4506517
Member
I am surprised no one has made any further mention of the 2013/2014 dates on the sights and the 2014 date on the fired casing.
I find it INCREDIBLY interesting.
I find it INCREDIBLY interesting.
My New 5946 From Cabela's
- Thread starter mbinky
- Start date
digiroc
Member
I also bought a Houlton 5946 definitely NIB w/ 3 mags also 2014 night sights and 2014 fired case in envelope. Paid $550 for mine.
Soon as I got it home I swapped slides with my 6946 and made a SSV in stainless as well as a "long slide" 6946 ! Just because I could.
digiroc
Soon as I got it home I swapped slides with my 6946 and made a SSV in stainless as well as a "long slide" 6946 ! Just because I could.
digiroc
MattyD380
Member
I would have done the same thing 
Honestly, I tried to swap slides/frames with my 4516-2 and my 645. Didn't work. But I think the main--if not the only--reason is that the guide rods are different thicknesses.
Honestly, I tried to swap slides/frames with my 4516-2 and my 645. Didn't work. But I think the main--if not the only--reason is that the guide rods are different thicknesses.
MattyD380
Member
Seriously, if these were 5906s with the same shiny, NIB, Houlton awesomeness... I don't think I could not buy one. Thank god they're not.
It's been mentioned, although maybe not in this specific thread. So far, we've seen both 5946 and 3953TSWs with fairly recent production dates. Plus, there has been at least on 3914TSW shown in a thread here that had a 2012 production date.
There might be some other recent production guns out there as well. Who knows what's lurking in the vaults at S&W?
Well, someone no doubt knows, but they aren't spilling the beans.
There might be some other recent production guns out there as well. Who knows what's lurking in the vaults at S&W?
Well, someone no doubt knows, but they aren't spilling the beans.
MattyD380
Member
Good point. We need an insider.
I remember reading something to the effect that Smith finally said enough, and 3rd gen production has actually, really stopped (might have been on this thread, actually). But who knows for sure.
I just seems weird to let such a prolific, well-regarded family of firearms... cease to exist. Seems like there's still some kind of profit, for someone, somehow in those guns. Maybe they could sell off the machinery to someone else?
You're right--I did see it in a different thread with similar subject matter but not here.
Still pinching myself in that for $599 I picked up a NIB manufactured in 2014 5900 Series pistol!
__________________
NRA Life Member
"A free people ought...to be armed..."
―George Washington
When I was shopping around trying to find a used 6946 in 2014, one local dealer showed me a (then) recent production 3914 DAO and told me at that time that 3rd Gen production at Houlton had just been shut down, some employees laid off and the surplus equipment and parts were being sent back to Springfield, and he did not know when production might restart, said it could be months or years before getting more pistols. I thought at the time it was just a sales pitch to get me to buy the 3914 right on the spot, but still have yet to hear of anyone with a 2015-2017 manufactured gun.
As much as it would be nice to add a brand spanking new-in-box 3rd Gen to the collection, and Massachusetts restrictions & obstacles aside, I'm just not that enthusiastic about the few models that have appeared so far.
So far, I can do better with "slightly used" models in near-ANIB condition. 
In particular, the Model 5946 is a bit too heavy for me in a full-size 9mm DAO pistol. I had an opportunity to buy a used one at a very good price a couple years back, but I rejected it. I prefer the Model 5943, of which I own two and would even add a third in top condition at the right price.
The railed Model 3953TSW, which should have been made MA-legal by S&W years ago but never was, fails to interest me due to the homely mustache rail and the "Wimpy profile" standardized slide.
I would much rather have a used plain Jane Model 3953 or a used pre-rail Model 3953. So in that regard, I guess my 3rd Gen collection will never really be 100% complete (as if that were ever a real possibility anyway).
