adding a manual safety and or decocker

[chitoryu2454]

hello all...i am new here. a friend of mine has a 5946 which was a police turn in. it has no form of safety or decocker. he asked me to find out if one could be added. he is not a big fan of the internet so i told him i would ask. if this is possible could you provide a source for the parts.
thanks
jake

 

[handgunner356]

On the later TSW models it's possible to switch them over to the TDA(DA/SA) but the early DAOs' don't have the slide cuts to use the safety lever.

 

[chitoryu2454]

is there a serial number cut off date?

thank you for the reply.....is there a serial number cut off date?....if so, do you know where i could find it?
also could slides be interchanged?
thanks
jake

 

[Alk8944]

A 5946 is double-action only. There is no reason for a safety or de-cocker on this gun. It can't be manually cocked, so no reason for a de-cocker. Likewise, it is fired only by a full stroke of the trigger, just like a double-action revolver, so there is no reason for it to have a safety.

This wasn't an over-sight by S&W, but a well designed pistol that was intended for the Police role. It can be converted to TDA, and then the safety/de-cocker becomes useful/necessary, but not until then. Was that really his question?

 

[chitoryu2454]

he wants a lighter trigger pull and is concerned that doing so would lead to an accidental discharge, so he would like aan additional measure of safety. i hope this sheds some additional light on the reason for his request.

 

[WR Moore]

The XX4X pistol series was designed for a revolver like long trigger pull of reasonable weight. Essentially, it's a 15 shot revolver.

Without getting excessively complicated, it's possible to smooth the trigger pull and slightly reduce the weight and overtravel, but the weapon can't have a short crisp trigger without major work. That is, converting the pistol to a traditional double action.

If there's a circular plug in the side of the slide, the plug could be removed and replaced with a safety. Several other parts appear to be necessary also. However, there are 4 versions of this pistol and it would be best to have your friend consult with Smith and Wesson about exactly what he wants to do, what's necessary and the cost. He might be better off to trade that pistol for something else.

BTW, your friend needs to realize that the only effective safety device lies between his ears. "Accidental" discharges are due to mechanical failure and extremely rare. The usual cause of negligent/unintentional discharges are having a finger on the trigger when it shouldn't have been. The only time a finger should be on the trigger is when the weapon is on target and ready to fire.

 

[Grog]

If he wants a gun with a light trigger pull, tell him to sell the gun and buy a 1911 or many other guns which can have sub-5# triggers.

Adding a manual safety to the 5946 would not prevent him from having a negligent discharge, keeping his finger off the trigger until he is on target and ready to fire will.

If he cannot obey the rules of gun safety, tell him to take up fishing.




FYI, Rick Devoid is listed as being able to add a manual safety to an eariler S&W DAO pistol.

Services-Tarnhelm Supply Co., Inc.


S&W Auto Double Action Only
Change factory gun to include a slide-mounted safety (parts are included in price)
$125.00