Question for the 3rd gen fans

[tinman931]

I have always loved this generation of Smith and Wesson‘s. I haven’t had any, but I wanted to get one for a long time. Atlantic firearms just got these surplus guns in. The price seems a little on the high side to me, but I guess everything is right about now. Any opinions?

Smith & Wesson 6906 Pistol SALE - AtlanticFirearms.com

 

[DUSTYDOGDAN]

3913 Lady Smith 9mm. The value Series 908 9mm or 457 45acp and the CS45 (Chief's Special) is a great EDC 45acp.
If double action only is your thing the 3953 9mm or 6946 9mm. I know you are asking about 9mm or 45acp but I have a 4013 single stack 40 S&W and a 4013 TSW double stack 40 S&W are two of my favorite EDC.
I own all of the above and did pack the Lady Smith and CS45 (Chief's Special) for years .

 

[BMCM]

As you know it is too large for EDC

Nonsense!

I have plenty of "little" pistols sitting around gathering dust because I carry a 4506 more than any other. Rides in a horsehide Kramer #2 on a Galco 1-3/4" sport belt. with a reload or two on the off side. One just needs quality kit to carry a fullsize pistol.

Cheers
Bill

 

[Brian Parrish]

Respected and Used?

The wording of your question gave me pause, because this is so subjective. Please consider the concept of "skills, not gear" and remember that I will always say that the choice of equipment is only a part of the equation. I have four 3rd gen pistols each of which I respect and use, and the differences between them are unimportant in my training and practice. They fight the same way.

I think I can give you a real and valuable answer though.
-If concealment is paramount in your thinking, then the 3913 is the way to go. It is a thin single stack 9mm.
-If large caliber is paramount, then use the 457.
-If magazine capacity is paramount, then use the 6906.

Other commenters on your thread have correctly pointed out that there are either cheaper and/or more expensive versions of these pistols available.

I considered the same question in 2005 and settled on the 457 when I learned that LAPD officers who carried the 4506 on duty, preferred the 457 for off-duty, and plainclothes officers in those departments also used the 457.
-I am very satisfied, and I have worked hard to become competent with it.
-The finish sucks, so I sent off to cerakote the slide.
-The sights are plastic so I put trijicons on it, after I dropped it on a concrete floor and crushed the rear sight. The pistol was not scratched because the plastic took all the brunt of the fall.
-I have dry fired the trigger into a smooth sweetness.
-I have never had a malfunction or misfeed of any kind with any type or brand of factory ammo, though I once had a failure to cycle from an undercharged reload which was given to me, all of which I immediately destroyed.
- In my two hands, unsupported, standing, at practical shooting speed, the 457 routinely prints into 3 inches at 15 yards.

 

[Ethang]

Nonsense!

I have plenty of "little" pistols sitting around gathering dust because I carry a 4506 more than any other. Rides in a horsehide Kramer #2 on a Galco 1-3/4" sport belt. with a reload or two on the off side. One just needs quality kit to carry a fullsize pistol.

Cheers
Bill

a no dash 4506 was my first carry pistol way back in 90. Carried it in a Kramer IWB and a LFI belt under a t-shirt or an untucked button down. This was back when CPL's were very rare in MI, and nobody ever spotted it. You can carry a big full sized pistol with good gear and suitable shirts. The pistol left me, replaced with a -1, but I still have both holster and belt, although the LFI does not fit so well anymore...

 

[ncairman]

Well guys I slipped up at the LGS, they had a Shield 45 NIB at a good price and it fits my average size hand great. So I bought an extra 7 round magazine to go with it and I am a happy Shield owner now. I never thought much about the Shield as I had never put my hands on one. But I think its the one for CC and if it can handle the 100's of rounds that I am going to shoot out of it, it will be my EDC from now on. I still have a 457 on GB that I am watching as well

 

[SVT28]

1) Recon 45

2) 3906

SVT28

Edit: They may not be the most used, since they are both sort of hard to find these days. But out of my Smith Semis, they are the ones I respect the most.

