My question for today, after a long and interesting discussion with my favorite local gun dealer about the nature of 1st/2nd/3rd Gen collecting, is as follows...

Which, if any, production 3rd Gen model that you don't own now and never owned in the past is highest on your active Want List?

Anyone can chime in but I'm mainly interested in members who consider themselves to be actively shopping or who are at least open to new acquisitions if the price is right. If you are 3rd Gen tapped out, I'm not interested in vous today!

I also worded it so folks wouldn't just name their favorite 3rd Gen (we've done that already) which, in most cases, they probably already own. Rather, I'm interested in what Team 3rd Gen members are seeking right now that they don't already own.

In my case, I'm most interested in finding a really nice condition Model 6946. That "hole" in the collection has been a thorn in my side for far too long now. The few that I've come across so far have been badly abused. There are other far more expensive and desirable 3rd Gens that I still want/need in the collection (think: more pre-rail TSW's), but money is very tight right now due to endless pick-up truck repair bills and I'm trying to set more realistically achievable goals for myself.

So what are you most seeking right now and why?

I'd be most interested in finding a blued CS9 with some wear and tear on it, or a 1066 (but I'm probably not willing to cough up the dough for that one.)
Truth be told, I'm currently more likely to start heading the other direction and sell rather than "acquire," but that would rain on your otherwise worthy parade!

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Because of the metric system?

Not in the least Pete! Heck, there might even be something you're selling that I want to acquire! Any chance you have a really nice Model 6946 for me?

I regrettably have passed on the DAOs I've run into, not wanting to go down another rabbit hole. I've seen some extremely good deals on them, too. Sub-$300 3953s...ahhh, the good old days!

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Because of the metric system?

I'd take all the sub-$300 3953's I could find.

Part of the reason I want a Model 6946 is because I do so much better with the 6906 vs. the 3913... so put together a 6906 with a 3953 and what do you get? Bingo! A Model 6946!

And I'm in pretty good shape right now on 6906/6946 "pre-ban" magazines too!

A CS40 to convert to 10mm.
3914,3914LS,3914NL because I don't have a small single stack 9 other than the CS9,already have the 6906 & 6946.
Some generic 40XX double stackers as their costs/prices are dropping because of the return to 9mm. I like the 40S&W.

Man, that says a lot. I have been seeking a Model 4013 (non-TSW)... one of the few relatively common .40's that is still lacking in my collection. I had found one years ago, but it was agency marked and so I passed. It was a dumb thing to do because it came with a bunch of very hard-to-find 4013/4053 magazines which I needed at the time for my 4053.

But now the good wife is saying "no more .40's" as she doesn't want to have a hard time selling them off after I kick the bucket.

That idea has me intrigued as well.

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USS Brewton FF1086
SWCA#3597

I really want a 3906 or a 639. That's about as rare/pricey a S&W as I'm interested in. Hopefully a good deal doesn't pop up, because I'm done for the year. The gun fund is already overdrawn.

3914NL...............

Now, why am I not surprised at that!

Join the club. My Acquisitions Fund has practically disappeared entirely with over $4K in truck repairs this year to date. Has that ever hurt. Never buy a Chevy pick-up truck!

I've got (what appears to be) a fairly pristine 4516-2 coming in today.

Next on the 3rd gen list for me will probably be a 4506-1. With the adjustable sights. And preferably the black trigger/hammer--just like Denzel had in Training Day I'd also like to get a PC Shorty 9 or Shorty 45 at some point.

I currently own a 4516-2 and I really like it. But the one I have on the way looks like it's in much better shape. So it's on the docket for "favorite" status. Currently, I have a 6904 that I've got quite a few rounds through; it has always served me well, and it's one I don't think I will ever sell. So I guess that equals "current favorite."

There's a 4506-1 for sale local to me but the price is a bit high for me right now. Someday, I will add one to complement the 4506 (No Dash) already in the collection, but that day is still far away. I may not make it before I am pushing up daisies.

If a CS9 jumps up at me I "might" take a gander at it.

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Eccentric old coot

A wise move!

945 anything.

