• Update – 12:30 PM EST
    Attachments are now working, and all members can once again upload files.
    We are currently testing URL redirects and other miscellaneous features across the site.
    Thank you for your continued patience and support during this migration.

    Prefer a darker look? You can switch between light and dark modes in your account settings:
    smith-wessonforum.com/account/preferences

In praise of the Model 6946

G

Guevera

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 12, 2007
Messages
798
Reaction score
1,696
I have become quite a fan of the Third Generation S&W pistols and their variants, but never even examined a DAO pistol until I stumbled into this 6946. The trigger has been a revelation to me and has changed my approach (for the better) in shooting.

It has been my observation that it is critical to use the pad of the finger to shoot this pistol properly and it has forced some better habits onto decades of shooting experience. I never thought I'd find something that would replace a 908, 457, 910, or even a 3913 as my primary interest, but the sleek lines of the 6946, increased capacity, and DAO trigger has opened a whole new way of thinking for me and has added value beyond the purchase of just another pistol.

IMG_0069_zps325a8b62.jpg
 
Last edited:
As is typical with many S&W products, the 3rd Gen DAO pistols were sort of "ahead of their time." The triggers are far more like a DAO revolver than the M&P or Glock, yet not nearly as heavy as the Beretta 92D or the DAO SIG Sauer 226. Thus, the S&W pistols occupied an important place in the pistol category - a hammer-fired pistol which eliminates the nagging problem of light strikes with striker-fired pistols, but yet with a lighter, more manageable trigger.

NYPD gets much wrong, but their approval of the 5946, and S&W's execution of the NYPD version of that pistol was just brilliant. Again, ahead of its time as 9mm ammo was just not the first choice then, as it is now, with vast improvements in the "premium ammo" used for defense, such as RA9B, G2 Gold Dot, etc.

The 6946 is basically a smaller gun than the 5946, and with a lighter frame, so you have acquired a REALLY good pistol. Good show. The 3953 makes an excellent companion.
 
I owned a 4043 for a while and couldn't agree with you more here.
I'm a working guitarist and not a fan of the .40 cal at all so when I had a friend offer to trade me an old Mesa Boogie head for my DAO 4043 even I jumped. However I miss the old DAO pistol badly.
The long but smooth DAO trigger on that 4043 forced me to really work on my trigger control as a shooter and I want another DAO 3rd gen Smith this time in 9mm.
 
Last edited:
Guevera said:
I have become quite a fan of the Third Generation S&W pistols and their variants, but never even examined a DAO pistol until I stumbled into this 6946. The trigger has been a revelation to me and has changed my approach (for the better) in shooting.

It has been my observation that it is critical to use the pad of the finger to shoot this pistol properly and it has forced some better habits onto decades of shooting experience. I never thought I'd find something that would replace a 908, 457, 910, or even a 3913 as my primary interest, but the sleek lines of the 6946, increased capacity, and DAO trigger has opened a whole new way of thinking for me and has added value beyond the purchase of just another pistol.

IMG_0069_zps325a8b62.jpg
Click to expand...

Another convert here. If it weren't for the 3rd Gen DAO I would hardly care that Smith had ever made an auto pistol. For 40yrs they were just something else taking up shelf space at gunshops. I assumed they were all TDA and not really worth looking at.

Then one day I found myself in possession of some 59xx and 69xx magazines and started looking for something to use them in, knowing full well that the S&Ws were non-starters. I was actually in the act of shopping for a Daewoo when I stumbled onto the DAO Smiths. What a revelation that was! I'd been ignoring the S&Ws for so long that I had completely overlooked the best pistol ever made. Well, actually the best SERIES of pistols ever made. Started with a 5946, then another, and another. Then a 6946. Then 4046s and 4586s. Then I learned about the 3953(my favorite)and all the other 'packable' DAO models,.....4053 and 4053TSW. Now I'm starting to sniff around the CS variations.

That was two years ago and I'm up over 30 DAO Smiths and still looking for more. Along the way I've dipped a toe into the TDA pool just because I occasionally stumble across a deal that's too good to pass by,.......and I've picked up a few 'classics'. Got great deals on three 39-2s and they're really nice handling pistols. I crave a DAO version and am currently scheming of a way to convert one or two of them. Those 39-2s sparked a fire that blazed until I finally tracked down a 539 I was willing to pay for and that seems like a very nice range gun. These are all single-side safety models so they're not too obnoxious, although they're still TDA. One of my most recent finds is a 5926 and that's 'almost' a nice pistol. Still TDA but at least it doesn't have any controls mucking up the slide and it's as thin as a double stack can be.