 

[stansdds]

Well guys I slipped up at the LGS, they had a Shield 45 NIB at a good price and it fits my average size hand great. So I bought an extra 7 round magazine to go with it and I am a happy Shield owner now. I never thought much about the Shield as I had never put my hands on one. But I think its the one for CC and if it can handle the 100's of rounds that I am going to shoot out of it, it will be my EDC from now on. I still have a 457 on GB that I am watching as well

I will admit, as much as I like the old metal receiver S&W's, the new polymer receiver pistols do come with a warranty, spare mags are easy to find and relatively inexpensive, and holsters are easy to find.

 

[xfarfuldog]

My first third Gen was a 4506. Loved shooting it but it pulled my pants down. Sold it, bought another one for the many mags it came with. Later came a 4566. Loved it but still seemed too heavy. Found a 4516-2 in great shape and of course loved it. Bottom line, I have ended up buying a 457 and a 4513 TSW. I have only one 6 round mag but plenty of 7 and 8 round mags. Love them both. Also have a 3913 and 6906.

 

[J. W.]

Started my LE career carrying a 4566 and have long had a soft spot for the DA/SA S&W's. If I were to carry one for off duty/ CCW, I'd go with a 4516 or 4513 for .45 Auto or a 3913 for 9mm.

I know I'm going outside your question here, but if you're dead set on a DA/SA I'd recommend you give Sig a look. I say that for a couple of reasons. First, the Sig decocker position is superior, IMO, but that's obviously subjective. Secondly and most importantly, the Sig pistols are still in production and parts are readily available, especially the high wear parts like springs, mags, mag baseplates, followers, etc.

Not trying to sway you away from S&W just offering some food for though and possible options.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ISCS Yoda]

I don't carry a .45 anymore but I do think about it from time to time. I had a .457 but I never used it and a friend talked me out of it. My personal carry .45 was/is this CS45 and if I go back to that caliber this will be the gun I carry:

When I switched to 9mm I started carrying this old 6906. I love metal guns, I love TDA pistols, and I adore decockers so these two choices are easy to make:

Presently, I carry neither but you never know when I might take them out again.

Another choice is this CS-9 but until I can get it to function correctly for me it doesn't get enlisted:

 

[pasound]

I bought a used 6906 several years ago on a whim at Cabela's. I bought a 3913 from a forum member recently. Both are state of the art 3rd gens.

 

[Jeppo]

Another choice is this CS-9 but until I can get it to function correctly for me it doesn't get enlisted:

What are the symptoms?

 

[Lawman1646]

Best 3rd gen S&W - 3953

The most “respected” is kind of a personal choice …BUT my police dept issued the 3953 to detectives and command staff (1500 officer department). It was also approved as one of the few off duty guns (if you wanted to carry a smaller gun as opposed to the full sized issued firearm).
I have owned it for 25 years, never a misfire, hangfire, or stove pipe. I have qualified many many times with it (twice a year when I worked as police officer- day AND night fire- plus lots of practice). Under HR-218, I continue to carry this same gun nationwide as I am familiar with it. I use +P hollowpoint rounds as issued originally and federal roundnose (cheaper) for practice - and never had a problem. Always factory magazines.
I own plenty of other firearms, but old faithful gets the nod for concealed carry every time .
When microseconds count (and they DO), why fumble with a safety/ decocker? Keep it simple - point and shoot.

 

[CH4]

I would think the 4506/4515 and 5906/3913 would be the most popular 45 and 9mm 3rd Gens, but I've already been wrong twice today and it's not yet 8am.

 

[CALREB]

So many personal preferences to pick from. Like most of us you pick one and if that does not work for you or you want to try something else do. It may take a few guns to get it right. Choosing good leather can make all the difference.


I always smile when I see a comment about what LAPD officers carry or prefer and wonder where the info came from. When regular officers were approved to carry SW 45s (only approved make at the time) the vast majority chose 4506s, some 4566/63s. After the transition course some purchased smaller guns for off duty or plain cloths work. The majority of those were 4516s at first and 4513 TSWs later. I personally don't remember seeing a 457 or CS 45 come through the armory. I am sure there may have been a few, because I saw some replacement sights.
The single D/C lever and different sights kept most people away. Officers wanted their second gun to be as close to their primary as possible. I never carried my 4506 on duty. I was already at the academy when they were approved. I bought one for teaching the transition schools but gave it to the wife later for her work. Wife packed this 4513TSW as a backup and to court when she worked Fugitive Squad. It's still sitting in the safe with the 4506 somewhere. The 06 has the best S/A trigger press of any of my D/A Smiths. The 45 +P was pretty rough on the alloy framed guns. You had to keep up on the springs and only shoot it for qualification.

