DAO 3rd Gen smith: how is the trigger pull?

[Doogy]

I'm looking at diving into the world of the DAO 3rd gens, but have frankly never fired one. I do however like many DAO guns, but was wondering what the consensus was like regarding these, and if there are gunsmiths that perform trigger work for these if I should get one I don't care for? In particular, i'm looking at the 4053 if that helps.

thanks for any input!

Doug

 

[Doogy]

I'm looking at diving into the world of the DAO 3rd gens, but have frankly never fired one. I do however like many DAO guns, but was wondering what the consensus was like regarding these, and if there are gunsmiths that perform trigger work for these if I should get one I don't care for? In particular, i'm looking at the 4053 if that helps.

thanks for any input!

Doug

 

[jamesp2000]

I have a S&W 1046 and the trigger pull is just like a nice double action revolver very smooth.

 

[Cruiser RN]

Hi Doug.I am a long time revolver shooter who has just jumped into the world of bottom feeders with my Chief's Special 9mm.I love the gun but I can't wrap around the transition from Double to Single action without slightly pulling some shots.I am sending my CS9 back to Smith for a Double Action only conversion.The first shot in Double Action mode is crisp and smooth so if it is near the same after conversion I will be a very happy man.Heck after getting used to a NYPD 14 lb trigger anything is light...LOL.God Bless....Mike

 

[varoadking]

S&W 3rd Gen DAO's are great...

Regarding your choice - I have a 4053 and a pre-rail 4053TSW, among a dozen or so other Smith DAO's, including a 1046.

You will be pleased...

 

[Bullman]

There seems to be some threads about this here of late. I am also interested. Never shot one of the 3rd Generation DAOs though, I have seen a few 6946s at the gun shows over the years. I am waiting to hear from Cruiser how he likes his CS 9 when he gets it back from Smith. If I hear good things my CS 45 may head that way. Also thinking about looking into a M&P .45 compact for something middle of the road between my Chief and my 4566, even though the M&P is completely different. I have gotten used to that same trigger pull all the time shooting a Glock at work, and I think I would like to have all my carry guns work on that principal.

 

[jaysouth]

My 5906 is fantastic. Just like my well broken Model 19 revolver.

Previous 6949 was total crap. Trigger pull was 15-18 pounds.

YRMV, good luck. try before you buy.

 

[varoadking]

Previous 6949 was total crap. Trigger pull was 15-18 pounds.

I'm not familiar with the 6949 - I do have a terrific 6946, though I do tend to lean towards 40's, 45's and 10mm - but it sounds like your 6949 was broken.

None of my Smith DAO's have a trigger pull that extreme - not even my SW9VE Sigma. All are very smooth and range from 8-10 pounds...except the Sigma, of course...

Wolff 18 pound mainsprings have given me the best results...

 

[RufusG]

I do however like many DAO guns, but was wondering what the consensus was like regarding these,

My consensus is I likem. Years ago I bought a 6946 I didn't really need or want because it was too cheap not to buy. The first time I shot it I shot it better than any other semi I had (all TDA or SA). It's still my regular carry auto.

I'm not sure I would describe it as revolver like, but it's certainly smooth and consistent. Best bet is to try one yourself before buying but obviously that is not always possible.

 

[biggs357]

Wow a forum i can relate to.I love my 4046 .40 cal S&W so much it has replaced every thing else as my carry gun.

__________________________________________

 

[KurtC]

The Smith DAO models have just about the slickest traditional trigger pulls in the business. Here is a 4553TSW.

 

[RufusG]

One thing I'll add; there are two 3rd gen DAO systems. If you look at the two pictures above, the 4046 has a completely round plug on the slide where the safety/decocker would be on a TDA, but the 4553TSW has a funny shaped one. The pre-TSW guns (round) pre-cocked the hammer more (I've heard it described as 1/2 as opposed to 1/4 for the TSW guns) and are considered to have a better DAO trigger pull than the TSW DAOs, but I am only reporting this as I have never fired a TSW DAO.

