How did you get bit by the Third generation bug?

[bananaman]

I have been more into revolvers (Smiths) than autos. Smith autos just look so cool! Other than a 422, and 22A, I have never had a Smith auto. I was looking around 4 yrs. ago, and got sidetracked. Around 2 months ago I traded a GP100, for my Gen 3, 5906. I am impressed! What took me so long? Bob

 

[Muss Muggins]

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.

I had a 669 that I traded and always wished I still had. Several years later, my dad, who knew I always missed that 669, acquired a 6906, and we worked a trade for me to acquire that pistol, because it's my favorite 9mm pistol of all time . . .

 

[Deputy50]

I can't say I was bit by a bug, but I bought my 4006 as my first duty gun in 1994. I carried the boringly reliable boat anchor for eight years while in uniform. I switched to a lighter weight Sig when I went into plain clothes assignment, but I still have the 4006 and can't bring myself to separate myself from it... It goes to the range periodically. I had it out the other night checking on it.... and it is still a boat anchor!

 

[jsbethel]

Notice the part about the 10K test being a follow up to a 7K test of a 5906 without cleaning or serious lubrication. Maybe that will put an end to the angst by some about the lack of parts.

That 7k test article actually played a part in my decision to procure the 5906 as my first semi-auto back in 1989 or so - I still have a copy of it.

 

[lawman90]

For me it started when I saw the 4506 in various movies, and admiring the sheer size and awesome look of it.

Then I happened upon a 4006 for a great price and fell in love. A 4506 no dash, three 4506-1's, a 4006 and a 1006 later - here I am! Regretfully I no longer have my hooked trigger guard 5906, or a previous 4506-1 of mine. Foolishly sold both of them.

 

[kpoesq369]

At one point I owned a 39-2, which I liked quite a bit, but I traded for something or other. Didn;t shoot it as much as I wanted, and had a non mechanical ex who I caught loading the mag with 38 WC. Then was issued a 5906 as a duty gun, picked up a 6904 as a back up. Then got a chance to shoot a 4506, so got one for my PPC gun, then another 5906 that I put Bomars on since I could get 9 through my dept really cheap for PPC, then we switched to the 4003, then got another 5906 because it was a good deal, then a 4566 and lastly a 4516-1. They do grow on you!

 

[StickShift]

I blame S&W's fine revolvers. Trying to keep track of the myriad variations led me to buy the Standard Catalog...which introduced me to the myriad variations of the 3rd Generation pistols, some of which quickly caught my fancy. Then I remembered a buddy had a 5906 bought when they flooded the market 5 or 6 years ago. Shooting that 5906 quickly confirmed that these guns were every bit as well made as SIG Sauers and other metal frame pistols that I enjoyed shooting, so I jumped on a 5903 when I saw iAmmo had a bunch of nice examples in stock. So far that gun is my only 3rd Gen, but I'm on the lookout for a nice 5903/43TSW to go with it.

 

[JSL642]

My first 3rd gen was the 908s. Then came the 3913, then a 6906....Which I regrettably sold and currently looking for another one. I still have the 3913 and got caught up in Glocks....then I sold those and now back in the S&W 3rd gen mode for good.

 

[Bartman3562]

Got a 411 and installed night sights on it. Loved the gun and all the alloy frames so it got bad in a hurry.
Then came
39-2
5904
457
945
945-40
Shorty 40
Then the tsw
5903TSW
4003TSW
4006TSW
4513TSW
4563TSW
4563CQB
5903
1006
6906
3913
3913LS x2
3914LS
4013
4013 converted to a 1013
4566 melonite
Then the wife started shooting and she loves single action so we both carry sig 928's, she has a sig zombie full size 45, a ultra in 45 and I have a e series round but commander sc.
I regret selling the ones I had to, but cancer sucks. I do still have enough to shoot to keep me busy when I feel like it.

 

[Dregg]

A co-worker was selling a single stack DAO 3953 and I had the chance to handle it. The trigger pull was very manageable and I was hooked.

