New to S&W autos

[Pocketrocket]

I have a bunch of S&W revolvers and a bunch of other pistols, but never had a S&W auto. I've looked at a few, model 39, 59, and some modern stainless ones, but none really stood out. OK the nickel 39s are pretty cool. Anyway I found this 469 and thought it was neat. I don't know much about it/them, but supposedly this one is unfired. I can't find the TBU serial number in the catalog but I'm guessing it's from the mid 80s. Anything I should know before I take it to the range?

 

[snw19_357]

Nice Model 469.

TBU is very late for a 2nd gen 469 so it's 1988 or thereabouts. But, that is a 3rd generation 6904 frame and slide (dovetailed front sight) with 2nd gen safety lever.

Enjoy!

 

[ACEd]

See link below 59/459 pitfalls?

As to TBU s/n best guess very late 2nd generation production - probably 1988-89 as there are also transitional 2nd-3rd generation TBR-TBY pistols in that time range as late as 1991 and at least 1 early 5906 TBZnnnn 1988.

 

[URIT]

Nice looking transitional. The grips are also the newer 6900, which is a good because the 469 grips tend to bite the webbing between thumb and trigger finger on my hand.

 

[stansdds]

I think you have one of two possible things there. Your Model 469 may have been made so late in production that it actually has a 6904 receiver, but was still stamped as a Model 469, making it a transitional version. The second possibility is that the serial number was on a 469 that was badly damaged or defective and deemed non-repairable and S&W replaced it with an early production 6904, stamping it with the model and serial number of the 469 it replaced.

 

[Ringerman69]

I have a bunch of S&W revolvers and a bunch of other pistols, but never had a S&W auto. I've looked at a few, model 39, 59, and some modern stainless ones, but none really stood out. OK the nickel 39s are pretty cool. Anyway I found this 469 and thought it was neat. I don't know much about it/them, but supposedly this one is unfired. I can't find the TBU serial number in the catalog but I'm guessing it's from the mid 80s. Anything I should know before I take it to the range?

What you have there is a Pilot gun/transitional model 2nd gen frame 3rd gen slide
made around 1988 300 or so made.

 

[Pocketrocket]

Update

Ok guys thanks for all the help. It's definitely a transitional gun. One of the first things I noticed was the 3 dot sights, the front being a 6904 type, the rear is the smaller 469 but with two dots.The mag release and grips look like a 6904, but the red dot for the safety is on the slide. It's marked 469 but maybe it's a RSR 4690? Should I shoot it, or is it rare(valuable)?

 

[demkofour]

Ok guys thanks for all the help. It's definitely a transitional gun… It's marked 469 but maybe it's a RSR 4690? (valuable)?

It's neat and different but it's not an RSR transitional gun. Those guns all have RSR prefix serial numbers.

 

[Dan Zulu]

You will be hooked. And I'm not talking about the trigger guard.

 

[skjos]

It looks like you have a 4690 Pilot.

The Complete 3rd Gen Model List

 

[Sevens]

Your call but it has been my experience that for these to truly bring a premium, two things are a must:

--top condition and
--original box with end label

The end label is a big part of these because the pistols themselves were never marked 4690.

Most folks would say shoot it. You didn't pay a ton for it, my opinion would be an even split either way.