Interesting aftermarket items for 2nd/3rd gens?

[BigBoss3006]

Through my journey of modernizing my 459, i’ve been finding all sorts of short-lived and oddball aftermarket parts for the 2nd and 3rd gens. Recently picked up an Ed Brown extended slide release, but on the hunt for more, either to document or find for my own collection. Anybody have anything interesting that is not well known?

Been looking for a magwell, even temporarily, to 3D model and modify for my 459. Did anyone else make a magwell for the 3rd gen guns? Also on the lookout for the old Laser Products/Surefire weapon light.

 

[BigBoss3006]

Some pics of the Surefire light, in both 6V and 3V configs

 

[jsbethel]

The Lasermax guide rod laser sight was an interesting aftermarket offering. It was marketed for the 3rd gens but I see no reason for it not to work on a 2nd gen pistol.

Seems like there should be a S&W part number for the magwell on the various 3rd gen PC pistols.

 

[BigBoss3006]

The Lasermax guide rod laser sight was an interesting aftermarket offering. It was marketed for the 3rd gens but I see no reason for it not to work on a 2nd gen pistol.

Seems like there should be a S&W part number for the magwell on the various 3rd gen PC pistols.

The Lasermax rod is cool for sure. Seems like a very slick alternative to the laser grip modules.

If there is a part number for the magwell, i havent been able to find it. Both the old retailers, Power Factor Shooting and Speed Shooter Specialties, are long gone. A part number would help for sure

 

[BigBoss3006]

Here are a couple examples of barrel bushing comps/muzzle brakes

 

[DUSTYDOGDAN]

Here is a good one.

Not sure what year it's from but it is on my 4006 made in 1995.

 

[BigBoss3006]

Not sure what year it's from but it is on my 4006 made in 1995.

Those LDI units are interesting. I wonder if there were ever any IR lasers made

 

[JohnHL]

The LazerMax Guide Rod Laser was(IMHO) the coolest aftermarket accessory for the S&W metal frame, center fire, semi-automatic pistols ever marketed.

I was very happy to find one on GB (cheap!) a few years ago.

The Crimson Trace Laser Grips were also a very cool sighting accessory that may still be available.

Mine came on a 915 that looks OK but shoots really well.

So it didn't need laser grips and I took them off to try on other pistols with the same grip size. (9's/40's)

In addition to the extended slide release, Ed Brown also offered manual safeties with larger paddles and also a larger mag release button.

Millett, LPA, MMC, Mepro-Lite, as well as Novak offered different sighting options.

B-Square marketed "no gunsmithing" scope mounts.

Bar-Sto sold barrels.

Brownell's came up with a pair of screwdriver handled tools for removing 3rd gen grips (that don't seem to work any better than my personal set of Mark I thumbs).

Hogue, Pachmyer, Uncle Mike's, and Eagle sold grips.

Everybody made holsters!

And I'm sure I'm forgetting a bunch of stuff!

Unfortunately, the vast majority of these products have been discontinued, but can be found on the secondary market with some diligent (and persistent) searching.

John

 

[4T5GUY]

Also there were the Menck recoil spring buffer system.

I forgot I even had one but @ 6 months ago I found it, new in package in the wrong area. I asked about them here. I don’t remember when I got it but was most likely in the same order with all the other stuff I got including the Ed Brown extended controls. Long time ago.

I did a research and found some people thought they were a gimmick and others thought they were an important part of the 45 Super in a 4506.

Jim

 

[BigBoss3006]

Also there were the Menck recoil spring buffer system.

I forgot I even had one but @ 6 months ago I found it, new in package in the wrong area. I asked about them here. I don’t remember when I got it but was most likely in the same order with all the other stuff I got including the Ed Brown extended controls. Long time ago.

I did a research and found some people thought they were a gimmick and others thought they were an important part of the 45 Super in a 4506.

Jim

Have you used it? First i’ve heard of it, curious to know what your impressions of it are

 

[Liftrat]

Have you used it? First i’ve heard of it, curious to know what your impressions of it are

Not 4T5Guy, but I wasn't too impressed with the Menck system. Had one that came on a 1006, and I was always having hiccups; failures to feed, extract, etc. I changed to the OEM spring, and problems went away. Just MHO, perhaps the 45 ran better with it.

 

[Sevens]

Did anyone else make a magwell for the 3rd gen guns?

They put them on some of the Performance Center Limited guns but I have never seen these offered as a part you could purchase.

That's not to say that you couldn't have gotten one through the Performance Center way back when. And the PC does not exist today, regardless of the nonsense S&W and their used car salesmen try to suggest in their advertising or even in their communication.

The frame of a production 3rd Gen must be altered to receive the magwell. It's at the heel of the grip where the grip retainer pin is located.

These are items that (seems to me anyway) the only source for one is to yank it off a PC Limited pistol.

These guns had them:
3566 Limited
4006 Limited
PPC-9
...some others I cannot recall at the moment.

I have one and it is off the pistol, absolutely not for sale, I removed it from my PPC-9. I'm only adding this info because if it were something you wanted to try and re-create, I could be coerced in to taking pictures of it, measuring for dimensions, etc. I'm pretty sure there no markings of any sort on it, none.

 

[BigBoss3006]

They put them on some of the Performance Center Limited guns but I have never seen these offered as a part you could purchase.

