Popularity of metal/alloy S&W pistols?

[Frank Black]

The metal and aluminum framed pistols aren't made anymore (AFAIK). IIRC, there was 1st through 4th generation models. Are they still popular with some concealed carriers and competitors?

No such beast as a "4th Gen" pistol, but otherwise the aluminum-alloy frame 3rd Gen. models were built to carry easy while, typically, being shot less than their all-steel counterparts, especially if you're talking about the compact models.

That said, my S&W 10mm "1013" is an outstanding example of the breed.

Obligatory pic attached ....

 

[Hair Trigger]

Here's a nice "family tree" of S&W semiauto's
https://www.luckygunner.com/lounge/guide-smith-wesson-semi-automatic-models/

 

[Doc1500]

I carried a CZ P-07 and P-09 Plastic Fantastic until I got the 4516 - 1
There is just something so reassuring about having a nice piece of stainless steel in a good holster on your hip .

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Steel and aluminum pistols are a thing of the past. Like Colt's .45ACP (1911).

 

[Targetshooter08]

I wouldn't hesitate at all to carry, shoot, etc with any of those generations of pistols. Parts may be a bit hard to locate, but the seem to just keep running well! Much better then the current offerings from S&W! My personal experience ranges from the 39-2, up to a 4506, both carrying and maintaining them. (S&W factory armorer!)

Regards, Rick Gibbs

Those steel S&W guns are more reliable than the M&P polymer guns?

When the Glock 21 came out, I bought one and on the return from my first trip to the range with it, I used it as a deposit on a SIG P220. My one and only experience with polymer frames has convience me that metal frames are the only way to go with handguns. Just my $0.02.

Too heavy trigger or recoil with the Glock?

I still consider the 3913NL the best discreet carry 9mm that S&W ever made. I'm glad I own it!

John...

Looks like a 3.5" barrel.

I have no interest in Combat Tupperware. My Model 639 based Franken-Smith was assembled from the parts with features I like and unless I do something stupid with it, my eldest grand nephew will probably inherit it from my estate.

I think the tubberware and 1911s are typically used in competition. I don't know if the older S&Ws are.

 

[GaryS]

No it wouldn't. To be a 4th Generation gun, it would have to share some components with the 3rd Gen gun and I haven't seen anything that says that it does.

The late 3rd Gen TSW guns as used by CHP and other agencies are referred to 4th Gen guns because they are a further refinement of the 3rd Gen guns. Which in turn were a refinement of the 2nd Gen guns. And so on

I disagree with the TSW series being considered a 4th Generation.

If S&W continues to bring out alloy frame pistols like the CSX, I would consider them a 4th Generation.

JMHO YMMV.

 

[Sevens]

There are plenty of things we can think and say and classify "after the fact", however in the moment — it was S&W that coined the phrase 3rd Generation.

To be honest, I'm not sure S&W ever used the term 2nd Generation, or if the 1st and 2nd Gen ideas appeared after the debut of the 3rd Gen pistols.

And S&W never once used the term 4th Generation anywhere in reference to any semiautomatic they ever produced.

We've seen from the revolver side that collector's have established and exercised terms that S&W may never have once ever used.

But I'll posit that there exists no finer place on the globe to discuss the nuances of S&W semiautomatic pistols then right here in this forum, and this forum has never collectively deemed any semiautomatic from S&W as "a 4th Gen."