4006 Prototype

[1775usmarine]

Never seen screws in the bottom of the follower before. The barrel is also laser etched 40 s&w though it is pretty faded. I will pop the grips off tomorrow and post more pics.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

Interesting pistol but I have a few questions?

I agree with ACEd, that magazine's body is a variation of a standard production 4006 mag.

It has the top round indent, full length rib-like track, & the witness holes are spaced the same (4 & 5 closer together, on the right side, while all the others are evenly two spaced), however it does not have the front bump. It also says 40 S&W on it.

It has a black follower (early production were yellow) like the experimental one colt_saa posted which has a different witness hole pattern than production 40S&W mags had.

And the hammer is bobbed? Not a flash chromed spurred hammer or the production blued spurred hammer?

All of the pictures of experimental/pre-production 4006s (we've seen) have spurred hammers.

Also, you covered up the SN#? You already told us it's X0000. Why?

.
.

Early experimental/pre-production M4006 & magazine shown
.


.

 

[1775usmarine]

Interesting pistol but I have a few questions?

I agree with ACEd, that magazine's body is a variation of a standard production 4006 mag.

It has the top round indent, full length rib-like track, & the witness holes are spaced the same (4 & 5 closer together, on the right side, while all the others are evenly spaced), however it does not have the front bump. It also says 40 S&W on it.

It has a black follower (early production were yellow) like the experimental one colt_saa posted which has a different witness hole pattern than production 40S&W mags had.

And the hammer is bobbed? Not a flash chromed spurred hammer or the production blued spurred hammer?

All of the pictures of experimental/pre-production 4006s (we've seen) have spurred hammers.

Also, you covered up the SN#? You already told us it's X0000. Why?

.
.

Early experimental/pre-production M4006 & magazine shown
.


.

The serial isn't x0000 it's x591 since I've completed the transfer today.

 

[1775usmarine]

Pulled a 5906 mag out of my mag box and it does fully insert and lock the slide back. Will have to try the reverse with the 4006 mag. Looks like I'll be keeping the 2 mags seperate from the rest of the 4000 series mags.

 

[JohnHL]

Regarding the Spur hammer.

I have written of this previously.

When Charlie Petty (RIP), who was considered a "special friend" of S&W, wrote his article for American Rifleman on the debut of the 4006, he asked why the production models did NOT have a flash chrome spur hammer like the prototypes?

The S&W representative explained that during testing, it had been discovered that the more violent slide thrust, caused by the higher power of the 40s&w round, was causing the hammer to rebound off the frame and strike the underside of the slide in a vulnerable area, causing cracking.

This only occurred with the full size and weight spur hammer and not with the lighter "bobbed" hammer.

Consequently, S&W engineers fitted the early production 4006 models with the lightened for competition (faster lock times), hollowed back spur hammer.

This competition hammer was much more expensive to produce, so it was soon replaced by a blackened spur hammer with a hole drilled through, and finally by the MIM hammer which was light enough to avoid the problem.

John

 

[1775usmarine]

The frame lacks the groove for a normal 4006 mag to insert. Definitely interesting stuff

 

[BLUEDOT37]

Consequently, S&W engineers fitted the early production 4006 models with the lightened for competition (faster lock times), hollowed back spur hammer.

Yes, I remember this, & posted a picture of same previously, but it seems odd none of the test models we've seen sported a bobbed hammer.

As best I recall the 4006s didn't come (unless special ordered) from the factory with bobbed hammers, only the compact models got them standard?

You'd think they'd want to test with the hammer the production models would be equipped with especially on a later test pistol (going by the SN# 1775usmarine graciously just provided)?

.

4006 hollowed blued hammer
.


.

 

[Yorkie Man]

I have two of these pistols,
TVCxxxx has the rounded magwell and the bobbed hollow hammer.

VJDxxxx has a square magwell and a newer style mim hammer.

My 411 has the hammer with the hole in it.

The original Winchester 180 JHP ammunition was terrible, no power. We swithched to the 155 Silvertip for duty ammunition which really shined.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

I have two of these pistols,
TVCxxxx has the rounded magwell and the bobbed hollow hammer.

Did you mean hollow spurred hammer? None of my bobbed hammers are hollow.

.

 

[JohnHL]

I have two of these pistols,
TVCxxxx has the rounded magwell and the bobbed hollow hammer.

VJDxxxx has a square magwell and a newer style mim hammer.

