are S&W xxx6 3rd gens the only forged sa/da option

[boomer1983]

I did a google search and cant seem to find an answer. the only somewhat comparable common sa/da steel frame pistol is sigs but those are cast. That got me wondering if the only option for a forged steel frame in sa/da are the 3rd gen smiths.

 

[poorbroker]

xxx5 would be carbon steel frame & slide, xxx6 is SS frame & slide and
xxx7 would be SS frame & carbon steel slide; hope this helps.

 

[lawman90]

The CZ75/85/97 pistols are all-steel forged pistols, and do come in stainless as well. You could include the Walther PPK pistols as well, but I don't really consider those to be combat grade pistols. Beretta 92, SIG P22x and Ruger P89/90 pistols all have forged aluminum frames. The only cast frames aside from plastic ones that I can think of are some of the lower-priced 1911's. Nothing wrong with cast if done properly, aside from the ugly seem line some of the guns portray.

I made this same argument to an acquaintance as to why these old Smiths are so sought after and valuable, being the last of the full steel guns...all he could come up with in a modern production pistol was the CZ75 series.

 

[GaryS]

I'm at work and don't have access to my 6906, but I'm pretty sure it's an alloy frame with SS slide.

My 5906 is definitely all SS.

 

[gc70]

Beretta 92, SIG P22x and Ruger P89/90 pistols all have forged aluminum frames.

Several Sig "ST" models have full stainless slides and frames.

The only cast frames aside from plastic ones that I can think of are some of the lower-priced 1911's.

Browning Hi Powers have cast frames and several Nighthawk Custom 1911s (Vickers Tactical and Enforcer models - $3K+) have used Caspian cast frames.

 

[lawman90]

Several Sig "ST" models have full stainless slides and frames.



Browning Hi Powers have cast frames and several Nighthawk Custom 1911s (Vickers Tactical and Enforcer models - $3K+) have used Caspian cast frames.

Good to know on the SIGs, the OP wanted to know what some DA/SA options were. I was only listing off what some of the all-steel DA/SA pistols in production are, along with what guns are known to come with cast frames. Thanks for the input!

 

[mjb99]

...Ruger P89/90 pistols all have forged aluminum frames.

I think the metal Rugers were all investment cast, or was that just the steel-framed revolvers? At any rate, the autos are aluminum.

Also, I think Beretta made some steel frame 92 type guns for competition...or maybe I am confusing that with the sigs mentioned above.

Also, I am pretty sure that at least some of the older (WW1 and WW2 era) German guns - Walthers, Lugers, etc. - had forged steel frames. But now we are talking about highly collectable guns.

So, for most practical purposes, the third gen smith xxx6's were the last of the forged steel frame da/sa guns.

(As noted above, the aluminum framed 6900 series is an anomaly - if Smith had been consistent, they would have been the 69x3!)

Matt