How did you get bit by the Third generation bug?

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Charlie111

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Just wondering how some of the posters here got bit by the Smith and Wesson third generation bug. I realize many have law-enforcement and security backgrounds and have experience with these pistols due to work. I originally found this forum by a web search and became interested in third generation pistols by what I read here. I started with a 3953. Then came a 3913 and 3906. I now an looking for a 4516. I have many years experience with 1911's but those third generations sure have my attention right now.
 
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I'm actually more of a first and 2nd gen fan, and I was perfectly happy. Then I joined this forum and unfortunately learned about the existence of the .356TSW pistols and other oddballs like the 6926. I blame this forum for making me purchase a 3566 shorty. Bunch of enablers, they are!
 
For me it was the 1st Saturday I had my unrestricted high capacity license to carry. I walking in to my LGS and saw a stainless S&W w/ 2 15rd mags. I didn't know alot about handguns, but I did know any thing over 10rders in this state are not too common. It was a clean 5943, I still have it. I googled feild stripping the 5943 when I got home with it and found this site.
Then we all know what happens from there....
 
Partly to blame is this forum.

I already had a 2nd Gen 559, and was already looking for another .45 acp pistol in addition to my Series '70 Gold Cup. I had a false start with a Glock G30, quickly discovering that it wasn't my cup of tea, coffee or anything else.

I saw an LE marked (Fresno SO) 4506-1 local to me that was for sale in the classifieds.

After I got that 4506-1 it was game on... a 4516-1 soon followed, which in turn attracted a pair of mating 4006's, that have yet to produce any offspring (I think one of them is shooting blanks).

The 4506-1 and 4516-1 mated, which produced a 4566. Their 1006 and 1076 cousins came to visit and congratulate them on the blessed event, and ended up moving in and producing a 1066.

Right now relations are strained between the 4506-1 and 4516-1, because the 4506-1 couldn't keep it in the holster and messed with the Gold Cup... and now I got this 945-1 wandering around that's half 1911 and half 4506.
 
I had a Model 39 back in the late 70s. When my job approved semi-autos in '89, I picked up a 669 and used it until the "new, improved" 3G 6906 came out. I traded that for a 3913NL, and while accumulating guns near the end of my career, I followed recommendations from this Forum and picked up a 457, a 4516-1, and just a few days ago, a 5906. While I have no problem with poly-frames, there's just something about an all-metal semi that calls out to ya... and anybody that thinks they're a "gun-guy" knows how that song goes. :D
 
I'll confess I was a huge fan of the Shield and googled what gun Mackey carried as I loved the look if it. Found out it was a 4506 and went ahead and bought one. Shot it, loved ,it and wanted more of these 3rd gens. I know have a 4506, 6906 and a CS45. Not a fan of the .40 round so I'll probably not buy a .40 S&W.
 
I held a 3913 when I first got my CHP and almost bought it because it felt so good, but alas I was foolish and bought into the lies of the plastic crowd...but that 3913 just stayed on my mind and was looking for one when I stumbled across a "bigger version" of it in .45ACP (a Shorty 45 MK2.) at a LGS for at the time I thought was a pretty good price so I bought it, took it home cleaned it up and went and shot it. Boy was I hooked. :D The rest is as they say history and this place does not help much...but I'm happy! :)
 
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First handgun at 21 was a 4506 with hooked trigger guard and winged adjustable sights.

Sold it, then a few years later I ended up buying another 4506 from a smaller town cop who was issued a new HK USP40 (he was selling a matched 3913 as well, both were bead blasted).

Have also owned a 4586, 4583TSW and a 4546 in addition to several 9mms.
 
It started two years ago with a beautiful 4006 at a great price, after I had been eyeballing this Forum for awhile after buying a Shield 40.

I've been all over the place since then, trying different models and calibers, usually for the thrill of a new pistol, but it's been all Third Gens all the time, for me.

4006
Shorty 40 (2 of 'em)
3913TSW
4513TSW
4040PD
Shorty 45
3566 Compact
457
622VR

Enjoyed every one of 'em, but for this reason and that, only the last four are still around. Found my niche, I guess.

Yes, this bunch of enablers around here hasn't helped matters any. ;) But I'm grateful to 'em all, especially those who have steered me with helpful information about what I was thinking of buying. :)

I ain't done yet, though; got a feeling there will be another one in the near future (if my "items watching" list is any indication!)

And who among us doesn't have at least one Grail gun still hanging around out there waiting to be found? :D
 
It actually started with a Ruger P85. Liked the look of it. Realized later that the 3rd Gens were similar styling and a lot more options.
 
10mm of course!

The Clinton 94 ban had just passed. I owned 2 Smith Revolvers for CCW back in 84. Kept the 686-0. Loved it...accurate and it was stainless steel! Then I saw an add for LE trade-ins from CDNN. So I bought it, a FBI 1076 in 93. Shot it and fell in love with the caliber. So over the next few years I purchased #2 1006s and #2 1066s. Somewhere in between added a 4006. My last was a 5906 made in 97. Bought plenty of mags. Unfortunately no other parts.

One of the NIB 1006s had a poorly finished slide. Called S&W and they balked but took it back and machined the slide and bead blasted it. Never had any other issues with the metal guns.

Would like to add 4505/4516 to keep my Baby Desert Eagle 45 ACP company. The full length guide rails on the BDE make it amazingly accurate. A great choice if you dislike plastic.

Cheers

Mike
Mike
 
Partialy due to This Forum,Overall I think the 3rd Generation Guns were somewhat overlooked when they were in production and now that they are no longer being produced many folks are finding out that they are a Quality & Sought after product,I know for what ever reason I didn't even look at a 3rd gen Auto back when they could be purchased new & purchased a couple of other autos (Beretta 92 & HK USP) which have served Me well, I Now have a 3913 & it likely won't be My only 3rd Gen Gun.
 
While a forced early retirement followed by the election of our illustrious President BO got me back into the shooting sports after 25 years away, my "renewed" interest was long guns exclusively (mostly "EBRs") right up until July of last year, at which point I bought myself a Beretta 92FS, which I had long desired. :)

The problem started when that wise metallic handgun purchase was followed by a long series of plastic gun purchases as I got back into Smith & Wesson's current production pistols along with a few Glocks.

The bottom line: I totally "OD'd" on plastic. :( :( :(

Long story short: 3rd Gens were the obvious "cure" for what ailed me. :) I now own three 3rd Gens with at least 2 or 3 more on the radar screen. :D Now, I am happy again! ;)
 
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