Iconic S&W Auto?

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Jst1mr

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Hey guys. I spend nearly all my time (and money!) on the revolver end of the S&W business. However, because I like their products so much, I like to have representatives of things they manufacture. I have J, K, L, N, and X frame revolvers in many different iterations, plus an M&P15T 5.56 rifle. No offense, but I just don't have the same craving for semi auto pistols, though I do own models by Beretta, Ruger, and Springfield. I would like to add a "classic" S&W semi auto to my collection, just to say I have one. What model/year/variation/etc. best represents to you a "classic" S&W semi auto? No polymer/plastic, please...
 
I would say a 4506. It has been used for lots of movies such as Bad Boys, Training Day, Pulp Fiction and many more.
 
I would say a model 4506 45acp with the square trigger guard or the model 39 9mm. Just be careful they also can be additive.
 
The Model 41 is the standard by which all other .22 pistols are measured.

1124.1.jpg
 
I would have to go along with those saying the 39 or 59 series. Almost all of the semi-autos they have ever since the 1950's made are from one of these guns basic designs. On top of that the 39 was the first DA/SA 9mm semi-auto made in America. So even though S&W took some cues from the Walther P38, they put alot of their own work and design into the early semi-autos and made an excellent pistol that was truly unique. I really like my 3rd gens, but for me the 39 or 59 represent the begining of it all for S&W in the world of semi-autos.
 
I nominate the newest S&W pistol, the SD!

Just kidding. Maybe someday, but not now. In truth, I think that this will be personal to each shooter. Subjective. For me it would be one of three: 1) the model 39; the first really righteous American DA 9mm pistol. Great looking pistol with equally impressive feel in the hand. 2) the model 59; the first really righteous American double stack DA 9mm pistol. Iconic not so much for looks or feel, but for brilliant early execution on a concept. 3) finally, the model 3913; take everything S&W learned about making 9mm pistols and add to that the inputs from shooters all over the world and you achieve what may be the finest 9mm carry pistol ever mass manufactured. I am amazed when I think of all the "custom" features that the 3913 incorporated. Iconic in the sense that this pistol perfected, into a standard offering, the American DA pistol.

Out
West
 
I'd say first choice would be a 645, it was Smiths first 45 auto and a very good one. They are not real common and are just a gem to shoot. I also like the 4506 idea as well, or model 39 would be next if you don't want a 45. Sorry guys but a M 41 isn't "iconic", maybe among target folks but not your average shooter, just my 2 cents.
 
The 4506 has my vote as well -- as partial as I am to the 1006.

They're both well regarded semi-autos -- and very aesthetically pleasing in their lines and design.

Anybody with a tendency to slam other Smith semi-autos pretty much has to shut up when it comes to either the 1006 or the 4506 -- including honest die-hard Glockers who give both grudging respect.

In my experience, the 1006 is the most reliable semi-auto I've EVER encountered. Frank James torture-tested one for 10,000 rounds in something like six hours -- and if I recall -- had four malfunctions -- two of which -- and maybe all four -- were ammo-related.

I've never seen one bobble -- and both will even feed empties. Try that with a Glock.

Later 4506s and 1006s look almost identical -- except for bore diameter.

To me, they're two of the best looking guns ever created.

I'd pick one with the fixed Novak sights -- and the rounded trigger guard.

My first choice in a .45 is always a 4506-series -- and my first choice in 10mm is always 1006-series. I love these two guns more than all other Smiths combined.
 
Last edited:
Nframe357 said:
Sorry guys but a M 41 isn't "iconic", maybe among target folks but not your average shooter, just my 2 cents.
Click to expand...

Yup.......it takes an above average shooter to appreciate a gun like 41....

:p
 
39-2, or if you can find one and your pockets are deep enough get a original steel frame M39.

Class III
 
For me it's the Model 52. A finely crafted shooting machine. Of course, no longer manufactured.
 
Truly vintage the M39/M59. 80's cool the 645. Classic 3rd Gen. the 5906.
 
I'll vote with a lot of other folks, and say either a 39 series, or one of the 5" DA .45s. You could go with either an early, or a later, version of either one, I think, and wind up happy.

The original 39 is, for me, the cat's pyjamas in terms of "service pistol feeling right in the hand." It's the first pistol that made a Colt Commander feel bulky to me. It's been years since I shot one. I could also, with equal satisfaction, choose a 3904 or 3906, with all the juicy 3d Gen improvements.

Same thing, pretty much, with the .45s. The 645 applied wondernine concepts---DA trigger, stainless construction, non-swinging link lockup---to the fighting .45, "and things were never the same after that." With that said, yeah, I'd take a 4506 as well, pretty much the same thing, only with the juicy 3d Gen improvements.
 
In my opinion, there is nothing more classic than a M39, it just feels right, and is nice to look at as well.
I owned a 4506, it is a big brute of a pistol, but will probably shoot forever, mine never had a FTF, or FTE, and was one of the softest shooting 45's I ever fired.
 
Another vote for the Model 39 (a 39-2 more likely). They are not only classic DA pistols but they are about as ergonomically perfect as an auto can feel.

Jerry
 
The 39 was the first automatic I ever carried as a duty gun, though only in plainclothes. It, the model 59 and the Walther P38 were approved for plainclothes or hideout use. We had to use the awful Winchester 100 grain "Power Point", which wouldn't expand on a brick wall, (hollow points were still a no no...). It's horrible performance was matched by it's inability to feed.

But boy, that flat, light, automatic was great to carry.
 
:)
I'd have to go along with the model 39-2, why? Because it's what I know. One of the first ones I handled and then shot. I inherited mine and knew as soon as I put it in my hand ... it was special. I then went out and bought another one. Now after 4 months and several more gun purchases, I'm thinking about selling my extra 39-2 for purchasing my 1st S&W 1911Sc... :)
 
Sigh....I knew there wouldn't be an easy answer to this. Thanks for all the info. Seems I am going to have to handle a few of these recommendations and come to some sort of conclusion. If this gets addictive you guys are in serious trouble!
 
Gotta be either the 39 or the 41, Both are at the top of their class.
 
What-No votes for the 945?After seeing one and then bumming a
"Test Ride" on one at my local range,It took me only a few months to scrape together the cash to go on a serious hunt for one!
Love mine-100%dependable-Nothing but OO's and Aah's when I break
it out at the range...Shoot one if you can, You'll have to have it!!
oromil
KORTH IS KING!!
 
The 945's are a specialty gun, not the common garden variety pistol that sat in a gun case in gun shops wide spread. The M39 is iconic as it was the first US designed and made DA pistol. But it's not the only iconic S&W Pistol... the M59 was the first double stack 9mm and was one of the most widely used for LE.
 
Well, seeing that I have the 39-2, 3914, 3953, 52-2, 59 (no dash), 645, and 745 I guess I have almost all of the "icons" but the 41 (which I missed a couple of months ago at the 7" barrel). I would have to go with the 39 or the 59, then the 3914/53 and really try to persuade people that the 52-2 and the 745 are "icons in their own right". Dave_n
 
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