New To Me 6946

[kbm6893]

I am coming back around to the DAO 3rd Gen guns. I carried a 5946 as a duty weapon years ago, and I now have two of those, a 3953, and now this 6946. One mag and factory matching box. I got it for $355 on GunBroker. With transfer and shipping, $445 out the door. I saw it was marked "Capable of Firing with magazine Removed" and I figured it was a PD gun. Plus, the "Special" and the "NS" made me think that, as well. Since when did S&W install night sights at the factory? I assume they're Trijicon? I'd like to get them re-lamped I requested a ship date from Roy, and he told me August, 1996, which I noticed after I sent the request the date is written on the box. He advised me it wasn't sent to a PD, but that what he saw was interesting and a letter of authenticity wouldn't be a bad idea, so I will be sending that out today.

Rubber Hogue grips are an abomination. I don't mind the single panel ones on the single stack or double stack full size, but for some reason the mid size double stack guns got these wrap around's. I have already ordered a set of factory grips. When I cleaned it, there was like a thick glue all under the grips and in the frame. Looked like ear wax. Anyway, here are the pics. Looking forward to the letter.

 

[ACEd]

I almost bid on it - looks like you got a nice pistol - as to night sights, pictures looked more like regular Novak sights - if Night Sights, they should be obvious as they will have indentions where lamps are instead of flat dots and probably will have date in white on side or top (may be worn off). Post a better picture of sights if you cant confirm. My understanding is Trijicon will relamp the SW sights, but you need to contact them to get info.

I would be interested in knowing what letter says when you get it.
Best, Ed

 

[kbm6893]

They look like night sights to me. I got a 3953 last year that wasn't marked either, but they turned out to be Trijicon and the re-lamped them. The box is marked Night Sights, as well.

 

[ACEd]

It would be interesting to check SW for "Manufacture Date".
I had understood the Spec Ord code first digit was last digit of year followed by numerical day so 0026 would be 26th day of 1990 or 2000 or even 2010.

See attached box end Spec Ord 8023 which SW confirms manufactured Jan 1998 and Roy says shipped October 1998.

The VAU prefix is consistent with 1996 and they could not ship in 1996 if made in 2000 or 2010 but they were not using hard cases in 1990 - so Spec Ord does not decode normally

 

[ACEd]

Agree - Night Sights

 

[kbm6893]

It would be interesting to check SW for "Manufacture Date".
I had understood the Spec Ord code first digit was last digit of year followed by numerical day so 0026 would be 26th day of 1990 or 2000 or even 2010.

See attached box end Spec Ord 8023 which SW confirms manufactured Jan 1998 and Roy says shipped October 1998.

The VAU prefix is consistent with 1996 and they could not ship in 1996 if made in 2000 or 2010 but they were not using hard cases in 1990 - so Spec Ord does not decode normally

I noticed the Special Order date. But the box is marked "27 Aug 96" so that jives with the serial number and what Roy said. They were using the blue boxes in 96, so I think the date is right. Could be the Spec Ord number is what makes this gun "interesting and worthy of a letter"?

I called S&W. The operator said February 1999 manufacture date. I believe he's mistaken. The box being marked August 1996 is more of an indication. Not to mention Roy's information. I guess I'll just have to wait for the letter.

 

[GaryS]

Mine has a Spec Ord number of 3270 and the SN is VADxxxx. Product code is 108209 as is yours. However mine has the magazine safety and regular sights, so your gun has none standard features for that product code.

The box is carboard.

Mine came with the standard grips, but I put a grip sleeve over them. My 6906 came with Hogue grips and I like shooting with them so I might get a set for this gun.

The VAU prefix on yours is a bit of a mystery compared to the 0020 Spec Order code. The SCSW doesn't show a VAU prefix, but the other VAx prefixes are from 1994-95.

Was this a left over frame that was completed after regular production ended in 1999? Maybe the letter will answer that.

Oh, I paid $325.00 out the door about three years ago. Box, paperwork, listed by the LGS as having one "pre ban" 12 round magazine. Imagine my (and the salesman's) surprise when he handed me the empty box only to discover that it had a second magazine inside!

I wasn't really in the market for a double stack compact DAO, but at a price of $299.00 plus tax, I was not going to leave it on the shelf.

 

[stansdds]

For more than a decade now, a 6946 has been my primary EDC. Coming from double action revolvers, and my previous EDC and still my deep CCW being a S&W Model 640-1, I found the DAO trigger to be almost identical to that of S&W revolvers. I've considered going to a plastic pistol, but other than a little weight savings, I don't see much advantage in trading it in for some plastic fantastic.

 

[kbm6893]

I have some of the plus two adapters for a 5906 mag so you can use them in the 6906. Totally throws off the look and balance of the gun. Wish 6906 mags were more reasonably priced, but this will be basically a range toy anyway.