As an aficionado of metal-framed pistols, and also as someone fairly late to the game, I was disheartened when I discovered that S&W no longer manufactures nor supports their third-gen pistol line. I was further disappointed to learn that I apparently missed the boat on a number of these guns in practically new condition being dumped out into the market from distributors clearing old stock. By a few years, no less!
After casually perusing GunBroker, Guns International, and other sources over the course of the last few months I finally hit pay dirt. A dealer a few states over posted an ad for a number of Model 5946's in apparently NOS condition. It was one of the two models I was after (the other being the 5906), and after a quick call it was on the way.
It arrived the other night, and to say that I'm impressed is an understatement. Not only does this thing feel great in the hand, but it has a fantastic trigger for a DAO gun and looks sharp as all hell. It appears to have only been fired once or twice (I'm assuming it was a factory test-fire) and has almost no wear or handling marks to speak of. I probably overpaid for it, and it only came with one magazine, but I'm glad to have it. (Now I have to track down an ex-NYPD model with the absurd trigger weight for comparison's sake.
)
The serial number prefix on this one is VHM. Can anyone advise what year range that would correspond to? Are there any spare parts/springs I should stock up on, or are there any other quirks I should be aware of?
After casually perusing GunBroker, Guns International, and other sources over the course of the last few months I finally hit pay dirt. A dealer a few states over posted an ad for a number of Model 5946's in apparently NOS condition. It was one of the two models I was after (the other being the 5906), and after a quick call it was on the way.
It arrived the other night, and to say that I'm impressed is an understatement. Not only does this thing feel great in the hand, but it has a fantastic trigger for a DAO gun and looks sharp as all hell. It appears to have only been fired once or twice (I'm assuming it was a factory test-fire) and has almost no wear or handling marks to speak of. I probably overpaid for it, and it only came with one magazine, but I'm glad to have it. (Now I have to track down an ex-NYPD model with the absurd trigger weight for comparison's sake.
)The serial number prefix on this one is VHM. Can anyone advise what year range that would correspond to? Are there any spare parts/springs I should stock up on, or are there any other quirks I should be aware of?
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