I'm going out on a limb here.....

[Doogy]

I'd like to cast my vote for the S&W 4516 as one of the finest big bore autos ever made. Man, I love this gun. From the forged stainless construction that just screams quality, to it's nearly perfect size, this thing is just about as perfect a gun as there ever was.

Just a random gush for a Saturday, but anyone else wanna' nominate this Smith, or maybe another 3rd Gen. model for my fictional contest?

enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Doug

 

[Crazy K38]

not exactly a 3rd gen but my vote is for the SW99 in .40S&W

 

[Denver Dick]

Well, I've got two, a 4516-1 and -2. Great pistols! You might be out on a limb, but it's one big, stong and well supported limb.

 

[goldenlight]

I have to agree. I had a 4516-2 that I liked a LOT. A real pleasure to shoot, and very accurate.

Sadly, I had to sell it when I lost my job, many years ago.

The only 'complaint' I could see some people making is that it's a fairly heavy pistol.

I consider that to be an advantage, as it helps soak up recoil.

 

[Smith Pistol]

I agree! Any of the 45XX series of pistols are pleasures to hold, accurate to shoot and are some of the best looking firearms Smith has ever made.

My personal favorite is the 4566. I like the shorter barrel and I think it looks and feels more balanced than the longer ones. I also like the traditional DA/SA trigger system it offers.

Otherwise, Smith and Wesson are IDIOTS for discontinuing the third generation series of pistols. The third generations will last a lifetime, but when it comes time to add another pistol to the safe, I know that I will have to look elsewhere.

 

[USAF385]

not exactly a 3rd gen but my vote is for the SW99 in .40S&W

Crazy, you can't just vote for the gun's you own and carry

 

[thedr15]

I agree! I own a 4563TSW. It looks good and shoots well. I put a decent light on the rail and use it as my home defense gun.

 

[deanodog]

I have just purchased a 4566 and love it. I would like to own a 4516 as well. All the 3rd gen pistols are favorites for me. I went the plastic route and did not like them as much so I sold all but one M&P9c and am thinking hard about selling it. I like the 6906 better.

 

[walter o]

my vote

I love my 4516 ,think it's a great firearm Your right about the weight soaking up much of the recoil .And now that I have found a holster for it I will probably start CC it. A good holster for a 4516 is almost as hard to find as is a 4516

 

[FirebirdV8]

When it comes to third gens, you are preaching to the choir here. I have early 10mm third gens all of the way to the more recent ones (like my 4040). They are all great pistols. They actually look good too. For the SW99, its a great gun (it is one of my ccw choices), but that trigger has nothing on my 1066.

 

[18DAI]

I like my 4516-3, but the finest pistol S&W made (IMHO) for concealment and everyday carry is the 3913.

I will agree that the nicest compact 45 they made was the 4516.

Why anyone would want a plastic striker fired pistol when these 3rd generation pistols are available, for less money, is beyond me. Regards 18DAI.

 

[Deaj]

I agree! Any of the 45XX series of pistols are pleasures to hold, accurate to shoot and are some of the best looking firearms Smith has ever made.

Agreed. My 4506 (early, no -1, hooked trigger guard, adjustable sights, stock curved backstrap grip) is easily my favorite 45ACP Pistol. Soft shooter, more accurate than I'll ever be, points naturally well in my hands, well balanced, provides an excellent sight picture quickly, great trigger DA and SA, built like a tank, unwaveringly reliable, not at all finicky about ammunition, and it's a great lookin pistol!

S&W shouldn't have discontinued the 3rd gen series. IMO they're among the finest autoloading handguns ever made.