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Sure you did

#1: Railed 4013TSW
#2: CS9S

John

I'm not in an active buying mode but the one gun that might get me to bite would be a 4056TSW. I don't generally like TSW's but since this one isn't a TSW other than the billboard I'd jump at one. Old style DAO without rail,.....just like my 4053TSW's but with a stainless frame. For some reason my heart yearns for a compact double-stack .40 DAO with a little extra weight. I search for a copy from time to time without any expectation of finding one. If I do find one I'll be ticked because I'm worse than broke and expect to stay that way for quite some time.

I already have most everything I want. So mostly I would be looking to acquire good deals on spares of what I own.

The three that I would like to find are a 4013 to be opened for the 10MM Auto and go with my 1014 (converted 4014).

I would like to find a PPC9 just because they are awesome shooters.

Lastly I would like to find an SD356 to fill out my 356TSW chambered firearms.

639 and 5906 respectively.

I would love to find a decent 4505 at a good price. I would also jump on a nice 4567.

But honestly, I would buy just about any bargain priced 3rd gen in 9mm or 45acp if in presentable condition. I do not care to collect the .40S&W models, just not my cup of tea.

If I came across a 3914DAO, pre rail 4513TSW, or 457D, I'd be interested. Other than that I have pretty much what I want and would be just buying duplicates.

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Can open, worms everywhere.

PC 5906, Melonite finish please.

But I will settle for a 4596..........or a 45 Recon. Regards 18DAI

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7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

Without reading all the other posts for me it's a 3914NL. Of course the unicorn 3954TSW pre-rail but no breathe holding on that one!

A 4506-1 1st choice.

Then a pre-rail 4513TSW 2nd.

Might be interested in a CQB in one of the 2 versions I don't have. I have the all black 4563CQB

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SWCA
OGCA

... and duplicates usually aren't as much fun unless they are really, really super-pristine perfect! Of course, then they go straight into the safe never to be seen again! Well, for me anyway.

So I guess that technically the two of us are still in competition for a very small number of impossible-to-find-or-afford 3rd Gens. Good thing for you that I have been drained of cash by my truck repair guys.

As I recall, you already made a major Melonite score, very recently in fact... no?

I got back and forth on duplicates, so I never say never.

There are a couple of others out there that lurk in the background, but do snap up 3rd Gens when they come along. Which is why you can't dally if you see one you want. Even Value Line guns don't hang around all that long for the most part. Look at the prices of 908 and 908s models.

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Can open, worms everywhere.

Well, I said I was done for good with duplicates, but my latest 3rd Gen pick-up after a 13 month hiatus was... (wait for it)... a duplicate!

Never say never.

digiroc

Well not desperately, but desirably coveting any Performance Center model with a Briley (sp?) Spherical bushing. A PC9 would be most welcome. A CS10 would complete my 10mm collection.

So TTSH ... I have your desired 6946! If you can extrapolate, it can be seen in this photo:



I swapped slides with the brand new 5906 (2014) out of the Houston facility because I could. Unfired in that configuration.

Here it is in it's natural state:



Maybe you should offer up a swap of some kind TTCH, just to save it from me painting it black.

digiroc

I'll take it!!!

At this point, I'm only looking for a pre-rail 3913 tsw. Should have got one "back then", but I thought 9mm's were worthless. I have since changed that view, and have nice representative examples of 2nd and 3rd Gen 9's.

A nice 5906, round trigger guard, any rear sight.
For second gen choice a nice round trigger guard 639, again any rear sight.
Jim

#1 would be a Shorty 45..but it's likely out of my gun buying wheelhouse....so I'd settle for a pre-rail 4513....or even a 457S if I became desperate

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witty signature goes here

S&W made so many unique models, most of which are priced too high to justify nowadays, that would be nice to own but seem to be harder to come across.

I've just been looking locally for a nice late model 4566 or 4566TSW, nothing too special.

I guess I'm also on the look-out now though for a pre-rail 4513TSW / 4553TSW or CS45 since I found some like new (6) round magazines at the last gun show, for a resonable price. Yeap, bought the magazines before the gun.

.

