Compact 3rd generation pistols
- Thread starter 18DAI
- Start date
dgludwig
Member
Just the Opposite for Me.
Quote: I also shoot them more accurately than I do the full size guns.....or....they shoot more accurately than the full size guns do.
I seem to be in the minority here. Though the Model 6906 that I carried and relied on during the last few years of my job and which I still depend on in my new "civilian" status for ccw duties is one of my favorite carry pistols, I still shoot better with larger formats. I shoot the compacts well enough but usually do better with pistols having more weight, mass and a longer sighting radius.
I guess I shoot them more accurately than I do with compact guns...or...they shoot more accurately than the compact guns do.
Quote: I also shoot them more accurately than I do the full size guns.....or....they shoot more accurately than the full size guns do.
I seem to be in the minority here. Though the Model 6906 that I carried and relied on during the last few years of my job and which I still depend on in my new "civilian" status for ccw duties is one of my favorite carry pistols, I still shoot better with larger formats. I shoot the compacts well enough but usually do better with pistols having more weight, mass and a longer sighting radius.
I guess I shoot them more accurately than I do with compact guns...or...they shoot more accurately than the compact guns do.
JJEH
Member
Compact pistols are not just for women
Model 4691 RSR, M&P M100-1 restraints, Gerber Recon flashlight, hotpink 1.4% oc spray, KA-BAR Besh BOGA
(Back Off Get Away) knife, chrome expandable baton.
Model 4691 RSR, M&P M100-1 restraints, Gerber Recon flashlight, hotpink 1.4% oc spray, KA-BAR Besh BOGA
(Back Off Get Away) knife, chrome expandable baton.
Stu Honea
Member
Congrats Stu Honea!!
How did she shoot?
My 3913 is most accurate with 147 grain rounds. Winchester Ranger series has a nice 147 grain carry round too.
Enjoy your 6906!! Regards 18DAI
Well.at this point I have discovered that missing with 147gr.HST's in the 6906 is quite impossible.I'm elated about that since these are my favorite loads for my other 3 1/2 inch guns.
I'm glad the 6906 cooperated.
Stu Honea
Member
gtoppcop,the mods you have made on the 3914 suit my taste buds just fine.
A really good gun is always worth personalizing to your particular taste,IMO.
Have a great time playing with that baby,sir.
A really good gun is always worth personalizing to your particular taste,IMO.Have a great time playing with that baby,sir.
BigDaddy7972
Member
18DAI,
I too share your views about the efficacy of the smaller S&W autos. For whatever reason, they are VERY accurate for guns their size.
With that said, I have had great luck with all of my 3rd Gens. They are all accurate, but for the size to accuracy ratio, i'll got with the 3900-series.
My custom 3914 (just received back from S&W) is one heck of a gun! The wife likes it, so I guess it'll become hers (wait, ALL of my guns are HER'S!).
Jim Rae at Smith and Wesson Performance Center and his Team there did the following to 'finish' the 3914:
--Decocker modification
--Witness Hole in barrel
After I oogled over the 3914, the FedEx truck arrived with my grips from ROBAR. They complete the gun and make it more 'shootable' to boot!
When you say "decocker modification", what was the modification? I'm hoping you will say that S&W converted your safety from a traditional safety to a decock only. If so, I wonder if they will do that for my 6906. The one and only thing I don't like about the 6906 is the safety. I would prefer a decocker only.
In any event, that is a great looking gun.
Tracer_Bullet
Member
I know that I was astounded at how accurate my 3913 was the first time I shot it; 3/4" group at 10 yards, offhand (I usually shoot groups about twice that size at that distance). The guy in the lane next to me was so impressed he had to come over and ask me what I was shooting, his jaw about hit the floor when he saw the 3913 (apparently he was expecting some kind of high-dollar match gun). Maybe it's because the compacts are lighter and easier to hold steady than the steel-framed full-size guns that they can be so accurate? At any rate, I've had very good luck with my 3rd gens, and wish S&W would start producing them again, even if they had to go to a (ugh) polymer frame to keep production costs down.
gtopcop, I can only echo what others have said about your gorgeous 3914.
gtopcop, I can only echo what others have said about your gorgeous 3914.
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Ranch Hand
Member
For the NEW people
How about continuing this page and use this to tell everyone What your favorite 3 rd gen is and WHY. Many new people seem to think newer is better , when actually the reverse is true since most don't fire their weapons ALL that much.. and many manufacturers are aware of it.. OR so it may seem.
JUST A thought.
RH
How about continuing this page and use this to tell everyone What your favorite 3 rd gen is and WHY. Many new people seem to think newer is better , when actually the reverse is true since most don't fire their weapons ALL that much.. and many manufacturers are aware of it.. OR so it may seem.