My 411 has the hammer with the hole in it.

The original Winchester 180 JHP ammunition was terrible, no power. We swithched to the 155 Silvertip for duty ammunition which really shined.

Yorkie Man, are you saying that your model 4006 (s/n TVCxxxx) will NOT accept a model 59xx magazine?

John?

 

[Yorkie Man]

Correct the corners of the magazine well are rounded.

 

[JohnHL]

I have two of these pistols,
TVCxxxx has the rounded magwell and the bobbed hollow hammer.

VJDxxxx has a square magwell and a newer style mim hammer.

My 411 has the hammer with the hole in it.

The original Winchester 180 JHP ammunition was terrible, no power. We swithched to the 155 Silvertip for duty ammunition which really shined.

Yorkie Man, are you saying that your model 4006 (s/n TVCxxxx) will NOT accept a model 59xx magazine?

John?

Correct the corners of the magazine well are rounded.

Color me befuddled!

Here I thought that the ROUND mag well (which would NOT accept 59XX mags) was limited to 4006 models with the "TFF" serial number prefix.

"Another scientific theory shot to hell!"

That is something my Dad used to say when I reached a hasty conclusion.

(I should probably post that in the "Lounge" thread about "Dadisms".)

Maybe the only way I can rationalize this is that the demand for the 4006 was so great back in 1990, S&W had more than one frame line and numbering machine running simultaneously?

It has been said that S&W "pre-assigns" serial number blocks to new pistols so possibly both "TFF" and "TVC" ran concurrently?

Any idea of a Shipping/Manufacture date for your "TVC" pistol, Yorkie Man?

BTW, when I first got my CS40, new in 2003, I sent S&W an e-mail as to which round they recommended for it.

Their answer:

Winchester Silver-Tip, 155 gr.

John

 

[1775usmarine]

So sent an email to check on my letter. My PayPal email is different from my email used on the request but the ball is rolling.

Found out my x591 was sent to Dick Metcalfe from Guns and Ammo. Will post the letter and anything once it arrives.

 

[Tom-R2]

Looks like I'll be keeping the 2 mags seperate from the rest of the 4000 series mags.

I use a little Testors model paint to put a spot on my mags that are similar but different calibers. Most recently, I have 9mm and 40S&W/357SIG mags for the Sig P320 line, even though the 40 an 357 take the same mag, I have enough to keep them separated, so each gets a dab of a different color. Of course, I can't see the color in the dark, but during the day it is easy to grab the ones I want.

 

[1775usmarine]

I use a little Testors model paint to put a spot on my mags that are similar but different calibers. Most recently, I have 9mm and 40S&W/357SIG mags for the Sig P320 line, even though the 40 an 357 take the same mag, I have enough to keep them separated, so each gets a dab of a different color. Of course, I can't see the color in the dark, but during the day it is easy to grab the ones I want.

I doubt I'll be shooting this one much. I have other 3rd gens to choose from. I'll band these magsbup to keep separate in my locker.

 

[1775usmarine]

 

[PRM]

Just reading through these 4006 posts is fascinating to me... just wondering if anyone would have any insight into my serial number?

My first purchase of a 3rd Gen 4006 was a lightly pre-owned in 1995 with serial VCE prefix... it has been my trusted companion ever since, and have added a 5906 to the stable as well... would not take for either of them, as they are rock solid and will 'eat' anything - not finicky like these newer generations, in any brand... thanks much!

 

[ACEd]

Just reading through these 4006 posts is fascinating to me... just wondering if anyone would have any insight into my serial number?

My first purchase of a 3rd Gen 4006 was a lightly pre-owned in 1995 with serial VCE prefix... it has been my trusted companion ever since, and have added a 5906 to the stable as well... would not take for either of them, as they are rock solid and will 'eat' anything - not finicky like these newer generations, in any brand... thanks much!

VCE is a prefix I hadn't seen on a 3rd gen before but VCA, VCB, VCC and VCH and VCK are common 3rd gen prefixes that mostly date to 1994. If you really want to know Manufacture Date email SW with model and full s/n.

3rd Generation Pistol Manufacture Dates and How to Get them.

 

[PRM]

Thanks for that link... email sent - we will see.

 

[PRM]

My VCE serial...

This is what I received today - short and sweet!

Good Morning,

Thank you for contacting Smith & Wesson. That firearm was manufactured in 1994.