Question on 4046 (or S&W DAO's in General)

[FLFed]

Hi there.

I am attending the Firearms Instructor Training Program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. I have to give a presentation on the S&W 4046 DAO for my class....tomorrow. The gist of the presentation is that I am trying to convince my bosses why this gun is the best thing since sliced bread.

I am mostly done with my presentation. I am approaching it by telling them the gun's strong points include it's smooth and consistent DAO trigger pull which helps any LE agency from a liability standpoint. Plus, for those that wish it, it can be retrofitted with a manual safety which, together with a Level II or III retention (security) holster, helps uniformed officer from sticky fingered bad guys.

One thing I'm not sure about, since the last time I played with a DAO S&W was more than 10 years ago, is the distance of the trigger arc (before the sear trips) and the weight of the trigger pull. Plus, does it have double strike capability, or do you have to cycle the slide in the event one has a malfunction?

Anyone know the answers to the above? Any assistance would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Big Mike]

Well, the 4046 and 4046TSWs are kinda different. Based upon your description the double-strike capability you are talking about is a TSW (which also has the ability to be converted-more easily to-a manual safety). I own a 4043, the DAO alloy frame variant which does not have a double-strike capability and must rack the slide back enough to cock the hammer. The triggers are different as well as the slide length. I don't have the actual specs for your question, but you should know the differences between the non-TSW and TSW models are material enough that you could likely be talking about two different pistols. I think you are spot on when discussing a smooth consistent double action pull every time. I think they are slim enough and snag free enough to be just like sliced bread. Mine has a magazine disconnect which I actually like, but when talking about officer safety, this can be a plus. I know others hate this feature, but not me (or anyone else I know who owns 3rd gen pistols with this function). Several years ago, I actually read in a gun magazine a number of "saves" the magazine disconnect actually provided in the 3rd gen S&W pistols for officers who were struggling with bad guys.

I'm sure someone else will come along and offer further details. Mike

 

[FLFed]

Thank you very much Big Mike for the info. Extremely helpful!

I have a "Variants" slide in the presentation. In it, I included the 4043 and 4046TSW.

 

[tekarra]

My 4586 did not have repeat strike capability. That is the reason I have it no longer.

 

[handgunner356]

Well I'll say it would probably depend on the department. When the S&W DAOs' were first brought out many departments were transitioning from DA revolvers, the S&W Semi DAOs' pretty much mimicked that trigger action. Many of today's recruits have never shot a revolver, if they have shot a gun at all. Both our local PD and Sheriffs office switched from revolvers in the early '90s' to the 4043 and 4006. Aside from one front night sight and a broken mag base the 28 4043s' showed no problems till someone decided they needed Glocks about 5 years ago. The Sheriffs' office still uses their 18 4006s' which were some of the first to issue them in the state. If you are trying to sell your department on new 4046s' I think you have your work cut out for you, good luck.

 

[snw19_357]

...Plus, does it have double strike capability, or do you have to cycle the slide in the event one has a malfunction?...

My 4586 did not have repeat strike capability. That is the reason I have it no longer.

Neither does a Glock or many of the other striker fired pistols.
But, I don't remember 'pulling the trigger again' being part of any immediate action drill either.

If I may tekarra, what did you replace your 4586 with?

 

[mlk18]

The 4586 is one of the finest DAO ever made. Carried mine on duty for years and never needed a double strike capability.

 

[FLFed]

Thanks all for the replies....much appreciated.

Personally, I am a big fan of the 1086. Came close to purchasing one or two over the years, but balked at dishing out $700+ for the two I lusted over.

I carried a Sig 9mm (P228) or .40 (P239 and P229) and current carry either a 2nd generation Glock 23 or 27. SOP at FLETC and my agency is do an immediate action drill to get the gun back up and running and not pull the trigger again; still it's "gee whiz" info I may need to know in case someone asks during the presentation.

 

[KurtC]

All Smith DAO models (with the exception of the CS series) function just like a glock....the movement of the slide partially cocks the action. There is no 2nd strike capability (except the CSxxD models).

Only the post 1999 TSW series can easily have a safety added.

Most departments that switched from a DAO Smith to a Glock did so because the glocks were free (when the more expensive Smith was traded in for it). Go figure.

 

[mr..plow]

Also point out, that S&W has prioirty service for LE repairs,and lifetime warranty on their guns.

Another thing is get in touch with a dept armorer like TULSA PD who issued the 4046 for over a decade and speak with him and ask him the pro's and cons they expereicned..I know you like the 4046 but really its down to an issue of can ALL officers shoot well with them to survive the shooting they might encounter..

 

[FLFed]

We did the presentation today...after some modifications to the presentation to reflect the fact the weapon we were given was the 4046TSW and not the "standard" 4046.

It went extremely well, thanks to my teammates. Our team of five, including myself, all briefed a portion.

After the presentation, we went to the range and shot the guns each team of five briefed on: Beretta 92F, HK USP .40 S&S, S&W 686, and the 4046TSW.

I have never previously shot a DAO S&W. Shooting it was a joy. Recoil was negligible, recovery fast, and it was accurate. The two best shooting guns in my hands were both S&W's.

After shooting the 4046TSW, I may now start looking for one. I certainly would love to buy a 10mm DAO as I love that caliber.

Again, thanks to all for contributing to the presentation.....much appreciated!

 

[rsdurrant]

4046TSW Tactical Smith & Wesson 40

I own a 4046TSW tactical and I did not realize how rare this model is. I am looking for a magazine for it and am told it is no longer manufactured. Does anyone have one they are willing to sell?

 

[SmithNut]

I own a 4046TSW tactical and I did not realize how rare this model is. I am looking for a magazine for it and am told it is no longer manufactured. Does anyone have one they are willing to sell?

The mags for the full size 40 S&W autos are not rare, they are quite common. In fact, there are some for sale in the Accessories area right now.

See this link:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/access...zines-4006-4043-4046-4026-4003-411-410-a.html

 

[10ring]

I apologize to the OP that I cannot answer your specific questions, but I tend to agree that the DAO S&W pistols are excellent guns for police use. Frankly, if they were still in active production and I were the decision maker for an agency, that is what that agency would issue/approve. I continue to think it would be interesting to see S&W reintroduce the lightweight models with polymer frames instead of alloy but retain all other characteristics of the series. I am sure that isn't going to happen, though.

Second strike capability is of no importance to me. With quality factory ammo intended for law enforcement/defense use, it is very rare that any failure to fire is going to be due to the round and in that very rare case, it is likely that a second strike would not help. Even if a gun does have a second strike capability, firearms training in law enforcement does not typically include the user trying to pull the trigger again in the event of a misfire; that "feature" is therefore of little practical use.

 

[dmb]

You can also mention that the 9mm is the chosen firearm of the RCMP, because it just won't die! But then again we still use 1944 manufactured Browning Hi Powers in the Army up here.