Fishmonk
Member
New to the forum! Had to have one myself! Ordered one and it arrived - Houlton made with one magazine. It is sitting in Post Falls while they ship one from Kalispell. Called Kalispell and they had one in stock: Springfield made with 3 mags! Can't wait to shoot it! If you're planning on ordering one of these, I suggest calling around to see what's in the box. There are some variances in the stock.
SWOOP01
Member
I bought one of these too. It is my understanding that they were left over Canadian RMP. Cabelas bought what they sent back to Smith. I was hoping to get one of the ME guns, when I got to Cabelas all they had was 1 left and it was a MA gun. Still tickled to get a brand new 3rd Gen. WV still uses 4566TSW, waiting to see when they change and the left overs hit the market, but part of me wants them to keep using 3rd Gens.
metalmole
Member
Just recently started buying some 3rd gens....Reading this post I thought I would check gun broker...Just bought a NEW 5946 no box with 3 mags for $400 shipped...Its addictive...
I just bought my new stainless 5946 from Cabela's today!
There is something sexy about stainless and is a must have for me!
I can't wait to pick up my new 5946 from Cabela's...
along with ammo and holster for this new find...
Really nice gun from the looks of it and what I have read..
Maybe I can order custom grips for this in camouflage ...
There is something sexy about stainless and is a must have for me!
I can't wait to pick up my new 5946 from Cabela's...
along with ammo and holster for this new find...
Really nice gun from the looks of it and what I have read..
Maybe I can order custom grips for this in camouflage ...
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1775usmarine
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I got my 2013 Houlton 5946 from Gander Mt for less than $400 and about a month before announcing they were going under. No night sights, but came in excellent condition.
There are some people who consider the Springfield made 3rd Gens better made than the Houlton ones. I have no experience with any Houlton made guns, so can't form an opinion on them.
I think I'd be happy with a 3rd Gen made in either, but I'm easy to please.
I think I'd be happy with a 3rd Gen made in either, but I'm easy to please.
smith46wesson
Member
Picked up mine today. Dated 11/17/14 on the spent casing envelope. Springfield slide. I can't wait to go shoot it.
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I use the 5946 on duty and the 3953 off. The 5946 is a bit heavy but great gun.
It just occurred to me, upon re-reading this thread, why I was able to snag a NEW barrel for my 5906 -- with the new style lettering as shown in the OP's pics (e.g., not roll-marked with "9mm Parabellum" like the original but rather "9mm" cut into the hood of the barrel, apparently with a laser). The reason: production of new 9mm barrels for 3d Gen pistols continued at least into 2014!
It's a shame that S&W doesn't continue to make one or two models of 3d Gen pistols -- I would argue for a 3913 and perhaps something in aluminum like a 915 -- for the premium or connoisseur market. Would I buy one for "SIG SAUER prices"? Yes, if I thought it would be fully factory-supported with parts and repairs for the rest of my active shooting life. Ah well.
I believe that the NYPD 3914 DAOs and these RMP 5946's are from the last of the 3d Gen production S&W did. (By the way, I read somewhere 'on the internet' that S&W moved the machinery for all-metal pistols from Houlton, ME back to Springfield, MA).
It's a shame that S&W doesn't continue to make one or two models of 3d Gen pistols -- I would argue for a 3913 and perhaps something in aluminum like a 915 -- for the premium or connoisseur market. Would I buy one for "SIG SAUER prices"? Yes, if I thought it would be fully factory-supported with parts and repairs for the rest of my active shooting life. Ah well.
I believe that the NYPD 3914 DAOs and these RMP 5946's are from the last of the 3d Gen production S&W did. (By the way, I read somewhere 'on the internet' that S&W moved the machinery for all-metal pistols from Houlton, ME back to Springfield, MA).
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Around here, seems there is not a lot of interest in the 3 gen pistols. I've had a NIB 5967 with total production of 477 pieces at my dealers for weeks, lot of tire kickers, no sale. $750. asking price. I'll wait a few weeks, then it's going to the range with me.
