3rd Gen parts - I'm afraid we're on our own Gents

[85V65Sabre]

Facts:
I own a 72 Mustang, Ford offers vary few parts if any.
I own a 85 Honda Sabre, every time I look up parts there's more and more listed as "discontinued".

I also own a few 3rd gens.
Well guess what.

I'm I looking to sell any of them?
NO
I also NEVER buy overinflated parts.

 

[gunhobbit]

Besides, there's still a respectable number of agencies who haven't yet given up their 3rd gen's.

Well gosh darnit, they need to get to upgrading, so there's more influx into the pre-owned market! I tell ya, some people just have NO consideration for end users!

 

[DanP7]

Well gosh darnit, they need to get to upgrading, so there's more influx into the pre-owned market! I tell ya, some people just have NO consideration for end users!

Puerto Rico national guard, and israeli defense forces guns are on the market now in limited batches.

I'm waiting for California and WV to move to something more modern.

 

[TTSH]

Well gosh darnit, they need to get to upgrading, so there's more influx into the pre-owned market! I tell ya, some people just have NO consideration for end users!

Don't they know that plastic guns are "in" and "cool"??? Someone needs to explain that to them!

 

[timn8er]

Don't they know that plastic guns are "in" and "cool"??? Someone needs to explain that to them!

Yes! Sell all the 3rdGens to us...+1 to DanP7 also...wouldn't it be great to get one of those W.V. 4566's?

 

[TTSH]

...wouldn't it be great to get one of those W.V. 4566's?

Damn straight! The only .45 3rd Gen that I'd rather have then my long sought after 4506-1.

 

[Silversmok3]

I've encountered this problem on a meta scale in my military days.I worked military finance for the Air Force, and two weeks in at my first operational base I asked why a nose cone for our jets costed $500K per unit.

Turned out its because the subcontractor who made the part new back in the 1970's long since went bankrupt, and the current parts warehouse owner knows that .The Air Force determined it would cost tens of millions of dollars to pay a new company to re-make the nosecone because tooling had to be created from scratch, so instead we just eat the cost when one occasionally breaks.


It would appear S&W is following the same business model with the 3rd Gens.One, as time goes on fewer and fewer guns are in circulation.

Two,it is likely the sub-contractors S&W uses for smaller parts have either gone bankrupt or arent able to re-construct the smaller components since the early 90's. Between those factors, im sure the bean counters in MA have figured in the rare event they get a truly busted 3rd Gen they'll just scrap the gun and offer an M&P as a replacement.

Doing that multiple times per year would be cheaper then firing up internal machinery or hiring a new subcontractor to make small parts for a gun which hasnt been sold in public stores for nearly 20 years.

 

[Fastbolt]

...

Two,it is likely the sub-contractors S&W uses for smaller parts have either gone bankrupt or arent able to re-construct the smaller components since the early 90's. ...

From what I've been old, the outside vendors they use are either still in business, still making different parts for other guns they're currently selling, or, they've bought the vendor company and now own the business (and it's being used to support other current products).

Also, some of the 3rd gen parts are received partially completed, but S&W has to finish the parts by either doing finish machining, and/or paying someone to assemble them, in-house. That takes people/time away from producing other assemblies needed for current production guns.

Then, there's the simple cost, meaning diverting money from other current guns/projects.

 

[GaryS]

One of the other things that the US government does, and I think that includes the military, is require that the tooling be destroyed after production ceases. Somewhere along the line someone makes a guesstimate as to how many units of each spare part need to be made and those are built into the contract.

I know that USPS does that with the body components of their vehicles and I've heard that other agencies do it as well.

Seems like a silly requirement, but then again so does the requirement that manufacturers names can't be on equipment or vehicles sold to the government.

I've encountered this problem on a meta scale in my military days.I worked military finance for the Air Force, and two weeks in at my first operational base I asked why a nose cone for our jets costed $500K per unit.

Turned out its because the subcontractor who made the part new back in the 1970's long since went bankrupt, and the current parts warehouse owner knows that .The Air Force determined it would cost tens of millions of dollars to pay a new company to re-make the nosecone because tooling had to be created from scratch, so instead we just eat the cost when one occasionally breaks.


It would appear S&W is following the same business model with the 3rd Gens.One, as time goes on fewer and fewer guns are in circulation.

