5946

[cd228]

From 1993 to probably about 2005, those were the three choices and the officer picked his own. About 2005 the 5946 was no longer authorized, although you still see them since those who had them kept them, and the Glock 17 replaced the 5946. The Sig is still a choice, with the Glock 19 and Glock 17 being the other.

Interesting, I heard that the City dropped the SIG (again) and is going all Glocks for the Academy Classes.

I had always heard that the S&W was the best of the bunch on the old City semi-autos. Was that good info? I heard the early Sigs rusted (the later Sigs had shiny stainless-steel hammers, triggers and grip screws) and the early Glock had mechanical issues.

 

[kbm6893]

Interesting, I heard that the City dropped the SIG (again) and is going all Glocks for the Academy Classes.

I had always heard that the S&W was the best of the bunch on the old City semi-autos. Was that good info? I heard the early Sigs rusted (the later Sigs had shiny stainless-steel hammers, triggers and grip screws) and the early Glock had mechanical issues.

As of 2018, the Sig was definitely still being offered. The newer ones have a stainless trigger and hammer. Don't know if they still are. There was definitely an issue with them rusting early on. Guys had to turn their guns in to have a new coating applied. Some of them looked almost purple. The Smith's were pretty popular. When we had to pay for them they were about $475, with the Glock 19 being $325 and the SIG's being over $600, so the Glocks were chosen more often, but once the guns became free they were pretty evenly chosen. I think they are the best looking of all the guns. They surely were the heaviest.

The early Glock 19's did have an issue that nearly got them dropped from use. They were experiencing Phase 3 malfunctions on the range and in the street. Glock blamed user error first, then they blamed the ammo(115 grain fmj), but it persisted, so when the city contacted Ruger for P89 pistols(they had been part of the pilot program but weren't chosen) to replace ALL Glock 19's, Glock took notice and sent an armorer to the range to modify all pistols in service. Something about the angle of the ejection port. Problem went away after that.

 

[3rdgenfriend]

4046 love

You guys are bad influences. I'd really prefer a 5943 because I know how heavy a 5946 is going to be.

That said the guy I previously bought my 3913LS from is now selling a 5946. The price is about the same as AIM, but of course no sales tax, no FFL needed.

I've been toying with the idea of trying steel plate match shooting, but don't want to spend a fortune for a competition gun.

Maybe, maybe, maybe.

Hey Gary S, Congrats on the purchase! it's nice to have accurate, smooth triggered 15+1 for Steel competitions. I also have 2 4046's cuz i bought one for cheap, and the 2nd one was cheaper. They are in beautiful shape, I have yet to wear one on each hip as intended. Pictured is my 4046TSW with an even lighter DOA trigger,

 

[cd228]

As of 2018, the Sig was definitely still being offered. The newer ones have a stainless trigger and hammer. Don't know if they still are. There was definitely an issue with them rusting early on. Guys had to turn their guns in to have a new coating applied. Some of them looked almost purple. The Smith's were pretty popular. When we had to pay for them they were about $475, with the Glock 19 being $325 and the SIG's being over $600, so the Glocks were chosen more often, but once the guns became free they were pretty evenly chosen. I think they are the best looking of all the guns. They surely were the heaviest.

The early Glock 19's did have an issue that nearly got them dropped from use. They were experiencing Phase 3 malfunctions on the range and in the street. Glock blamed user error first, then they blamed the ammo(115 grain fmj), but it persisted, so when the city contacted Ruger for P89 pistols(they had been part of the pilot program but weren't chosen) to replace ALL Glock 19's, Glock took notice and sent an armorer to the range to modify all pistols in service. Something about the angle of the ejection port. Problem went away after that.

Thanks for the insight. I just went to check the patrol guide to see what was currently authorized and didn't find it. I thought the Rookies were all getting glocks now. Kinda sad, NYPD used to be a great source of used S&Ws and the occasional Ruger revolver.

 

[huthike]

Finally was able to pick up my 5946 today from my ffl. Somewhat ratty looking but should clean up okay. VJP serial prefix - email off to the mothership for further details.

Thanks to all who have had input here - interesting thread.

 

[GaryS]

They'll be getting so many email enquiries that maybe they'll restart production!

Finally was able to pick up my 5946 today from my ffl. Somewhat ratty looking but should clean up okay. VJP serial prefix - email off to the mothership for further details.

Thanks to all who have had input here - interesting thread.

 

[huthike]

Got quick feedback: my 5946 was a 1998 shipment to the New York Department of Corrections with sku 108186.

 

[ACEd]

Got quick feedback: my 5946 was a 1998 shipment to the New York Department of Corrections with sku 108186.

Great that you got the NY Dept of Corrections info - you obviously got more than usual info - fyi 108186 was the most common garden variety 5946.

Just looked this up for a different response:
6946 VJP358x 1/1998 Prod Code 108209
5946 VJP356x 5/2009 Prod Code 108186U - purchased surplus NOS 2022.

