....alloy or steel frame.

he asked what was the difference.....I told him

all day carry comfort....alloy
shooting durability....steel

he said, he never felt the weight or lack of on an alloy (he carried my COACP) for a week (plain clothes carry) and said this is what he wanted.

I found him one on GB....got lucky as its a shooter and he has been completely happy with the all steel gun. he still has never held an alloy officers.

I am leaning towards the steel frame for the durability, And now wondering if I should also consider another 5906 like I used to have and getting Mec gar 17 rd mags for it. Either way it will have the straight back grips, whether it came with them or I switch them.



On the plus side I now have an interview scheduled with the agency that has caused me to begin this thinking about a 3rd gen for a duty weapon.

__________________
M&P .40, M&P 9c & Shield 45

Will S&W convert a regular safety to decock only? I know they sold them like that but not sure if they would/can do the conversion.

__________________
M&P .40, M&P 9c & Shield 45

The last I knew, they still offered the decocker conversion through their customer service department. Give them a call to make sure they still do.

Well after being in the process for a little over a year with the one dept. I would be able use a 3rd gen around here, I didn't get it. So the holster I bought is up for sale if any of you guys need another one.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/accesso...y-holster.html

__________________
M&P .40, M&P 9c & Shield 45

Heavy, yes, but my 4566 was a trusty companion. I always liked the comforting tug of a steel .45 on my hip. I'd pack one again in a heartbeat, given the choice.

I carried a 4586 for a long time with Miami-Dade PD. I used the dept. issued Safariland retention holster with an extension that allowed the piece to ride a little lower. Yes, it was heavy but I just hitched up my pants a lot. When I needed it and it came out to play, "What weight!" It could have been a howitzer and I wouldn't have noticed. As a matter of fact, I would have preferred it.

__________________
Metro Man

5906TSW for summer
4006TSW for fall/spring
4566TSW for winter

I CCW'd a 1006 for 5 years In a shoulder rig, and middle of back paddle.

I felt the weight, and sitting was a chore, with the paddle.

The shoulder rig was so well balanced that I forgot the gun was there a lot of the time (until I wanted to take my jacket off.

__________________
Gerry

I carried a 5906. I then changed to a Glock 22. I now carry a Colt Government.

You feel the difference in weight, especially after 12 hours or so. I've found that a nice stiff belt like the older Safariland ones and the newer Jones Tactical belts help quite a bit.

The S&W 3rd Gens are great guns. As someone already said though, make sure an armorer gives one a full makeover or you send it back to the factory to get freshened up before you carry one.