How did you get bit by the Third generation bug?

[carbuncle]

When I got into pistol shooting back in the early 90s, the Gen 3s were every bit as viable an option as Sigs, Berettas or Glocks. I took a liking to the 5906, special-ordered one from the factory and have been a fan ever since.

 

[scwv67]

Hanging around here. I originally came to this forum for info on Smith revolvers. Then I wandered over to this section.

 

[Redcoat3340]

As I was moving from NY to WA state, I sold some of my long guns; one fellow asked if I wanted to trade for 5906 he had. I did, had my FFL send it to WA (as I didn't have an NY pistol permit). Found this forum as I was researching the 5906 and it was "proceed directly to the poor house; do not pass go and it's gonna cost a lot more than 200."

Decided I was going to stick to 9mm and .38 special; and saw the opportunity to "collect" 39 and 59 series, from the no-dash 39 through 5906 (which I traded away and just replaced today).

Now maybe, for some DAO's. We'll have to see how the income tax goes.

This board has cost me a LOT of money. And I'm forever in the debt of the folks who make it one of the best, if not THE best, firearms forums on the interwebs.

 

[BruceB]

Had a M41 that I bought new in the latter part of the 60s, added a .38 Master, and griped because S&W didn't have a .45 auto then and ended up with a used Clark-modified 1911. Sold the .38 Master and 1911 when I came west in the Coast Guard, and kept the M41. I added a M39 no-dash around 1974, but didn't do any shooting for years afterwards

Fast forward to about 2009 when I joined this forum after having my M41 blow apart in my hand from a case head separation on a CCI HV round. Well, at least it ruined a very nice set of original grips and a magazine. One of our best friends couples had surprised me by announcing they wanted to get into shooting, so after some talk sessions we had gone off to the indoor range for some first time experience with the M39 and M41. My wife was NOT impressed when I backed away from the firing line holding the remains of my M41 in both hands.

At that point I decided that I needed something newer than the aging pair of Smiths I had, and started down the 3rd gen. slope in 2010 with a 5906. Now I have a two page list of serial numbers and purchase history for the things in my safe.

I'm not a high volume or high turnover addict, I wait patiently for nice examples to show up. I don't maintain a written wish list, there are some parts of the range I don't care for like double-stack compacts (69xx), but pretty much everything else is fair game, and only limited by what I feel I can spend. I've only sold one 3rd gen, that was a 4586 from Bud's that I just couldn't warm up to, it got traded here for a 4566. I don't have any 10mm, and probably won't, and it took a really nice 4026 for me to take the plunge into .40 S&W.

Lately I've acquired single stack compacts, and a slight departure into 2nd gen with a 645.

No 1911s of any sort, but I may be persuaded some day to get a PC 1911.

 

[petepeterson]

Hanging around here. I originally came to this forum for info on Smith revolvers. Then I wandered over to this section.

That's funny. I'll bet it happens alot. Like revolvers are the "gateway gun" to the hard stuff.

 

[bodyarmorguy]

I had a model 469 that I carried off-duty when I entered law enforcement in 1984, and a 4516 that I carried while working in narcotics in 1989 and into the the 90's. S&W auto pistols were not real popular in my agency, I can remember just 4 or 5 carrying them while a lot of us including myself tended to opt for 1911's (this was before the Glock craze).

A neighboring agency issued and enjoyed good success with 659's and later 5906's. I had always like them but did not have alot of trigger time on them. Lately, in my aging years (just turned 50, lol) I seem to have a passion for the guns not made anymore or are deemed hard to acquire.

In the last year I picked up a 4566 TSW and a 659 that have some unique features. The 4566TSW has a bobbed hammer, the rail attachment holes in the dustcover are riveted over and it is a de-cock only option. The 659 has the 5906 one piece grip and the 3rd gen safety/decocker (no philips head screw). I have the correct original box that shows model number as 6590 and matched serial number.

 

[BAM-BAM]

That 659 is a nice transition gun....... S&W never waste a thing !!!!

On second look....... can't figure out why it's a 6590 and not a 5906????????

 

[surfgun]

That 6590 is a transition model. A 5906 basically with the old 659 rear sight.

 

[bodyarmorguy]

That 6590 is a transition model. A 5906 basically with the old 659 rear sight.

That's kind of what I dig about it, cosmetically, absent the rear sight, it screams 5906, but frame stamped 659.

 

[Muss Muggins]

Bought a 669 new in the late 80's, and traded it couple years later. Never should have done that. Have the chance to pick up a 6906 four or five years ago, and jumped on it. Bought another a couple years later and traded it to my nephew, with the stipulation that I would be the recipient if he ever wanted to move it.

