I recently purchased a Brinks 4046TSW at what I considered a good price ($350) in today's market. Don't know because I've been out of the game for a while. Anyway, my plan is to convert it to a TDA. Originally I was looking to buy a CHP 4006TSW ...but the price tag pointed me to the Bricks gun hence the 4046/4006 conversion. I am curious if the Brinks gun holds any collector or historical value that would be ruined if I did the conversion? If not, then I have a fun project. If so then I may just leave the Brinks gun as is only replacing the recoil sprig and grips. Any opinions are welcome. Thanks.
Brinks 4046TSW, collector worthy?
- Thread starter mrnoBody
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Since the conversion of four parts can be so easily done and reversed, I wouldn't worry about it.
4043TSW DAO/TDA Conversion
4043TSW DAO/TDA Conversion
To me it’s kind of the sleeper model. Almost all can be found at that price. You can leave it as is. Convert it to TDA and back with little effort. Source a 5906 TSW barrel and make it a 9mm. Or take the same 5906 TSW barrel and convert to 357 SIG.
Depends on what you want it for.
I’ve got two. One is dedicated to 357 SIG. The other is wearing a PC9 slide with the 40 slide as an option. I lucked into a CHP that needed a couple of parts for what you paid for your Brinks.
Depends on what you want it for.
I’ve got two. One is dedicated to 357 SIG. The other is wearing a PC9 slide with the 40 slide as an option. I lucked into a CHP that needed a couple of parts for what you paid for your Brinks.
Can you ream any 59 sized barrel to 357 sig and install in a 400x model and make it 357 sig? Or do only certain barrels fit the 400x slide?
Thanks,
Rosewood
For the 4046TSW it needs to be a 5906 TSW barrel. Frame sizes and slide sizes are the same. For mine the, 5906 magazines fit with no issues. Extractor wasn’t an issue. Bill did my barrel conversion and had it marked for the new caliber.
Shorty9-4046TSW-357 SIG
Shorty9-4046TSW-357 SIG
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OP
Thanks guys. Lot of good info. You given me lots of food for thought about this project. My only regret is I didn't join this forum years ago!
John
John
44wheelman
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Whatever interest there is because it’s a Brinks gun will not be lost to your conversion. It seems to have just a bit of wear.
OP
Yeah, those pictures are before I had even cleaned it. Granted, the internals were on the dirty side.All in all not bad. No bad gouges to the frame or slide.
xfarfuldog
Member
I do not believe that the Brinks 4046 will ever have collector value. However it is a TSW and should be considered better than the run of the mill S&W 40. I was a firearms instructor for Brinks for a number of years. My branch was never issued the 4046. Brinks dropped the 4046 in favor of the M&P 40 only (?) due to cost considerations. I previously owned a CHP 4006 and really liked it. But it is a very heavy gun. I am still considering the Brinks gun to go along with my TSW 5906 and WVSP 4566. I would definitely have it converted to DA/SA.
There are plenty of Brinks marked 4046TSW, 4046, and some 5946TSW out there. Less now but for a while you could buy the 4046TSW for $300-350, the 4046 (non TSW) under $300 (lots sold for $289 BIN), and the 5946TSW for $350-450.
That was a few years ago but there were lots more Brinks pistols than the 1000+ CHP 4006TSW that initially sold for $400 about 5 years back. The CHP 4006TSW is now scarce and has roughly doubled in value.
Some people that bought Brinks pistols for $300 are now trying to sell for $600+ but so far they rarely sell for that. At $350 I think you got a good deal in the current market - probably more like a $450-500 value today which is minimum value for any of the TSW variants in my mind. Probably the DAO is less popular and there appear to be lots more Brinks than CHP.
Also the Brinks pistols appear to be garden variety pistols sold to Brinks off the production line in batches as opposed to the unique CHP frame configuration with unique CHP S/N prefix and match marked barrel / slide / frame. On the other hand, you can "create" a Brinks pistol by simply putting a Brinks marked slide on a generic frame.
And the Brinks pistols may have been less well taken care of than the CHP pistols. At one time there were a lot of Brinks 4046TSW & 5946TSW pistols sold as Parts Guns (some missing parts) and Non-Operational pistols.
Reportedly the Brinks pistols were mostly issued for shift use and returned at end of shift, possibly explaining why most of them were really dirty and in need of new grips.
Some which have a SPxxxx marking on the right side may be unique in some unknown way and the 5946TSW may attain a higher value, but I dont see them ever achieving the collector value of a CHP 4006TSW.
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Jon651
Member
I purchased my Brinks 4046TSW several years ago for the same price, and I consider it worth every penny. It was filthy, but after it's fair share of elbow grease and a new set of Hogues, it's a really sweet shooter. It is my dedicated truck gun for two reasons:
1. I like the DAO in stressful situations, which is what I expect it to be if I ever have to pull it out; and
2. I didn't spend a lot on it, so if it ever gets confiscated or held for evidence I won't be too disappointed.
As for collector value, there were plenty made and plenty still available - and since you paid what I paid several years apart it doesn't seem that they are going up in value/price right now.
It's a great pistol regardless, and I say don't be afraid to do what you want with it.
1. I like the DAO in stressful situations, which is what I expect it to be if I ever have to pull it out; and
2. I didn't spend a lot on it, so if it ever gets confiscated or held for evidence I won't be too disappointed.
As for collector value, there were plenty made and plenty still available - and since you paid what I paid several years apart it doesn't seem that they are going up in value/price right now.
