PLEASE school me on the older semi's from S&W

[26Ford]

Now that I am free of my 642, I want to purchase a good used older S&W semi. I know absolutely nothing about them specifically, other than the good reviews I read on them. I cant afford a new M&P, which would be my first choice. I dont want a new or used Sigma, even though Bud's has new Sigma's for $289 delivered. So please school me on the older ones like a 6906, or the 4505, these kind of semi's. Also are any of them all stainless including the frames? Again, after my 642 I dont want to have to deal with the alloy and anodized nonsense. Pic's would be nice if you have. Thank you very much in advance. P.M. me if you have any for sale, very reasonable. Thank you, 26

 

[26Ford]

Also, any model #'s I should avoid? Please tell me because it will be a CCW. As I am doing some searching, I see that the 908's are a great choice for reliability and CCW according to some of the post's. Thank you, 26

 

[jdesro1911]

I'm not up to speed on all of the models of the 3rd gen., but as far as I know if you do not want an alloy frame you are kind of stuck with the full size service pistols, such as the 5906, 4006, and 4506. All of these are full size, all stainless steel pistols, in 9mm, .40 and .45 respectively.

As far as I know, if you want one of the compact models for ccw they all have alloy frames.

You do not specify in this post why you do not like alloy frames. The alloy frames in S&W autos seem to have a pretty good reputation - they seem to be quite durable. The anodizing does seem to wear somewhat easily, but this is purely aesthetic, and does not hinder reliability in any way.

 

[snw19_357]

...please school me on the older ones like a 6906, or the 4505, these kind of semi's.

I got a chuckle out of 'older'. From the title I was thinking the question was on a Model 39 from the late 50's or even a Model 459 from the early 80's.

There are so many variations in the third generation pistols it would be very difficult to list all of them here. But, since you listed a 9mm and a .45ACP, the 3906, 5906, 4506, etc. are all stainless, no alloy frame.
The 69 series are all alloy frames though.

You may find an all steel pistol, even a compact, gets a little heavy to CCW all of the time.

Here's an all stainless DAO 9mm but it's not silver colored.

 

[Kelly Green]

Having owned a S&W 4553 TSW for several years, I can highly recommend it. It has the stainless steel slide and aluminum alloy frame and if you plan on carrying, the reduced weight will be appreciated. It's DA only but the trigger pull is light and as smooth as butter. It will consistently eat everything I put through it and it's as accurate as any .45 I've shot. I have put thousands of rounds through it with no problems.

 

[Craig19]

CDNN has 5906s for $300, Summit has the 4006TSW for $365. I haven't seen any 4506 for anything less than what you would pay for an M&P.

I love my 5906, I picked it up over the summer and it has been 100%, eats anything I throw in it. I picked up a 4006 the other, haven't been to range with it yet, so can't comment yet on its performance.

 

[Catshooter]

4516. All stainless steel. Wonderful little gun with a 3 3/4 inch barrel, seven round magazine.


Cat

 

[Gunhacker]

For the most part the steel framed 3rd gens all have about the same characteristics and perform about the same except for the difference in recoil and inherent accuracy of the different cartridges.. 9mm versus .40 S&W versus .45cap.

The 5906 and 4006 are built on the same frame/slide platform with the chambering being the only difference, in fact S&W had to make the magazines so a person can't accidentally put one loaded with .40 S&W into a 9mm 5906.

All of the steel framed 3rd gens are built like tanks.... and weight as much too

I have 2 4006's, a 4506-1 and a 4516-1 which is an all stainless steel compact version of the 4506.

Also for average/normal use, I think there is nothing wrong with going with an alloy frame, unless one feels compelled to make it a regular practice of shooting 9mm +P or souped up hand loaded ammo.

In my opinion, over the life of a gun, the majority of people do not spend enough time at the range to run enough rounds through an alloy framed pistol to prematurely wear it out, as long as it is taken care of properly.

There's always the option of sending the frame out and having one of the hard coatings like Robar NP3 or Cerakote applied or having it hard anodized.

My first S&W pistol was a 2nd gen 459, which was an alloy frame, I owned and shot that sucker regularly for for many years until I contracted a case of .40 S&W Glockitis and sold it to buy a G22. That 459 gave little or no problems during those years which is more than I can say for the P.O.S. SW40F Sigma I bought.

 

[VARMINT POPPER]

My model 4006 is a brick to carry, But has been extremley reliable.
In all the thousands of rounds fired it never had a stove pipe or jam.
It's all stainless and easy to maintain. (Except the follower in the magazine and thats plastic.) It has a de-cocker which is a handy thing.
You do need big hands to shoot this pistol because the mag is stagger
stacked, making for a fairly large handle to hold on to. Accuracy has
been very good on this particular pistol. The 4006 does have a long
trigger pull on D.A.

Good shooting

Lindy

 

[26Ford]

I'll TAKE IT!!!!!!

I got a chuckle out of 'older'. From the title I was thinking the question was on a Model 39 from the late 50's or even a Model 459 from the early 80's.

