My addiction to S&W 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Gen is a mental disorder

[BAM-BAM]

Experimented through the late 70 and 80s with this gun and that..... 3rd Gen Smith autos have been my choice since 1989.......tried other "newer" guns but have always returned to the S&Ws for CC.

Also like the Sig P (220,245 and 229) series, Beretta 92s (Compacts, Centurion and Elite II) and Browning HP

Some of the newest guns out on the market.... look like squirt guns I owned in the 1960s!

 

[imarangemaster]

My favorite larger carry pistol would be 6906. 12+1. My favorite smaller (fits in pocket) is a Ruger LC9 in a Sticky Holster with a Mag Guts kit, 8+1. When its hot, and shorts and a T shirt, its the LC9 in the pocket, unless I go to the City (I live in the Sierra foothills). Winter, it (has been and will be soon) almost always the 469 or 6906 with a flat bottom mag base.

 

[imarangemaster]

I might add, of the current crop of offerings, that I do like the S&W Shield. It carries well, and shoots well. The problem is it is too large to carry in the pocket like the LC9, and is aabout as large as the 6906, and has to be holster carried.

The Shield is 8+1 with longer magazine, as opposed to the 6906's 12+1. If I am going to carry something that large, I opt for 4 more rounds. While it is about 5 ounces less, 4 more rounds is worth it.

Shield compared to 6906:

 

[imarangemaster]

Someday, I will trip across a CS9, and it will make my day! We had a CS40 come through the shop about a year or so ago. If it was 9, I would have grabbed it

 

[PeteC]

I might add, of the current crop of offerings, that I do like the S&W Shield. It carries well, and shoots well. The problem is it is too large to carry in the pocket like the LC9, and is about as large as the 6906, and has to be holster carried.

The Shield is 8+1 with longer magazine, as opposed to the 6906's 12+1. If I am going to carry something that large, I opt for 4 more rounds. While it is about 5 ounces less, 4 more rounds is worth it.
....

It may be closer to 8 oz difference. My 6906 and 3913 weigh about 27 and 25 ounces, respectively, w. unloaded magazines. I think the Shield 9mm is about 19 (?).

It might be better to compare the Shield to the 3913. Six ounces, or about 25% lighter. It is also thinner and a bit smaller. It does not have the big safety levers of the 3rd gen guns.

I like my 3rd gen pistols a lot, but I would much rather have a Shield in my winter coat pocket, than my 3913, or 6906. Speaking of Winter, the trigger guard on the Shield seems to work better with gloves (I have big hands), even though the difference is small at first glance.

 

[imarangemaster]

Actually the Shield is 21 ounces with 8 round mag, and 20.6 ounces with 7 round.

The 6906 is 26.0 ounces with 12 round mag.

 

[John_M52]

Sell them all to me with a bulk discount

 

[Moo Moo]

Yes. I have similar addiction, albeit not a 2nd Gen yet.

 

[Model 10-8]

I have the same addiction. I bought 7 since Covid hit. I have a problem. Now up to 10. Somebody stop me.

 

[imarangemaster]

Haha! Posted this in my other 4506 thread by mistake...

Here it is. Finally got it from my daughter. This is the nicest Christmas present I have gotten in a long time! LOL. I was like Ralphie in a Christmas Story when he got his Red Ryder BB Gun!

I took it apart and detail stripped it, deep cleaned it, and put it back together with a new OEM green recoil spring, OEM hammer spring, a single side 469 safety, and a trimmed down slide stop that doesn't gouge. Extractor and firing pin springs are still good.

I also added a set of really nice factory grips I had, and a new mag spring and finger rest. the grip and rest were pretty beat up, and the recoil spring was WAY shorter than the new one.

Pretty good shape, though overall, with no signs of abuse other than being banged up[ as a carry gun.

WIth original safety and slide stop:

With the trimmed slide stop and 469 safety.

This will be my main carry gun, though sometimes a Ruger LC9 or M&P Shield with the flat base mag will go in my pocket. I have four 6906 stainless mags, and two blued 469 mags. All have the spring rep;laced with S&W OEM springs from Midway USA. Mainly. I will use a 6906 mag with a 5906 base plate trimmed flush with the front of the grip. Does not "print" as much as the finger rest grip.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Have been using a similar mag^^^^^^^^^^ for 25 years . Really a game changer IMHO for Concealed carry.

My primary cc 69xx is a 1990s Performance Center Shorty-9. We didn't think of the PC guns as collectable back then....

 

[rosewood]

6906 and 3913s are still good guns all these 35 years later.

You are mistaken, those are not good guns, they are perfect guns!

 

[Sgt. Buzzard]

It could be worse. In addition to a few Smith revolvers and SIG autoloaders I have garage full of motorcycles. The last part is problematic. You ever try to sneak in a new motorcycle?

 

[imarangemaster]

Last time I tried to ride a motorcycle, I ended up in the ER! Some people are too clumsy to ride without training wheels! LOL

 

[Guevera]

This thread gave me a twinge of regret. I, also, had a third generation problem, moving from a 3953 to a 3914 and eventually a 908, 908S, and a couple other of these great pistols. Alas, time overtook me and I couldn't stand the weight of carrying them any more, eventually selling the lot and now carry and practice with a SIG P938. Age and stage, my friends, age and stage and what's appropriate will dictate your tastes in the end.


.

 

[Racer X]

I use 5906 mags with a +2 adapter to get 15 rd spare mag(s).

So I'm 12+1 plus 15 or 30.

The beretta 92c hack is almost flusf fit though.

 

[imarangemaster]

Still loving the 6906. While most days up here in our town in the Sierra foothills and mountains, I just slip the Shield in my pocket with a sticky holster, the days I work the gun shop, or go down the hill to urban Commiefornia like Sacramento and beyond, I carry the 6906.

Interestingly enough, I just picked up an actual box of Winchester 127 grain +P+ Black Talon law enforcement ammo. I now have my 6906 mags loaded with that. NASTY stuff. I did have them loaded with Federal 9BPLE 115 +P+ before.

The Shield is loaded with Federal 124 HST (non- +P) ammo.

 

[GaryS]

It's multigenerational too. I have a young friend (24) who has fallen in love with 3rd Gen guns. He has a later production 5906 and is looking for more. Right now he's in the Navy so he's a bit limited for now.

His father has a 6906 which is his normal EDC gun.

Next time he's on leave, I'll invite him over to see some of my 3rd Gens.

 

[Heymatt]

The beretta 92c hack is almost flusf fit though.

What's the beretta hack?

 

[lhump1961]

I don't have the amazing collection of some but the few I do have are dear to me. I have only sold a couple of guns in the past but regretted them both so never again! I only buy guns.

I haven't added to the 3rd gens in a while as I have been focusing on rifles and loading. I am so far in the weeds on loading it's scary. But I visit my pistols regularly and they aren't going anywhere. I occasionally bring my favorite 3913 to the range for my son-in-laws friends to shoot and it's always satisfying to see the young shooters discover that there were guns before Glock! If they are particularly in good favor they might get to shoot a 39-2. Very glad that the old Smith autos still get some love.

Here's a couple...