My First Ever 3rd Gen

[TTSH]

Congrats on the purchase. I'm a fellow citizen of the fine state of Massghanistan, and I feel your pain when it comes to searching out firearms that are not on our stupid stupid roster... just plain stupid.

All that I have in my collection at the moment is plastic, but looking at these beautiful Gen 3's is starting to tug at my heart... and wallet. I'll be keeping my eyes open for one. Shoot the heck out that thing for me.

Oh, did I mention how stupid that gun roster of ours was yet?

It really is something living here. Folks in "free" America have no idea. Unless you are only interested in collecting EOPS & AG approved guns, you better be prepared for a whole lot of frustration and higher prices for whatever you may find. And it's about to get a whole lot worse between H.4121 and the rabid anti-2A lunatics running for AG. This may be the last year for gun collecting as a semi-practical, semi-viable hobby here in Massachusetts.

Wife says I need to find another hobby quick before this one is completely outlawed. She may be right.

 

[macski222]

It really is something living here. Folks in "free" America have no idea. Unless you are only interested in collecting EOPS & AG approved guns, you better be prepared for a whole lot of frustration and higher prices for whatever you may find. And it's about to get a whole lot worse between H.4121 and the rabid anti-2A lunatics running for AG. This may be the last year for gun collecting as a semi-practical, semi-viable hobby here in Massachusetts.

Wife says I need to find another hobby quick before this one is completely outlawed. She may be right.

VT/NH are calling our names. Don't ditch the hobby, ditch what inhibits it!

 

[TTSH]

VT/NH are calling our names. Don't ditch the hobby, ditch what inhibits it!

I think things could change for the worse in Vermont at any time. We could never afford to live there anyway.

New Hampshire is the more obvious and popular escape route. But NH's sky-high property taxes aren't exactly retirement-friendly. Nonetheless, if/when things become completely intolerable here, NH here we come.

 

[SonnyJames]

Congratulations and welcome to the family! Word of warning, these things are like tribbles from the old Star Trek, if you leave them alone in your safe they start multiplying and one day you will wonder how they all got in there!

 

[petepeterson]

The first handgun I ever purchased was a 915. I traded it off for a Hi-Power (which I still have), but looking back, wish I would've kept it. That's one of those things you learn as you go. I've only sold or traded a handful of firearms in my life, but my safe wishes every one was still there!

I mostly carry and shoot revolvers, but when I get the hankering to carry an autoloader, or feel some additional firepower is preferable, it's a 3rd gen that rides along. At the range, it could be any of a number of autos, but for protection, a 3rd gen makes me the most comfortable.

Enjoy watching the collection grow...it happens fast. If only there weren't so many dang models and variations...

 

[loeman]

TTSH,

I totally understand about "sleeping through the 2nd and 3rd Gens". I did the same thing. I bought a first gen (Pre Md 39) in 1980. Then I never even glanced at the 2nd Gens. I did buy a 4516-2 in 1996 but I didn't shoot it much. Then after reading here all about the virtues of the 3rd gens, I found a 4506 no dash about a year ago. Wow, what a wonderful gun! I take it to the range just about every time I go. A few months ago a stumbled on a NIB 5906 (it's not NIB anymore). And now, I'm enjoying my 4516 for the first time and I've found myself trolling all the LGSs and pawn shops for my next 3rd Gen.

On another note. Maybe this is just dumb, but I take pride in the fact that I've never owned a plastic/polymer gun.

 

[TTSH]

Congratulations and welcome to the family! Word of warning, these things are like tribbles from the old Star Trek, if you leave them alone in your safe they start multiplying and one day you will wonder how they all got in there!

Thanks for the warning! The good news (at least from that one perspective) is that I am rather substantially budget limited... so that will tend to slow down the usual Tribble-like growth.

 

[TTSH]

The first handgun I ever purchased was a 915. I traded it off for a Hi-Power (which I still have), but looking back, wish I would've kept it. That's one of those things you learn as you go. I've only sold or traded a handful of firearms in my life, but my safe wishes every one was still there!

I mostly carry and shoot revolvers, but when I get the hankering to carry an autoloader, or feel some additional firepower is preferable, it's a 3rd gen that rides along. At the range, it could be any of a number of autos, but for protection, a 3rd gen makes me the most comfortable.

Enjoy watching the collection grow...it happens fast. If only there weren't so many dang models and variations...

I know what you mean about guns sold out of the collection. Out of the handful of guns I've chosen or been forced to sell, I deeply regret every sale except one.