That's not to say that you couldn't have gotten one through the Performance Center way back when. And the PC does not exist today, regardless of the nonsense S&W and their used car salesmen try to suggest in their advertising or even in their communication.

The frame of a production 3rd Gen must be altered to receive the magwell. It's at the heel of the grip where the grip retainer pin is located.

These are items that (seems to me anyway) the only source for one is to yank it off a PC Limited pistol.

These guns had them:
3566 Limited
4006 Limited
PPC-9
...some others I cannot recall at the moment.

I have one and it is off the pistol, absolutely not for sale, I removed it from my PPC-9. I'm only adding this info because if it were something you wanted to try and re-create, I could be coerced in to taking pictures of it, measuring for dimensions, etc. I'm pretty sure there no markings of any sort on it, none.

There were some sold separately, its been mentioned in a few threads, after a lot of digging. I may take you up on the measurements, but frankly, its probably something i’d need in hand. I was planning on having it 3D scanned, as my own CAD skills arent particularly great. Im sure the measurements couldn't hurt though. I’d prefer not to permanently alter one or separate one from its actual PC host, i’d rather find one that was sold as overrun

 

[CALREB]

Hey BigBoss, Maybe I can help you out. I came across this in my shop some time back. At one time I had 2 or 3 of them. I may still have them or gave some away, I cant remember. Not even sure where they came from. May have got them at the P/C when I was back at S/W at an armorer's school or something. Glad to lend it to you for your project. As you see it has no holes but that might be a good thing, for your project. I always wanted to see one that wasn't so flared. Speed reloading double stack mags that are beveled is already easier than single stack mags. Here are some pictures of the frame differences between the P/C guns frame made for this attachment and a regular 3rd gen gun. If you are successful just send me one of yours when you send mine back and we will call it even. Good luck... Bob

Just PM me your address and I will get it in the mail. May take me 2 or 3 days.

I am sure many here would like you to be successful with this project.

 

[BigBoss3006]

Hey BigBoss, Maybe I can help you out. I came across this in my shop some time back. At one time I had 2 or 3 of them. I may still have them or gave some away, I cant remember. Not even sure where they came from. May have got them at the P/C when I was back at S/W at an armorer's school or something. Glad to lend it to you for your project. As you see it has no holes but that might be a good thing, for your project. I always wanted to see one that wasn't so flared. Speed reloading double stack mags that are beveled is already easier than single stack mags. Here are some pictures of the frame differences between the P/C guns frame made for this attachment and a regular 3rd gen gun. If you are successful just send me one of yours when you send mine back and we will call it even. Good luck... Bob

Just PM me your address and I will get it in the mail. May take me 2 or 3 days.

I am sure many here would like you to be successful with this project.

Thank you so much man. Im working hard on getting my own modernized gun up and running, and i’d really like to offer some parts eventually for people that want them. I’ll send you my address, and one way or another i’ll get some made

 

[CALREB]

I found a set of recoil reducers for S/Ws I tried back in the day. One the Chandler model didn't work so well. The Harrts ones worked to some degree and never had any malfunctions. Just nothing I would have on a duty gun, not approved anyway. No recoil reducing mechanisms were allowed on pistols in the competitions I used to shoot, so they got filed away. Now however I will give them another try at the range. The rubber piece is just something I stuck on them to keep the washer together with the other parts.

Also remembered I had an extended slide stop on my 4506. I didn't need it being left-handed, but I installed it for my wife who carried it for years in patrol and working fugitive section. She loved the 4506 and actually carried two 45s at fugitives it and a 4513 tsw as back-up . Davis leather holsters and mag pouch. I think the ext stop was an Ed Brown part ?. I dont remember them made except for the large single stack S/Ws.

 

[4T5GUY]

Since this thread is still alive I’ll mention something I didn’t but should have. No one brought them up so I’ll add the Ed Brown extended controls.

Not very practical on a carry but maybe somewhat practical on a target one. (No I’m not even implying a 645 is a target pistol.) I got these for my 4506-1 “back then”. Just kinda old school.

My apologies to those that have seen this image too many times.

Jim

 

[BigBoss3006]

Since this thread is still alive I’ll mention something I didn’t but should have. No one brought them up so I’ll add the Ed Brown extended controls.

Not very practical on a carry but maybe somewhat practical on a target one. (No I’m not even implying a 645 is a target pistol.) I got these for my 4506-1 “back then”. Just kinda old school.

My apologies to those that have seen this image too many times.

Jim

I thought i mentioned it in the OP, but yeah the Ed Brown controls are great. I just got a 9mm Ed Brown slide release and it makes one-handed manipulation actually feasible for someone with medium sized hands

 

[henry1089]

would love a exteded slide release

I thought i mentioned it in the OP, but yeah the Ed Brown controls are great. I just got a 9mm Ed Brown slide release and it makes one-handed manipulation actually feasible for someone with medium sized hands

I have a 645 and love it but also have smaller hands
looked on the EB site but nothing came up on a search for S&W 645
any info would be greatly appreciated
thanks

 

[BigBoss3006]

I have a 645 and love it but also have smaller hands
looked on the EB site but nothing came up on a search for S&W 645
any info would be greatly appreciated
thanks

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but they’re long discontinued. I got lucky and found mine on eBay recently after a long bit of searching

Regular slide stops can be modified to be longer, but its a laborious process and you’ll be looking at a couple hundred to have it done