I did pick up a 915 because it was being given away and a 5906 for the same reason, but all that's really done is reinforce my original belief that generally speaking,......I have no use for S&W autos. I was just wrong about the DAOs because somebody had been hiding them from me.
 
I have churned dozens of semiautos through my safe the last twenty years. The 6946 is one I've had longer than most, and is still around, and I carry it regularly. The first time I shot it I shot it better than the other guns I had at the time. I just don't see much if anything that could be improved on the design, though I did carry it with a 5946 top end for a while out of curiosity.

Regarding a double strike capability, yeah, that would be nice, but I don't think it would be possible to do that and have the same short sweet trigger pull.
 
I picked up a NIB 6946 this past week. First DAO auto I've owned, usually carry 1911 variants. Out to the range with it after thorough clean and lube. I could get used to carrying this piece daily.
 
I passed over a 3953 at a really good price. My reasoning was that I already had too many 3rd Gen TDAs, and I was afraid to start a new addiction! I do like the idea of the consistent trigger pull, though.
 
kaveman said:
Another convert here.
Click to expand...

What he said! :)

I spent years teaching Soldiers how to shoot the DA/SA Beretta M9 effectively. The transition from DA to SA was a challenge for many. While I mastered it, there is no denying that the light, short stroke S&W 3rd Gen DAO is superior.

I have a 3913 and a 6906. I intend to keep them. I also have a 3953, 6946, and 4586.

The DAO's have the same consistant trigger, thin profile with the slick slide, and the first pad of my trigger finger falls naturally on the more rear set of the trigger on the DAO models.

While the 3953 is my current EDC, the 6946 just feels PERFECT in the hand with a full size 59 series magazine and adapter. Its now one of my favorite range pistols.



Here is the 6946 with the full size magazine and adapter in between the other two DAO's.

 
DAO 'frees your mind'.

Everybody talks about the consistent trigger and that's a major factor, but it's not the only one. The lack of a separate safety,....the lack of a decocker,.......the fact that the gun's only ever in one condition. You don't need to devote any energy or attention to 'driving' the gun. Simply shoot or don't shoot. Pull the trigger or don't pull the trigger. There is no manual of arms to distract you from what you need to be thinking about.

DAO 'frees your mind'.
 
kaveman said:
DAO 'frees your mind'.

There is no manual of arms to distract you from what you need to be thinking about.

DAO 'frees your mind'.
Click to expand...

Never thought of it that way but you are correct Kaveman!

Frees you to focus on the most important things. Eyes on the assailant, draw, front sight picture and potential cover........
 
kaveman said:
DAO 'frees your mind'.

Everybody talks about the consistent trigger and that's a major factor, but it's not the only one. The lack of a separate safety,....the lack of a decocker,.......the fact that the gun's only ever in one condition. You don't need to devote any energy or attention to 'driving' the gun. Simply shoot or don't shoot. Pull the trigger or don't pull the trigger. There is no manual of arms to distract you from what you need to be thinking about.

DAO 'frees your mind'.
Click to expand...

See further examples at "why I carry a revolver." :D
 
kaveman said:
DAO 'frees your mind'.

Everybody talks about the consistent trigger and that's a major factor, but it's not the only one. The lack of a separate safety,....the lack of a decocker,.......the fact that the gun's only ever in one condition. You don't need to devote any energy or attention to 'driving' the gun. Simply shoot or don't shoot. Pull the trigger or don't pull the trigger. There is no manual of arms to distract you from what you need to be thinking about.

DAO 'frees your mind'.
Click to expand...

Well said. I agree.

Seven DAOs and one "decocker only."

 
I retired from a LE agency that issued Glocks. My next job saw a 6946 in my holster and I was very pleased with the change. My Glocks sleep in my safe and a 3953 is my daily carry now (excepting trips to Baltimore, the Glock 19's capacity is a comfort). I like the Hogue rubber grip on mine, slight curve at the bottom rear. Tucked into an Alessi Talon, it's a great combo.

 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

R
Model 41 Ammo Suggestion
Replies
15
Views
778
AveragEd
A
D
Horrible service from S&W- Advice needed
2 3
Replies
45
Views
3K
dsk
D
T
CSX E-Series 3.1 Range trip and review
Replies
5
Views
979
dben002
dben002
chief38
ALWAYS COUNT - IT BECOMES INSTINCT AFTER A WHILE
2 3
Replies
51
Views
2K
chief38
chief38
D
Possibly defective M&P 9c?
Replies
9
Views
934
Saudade
Saudade

Latest posts

Back
Top