Model 4006: Your Experiences?

timn8er

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I would like to know Forum members experiences with
the Model 4006. Good, bad, whatever!
 
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Good

4006 TSW model. Typical 3rd Gen quality, rock solid. Accurate with flawless function so far. More comfortable in the hand than my 1006, shorter grip front to back. Lighter and shorter than the 1006 or 4506. Better round than the 9MM (in my opinion)

In many ways I think it is maybe the best DA/SA large bore pistol around.
 
Just got mine last month and love it. Other than not feeding 175 Gr LSWC, it eats everything else just fine. Accurate, less snappy than my M&P 40.
 
Nothing but good here. Beefy, solid and 100% reliable. One of the best triggers of any pistol I have. If I do my part, the rounds go where their supposed to. Another perk of owning this fine model is the current availability of cheap, used magazines. CDNN usually sells police trade ins for around $10. Much less painful than trying to find spare mags for a 6906 or 4506/4566:(
 
You won't hear a bad word from me about mine. It's just a big massive reliable steel brick chambering a round that I find more than adequately powerful without driving deep into overkill territory.

How come there's a disapproval icon marker next to the title of the original post? You're hinting that the gun is somehow a disappointment? We should hear the details about that.
 
I've only fired one, but it was terrific. I'm not the world's biggest fan of the .40, but the 4006 seems like a great platform for it. So-lid.
 
You won't hear a bad word from me about mine. It's just a big massive reliable steel brick chambering a round that I find powerful enough without driving deep into overkill territory.

How come there's a disapproval icon marker next to the title of the original post? You're hinting that the gun is somehow a disappointment? We should hear the details about that.

I didn't post an icon other than the question mark, so I don't
know what that's about. Thank you everyone for your input!
 
Mine is a TSW, rock solid and flawless function. My one and only gripe is that it is a bit heavy for me to carry (due to back problems), but it is a great gun for the nightstand.
 
Hey DC, I see what you mean about the icon now. I didn't
mean to to say thumbs down, I just picked the wrong icon.
 
I hope to take mine to the range tomorrow & see
how it works for me. I know that I like the way it
fits my grip. I have a 6906 & I like the way the grip
feels, but the 4006 is just a little roomier.
 
I waited to buy a semi auto until I found one that had everything I wanted, P-38 style DA/SA, stainless, double stack, more powerful cartridge than 9MM. I have 3. My favorite is an adjustable sight TSW with the MIM parts replaced. Might change it to decock only. Still debating whether to remove the rail.
 
I love mine, stainless frame, stainless slide, built like a brick house. +1 to pbslinger - I like your idea of replacing the MIM parts.
 
I took the 4006 to the range today & had a great time. It shot well
& of course was comparable to my 6906. The only difference seemed
to be that in single action the trigger was a little farther back than on
the 6906. I'm sure i'll get used to it. Anyway, big fun.
 
I've shot more recent production 4006TSW's than the older 4006's.

I think they're a pretty decent full-size pistol for the caliber.

Heavy, though. I actually liked the 4003TSW when I was doing some shooting with a T&E gun. Certainly lighter than the all-steel model, which would be appreciated after wearing one all day/night. The heavier all-steel gun would probably be found to help with the .40's felt recoil by many folks, though. Just depends.

FWIW, I was told that when the CHP out this way (CA) were considering replacing their aging inventory of hard-used 20-year old 4006's, their own initial testing found that the TSW versions would probably be more durable, and last longer, than their older 4006's. Not surprising, considering the design and manufacturing improvements that have occurred over the years and the tighter tolerances incorporated in the TSW's. Their officers tend to do a lot of training/practice shooting, as an agency, though.

Last I heard, the company wasn't making any more barrels for the 4006's, and the TSW barrels have some dimensional differences (thicker barrel hoods, for one thing).

A friend of mine who retired from the CHP told me that the agency had offered to let each officer buy their 4006, if they desired (meaning they could buy ONE 4006 ;) ). I can't remember the price he related, but it was pretty low ($135 or $235??).

Dunno. Wasn't interested at the time ... and he owned an older 4013, so he wasn't interested in buying his former 4006 duty weapon, either. (Reminds me of the time I was called by the armorer for an agency transitioning from Beretta 92's to 96's, and the guy told me he could set aside an unissued Beretta 92 that I could buy through a local dealer for something like $216, but I passed because I just didn't like the model enough to pay that for one.)

If I were to pick up a used 4006, the first thing I'd do would be to replace the recoil & mag springs, and the followers if they weren't the current light blue ones.

I knew an armorer for a local agency who had to let their 4006's run beyond the factory recommended 5 year (or 5K rounds fired) spring replacement interval (not his choice). During qualifications at the 7 year point he said they started seeing a sudden occurrence of feeding problems that were attributable to weakened springs. He got the money for new springs. ;) Just something to think about.
 
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I have four gen three Smiths: 5906,4006,1006,4566TSW. The 4006 is probably my least favorite. Don't really like the 40 cartridge. The gun is very solid. Trigger is heavier than the others and that is probably why I don't shoot it as well. It's a great gun, but I have others I like better. Mostly into 1911's now days. Took the 4006 to the range last week. May have to work with it a bit more.
 
Been carrying a 4006 on duty since 1990. Currently carry the 4006 TSW. Excellent weapon, rock solid reliable and trust my life to it.
 
I have purchased 3rd Gen guns: a 4006 (bought new 1996), 6906 (bought new 1997), and just picked up a used 3914 this year in great shape. All have been ultra reliable, only the 4006 has had issues (one FTE out of 500 rounds I have put through it).

The 3914 is my favorite, I have smaller hands so the single stack 9mm is perfect for me. The 6906 is my second favorite, it is still light and can carry up to 15 rounds in the magazine with the 59 series mags and the +2 extenders.

I like my 4006, but I have to really concentrate to shoot it well. Even the stock grips feel too big for me. I have no problem with the .40's recoil, but it seems I can't get a good enough grip on the gun. I shot my friends Sig P-229 in .40 and it felt better to me. Not as good as my 3914, so I need to try a P-239 out.

There is also no way I would use a 4006 for CCW. It is waaaay too heavy. For this a 4013 or 4014 is a must. But for a house gun it is an excellent choice. I keep toying with the idea of selling the 4006 and finding a used Sig 229 or 239, but just can't bring myself to sell my first handgun.
 

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