-
Forum Update: We've upgraded the software to improve security, performance, and the overall experience.
👉 Read why we made the change | Support the Forum
Model 1076 , FBI vs non-FBI
- Thread starter Ed G
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
- Joined
- Jun 28, 2007
- Messages
- 27,660
- Reaction score
- 21,272
Welcome! The FBI contract guns had certain features and serial numbers so photos would help here.
If you don't have the original box that documents the FBI connection, a letter of authenticity will be definitive.
http://www.swhistoricalfoundation.com/swhf_letter.pdf
Here is a longstanding thread here about it:
FBI 1076
If you don't have the original box that documents the FBI connection, a letter of authenticity will be definitive.
http://www.swhistoricalfoundation.com/swhf_letter.pdf
Here is a longstanding thread here about it:
FBI 1076
bigggbbruce
Member
New in box..?
IINM.. FBI guns were returned to S&W and relabled and sold as used guns. Would have two labels.
IINM.. FBI guns were returned to S&W and relabled and sold as used guns. Would have two labels.
HOUSTON RICK
Member
You actually see one for sale at a decent price? Is there more than one?
The_Truth
SWCA Member
If you post more info (identifying numbers) and pictures we may be able to help you ascertain what it is you're looking to learn.
Aegis
Member
If purchased new in 1994 it would be highly unlikely an FBI issue.
Some of the tell-tale features which would point but not do so with certainty that is an FBI pistol would be the checkered front of the grip. Commercial models have the straight line grip enhancement. There would also be on many of them a warning on the right side of the slide that the gun can fire without the magazine inserted. Lack of a checkered grip enhancement would be one disqualifier, but not all the FBI models were without the magazine safety. To be 100% certain, you will need to request a history letter from S&W.
squidsix
Member
I believe none of this is definitive except all FBI guns were able to fire without a magazine. It would be difficult but not impossible to change an FBI gun to requiring a magazine to fire. I could be wrong but if you can show me an FBI gun that had the magazine disconnect then please do!
Frank Black
Member
My 1076 is an ex-L.E. model with a TFE- prefix.
Not FBI, but it was set up exactly like the Bureau model (same night sights), with the exception of the grip. The one it came with was thin and had a straight back strap, not the palm-swell type. I later corrected that.
The historical letter I obtained from Mr. Jinks states my 1076 was shipped from the S&W factory to the P.D. of a New Hampshire city in 1991. About 1995 or -96, my FFL got it from CDNN, which was fielding a lot of 'cop trade-in' S&W 3rd Gen models at the time.
As the gun came to me, it was in excellent condition outside with just a few light holster rubbings. Pristine mechanically, as was the barrel after clean-up.
It was the classic ex-L.E. pistol: carried way more than it was ever shot, except at qualification. Maybe it was the Chief's personal weapon (?) Who knows?
I carried it regularly and shot it a lot over the years, with various levels of 10mm ammo and handloads. All springs, including mag springs, were upgraded to Wolff XPs.
Now it's pretty much a collector piece, due to parts being unobtainium if something breaks. Worse, there are no 'smiths around my area who're knowledgeable enough about the innards of 3rd Gen pistols that I'd trust to work on it.
Not FBI, but it was set up exactly like the Bureau model (same night sights), with the exception of the grip. The one it came with was thin and had a straight back strap, not the palm-swell type. I later corrected that.
The historical letter I obtained from Mr. Jinks states my 1076 was shipped from the S&W factory to the P.D. of a New Hampshire city in 1991. About 1995 or -96, my FFL got it from CDNN, which was fielding a lot of 'cop trade-in' S&W 3rd Gen models at the time.
As the gun came to me, it was in excellent condition outside with just a few light holster rubbings. Pristine mechanically, as was the barrel after clean-up.
It was the classic ex-L.E. pistol: carried way more than it was ever shot, except at qualification. Maybe it was the Chief's personal weapon (?) Who knows?
I carried it regularly and shot it a lot over the years, with various levels of 10mm ammo and handloads. All springs, including mag springs, were upgraded to Wolff XPs.
Now it's pretty much a collector piece, due to parts being unobtainium if something breaks. Worse, there are no 'smiths around my area who're knowledgeable enough about the innards of 3rd Gen pistols that I'd trust to work on it.
Last edited:
The_Truth
SWCA Member
I've owned 2 different 1076s with TFE prefixes. One was a Chesterfield VA PD gun and the other I still own and is a Virginia State Police issued weapon.
Recently acquired a 1086 which is one of my holy grail guns, and I love it so much I'm actually considering letting someone else have my VSP 1076
Recently acquired a 1086 which is one of my holy grail guns, and I love it so much I'm actually considering letting someone else have my VSP 1076
I've owned 2 different 1076s with TFE prefixes. One was a Chesterfield VA PD gun and the other I still own and is a Virginia State Police issued weapon.
Recently acquired a 1086 which is one of my holy grail guns, and I love it so much I'm actually considering letting someone else have my VSP 1076
Are you the guy that paid over 5K for one recently?
Wasn’t that a1046?
Walter Rego
Member
On my 1006 at least, the magazine safety parts which are just a nylon plunger and spring are accessed by removing the rear sight blade (or in my case the adjustable sight and protective ears) and decocker lever. So if the FBI guns had the standard 1076 slides and frames maybe they just didn't have those parts installed. If that is the case they could be converted back provided the parts could be obtained.
Last edited:
Frank Black
Member
I heard of other L.E.-issued 1076s that were non-Bureau guns - and not the 'civilian' 1076 model either - but issued to a state or local agency/department, like the Kentucky State Police or a New Hampshire PD.
In other words, a non-FBI 'duty' 1076, set up pretty much like Bureau guns, buy maybe given a special prefix (TFE-) in order to ID them more easily if they were ever returned for warranty work (?).
Possibly, I don't exactly recall, it was a decocker model 1000 series. However, in my mind, I still see what it sold for, Goofy from Walt Disney filling out his transfer form at the gunshop after it showed up. "Gawrsh! It only cost me five K, Donald! Hyuck!"
kraynky
Member
This is one of those KSP 1076's. It's a hybrid of the commercial and the FBI I think. Mine is a THD prefix, and it does not have the ability to fire without the magazine, but it does have the full checkering on the front strap like the FBI guns. And the faded night sights.
I would like to have a palm swell grip for mine.
I had a 1006 first and then this one showed up and I had to make a choice. I took them both to the range for a shoot off and the 1076 won. Plus it has a history of putting down a shotgun wielding bad guy and saving the Troopers life that it was issued to. Another Trooper that was on the scene told me the story.It's a keeper.
The_Truth
SWCA Member
Negative. And that was a 1046, the 5" version of the 1086. The 1046 is the most rare 10xx with only 151 made and the 1086 is the second most rare with 1660 made if memory serves.
The serial prefixes really mean nothing as far as confirming police issuance. There may be a lot of them in a certain prefix range, and they are definitely easier to guess that way, but there were non LEO guns interspersed in pretty much all the prefixes except TEU I think.
Aegis
Member
My lettered FBI 1076 does not have the warning on the slide, They were made both ways many variations on the FBI gun.Mine was shipped to Oklahoma City office.
Here's one of the first 200 shipped to the FTU at Quantico. Note, it does not have the checkered grip but the straight line enhancement. So, there are exceptions out there.
Chuck