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Waiting for the break of day

Interesting, to me, how many are looking for the CS9 and 3914NL. Great pistols that are still underated. Regards 18DAI

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7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

Got a 3913 , two 3914s and three 3913NL's ........ never seen a 3914NL in person.........just a handful of pictures here!

"Interesting" to a guy who's got one....... for those of us that don't it's just
d--- frustrating.

These guns were introduced pre-internet ..... so unless you read the 'gun rags" of the day or picked up the annual S&W catalog........ the blue guns could pass you by with their short production life.

The introduction of the 39xx's coincided with "hey day" of the "Wonder-9" ......if it didn't have 15 up the butt no one seemed to care...........

Another strike against the single stack.....by mid-93 the AWB was about to go into affect and everyone was rushing to get a stockpile of hi-caps and magazines!!!!!! By the time the AWB went into effect Smith had almost stopped making the blue 3914; and the 3914NL was only made for one year....... 1991

Every time someone brings up the scarcity of the 3914NL, I'm reminded of the blind squirrel finding an acorn nature of my purchase of a 3914 back about 10 years ago for $300.00 plus tax. Not only that, but the FFL didn't seem to think it was much considering what he sold it to me for.

Here's a side by side picture with a 3913 to demonstrate the difference,

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Can open, worms everywhere.

An interesting tidbit of 3rd Gen history... which I managed to sleep through due to circumstances beyond my control.

Nothing wrong with buying your magazines before the gun. I've done the same... many times!

I don't think anyone would turn down a pre-rail 4513TSW or pre-rail 4553TSW if they stumbled upon one. One or both of them have got to be somewhere on everyone's Want List.

I came across a 4513TSW, many years ago at a gun show, that someone had personalized & polished, which wasn't attractive to me and not long ago a CS45 that had more wear & tear than I thought it's high price warranted. Both only had one mag & I thought those are hard to find mags for. I'm ready now, if one pops up.

.

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Waiting for the break of day

.....I know someone that did...perfect in box with 3 mags for $650.....it came along at the exact same time that I was seduced by an H&K 45C with 4 mags for the same price.....in the back of my mind I think I knew I would be hesitant to use it because it was as new...and Homie don't do safe queens....but I still feel like a dumbass

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witty signature goes here

They do pop up from time to time on that large firearms auction website... but the bids soon rise to well above my "no wife pre-approval required" price ceiling. Perfect in box with 3 magazines for $650 sounds quite reasonable to me. I'd beg for permission and then go after a deal like that for sure!

The pre-rail 3913TSW is another one of those "buy-on-sight" 3rd Gen finds... almost impossible to pass up unless really nasty or crazy over-priced.

I sense a trend here. You like round trigger guards. I do too.

The only "Shorty" that I've stumbled across in the last 3-4 years was a .40 and I should have bought it. $900 firm was the price. That's double my usual 3rd Gen investment. Shop wouldn't budge a cent on it and there was no way the good wife was going to approve it. It sold within a few days of when I found it.

Well, I did. I only found out about them thanks to this forum. Never thought I'd actually see one for sale, but it popped up and I bought it four years ago. Same dealer as the 3914. Not quite as great a deal, but a good deal none the less.

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Can open, worms everywhere.

My day will come too... unless you get there 10 minutes before I do... again!

Well, I've hit most of my 3rd Gen goals, except as outlined below. The probability of finding any of those is pretty low. Then again, you never really know in this state.

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Can open, worms everywhere.

Once I got a 3914LS and a 3953, I was pretty much done. Any more seems kind of silly and pointless at my age and stage.

Doesn't surprise me at all. I'm fortunate that I already own a couple pristine-perfect-in-box CS9's. Too bad for me that they are too pretty and too valuable (to me personally) to shoot! But still no "NL" in the collection so far. I took my best shot at one and failed. Maybe someday... but not on the radar screen for the remainder of 2017 and probably not 2018 either.

Well, I guess that depends on what else you've got in the collection/accumulation. And since I'm one of the oldest members of Team 3rd Gen (if not the oldest), I can tell you that age really shouldn't matter when it comes to 3rd Gen desires.