 

[Dave_n]

Started with a 745, then a second then a very early 645. Now I have 39's, 59's, 41's, 3913, 3914 and 3953, then a couple of 52s and a 4506. Well, I am told you cannot take it with yu, so I guess I will just have to look for some more 3rd Gens!! Dave_n

 

[66snub]

I came to the realization that I'm not in love with polymer semi-autos anymore. "It's not you, Babe, its me." I couldn't find anything in a carry gun that was in my price range that wasn't polymer.

Well, I was at my LGS the other day and saw a 6946 down in the "used" case. I asked to see it, dry-fired it a couple times, LOVED IT, and bought it on the spot ($350 plus tax, w/ a spare mag). It's basically the same size as my Sig 239, also has an alloy frame, and fits my Sig 239 holsters. Its smooth, thin, and holds plenty of rounds. Oh, and the trigger is absolutely lovely in spite of being DAO.

 

[bcr22]

My father had a 4053. I can't remember why he had it, and after a while neither could he. I always shot it pretty well. One night I had a dream about the gun and I took that as a sign, so I bought it from him. That was probably 15 years ago. I carried it around for a couple of years, then for a while I was kind of over it and considered selling it. But it wasn't worth much as a DAO so I held onto it, and after a while I repented of that sin and decided to keep it. When I found this forum I got excited about it again and decided I wanted a matching 45. That turned out to be a lot harder to find, but eventually I picked up a 4556. Then I got a DAO CS45. Some day I'll add a 4546 and a 4586. Then I might be done, unless I decide to look for a CS40, if the 4053 starts to feel outnumbered by the 45s.

 

[CH4]

I was fortunate and built up an immunity soon after buying a 6906, never been infected again. Sorry, they just don't do it for me. Don't get me started on the 645 boat anchor I was issued - safety held on by a cheesy Phillips-head screw that would come off during quals. To my mind S&W is all about revolvers.

 

[jughed440]

The 3rd Gen that started it for me is the Shorty 45 purchased at a local gun auction. My only other 3rd Gens are the 4566 and the 1006...i'm sure that more of them will soon be added to the meager collection.

 

[DanHend]

I wanted a Sig P226ST. Used ones were going for about $700-$800. I found a 5906TSW on Gunbroker for $425. The trigger is fantastic and I can run DA/SA with that gun with the same speed and accuracy as I can a striker or SAO.

Same thing with the 4566TSW. Sig has just started back P220 production so a used 220ST was pretty rare.

Now I'm on the lookout for a 4006TSW, but I can't seem to find one.

 

[JeepinSoldier]

How did I get bit by the Third Generation Bug?

Its a sordid story of pawnshops and this website LOL.

My entire S&W sickness started when I saw a 3" Model 65 laying in a Colorado Springs pawnshop case. Said to myself "Self, now that is a bada** gun."

3" I did not know that S&W ever made any 3" revolvers except the 3" 36. Started researching the 3" K Frame, found this site and my S&W addiction was born.

Started frequenting a Lakewood Pawnshop and purchasing S&W revolvers from them. One day the manager said to me " I know you like Smith's and you are a great customer, I have two Smiths that were just forfeited from layaway due to non payment, would you like to see them?" Told him I am always interested in Smiths.

So he hands me a 4" 686-1 and a 3913. Both in outstanding shape. Original sales tags say $550 and $400.

I had never handled a 3913 before, and of course it was niiiiiiiice........ The manager then says "I have too much inventory and I don't want to put them back in the case. You can have them for what was still owed on the lay away."

"How much is that?" I ask. He checks the computer - $335 for the 686 and $265 for the 3913! "10 percent down and five months to pay"

I about kill myself getting my wallet out. Before long I'm looking at a 6906, then a 6946, then a 3953, then a 4586......

And now I'm addicted to Smith revolvers AND 3rd Gens.....

 

[BAM-BAM]

That 6590 is a transition model. A 5906 basically with the old 659 rear sight.

Funny IIRC (it's been 25 years) my first 6906 came with the old style sight.....and it was marked as a 6906!!!!

 

[MNBassn]

3rd Generation

It is all your fault...this forum.
Started with a 9c and then bought a 9mm Shield.
All the talk about the 3rd gen semi-autos got me wanting one. Bought a 5906 and then a 439. Love 'em all.
Now warm up the weather so I can go outside and shoot some more!

 

[flyrobb]

It's this forum

Without a DOUBT it's this forum's fault and I don't even own one yet but...I can't stop looking for them. I have the 3 Gen spreadsheet, made by a forum member, next to the computer for a quick reference. It's bad and only a matter of time now. I seem to gravitate to the 3913 for some reason?? I'm still crying over one I missed out on in the classifieds here a couple days ago.