It's a great pistol regardless, and I say don't be afraid to do what you want with it.
Attachments
Yeah, I like 40s...
This has always been my impression of these pistols when I've come across them but that's a fair price for any 3rd Gen in reasonable condition.
Most are familiar with the 4006 CHP models but less know about the 4013TSW CHP models which, except for the fact that they're pre-rails & do not have trigger play springs in them (at the CHP's request), appear to be standard production models outwardly.
I suspect even these won't gain any collectors value in them except from a few special interest people.
I found mine years ago for about what you paid & it was in perfect condition looking like it had not been used.
I agree, do what you want with it. Enjoy!
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This has always been my impression of these pistols when I've come across them but that's a fair price for any 3rd Gen in reasonable condition.
Most are familiar with the 4006 CHP models but less know about the 4013TSW CHP models which, except for the fact that they're pre-rails & do not have trigger play springs in them (at the CHP's request), appear to be standard production models outwardly.
I suspect even these won't gain any collectors value in them except from a few special interest people.
I found mine years ago for about what you paid & it was in perfect condition looking like it had not been used.
I agree, do what you want with it. Enjoy!
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xfarfuldog
Member
At one point there were over 5,000 employees carrying handguns for Brinks in the US But as I stated earlier, not all branches were issued the 4046. And as for the 9 mm guns, some states did not allow security officers to carry a 'police' caliber. Hence the 5946.
As for the guns being filthy, this was a battle I continually fought. Brinks corporate had very clear guidelines for keeping the guns clean. They provided cleaning materials and paid OT to clean them. Unfortunately local branch management would not support the instructors in requiring employees to clean their guns.
When I began as a Brinks instructor, (I had previously been a police academy commander and instructor) employees first went through whatever state requirements were for carrying a firearm. Their first week they attended a 3 day class to carry including 8 hours on the range. They were required to pass 2 Brinks qualifications every year. This was in addition to state requirements.
That has all changed now.
As for the guns being filthy, this was a battle I continually fought. Brinks corporate had very clear guidelines for keeping the guns clean. They provided cleaning materials and paid OT to clean them. Unfortunately local branch management would not support the instructors in requiring employees to clean their guns.
When I began as a Brinks instructor, (I had previously been a police academy commander and instructor) employees first went through whatever state requirements were for carrying a firearm. Their first week they attended a 3 day class to carry including 8 hours on the range. They were required to pass 2 Brinks qualifications every year. This was in addition to state requirements.
That has all changed now.
Doriangray6
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Nice find. There is definitely a fan base for 3rd Gen S&W pistols but this hasn't translated to increasing their value as collectables so I wouldn't worry about changing it.
My 4006 came with Hogue grips but I found that for me the S&W factory grips are more comfortable and provide better control.
I still have the Hogues and they're in great condition so if they'll work on your pistol you can have them.
I also installed a set of Trijicon Bright & Tough night sights on it along with a standard strength Wolff recoil spring in it and my other S&W pistols, 4566, 59, and 422, and it made a noticeable difference in smoothing out the cycling of all of them.
BTW: In case anybody is interested Trijicon has discontinued their Bright & Tough night sights for 3rd Gen S&W pistols. I found a set at an optics company but it was the last set they had.
For my old eyes they're much easier to pickup and focus on, especially in low light conditions.
My 4006 came with Hogue grips but I found that for me the S&W factory grips are more comfortable and provide better control.
I still have the Hogues and they're in great condition so if they'll work on your pistol you can have them.
I also installed a set of Trijicon Bright & Tough night sights on it along with a standard strength Wolff recoil spring in it and my other S&W pistols, 4566, 59, and 422, and it made a noticeable difference in smoothing out the cycling of all of them.
BTW: In case anybody is interested Trijicon has discontinued their Bright & Tough night sights for 3rd Gen S&W pistols. I found a set at an optics company but it was the last set they had.
For my old eyes they're much easier to pickup and focus on, especially in low light conditions.
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jmpishnery
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Brinks gun
Why Conversion is Difficult:
Internal Design Differences:
DAO pistols like the 4046TSW lack the necessary internal components for TDA functionality, such as a decocker or the ability to cock the hammer manually.
The hammer and trigger mechanisms are designed specifically for DAO operation, meaning the hammer returns to its uncocked position after each shot.
No Decocker or Safety:
TDA pistols typically include a decocking mechanism or external safety to safely transition between double-action and single-action modes. DAO models like the 4046TSW lack these features entirely.
Manufacturer Intent:
Smith & Wesson designed DAO models for simplicity, consistency, and safety (e.g., for law enforcement). Converting them would require significant modifications that could compromise reliability or safety.
Why Conversion is Difficult:
Internal Design Differences:
DAO pistols like the 4046TSW lack the necessary internal components for TDA functionality, such as a decocker or the ability to cock the hammer manually.
The hammer and trigger mechanisms are designed specifically for DAO operation, meaning the hammer returns to its uncocked position after each shot.
No Decocker or Safety:
TDA pistols typically include a decocking mechanism or external safety to safely transition between double-action and single-action modes. DAO models like the 4046TSW lack these features entirely.
Manufacturer Intent:
Smith & Wesson designed DAO models for simplicity, consistency, and safety (e.g., for law enforcement). Converting them would require significant modifications that could compromise reliability or safety.
JohnHL
Member
OP
Hey thanks for the input and the offer for the Hogue grips, but I prefer the S & W factory grips as well.
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