JUST A thought.
RH
Srigs
Member
My first carry gun was a 6946 police trade it. It is one gun I will never sell because it fits my hands perfectly and the DAO trigger is very good. I have about 8k round through it without any problems.
My latest 3rd gen compact is a Chief Special 45 (CS45) that I bought yesterday and shot today. All I can say is wow what a great gun. It will definately work itself into my line up. I already have two holsters of mine in process of being made for it.
Here is a pic of the 6946 in one of my The Slides that I made about 6 years ago. I ground down the pinky extension to make it just right.
My latest 3rd gen compact is a Chief Special 45 (CS45) that I bought yesterday and shot today. All I can say is wow what a great gun. It will definately work itself into my line up. I already have two holsters of mine in process of being made for it.
Here is a pic of the 6946 in one of my The Slides that I made about 6 years ago. I ground down the pinky extension to make it just right.
The compact 3913/14 is my favorite carry pistol. I just got my 3914 last week. MY 3913NL is a great pistol too. I started a thread with it but I'll add a pic here too.
They have every thing I want in a compact. Thin single stack, all metal, very very accurate to 25', rugged, decocker and a hammer so I can carry loaded with no safety as the DAO for my 1st shot is my preference.. Plus they just fit my hands well.
They have every thing I want in a compact. Thin single stack, all metal, very very accurate to 25', rugged, decocker and a hammer so I can carry loaded with no safety as the DAO for my 1st shot is my preference.. Plus they just fit my hands well.
Cruiser RN
Member
If you love the 3913 and are looking for compact look no farther than the Chief's Special in 9mm.It is a baby 3919 with a 7 and 1 in chamber capacity.Just add a set of Big Dog's Grips,some Trijicon Night Sights to get it POA to POI and you are GOLDEN......Mike
kbm6893
Member
I've had almost every 9MM 3rd gen, (several 5906's, a 5903, a 915, a 6906, 2 3913's, and a CS9). I'm always buying and selling, but I always have at leastone in the stable. My 3913 is the early model, no black plastic hammer or trigger. Looks almost new. Great carry gun and it is also my nightstand gun. 8 rounds is more than enough, and I keep a second mag in the safe with the gun. The 6906 is just "too fat" for everyday carry (for me). Even though it's slim, the 3913 is a belt gun. Not comfortable for me at all in the waistbad (but then, not gun is comofrtable for me in the waistband).
squidsix
Member
My 3913LS shoots better than all of my guns save one: my transitional 39-2. That gun, for some reason, is impossibly straight shooting.
As for the single stack nonsense, there's not a Glocker anywhere around here who has beaten me in IDPA matches with the 39 series guns.
As for the single stack nonsense, there's not a Glocker anywhere around here who has beaten me in IDPA matches with the 39 series guns.
dgludwig
Member
Regarding the reliability of "Third Generation" S&W pistols, I will say that they are one of the few semi-auto platforms that I trust to not malfunction with other than fmj bullets. There are others but not so many in my experience.
kbak67
Member
"back for 3rds"
I picked up a great 3913 a couple of years back (thanks Matt) then like a dummy I sold it.... cause I was all Glock and 1911 man!
I've been regretting that, with my wife picking me up a 4506 a few weeks back from someone at her department...I forgot how sweet they shoot, though the first shot, I gotta work on that....
I think I found a 3913 locally I have to get over and get some money down on to stick her back in lay-a-way...try out the smaller one again...
I picked up a great 3913 a couple of years back (thanks Matt) then like a dummy I sold it.... cause I was all Glock and 1911 man!
I've been regretting that, with my wife picking me up a 4506 a few weeks back from someone at her department...I forgot how sweet they shoot, though the first shot, I gotta work on that....
I think I found a 3913 locally I have to get over and get some money down on to stick her back in lay-a-way...try out the smaller one again...
Anyone have experience with the PC 1911 .45 3" barrel ultralight? I am looking for a .45 CCW. There is the 1911 ultralight CCW platform, including the Sigs and Kimbers and the SW PC in 3". then there is CS .45 and 4516. I have shot none of the above. All my CCW has been in 9mm semi auto and .38spl and 357mag wheel guns.
I love the SW full size 3rd gen platform 4506-1 and newly acquired 4566. SO your thoughts on the 3rd gen CCW .45s vs 1911s? I dont care for the polymer guns...just my preference.
Oh and I found a SW 1911 PC .45 3" at my LGS today and it felt great so... HELP?
Thanks
Mike
I love the SW full size 3rd gen platform 4506-1 and newly acquired 4566. SO your thoughts on the 3rd gen CCW .45s vs 1911s? I dont care for the polymer guns...just my preference.
