What is your favorite full size S&W Semi-Auto Handgun(s) and why?

HOUSTON RICK · Mar 17, 2020

I like the S&W 5906 and 4506. Apparently I prefer the stainless steel frames, but also the trigger, accuracy and faultless reliability. What are your favorites? My 4506 was my second full size S&W semi-auto. I bought it on a lark at a gun show 10 years ago that was closing and I talked the dealer down to $350. What a great pistol. The 5906 is the 9mm equivalent. Pictures please! S&W semi's all look alike only to the uninitiated. Thank you and God bless all here.

jsbethel · Mar 17, 2020

3904/3906 - the single stacks feel the best to me.

armorer951 · Mar 17, 2020

Today.......I'll put another vote in for the 5906.......I call it the "Sherman Tank" of the semi-auto world. Durable, reasonably accurate, fun to shoot, reliable and easy to maintain.

The LE castaways are inexpensive and easy to rehab, and have a lot of life in them:

storyman · Mar 17, 2020

The 39's are close to my heart. I run some rounds thru the 39-2 this past weekend. I had almost forgotten how sweet that thing is, the way it fits just right. For now the 639 is just for lookin at!

gmborkovic · Mar 17, 2020

got to agree with storyman. A real classic that works every time. Mlke

otis24 · Mar 17, 2020

Browning Hi Power! Looks great, feels great, shoots great, historical lineage (John Moses Browning), effective caliber, 13 round magazine. What's not to like?!!!!

Sorry! I see now that it says "favorite S&W"

ISCS Yoda · Mar 17, 2020

My 5906 police surplus but that's because it's the only full size S&W 3rd Gen or any Gen, actually, that I own!

Picture someday soon. Not that's its special but we all like pictures........

4T5GUY · Mar 17, 2020

I had to think a bit cause it’s a real problem for me coming up with a favorite full size S&W Semi. Like my kids they’re all my favorite.

I would have to say though, my favorite has to be my 845 Limited. It handles like the first S&W auto I ever bought, (my 4506-1,) and has even more accuracy potential and just plain “fun factor” than my Performance Center Special 745. Plus, most people who aren’t into S&W’s can’t tell what it is cause it does NOT have a Billboard or any model number on it. Once they shoot it they know it’s special and the explanation begins.

Jim

18DAI · Mar 17, 2020

Full size? Easy, 4506-1. Bet your life reliable, very accurate and looks good doing all that.

In St Peters favorite caliber too!

Regards 18DAI

Jon651 · Mar 17, 2020

I have a 4506 lower with a 4516 upper that I just love. The lower end still gives me the 8-rounds mags and the full-length grip while this upper makes it easier to handle with the shorter slide and barrel than the longer 5" barrel it originally came with. Plus I can still use the extended 10-round mags if I feel like it. It is essentially a home-assembled 4596 like what Lew Horton had. My very favorite 3rd Gen and my favorite .45 as well.

veeklog1 · Mar 17, 2020

My 4006 TSW CHP edition is a tank

jbtrucker · Mar 17, 2020

I like the weight and comfortable grip on my 5906. Cleaning is a chore because I can't stand to leave a speck of crud

bigggbbruce · Mar 17, 2020

1076.. No explanation needed..IMO.

RalphMP9FS · Mar 17, 2020

Of course it's my 5906 because it's all stainless and purdy.

double-dipper · Mar 17, 2020

My S&W all SS 1911! Why because it's a full size SS 1911 in 45 ACP! What's not to like? There I broke the 1911 ice jump in.

357larry · Mar 17, 2020

S&W 639. I've had mine more years than I can remember, never had a hiccup with it. Reliable, easy to shoot, stainless. The only thing I would like better is if Smith would have made a single stack like this in .40 or .357 Sig. Just my opinion but Smith autos went downhill beginning with the third generation models. There were more changes made to cheapen production cost than there were to improve the product.

URIT · Mar 17, 2020

My full-size favorite would have to be my 5906 after I had it polished as demonstrated in the 4-part Gunsmithing the S&W 3rd Generation Pistol.

Ed Fowler · Mar 17, 2020

My mod. 39, carried it for years, then factory re-blue, re-worked by George Maynard and engraved at the factory while I was there. A real sweetheart!!

Replaced by my Mod 952-1, the most accurate center fire pistol I have ever shot. Over 30,000 rounds, not one problem. Absolute pure love!!

Erocksmash · Mar 17, 2020

I would have to say I like all the full sized 3rd gens, but if I have to pick 1 that would trump them all??? It would be the 1026...

federali · Mar 17, 2020

Model 39-2

What is your favorite full size S&W Semi-Auto Handgun(s) and why?

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