 

[photoman]

Now, that is a funny statement!!! I wonder... has it ever been done?

Buying just one third gen? I think not!

 

[cbtcppq]

I wanted a 1911 style pistol for concealed carry but without the thumb safety. So, I bought the 4586.

 

[Big Cholla]

I bought a M 19 no dash in 1969. I have been a fan ever since. I have never been disappointed by any third generation that has ever come into my possession. Yes, I am a pistolsmith and yes I have modified, tuned and messed with some of them extensively. BUT, IMHO, if I had never touched any of mine other than occasionally change out recoil springs, I would have been well served by Mr.(s) Smith and Wesson. ...............

 

[BAM-BAM]

I held a 469 sometime in the mid-80s...... my first thought ...... feels like a .........2x4!
I gently set it down and bought a 3" 65!

1988/9 scored a pair of 3" 66s..... was a "Happy Camper"... but everyone else wanted hi-cap 9mms...
I felt the need to keep up...469s still felt like a 2X4.....picked up a Beretta 92F Compact

Fast forward to 1988/89...... transitional 6906; hooked trigger guard and pre Novak rear sight........ Hah..... feels much better...took that one home!!

Always wanted a cut down 39; ASP,Trapper or Devel.......but not willing to order one for $$$s sight unseen!!!!!!

About a year later..... a 3913..... OK but grip was a little thin for my taste.

Flipped my early 6906 for one with Novak night sights and round trigger guard..... when they first came out...........

Hogue came out with their rubber grips for the 3913 and the 3913 was to quote Goldilocks "Just right !!!!"

1995/6...... picked up a "PC" SD-9 from a buddy who wanted to move to a 40. Added a "PC" 6906 and then a second one, used but unfired.

Been accumulating ever since.............and for many years they were plentiful and cheap...for some reason in my neck of "Penn's Woods".....no one really wanted 3rd Gen Smith's or Beretta's.

 

[dotdsd334]

Bought a 1006.....need I say more? Dang it

 

[85V65Sabre]

I was out scouring the LGS's for a 9mm from a different manufacture.
Found a nice used 5906 shoved in the corner of the case, I liked what I saw but thought the price was a little high. I even tried to get them down but he would not budge.
So I walked out. But I could NOT get that SS beauty out of my head. I did some research and found this forum.
The next day I found my self back at the LGS buying the 5906 and a couple boxes of ammo. Went straight to the range....... Yep you guessed it I was in love.

To live outside the law, You gotta give a damn.

 

[mmesa005]

I have an allergic reaction to too much plastic

 

[kraynky]

Mine was a 1006

My first introduction to them was way back when the 3913 LadySmith was introduced. I was smitten by the looks of it, but was hesitant about carrying it with the logo. I was young and dumb at the time,..........and broke. So I never got one.

Fast forward to just this past year, when I was again smitten by an offer of our very own Eaglestroker looking to trade his 1006 for something interesting. I happened to have something he wanted, and I was hooked! ( I wish I had the ole girl back I traded off though)

Nevertheless, I love that 1006! I soon after found a 3913NL to quench my lust for the Lady, that I'd kept to myself all those years, and right on it's heels a marvelous 4040PD joined the group.

I currently have lusting in my heart for a few other 3rd Gens gnawing at me now, (really want a CS45), and a 3914 LadySmith I hope is there when I get back to where I saw it a couple of weeks ago.

I could go on forever........Great Thread!

 

[cololab]

In what now seems like a million years ago, my agency issued me a 459 (which I was allowed to purchase when they were phased out of service). A few years later, I bought and carried a 4566.

And then along came a 645, a 469, a 669, 915, 5906, 4006....and the list goes on. I can't blame anyone but myself for my becoming fond of these ultra-reliable tanks, however it is nice to be in the company of so many others who have also succumbed to this bug.

 

[surfgun]

Smith discontinued the 2nd Generation pistols, so just kind of fell into the 3rd Generation pistols.