 

[huthike]

Finally got her disassembled and cleaned up today. Bore looks practically new - outside pretty chewed up. Carried a lot and shot a little. Put some Hogues on I had laying around because the original plastic grips were, shall we say, chewed on by a big hound. A little Mothers Mag - and I think she cleans up right well.

 

[GaryS]

The recoil springs came in today's mail. I requested one, but they sent three. I'll replace the springs in my 5906 and 5946.

I have to plan a trip to the range to try out the 5946. I'm sure I'll like it even though I don't expect that I'll ever carry it.

 

[gunbarrel]

Retro Review: The Smith & Wesson Model 5946 | An Official Journal Of The NRA

 

[RM Vivas]

No. Were NYPD guns so marked? IIRC, my 3914DAO isn't marked that way and has a magazine safety.

With a couple VERY RARE exceptions, NYPD handguns are not marked as NYPD because...........they don't belong to the Department! You have to buy your piece (I think now they 'give' it to you) so it's YOURS, not theirs.

Your gun is yours. Its your private property, not the Departments.

Best,
RM Vivas

 

[sandspur6]

I've got two 5946's, a 5943, and a 4586. I love the Smith DAO.

I also have a 1956 Colt OP that is documented to NYPD.

Life is good.

 

[ACEd]

Retro Review: The Smith & Wesson Model 5946 | An Official Journal Of The NRA

Interesting article - mostly good info with a few minor notes:

1. The 3rd digit does not in this case relate to size (4 inch barrel) but rather to the DAO action. 5906 is conventional TDA, 5926 is frame mounted decock (a-la-Sig), 5946 is DAO but all are the same size.

2. The 5946 were made in Houlton at least thru 2013, possibly as late as 2016 both for NYPD and for other buyers, mostly PDs.

3. The NYPD and possibly other NY department purchases were somewhat unique in that they had a Caution note on Right side of Slide indicating they would Fire With Magazine Removed. Non-PD 5946s like the one in their picture without the Caution were typically Safe with Magazine Removed.

 

[huthike]

My Department of Corrections gun has no caution on the slide - interesting.

 

[GaryS]

My non NYPD gun was made in May of 2015 and was made in Springfield. More of the "using up spare frames" theory fodder.

Interesting article - mostly good info with a few minor notes:

1. The 3rd digit does not in this case relate to size (4 inch barrel) but rather to the DAO action. 5906 is conventional TDA, 5926 is frame mounted decock (a-la-Sig), 5946 is DAO but all are the same size.

2. The 5946 were made in Houlton at least thru 2013, possibly as late as 2016 both for NYPD and for other buyers, mostly PDs.

3. The NYPD and NY Dept of Corrections, and possibly other NY department purchases were somewhat unique in that they had a Caution note on Right side of Slide indicating they would Fire With Magazine Removed. Non-PD 5946s like the one in their picture without the Caution were typically Safe with Magazine Removed.

 

[ACEd]

My Department of Corrections gun has no caution on the slide - interesting.

Ok - thanks for that - it makes sense if DOC pistol fell into wrong hands with mag removed it would be no threat. It may also explain why there are significant quantities of standard 5946 pistols with mag safety in the late 2013 UCx Houlton production.

My 2013 Holton 5946 UCU prefix has Caution and was verified as a major NY Police Dept, but not NYPD.

I have corrected my post

 

[GaryS]

I got mine to the range Saturday. It did what full size 3rd Gens do. Two friends were also shooting and one took up my offer to put a magazine through the gun. He was suitably impressed.

I used 115gr loaded by the other friend. I usually don't use 115gr in my 3rd Gens, but my 5906 isn't finicky and neither was this gun.

My first box was a bit better in terms of accuracy, but that was because by the second box my arms were getting tired.

Either way, the gun is clearly Minute of Bad Guy (even paper bad guy) capable as long as I do my part.

Thinking about a red dot sight, only both of my friends have astigmatism (as do I) and both said that green is better for some reason. So I guess I'm thinking about a green dot sight.

 

[S&WshooterFIN]

I have an NYPD 5946 I bought here years ago . At first I didn't care for the DAO setup , but once I kept at it I've come to sort of like it . That's not really true seeing as I have another 9mm , a .40 and a .45 in DAO . Once you get used to it , it's not bad at all . Besides , DAO makes some great carry guns , no safety , just point and pull the trigger .

Like Glock

I have 5906 and like it. My duty carry is Glock, but if I could choose, I like 5906 more, so I would carry it. I like the tanks, they decide the battle. 5946 would definitely be even better.

 

[GaryS]

If I were to carry, I'd look for a 5943 or maybe a 6946 to save some weight.

Like Glock

I have 5906 and like it. My duty carry is Glock, but if I could choose, I like 5906 more, so I would carry it. I like the tanks, they decide the battle. 5946 would definitely be even better.

 

[1Shelby4guns]

I have a 5946 with s/n TDP and a 4 digit number , Springfield Ma USA . Anyone know what year of manufacture ?