Oh and I found a SW 1911 PC .45 3" at my LGS today and it felt great so... HELP?
Thanks
Mike
Zebulon
Member
I too love the Compact Series but unfortunately no longer own any. Here's a pic of my matched 3913's and 4566's.. Other Forum members own them now. My absolute Favorites are my 3913's, the 4596 I never owned, and the 3566 TSW that the Performance Center converted to 9MM for me. I realize the 4566's are too large to be considered "Compact"...I just wanted to post them.... Zebulon
Zebulon
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mbliss57 in my experience the main difference......and perhaps the most important difference, between 3rd gen 45's and 1911's, is reliability. Having initially trained on 1911's and carried one on duty for a short period of time, I can tell you that while there are a couple of brands of 1911's that will work right out of the box........most of the time - without any tinkering or smithing - the vast majority need to be extensively tested with different ammunition and even different magazines to insure reliability.
Other than insuring your carry ammo POA = POI, there are no such requirements for rigorous testing with 3rd gen 45's.
The only light weight, CCW, 1911 patern pistol I've ever seen approach the reliability of the S&W 3rd generation 45's was my old partners Colt Defender. It still occasionally choked. Probably because my old partner was not exactly OCD about maintenance and cleaning.
Personally, I feel that 1911's have a great historic value and are fine range toys. But if you are not inclined to pay lots of money to gunsmiths for making them reliable AND do regular rote maintenance and cleaning, as well as learning some basic gunsmithing skills, you would be better served by a 3rd generation 45 for use as a carry gun. I know I am.
Oh, avoid Kimber. Great looking, tack driving, single shot, rust prone, MIM filled, overpriced and overhyped 1911's. Good luck! Regards 18DAI
Other than insuring your carry ammo POA = POI, there are no such requirements for rigorous testing with 3rd gen 45's.
The only light weight, CCW, 1911 patern pistol I've ever seen approach the reliability of the S&W 3rd generation 45's was my old partners Colt Defender. It still occasionally choked. Probably because my old partner was not exactly OCD about maintenance and cleaning.
Personally, I feel that 1911's have a great historic value and are fine range toys. But if you are not inclined to pay lots of money to gunsmiths for making them reliable AND do regular rote maintenance and cleaning, as well as learning some basic gunsmithing skills, you would be better served by a 3rd generation 45 for use as a carry gun. I know I am.
Oh, avoid Kimber. Great looking, tack driving, single shot, rust prone, MIM filled, overpriced and overhyped 1911's.
Good luck! Regards 18DAICatshooter
Member
I agree with 18 about the really short 1911s. Sad, but true.
The 3rd gen Smiths are just like Glocks in that they almost all shoot right out of the box. I've owned eight or nine compact 45s by Smith and never once has any of them failed.
My Shorty 45s will feed a piece of empty brass from the mag, both manually fed and by firing.
Cat
The 3rd gen Smiths are just like Glocks in that they almost all shoot right out of the box. I've owned eight or nine compact 45s by Smith and never once has any of them failed.
My Shorty 45s will feed a piece of empty brass from the mag, both manually fed and by firing.
Cat
mbliss57 in my experience the main difference......and perhaps the most important difference, between 3rd gen 45's and 1911's, is reliability. Having initially trained on 1911's and carried one on duty for a short period of time, I can tell you that while there are a couple of brands of 1911's that will work right out of the box........most of the time - without any tinkering or smithing - the vast majority need to be extensively tested with different ammunition and even different magazines to insure reliability.
Other than insuring your carry ammo POA = POI, there are no such requirements for rigorous testing with 3rd gen 45's.
The only light weight, CCW, 1911 patern pistol I've ever seen approach the reliability of the S&W 3rd generation 45's was my old partners Colt Defender. It still occasionally choked. Probably because my old partner was not exactly OCD about maintenance and cleaning.
Personally, I feel that 1911's have a great historic value and are fine range toys. But if you are not inclined to pay lots of money to gunsmiths for making them reliable AND do regular rote maintenance and cleaning, as well as learning some basic gunsmithing skills, you would be better served by a 3rd generation 45 for use as a carry gun. I know I am.
Oh, avoid Kimber. Great looking, tack driving, single shot, rust prone, MIM filled, overpriced and overhyped 1911's.
I was able to check out the Performance Center .45 with the short 3"" barrel. I was not impressed at all. I want a carry .45. Someone has offered a trade fro my 4566f or his 4513TSW...that looks just right for a carry.45. The4566 and 4506 of which I have 2 are somewhat redundant IMO Anyone have any experience with the .4513TSW (older version 6 shot prior to discontinue and reintroduced with a 7 shot mag.)
Mike