 

[ncairman]

So many personal preferences to pick from. Like most of us you pick one and if that does not work for you or you want to try something else do. It may take a few guns to get it right. Choosing good leather can make all the difference.


I always smile when I see a comment about what LAPD officers carry or prefer and wonder where the info came from. When regular officers were approved to carry SW 45s (only approved make at the time) the vast majority chose 4506s, some 4566/63s. After the transition course some purchased smaller guns for off duty or plain cloths work. The majority of those were 4516s at first and 4513 TSWs later. I personally don't remember seeing a 457 or CS 45 come through the armory. I am sure there may have been a few, because I saw some replacement sights.
The single D/C lever and different sights kept most people away. Officers wanted their second gun to be as close to their primary as possible. I never carried my 4506 on duty. I was already at the academy when they were approved. I bought one for teaching the transition schools but gave it to the wife later for her work. Wife packed this 4513TSW as a backup and to court when she worked Fugitive Squad. It's still sitting in the safe with the 4506 somewhere. The 06 has the best S/A trigger press of any of my D/A Smiths. The 45 +P was pretty rough on the alloy framed guns. You had to keep up on the springs and only shoot it for qualification.

Looks like you have the perfect combo right there! 4506 and a 4513TSW! I would like to have a 4513TSW but they are quite hard to find, as well as the 6 round mags. I am pleased with my 4506-1 and the Shield 45, but I am still looking for other 3rd gen guns to add to the collection.
Thanks

 

[Glockman4]

Who says you can’t carry a 4506-1? I do sometimes. Sure, it’s big but it’s also comforting.

 

[ncairman]

I agree on comforting and its not too big for me to carry as well, I am carrying 4506-1 until I get enough rounds through the Shield to trust it completely. I just wish I would have bought more 3rd gen guns when they were cheaper!

 

[Brian Parrish]

So many personal preferences to pick from. Like most of us you pick one and if that does not work for you or you want to try something else do. It may take a few guns to get it right. Choosing good leather can make all the difference.


I always smile when I see a comment about what LAPD officers carry or prefer and wonder where the info came from. When regular officers were approved to carry SW 45s (only approved make at the time) the vast majority chose 4506s, some 4566/63s. After the transition course some purchased smaller guns for off duty or plain cloths work. The majority of those were 4516s at first and 4513 TSWs later. I personally don't remember seeing a 457 or CS 45 come through the armory. I am sure there may have been a few, because I saw some replacement sights.
The single D/C lever and different sights kept most people away. Officers wanted their second gun to be as close to their primary as possible. I never carried my 4506 on duty. I was already at the academy when they were approved. I bought one for teaching the transition schools but gave it to the wife later for her work. Wife packed this 4513TSW as a backup and to court when she worked Fugitive Squad. It's still sitting in the safe with the 4506 somewhere. The 06 has the best S/A trigger press of any of my D/A Smiths. The 45 +P was pretty rough on the alloy framed guns. You had to keep up on the springs and only shoot it for qualification.

That was my comment about the 457. I bought mine retail in 2005 but now I could never go back and find exactly what information I was going on. I was drooling at the time over the 4505, which I still have never gotten one, but when I heard that LEO's preferred the 457 because the operation is the same as their primary and it was lighter, why then I was sold. It helped that a local store had one to hold.

At that time, Summer 2005 IIRC, there was an article by Mas Ayoob in Combat Handguns which had on the cover two handguns which he was recommending, the 457 and the 4040PD. That article may have had the LAPD reference which I remember. Also at that time, I joined this wonderful Forum precisely because I was researching the 457 and that or a similar comment about some other southern California lawmen appeared here.

After these 18 years I am still as happy as ever with that pistol and still carry it daily. Thanks so much for your input here you and everyone!