Gen 3 DAOs...is the trigger that bad?

[BrianXIX]

I am really considering picking up a S&W 4046. I've always wanted a S&W Gen3. I keep hearing horror stories about the DAO trigger pull...and its giving me cold feet. How heavy is the trigger pull? Is it comparable to any other gun(sigma?).
Thanks in advance

 

[photoman]

Are you considering one of the CDNN guns?

 

[James&theGiant1911]

All DAO triggers are not good IMO, you can have them smoothed out and lightened like my 1076 but in the end it is still a DA trigger requiring work to keep the gun from jumping off target as you pull the trigger.

 

[KarmannGhia]

The 3rd Gen triggers are fine. Is it like a Sigma (NO, nor Glock, or M&P) but they are like a Beretta 92, or Sig 226 etc..... Striker fire guns have a lighter pull, but TDA semi autos are great shooters and DAOs pull similar to a revolver.

 

[BrianXIX]

Are you considering one of the CDNN guns?

Yes, 3rd gen S&Ws are scarce here. I usually check out a gun before I buy...but in this case I can't.
Do you have any info on the CDNN guns??? The rep said they were NIB/old stock. He didn't have any other info.

 

[Hill_Country]

I bought a police trade in 6906 from CDNN a couple of years ago. The price was very fair, the service was outstanding, and the gun was in better than advertised condition. I'm looking forward to doing business with them, again. If they say it is NIB or LNIB, I would believe them.

Personally, I don't think 3d gen triggers are bad, at all. They are not a 1911, but they're not supposed to be. All of my carry weapons are 3d gens and I have no complaints.

 

[BigCityChief]

I LOVE both my Gen 3 DAOs - a beautiful 5946 and a 3953TSW. They are excellent point and shoot combat guns and love shooters who've been trained to squeeze, not pull or jerk, triggers. If you can find one, buy it! You'll be glad you did. Good luck.

 

[photoman]

I don't have any specific information. Are the $450 ones NIB old stock? I've been thinking about getting one of the very good to good $299 ones.

 

[BrianXIX]

I don't have any specific information. Are the $450 ones NIB old stock? I've been thinking about getting one of the very good to good $299 ones.

I called today and I was told
NIB 449 old stock. They were in police storage, no LEO Dept markings.
The others are 299(?) depending on condition. I'm not sure the difference

 

[Lost Lake]

Third gens have great triggers...

Whoever told you they didn't is buying them all up and doesn't want you buying any!

.

 

[photoman]

I did try some DAO third gens at Cabelas the other day, surplus 9mm 5943's or something like that, and a few of them did have clunker triggers that would need to be sent to the PC for sure.

 

[Arik]

Third gens have great triggers...

Whoever told you they didn't is buying them all up and doesn't want you buying any!

.

Bingo! I don't know what you guys are smoking but DAO or DA/SA 3rd gen Smiths have some of the best triggers, unless you are coming from the 1911 I dont see how they are bad.

Very smooooth pull with a crisp break. Every single one I have held including the ones I own were like that and none have trigger jobs. They arnt light like a 1911 but all have been lighter and smoother then any Beretta ive ever tried. The pull on a DAO is about same as on the DA pull of the DA/SA.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Arik]

All DAO triggers are not good IMO, you can have them smoothed out and lightened like my 1076 but in the end it is still a DA trigger requiring work to keep the gun from jumping off target as you pull the trigger.

" jumping off target as you pulled the trigger?" How long have you been shooting? I have never had that problem from Glocks to HKs to S&W. Nothing "jumps"

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2

 

[James&theGiant1911]

" jumping off target as you pulled the trigger?" How long have you been shooting? I have never had that problem from Glocks to HKs to S&W. Nothing "jumps"

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2

I do not and will never own a DAO 3rd gen which is why they sell for less than the DA/ SA ones with side mounted safeties or decockers. My are smooth and I have only trouble with one third gen wanting to mover to the left when I squeeze the trigger and that is my Shorty 40. Sure with enough range time you can eliminate it but why not practice both and get good with either. I usually like the single action better and it is quicker. When I shoot I will either cock while drawing if a spur hammer or if in DA, then I will half cock the trigger making it quicker. Single action feels and is a lot quicker and that .05 of a second could be the difference between life or death.

 

[photoman]

I'm a lot faster drawing and firing a DAO than I am drawing, making sure the slide safety is off and then firing. I guess after a couple o' gazillion draws and fires I would get used to the slide mounted safety but I've never taken the time to train with one. Call me lazy.

 

[Arik]

I dont like SA.......well I do, its nice, its fine but its a handicap in a way. All you are doing is releasing the hammer. Not much different from cowboy gyns. After that anything else is considered "OMG THE HORROR"

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2

 

[gasaman]

My HD gun is a 5943 and my SD gun is a CS9D. Both dao 3rd gen S&Ws.

 

[Big Mike]

The 3rd Gen, 4046 (non-TSW) should have a nice, short, smooth DAO trigger. The typical DA/SA 3rd Gen pistols have a slightly heavier and longer pull than the DAO models, and in my opinion, much like a lot of other manufacturers' DA/SA models, Beretta, Sig, etc.

I've owned a 6946 (regret trading it off) and currently own/shoot/carry a 4043 and 4044, with excellent triggers/reset. I've read/heard of several people who prefer not to shoot DAO pistols, but I've not heard any horror stories of 3rd Gen DAO pistols. In fact, I, like many others here, prefer them over other brands.

 

[rwsmith]

Just takes getting used to

Being mainly a revolver person I found the 3rd gen trigger to be a big surprise. One of my first shots hit the metal hanger for the target. By the time I had a few mags through it things improved considerably. You get used to it.

 

[Professor Frink]

I have two 5946s, two 3953s, and one 3944. I ADORE the triggers on these. Consistent trigger. If you like the DA trigger on a Smith revolver (which I do), you will like the trigger on the 4046.