I have pretty much learned my lesson by now. Too bad I can't turn back the clock and buy back the ones I sold for what I sold them for.

 

[TTSH]

TTSH,

I totally understand about "sleeping through the 2nd and 3rd Gens". I did the same thing. I bought a first gen (Pre Md 39) in 1980. Then I never even glanced at the 2nd Gens. I did buy a 4516-2 in 1996 but I didn't shoot it much. Then after reading here all about the virtues of the 3rd gens, I found a 4506 no dash about a year ago. Wow, what a wonderful gun! I take it to the range just about every time I go. A few months ago a stumbled on a NIB 5906 (it's not NIB anymore). And now, I'm enjoying my 4516 for the first time and I've found myself trolling all the LGSs and pawn shops for my next 3rd Gen.

On another note. Maybe this is just dumb, but I take pride in the fact that I've never owned a plastic/polymer gun.

Oddly enough, a 4506 is on my immediate radar screen... and close to the same with a 4516 ( a "-1" in my case). If I could afford it, I'd buy both of them today. Too bad for me that they are both asking top dollar... much more than I can afford to pay (or want to pay for them) right now. With another 3rd Gen already on lay-away, these other two will have to drop in price substantially for me to be able to acquire them this year. So far, the owners aren't budging.

 

[loeman]

If only there weren't so many dang models and variations...

My sentiments exactly! I get a headache trying to keep all the models and variations straight! Back when the 3rd Gens were being produced folks referred to that period as the "Gun of the Month Club".

Actually, it's kind of cool to have all these choices and options available to us, if we could only find them.

 

[Pondhill]

That is one nice pistol. I am from Mass also, I only have 1 plastic pistol it's a M&P45c. All the rest of my S&Ws are metal.

 

[TTSH]

If only there weren't so many dang models and variations...

My sentiments exactly! I get a headache trying to keep all the models and variations straight! Back when the 3rd Gens were being produced folks referred to that period as the "Gun of the Month Club".

Actually, it's kind of cool to have all these choices and options available to us, if we could only find them.

I believe it was Dirty Harry Callahan who once said: "A man's got to know his limitations"! Lord knows that I know mine. And when I forget, my thin wallet reminds me.

In other words, I will never be able to own them all. For me, the trick is to get a reasonable representative sample of the sizes, weights, features and calibers in the best conditions possible without ending up in the poor house. That, by itself, is a tall enough task. Add to that the Massachusetts purchasing restrictions and the challenge becomes much greater.

Everyone collects a little differently with different purposes and focus. Historically, collecting-wise, I'd been more of a modern era revolver guy... but I always liked my original Model 59. Wish I had bought an original Model 39 at the time too (one of my biggest regrets).

Now that my Rip Van Winkle style "deep sleep" has ended, I'm all about making up for what I missed while asleep: 2nd Gen's (in a limited way), 3rd Gen's (mainly) and the SW99 variants. If anyone has any specific semi-auto models that they feel are of particular significance to the recent history of S&W pre-M&P's, I'd love to hear your suggestions for my collection.

 

[TTSH]

That is one nice pistol. I am from Mass also, I only have 1 plastic pistol it's a M&P45c. All the rest of my S&Ws are metal.

I think I am done with plastic for a while. In S&W, I've got an M&P40, a Shield 9mm and a couple of SDVE's. No regrets on any of them. But it was time (actually overdue) for something substantial... something all-metal. So I put off my search for SW99 variants and refocused on 3rd Gen's. My timing was perfect. Still can't believe how lucky I was.

 

[lhump1961]

The younger crowd that has never known anything but plastic usually don't give these guns a second glance, but if they can be convinced to actually shoot one they change their minds quick. My son-in-law is 25. He's a great kid who has come to appreciate the 3rd gens (and revolvers). I gave my daughter her choice of personal firearm and she went with a 6906...she shoots it well and it serves as her HD gun. Long story short the hubby takes it to the range regularly.

Congrats on a great gun!