 

[KurtC]

The trigger pull is actually the same on both versions of the Smith DAO. However, as noted, it is shorter on the earlier "round plug" models because the hammer is further back.

Which you like better is a matter of personal opinion. If you have long fingers, the newer version is easier to use. Short fingered shooters would certainly appreciate the earlier version. It is very comparable to choosing a long or short trigger for your 1911.

As a side note, the "round plug" is actually called a Firing Pin Retainer. This function is performed by the safety/decocker on TDA models. It is odd-shaped on the newer models because Smith uses the same slide for all versions.

 

[Erich]

My 6946 had a long and smooth pull that felt somewhat lighter than that on a regular 6906. I have to say that the length of the pull required a bit of getting used to.

I do not like how these quasi-"DAO"s require manipulation of the slide to afford a second strike at a recalcitrant primer. That said, I never had a round fail to go off when whacked with my 6946's hammer.

 

[WR Moore]

Erich, there's a school of thought that racking the slide and taking a whack at a different round is preferrable to banging away at a round that may not fire under any circumstances.

Even revolvers make their next attempt at another round. You don't get another whack at the first round until several rounds later.

Where multiple strike capability exists, there's a depressing tendency to beat the dead cartridge rather than move on to another. Does make some hysterical video on a training range though.

 

[smousefam5]

I love my 4053! It shoots like a dream and I was amazed by the trigger pull. You can also get them at a price cheaper than a new Taurus. As much as I love my S&W stainless Bodyguard, my 4053 is my preferred carry.

 

[Erich]

there's a school of thought that racking the slide and taking a whack at a different round is preferrable to banging away at a round that may not fire under any circumstances.

In most weak-strike situations I've encountered, a second strike will detonate the primer. It's true that some problems require a new round to be racked in. It's much faster to pull the trigger a second time - since that takes care of most problems, it's the horse that I prefer to bet upon.

Fortunately, it's a free country.

FWIW, I've seen it happen several times where even a trained person got a dead click on a Glock (for instance) and continued tugging on the now-dead trigger in confusion before "snapping" to the situation and racking the slide. The beauty of a true second-strike trigger, mi amigo, is that one can either opt for the second-strike or yank the round out of the chamber - as one wishes. Nothing prevents a person from racking out a round after a dead strike, but the must-be-partially-cocked-to-fire quasi-DAO systems make it impossible to do a second-strike.

Give me a DAK or true DAO system anyday.

 

[Wyatt Earp]

Originally posted by Erich:It's true that some problems require a new round to be racked in. It's much faster to pull the trigger a second time - since that takes care of most problems, it's the horse that I prefer to bet upon.

The only problem a second strike fixes is a weak strike. All other problems require magazine and/or slide manipulation. So I default to tap/rack/bang rather than trying to remember if the pistol in my hands has or does not have a second strike capability.

 

[Stillwater788]

If you've never shot a 3rd gen DAO Smith auto - you should do so ASAP. You will be very impressed, particularly if you are a wheel gun fan. These guns have a very smooth pull - maybe 5-6 pounds with a Wolffe aftermarket hammer spring and a little polishing on the internals. These guns are HIGHLY underrated and can be gotten for a song in LNIB condition. I've come to the conclusion that shooting a pistol is like shooting a basketball - I do better when the mechanics of every shot are the same. Hence, I'm a huge fan of S&W revolvers, the new M&P series and 3rd gen DOA autos. You can get a 5946 DAO 9mm in excellent shape for under three bills all day long - get one and try it. I've never tried the .40 DAOs but I've heard good reports on them and my 4586 .45ACP DAO kicks booty. Get one - shoot it - love it.

 

[Golddog]

Dissent: S&W DAO triggers are the worst I've experienced on any gun - long, heavy, virtually unshootable. I'd buy ANY other decent semi-auto before going for one of these.