Just won a new old stock 5943 and I am having a hard time making my mind up to shoot it. It is as new with papers, box and extra mag. I cannot afford to buy guns to just let them set in the safe, but my FFL offered me more than I paid for it on the spot. I wanted it due to DAO and felt like it would be a great CCW gun that would be safer than all the polymer striker fired pistols out there. As a new S&W gun nut tell me what your thoughts would be? Sell it, shoot it or leave it in the safe?
Thanks
Ron

Sounds like you got lucky and received a gun that was better than the pictures suggested. I'd keep it just because I don't have one, but that's me.

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Release the Kraken

Well it is new old stock for sure, just having a hard time deciding to shoot or not. Also as a mainly a revolver shooter, I thought I would trust this DAO better for daily carry. But man its hard to shoot a gun that old and not keep it for investment purposes. I have a 4506-1 as well and its a great gun, just too big to carry. This one can be carried OWB with 17 round magazines which would be the same as a Glock 17...decisions decisions....

If I had a thoroughbred, I would race it. I do not have any guns that I have not shot, I would keep it and shoot, otherwise take the money and run. Who are you saving it for?

The 5943 has no safety other than the DA trigger. I could think up a dozen guns that are safe and good for carry, one being my S&W Shield with a thumb safety. I also have a couple of EZs with manual and grip safeties. I do shoot my 5943 and I also got a 5903 for the SA/DA trigger. I can't afford guns to put in the safe and keep them there. But if you feel that your 5943 is too good to shoot, either keep it or sell it for the right price and buy something that you can carry, shoot or both.

I feel that third gens were made to shoot and they do a great job of it.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

As a long time Smith revolver carrier and shooter, I understand your fondness for the DAO Gen3 pistols. My primary carry choices are the DAO Smith models 3953 or 4053.


hrfunk had the same decision you have today after buying a NIB 5943 SSV, a model he carried on duty for years. He decided to shoot it, and posted the video on YouTube.

There is no reason you can't hang onto the gun for a little while. Tell your FFL you may sell it in the near future if you find something else.

The 5903 are not real common however Gwinett County Sheriff in Georgia issued them and I’ve seen used 5903’s for sale. The 5946 stainless steel frame is much more common than the 5943 aluminum frame with stainless steel slide. I’ve never seen a 5943 in person but I have no idea of the actual production numbers for the 5943. For someone wanting to add a 5943 to the collection would probably pay top dollar for an unfired LNIB 5943.

I shoot every gun I own but it basically boils down to a personal decision. I have a 5904 that I shoot a couple times a year but never carry it. I have other pistols I carry concealed. Shooting a 5943 a couple times a year would not depreciate the value a lot to the right person.

If I wasn’t going to shoot a new 5943 I’d sell it.

If the inspection sticker is still on the frame keep it new. If that's gone shoot it and enjoy it.

Well the inspection is gone but the residue from the glue is still there. Everything else is there in the box with the gun.

After I bought the gun, I saw hrfunk's videos about the 5943 SSV, and I know exactly how he felt. Except in my case I never was in law enforcement.

After reading your replies, I thought I would let you know what I have decided. I cannot afford to have safe queens either, but I am not going to shoot the gun. I am going to hold on to it for awhile and put it up for sale at a later date. I am not into collecting for investments, as I do not have the funds or the space to collect guns. I shoot my guns, and enjoy reloading, bullet casting and all aspects of shooting sports. Thank you for your replies. I just think it will better to pass it on to a collector at some point.

Sounds like a good decision - suggest you post in classifieds here first when you do decide to sell it. You will probably get more Collector interest.

As to quantities, I cant answer that directly, but clearly less than its 5946 sisters. Most resources indicate they were made in 1991 only - however I have dated 2 by contacting SW with model and serial number - one TZYxxxx came back 7/1993 and my VJNxxxx came back 8/1998.

I have also seen a couple of KJFxxxx (box end code 8337) which likely are 1998 based on other K prefix pistols - and a VDAxxxx with a 5194 (1995?) box end code. All told I have observed TFR, TVA, TZT, TZY, VAC, VDA, VEE, VJN, and KJF prefixes.

Also there is the 5943SSV (Short Slide Variant - essentially a 5943 frame with a shorter 6946 size slide), there were supposedly only 3277 5943SSV made in 1991 only so probably a lot more regular 5943 than that and over a larger time period possibly on a Special minimum contract order basis after 1991.

I would look for another 5943 or better still 5943SSV. Or if you like blue, the 5944 (same Aluminum frame as 5943) was actually produced in 1991 and 1992 - with the early ones with the early "D" shaped trigger guard and the late ones with the curved "C" shaped trigger guard. (All the 5943 and 5943SSV I have seen are the "C" trigger guard.) All these show up occasionally on GB.

Or grab a 5946 if the weight doesnt bother you - lots of them out there - if you search "5946 Surplus" you will currently find at least one source at $349.

If you want a similarly sized alloy frame DAO and are fine with .40 S&W, there are a good amount of P229 DAKs LE trade-ins out there. 9mms sell more quickly.

Interesting. I have a 5943TSW still unfired. I bought it when S&W discontinued the 3rd gens. I didn’t think they had much value. Maybe I was wrong.

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My sgntr is mor thn 30 chrctrs

Thank you ACEd, and yes mine is TVA version, and I appreciate the information you provided. As you know, it is an easy search to see where I got mine from, and yes I am currently thinking about the 5946 that is in the classifieds. Also, saw the $349 that you mentioned as well. I would like to know how many of the 5943 were made, but at this point its not important. The 5943SSV that hrfunk had videos on, is also one I would like to get my hands on also. As I learn more about S&W, I am sure I will pick up more in the future.

That seems like a good deal for a shooter - Smith & Wesson Model 5946 in 9mm Stainless USED | Larry's Pistol & Pawn

Since I own a 5906 I know how heavy they are too carry. If I were looking for a DAO version, it would definitely be a 5943 regular or TSW.

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Can open, worms everywhere.

The reason to shoot it is not because of the nomenclature, "safe queen" or "shooter", or any such designations given by our fine brethren and sisteren :-) on this forum. The reason to shoot it is to see if you can hit better with it than your current carry gun. If there is NO CHANCE that this thing could ever be in that role then it is absolutely correct to do as you have decided to do. I wholeheartedly concur.

Kind Regards!
BrianD

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696-6906-457-38-3913-CS40-411

Looking at examples on the web, it looks nice but, she is a shooter. If it were a 945, that might be a dilemma. Shoot it and keep it in good condition. I am a buyer not a seller. I will leave it up to my boys to decide that.