There are so many variations in the third generation pistols it would be very difficult to list all of them here. But, since you listed a 9mm and a .45ACP, the 3906, 5906, 4506, etc. are all stainless, no alloy frame.
The 69 series are all alloy frames though.

You may find an all steel pistol, even a compact, gets a little heavy to CCW all of the time.

Here's an all stainless DAO 9mm but it's not silver colored.

I want to THANK everyone for the help. Now I dont have to sound like a complete idiot. So, am looking for a 3rd Generation-steel frame. What is the exact designation of the pistol in your picture? What would that be in .45? I like the idea of the alloy frame and SS slide, that said without becoming too annoying {?}, is the finish on the alloy framed "pistols" any better than the finish was on my 642? I know they are just tools, all I can say is I keep my tools nice. I use them weekly, I maintain them regularly, but I dont want them to look like they have been in a war. Normal holster wear, signs of use is all fine, but I couldn't wipe off my 642 without removing some of the finish, sorry but that's not right. That last statement is just me, nothing else. FWIW, I grew up poor, and what ever I was blessed with having, I had to keep very nice because I never knew if I would have another. Thank you all.

 

[18DAI]

The all steel, DAO, 4.25" barrel 3rd generation 45 is the model 4586. Fine pistol. Regards 18DAI.

 

[26Ford]

Thank you sir, I found on a L.E. forum, that a officer had felt the 2 lb. weight of his pistol helped to contribute to his lower back pain. My spine is bad enough thanks to a drunk driver putting me head first through the windshield his new Caddy, maybe I need to rethink this alloy frame deal again?

 

[26Ford]

3 rd. Gen. Compact- now what gentleman?

I wanted to thank everyone again. O.K., 3rd Gen, Compact. What designations are popular out there? I have learned the 4516 is Compact in S.S. with very high praise, can anyone list any others? What would be a good alloy compact to look for? Sorry, I have only been a S&W revolver guy, these semi's are all new to me, thank you, 26.

 

[18DAI]

While I'm unfamiliar with your 642 experience, I gather you had experience with a current production revolver.

Rest assured the aluminum framed 3rd generation pistols are head and shoulders above any S&W handgun currently being made, in terms of quality as well as durability.

I have several of the aluminum framed 45's. They are finely manufactured, accurate and reliable........and they look good doing all that too!

I would suggest you examine a S&W model 457. It is aluminum framed, easily concealable - think Colt Officers size - light weight, reliable, durable and accurate. Mags are readily available and not more overpriiced than any other S&W magazine.

It is available in the early production with a blue finish which wears quickly, and in later production with a stainless slide and more MIM parts.

Unless you are going to shoot 500 rounds a month, every month, for years and years, you will be well served by a 457. It should have the S&W lifetime warranty as well - though I gather from several recent threads that the lifetime warranty is now more of a guideline than a policy and dependant on whom one speaks to in customer service.

I have staked my life on S&W aluminum framed 3rd generation semi automatics for many years. The 3913, 4563, Shorty 45 and now a 4513TSW early version without the stupid rail. I can't think of any higher recommendation than that.

Good luck! Regards 18DAI.

 

[dusty3030]

Good idea on the 457. I carried one concealed in an IWB holster for several years. The finish on the blued slide started wearing thin for sure, but the black aluminum frame had no wear on it at all other than where I nicked it here and there.

 

[26Ford]

THANk YOU!!

Thank you gentleman, my hats off to you all for your service and for helping me with my inquire. I now have some model designations to look for. Now I just have to find some that are affordable, Florida gun prices tend to run much higher than other parts of our great country. 26

 

[hazman]

I got a chuckle out of 'older'. From the title I was thinking the question was on a Model 39 from the late 50's or even a Model 459 from the early 80's.

There are so many variations in the third generation pistols it would be very difficult to list all of them here. But, since you listed a 9mm and a .45ACP, the 3906, 5906, 4506, etc. are all stainless, no alloy frame.
The 69 series are all alloy frames though.

You may find an all steel pistol, even a compact, gets a little heavy to CCW all of the time.

Here's an all stainless DAO 9mm but it's not silver colored.

i really like the looks of your 4586 , like " 29 " i take care of my things. i've been looking at a SIG but i'm kinda diggin that piece.

 

[hazman]

i really like the looks of your 4586 , like " 29 " i take care of my things. i've been looking at a SIG but i'm kinda diggin that piece.

i got all excited and wrote the wrong numbers. whats the model no. of that gun , thanks , paul.

 

[snw19_357]

What is the exact designation of the pistol in your picture? What would that be in .45?

i really like the looks of your 4586…

It is a 5946. All stainless, full-sized, DAO, 9mm, w/ Melonite finish

 

[Dueeast]

Here is a list of S&W 3rd gen model types

3rd digit = type of model

0 std
1 compact
2 std w/decocking lever
3 compact w/decocking lever
4 std dbl action
5 compact dbl action
6 non std barrel length

4th digit = material

3 alum frame stainless slide
4 alum frame carbon slide
5 carbon frame and slide
6 stainless frame and slide
7 stainless frame carbon slide

I believe this holds true except for the 69 series (what they did there , I cant figure)