Two,it is likely the sub-contractors S&W uses for smaller parts have either gone bankrupt or arent able to re-construct the smaller components since the early 90's. Between those factors, im sure the bean counters in MA have figured in the rare event they get a truly busted 3rd Gen they'll just scrap the gun and offer an M&P as a replacement.

Doing that multiple times per year would be cheaper then firing up internal machinery or hiring a new subcontractor to make small parts for a gun which hasnt been sold in public stores for nearly 20 years.

 

[TercGen]

Was able to score a one-piece stainless guide rod for the 5906/4006 at Midway recently (non-staked). Different listing than the regular guide rod, and twice the price, and I would have bought more if they had them.

 

[solomon]

5906TSW Rail source?

While we're talking parts.... can anyone point me to a source to replace a missing rail from a 5906TSW?

TIA!

 

[BMCM]

Welcome aboard Solomon,

It's...
Accessory Mount part number 267100000
and you'll likely need some of these as well...
Accessory Mount Rivet part number 267510000

First place I'd try is the C/S line at S&W.

Also be aware... Since both of those parts are "factory installed only" you are unlikely to find them elsewhere and will probably have to ship the gun to S&W for installation.

Cheers
Bill

 

[solomon]

Accessory Mount part number 267100000
and you'll likely need some of these as well...
Accessory Mount Rivet part number 267510000

Thanks! It actually seems like someone threaded in little blind hex screws or something - I need to look more closely.

Interesting that it's CSPD trade-in which has decock-only complete with apparently factory printed warning on slide, and the straight grips plus nearly dead night-sights. I've not done enough research on these to know much beyond what I see, but my first instinct is to put it back to stock .

 

[BMCM]

Well assuming the "Mothership" still stocks those bits, they ought to be able to fix you right up. Also, Trijicon will relamp those nightsights for you ,just pop the slide off and send it in. Cost was $57 last time I had a set done and turnaround was about two weeks. You need to request a RAN from them at this link to get started. https://www.trijicon.com/na_en/support/return_authorization.php

Cheers
Bill

 

[solomon]

Thanks Bill!

 

[brentb636]

Thanks! It actually seems like someone threaded in little blind hex screws or something - I need to look more closely.

Interesting that it's CSPD trade-in which has decock-only complete with apparently factory printed warning on slide, and the straight grips plus nearly dead night-sights. I've not done enough research on these to know much beyond what I see, but my first instinct is to put it back to stock .

Rail removal and threaded holes in this thread , http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-semi-auto-pistols/424586-3913-tsw-holster.html
Brent

 

[Blindlilikoi]

Smith & Wesson M52-2 Recoil Spring Guide Rod

I am using these guide rods in my 1006, 4506 and 559 (same as 39 and 59). I will be supplying the complete "drop in part". If you need a rod for a model not equivalent to these it would be best to send me the original rod so I can verify the dimensions. The image below shows two of the rods, the top for the 1006, 4506, and the shorter for the 559, 39, 59. Please contact me at my personal email if you have questions.

[email protected]



View attachment 159228

I recently purchased a new stainless recoil spring guide rod from Paul Howell for my S&W Model 52-2 and it has transformed my gun back to where I enjoy shooting it again.

No more ejection/cycling problems. All my loads and factory ammo work. I'm back to the beginning in finding the best loads.

Thanks Paul! Glad you're around to keep it going!

 

[captain92]

I recently purchased a new stainless recoil spring guide rod from Paul Howell for my S&W Model 52-2 and it has transformed my gun back to where I enjoy shooting it again.

No more ejection/cycling problems. All my loads and factory ammo work. I'm back to the beginning in finding the best loads.

Thanks Paul! Glad you're around to keep it going!

I have picked up a few rods from Paul, 1006, 4506. He is an outstanding guy, surprised more folks here don't hit him up

 

[BLUEDOT37]

I have picked up a few rods from Paul, 1006, 4506. He is an outstanding guy, surprised more folks here don't hit him up

Thanks for the reminder. I forgot about those. How much is he charging for them?

.

 

[captain92]

Thanks for the reminder. I forgot about those. How much is he charging for them?

.

Seems like it was $50-60ish for 1006. However, this is all stainless, machined, hand polished. I wanted something to replace the aluminum rods that came with the pistols. He even includes the button (I believe that is what it is) and inner spring. Send him an email and talk about what he can do and pricing.