3rd Gen Values

tocohillsguy

tocohillsguy

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With the flood of police trade-in's, and the public's love for striker fired polymers, will the 3rd gen's ever regain value? Are they destined to go the way of the 8 track stereo, or will they be seen more like a classic Cadillac? Presently, it seems like the only metal autos holding their value are single action, and some of the imports.
 
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IMO S&W 3rd gen Autos are hugely undervalued for the exact reasons you've stated. But that's both good and bad news isn't it?

Good for those of us that want to buy and shoot LW metal or all steel high capacity 9mm or .40 cal pistols.

Bad for people who want to sell. But why would anyone want to sell one? To buy a Glock or some other inferior plastic gun? Not me that's for sure.

/c
 
3rd Gen pistols

I'd had been close to twenty years since I'd owned a S&W Semi-auto. During that time I've owned a variety of other designs. Missing the compact 9mm (6904) that I had way back when, I purchased an M&P40C pistol. That sent me on the quest to find a nice 3rd gen pistol. I've owned other polymer handguns and striker fireds pistols. Seems like the only constant has been the brace of Kimbers that we own.
Well, I now own five 3rd gen pistols: 3906, 3913, 3953, 6904 and 6906. I may buy one in 40, to replace my beautiful but bulky SIG229. Ergonomics, weight, craftsmanship, and conventional design make 3rd gens a great value. Yes, they're undervalued, but I've seen that shifting a bit over the past few months. Particularly with certain models. Many of us pistol shooters recognize the attributes of an all metal, hammer fired semi-auto. :)
 
That's fine, folks can stick with their new plastic wonder, I'll keep my old steel Smith 3rd gen's. Grab them while they're cheap folks!
 
Kimber comment

Says my wife the other day, after shooting our recently purchased LNIB 3906 at the range: "I think that thing shoots better than my Kimber..." Totally unsolicited, and quite a surprise to my ears. 3rd Gens: Get 'em while you can!
 
I think the wave of police trade-ins is slowing down to a trickle. There are still some out there to be sure, but not like there were. Remember when you could buy police trade-in M19/66's all day long for $150? Now those same guns are bringing $400-450 and more for nice ones.
I have seen gen3 guns creeping up in price around here. It's not too unusual to see them on the shelf at the LGS for $400+. Not seeing too many selling at tthat price, but a year ago those same guns were $350 or less. Sometimes a lot less. Point is, we are probably at the bottom or maybe just past the bottom on gen3 prices. Some of the rarer models are already pretty pricey, but the more pedestrian guns such as 5906,4006, etc. have probably bottomed out and starting to creep up just slightly. At least that is how it is in my part of the world.
 
I am probably going to sell my 4583, but only because my carry gun is a lightweight Commander-style Kimber and I don't want to get confused between single action and DAO trigger systems.
That said, the pistol has been a gem and has never malfunctioned for me. I plan to replace it with a lightweight 1911 with an accessory rail (like the 4583 has).
I love the lightweight 3rd gen pistols. They are durable and won't wear out unless maybe you compete with them really often or mistreat them.
 
They sure aren't undervalued around here. I saw a used 5906 going for $599 at a lgs. That's more than it was when it was new.
 
Bunch of 5906 for $359.00 on Guns America...2 mags, lock, blue S&W case, paperwork...
 
3913s in VG condition...349.95. 3913LSs 469.95 at J&G sales.With one magazine and 22.00 shipping.
 
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I always enjoyed the 3rd gen. guns, but evidently enough other people didn't or they'd still be produced for the general public. Our state police still carry them, but they're special runs produced for the state. I have to wonder if they'll switch over to the M&P though.

The only negative I could pick out is the 3rd gen. guns didn't seem to be on average as accurate as some other designs. I'd still like to compact 9mm & 45 3rd gen. models with allow frames and a decocker only being offered.
 
The pics below are of my police "trade-in" 4566, which I cleaned up and had hard chromed.

The night sights are like new and it shoots better than me or anyone else behind the trigger. In my opinion, these Smith 3rd Generation L.E. guns are steals when you can find them ...

SW-5.jpg


SW-1.jpg
 
Really nice looking gun. Just curious, why would one want or need to hard chrome a stainless gun? It sure is purdy, but my 4566 looks just about the same with the stainless finish.
 
Talk about undervalued , I saw a 1006 at the local Cabelas in Olympia WA going for ..............$437 !!! It had a bit of holster wear near the muzzle but dang thats a good price .
 
epj said:
Really nice looking gun. Just curious, why would one want or need to hard chrome a stainless gun? It sure is purdy, but my 4566 looks just about the same with the stainless finish.
Click to expand...

Although minty on the inside, it had some holster wear near the muzzle and a few small scratches on the frame, so I sent it to Virgil Tripp and his HC-ing took care of all that. Plus, there was a lot of gunk up in the innnards, like the firing pin channel, and they thoroughly cleaned the gun's innards before HC-ing it. Afterward, they lub-ed it for me.

Whether stainless and HC look "just about the same" really depends on the lighting, and admittedly I'm not the greatest picture-taker.

I have a few other stainless 3rd Gen Smiths (like a 1006) and, to me, the HC on this 4566 looks quite different than a stainless finish. It's more reflective, maybe a bit "shinier" than the stainless.
 
My first S&W semi auto was the M&P9c. Then I bought the M&P 9 full size. Having learned the errors of my ways, thanks to this forum, I sold the full size and eventually I bought a S&W 1911, a 5906, and then a 4566, the later 2 being police trade-ins. IMO, the 3rd Gen S&W semi autos are the epitome of what a semi auto should be. I kept the 9c with a Crimson Trace laser as my carry gun because it is light weight, conceals well, and hold 13 rounds.
 
Mortech said:
Talk about undervalued , I saw a 1006 at the local Cabelas in Olympia WA going for ..............$437 !!! It had a bit of holster wear near the muzzle but dang thats a good price .
Click to expand...

Why can't I find something like this near me when I have the money to buy? I'd love to have a 1006 like this. :(

Oh well,
O2B
 
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