 

[nocents]

If anyone has any specific semi-auto models that they feel are of particular significance to the recent history of S&W pre-M&P's, I'd love to hear your suggestions for my collection.

the first consideration is decide which caliber/calibers you want to focus on....since you already have the 6906 I am thinking 9mm will be one....and it probably should be in everybodys collection...then..decide the fire control platform that you are more comfortable with TDA,DAO,or SAO....makes the hunt for 3rd. gens a lot easier.....myself I limit my choices to TDA 9mm and .45acp.......so when I happen onto a fine .40sw or 10mm.....I just grit my teeth...wipe the perspiration from my brow and move on.....and my wallet appreciates it.......and you are right....Harry Callahan did say "a man needs to know his limitations"..........and I do...........and as the one gun that should be part of a 3 rd. gen collection........well depending on your caliber choice......if .45acp is in you future....a 4506 is pretty much mandatory .........pretty sure it's state law

 

[Oldbuck30]

My original Smith was a 59. Still carry it along with a 5906, love the stainless especially in the summer when sweating. Never will buy plastic, no need. Also have my orugnal 39 in nickel, never been shot but the prettiest gun I own.

 

[TTSH]

The younger crowd that has never known anything but plastic usually don't give these guns a second glance, but if they can be convinced to actually shoot one they change their minds quick. My son-in-law is 25. He's a great kid who has come to appreciate the 3rd gens (and revolvers). I gave my daughter her choice of personal firearm and she went with a 6906...she shoots it well and it serves as her HD gun. Long story short the hubby takes it to the range regularly.

Congrats on a great gun!

Thank you! When you say... "The younger crowd that has never known anything but plastic usually don't give these guns a second glance" ... that really rings true. But terrible, old, selfish me; I hope it stays that way just a little while longer until the 3rd Gen part of my collection is where I want it to be!

Am I a bad person for feeling that way?

 

[macski222]

Thank you! When you say... "The younger crowd that has never known anything but plastic usually don't give these guns a second glance" ... that really rings true. But terrible, old, selfish me; I hope it stays that way just a little while longer until the Gen 3 part of my collection is where I want it to be!

Am I a bad person for feeling that way?

Too late, I'm on to you guys! I'm waking up with cold sweats thinking about a 4506

 

[TTSH]

the first consideration is decide which caliber/calibers you want to focus on....since you already have the 6906 I am thinking 9mm will be one....and it probably should be in everybodys collection...then..decide the fire control platform that you are more comfortable with TDA,DAO,or SAO....makes the hunt for 3rd. gens a lot easier.....myself I limit my choices to TDA 9mm and .45acp.......so when I happen onto a fine .40sw or 10mm.....I just grit my teeth...wipe the perspiration from my brow and move on.....and my wallet appreciates it.......and you are right....Harry Callahan did say "a man needs to know his limitations"..........and I do...........and as the one gun that should be part of a 3 rd. gen collection........well depending on your caliber choice......if .45acp is in you future....a 4506 is pretty much mandatory .........pretty sure it's state law

It has always fascinated me how gun collectors and collections vary. Different strokes for different folks I guess. As much as we are alike, we are different. Practical matters can be significant too. Lord knows we are not all wealthy. We don't all live in areas and under political regimes that are conducive to successful gun collecting. Some of us bring history to the table that causes us to focus in one direction vs. another. Sometimes it is just sheer personal preferences or chance opportunities. Some like old, some like new. The list of variables is almost endless. I could talk about it for hours.

My own story can be summed up like this: Man who grew up in the shadow of S&W's Springfield plant starts off collecting mainly S&W revolvers and a few early generation semi-autos. Same man unfortunately goes Rip Van Winkle for 25+ years and wakes up to find pistols are now all plastic! Man wonders what the Hell happened? Man sets out to figure out all that he missed while asleep and to get his S&W collection back on track.

I've said it before: The evolution of the S&W semi-auto interests me just as much as (and sometimes even more than) the guns themselves. I'm not necessarily out to own the absolute best of the S&W semi-autos. Rather, I am out to acquire the ones that best illustrate the engineering & business evolution of S&W semi-autos into what they are today, including the painful transition from all-metal to plastic. Since much (most? all?) of that S&W semi-auto history was driven by the law enforcement market, that is my first interest. What did cops want? What did cops buy? What worked? What didn't?

In that regard, I don't see my collection having a limited caliber focus nor a limited firing platform focus. While I have always preferred DA/SA for my own personal use, I want to own examples of each caliber and each platform. And Lord knows that I'd love to own a 10mm 3rd Gen someday.

In short, what S&W gun models best define the evolution of the S&W semi-auto? For the most part, I would think they would also be the most popular/successful/mainstream models, but not always.

The 4506 is absolutely on my want list. Quite frankly, I thought it was going to be my very first 3rd Gen. Only scarcity (within MA) and very high asking prices have probably pushed that back to my third or fourth likely 3rd Gen acquisition.

 

[macski222]

Yup, Financially speaking, it'll be a bit before I can swing a 4506.
A guy can dream though.