Questions about S&W Autos.

Rintimtin

Rintimtin

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I have a M&P40 and I like it alot. But I would like a steel frame auto to add to my little collection. The problem is I am unfamiliar with the older S&W autos. The model numbers, their are so many of them:eek:.

Any good resources out there I should know about? Wouldnt mind learning some history too.

I would want the gun to add to my collection, but mostly just for plinking and range time.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
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I think every member on here has their favorite 3rd gen...or 2nd...or 1st. But the overall consensus is they just work.

I for one am a huge fan of the 39xx series. They are all single stack 9mm. I am particularly found of the 3906. It is an all stainless fullsize tack driver built like a tank. Mine conceals well too with a good belt and IWB rig.

I have its brother the 3904 (black) and carry the compact 3913.

Regards
Vince
 
If you wish to stay with the same caliber I would search for a 4006...meets your requirement for steel frame and was originally designed for the .40 S&W from the ground up.

Randy
 
Smith 59 series

I acquired a model 59 9mm in the latter part of the 70's.....still have it.....I was issued a Smith 9mm( duty weapon) in 1988 and carried and instructed that platform for ten years......As a SWAT team armorer I was also responsible for 20 (459's) of these guns, and as a agency FA instructor/armorer I was responsible for 150 (659's) of these pistols, a percentage being duty carry guns, and the other as training weapons, with a small number as "spares". The SWAT and training guns had 50,000 rds thru them while we had them.....abt the only failures we had with them were occasional broken ejectors & extractors, which typically failed around 12,000 - 15,000 rds.....these were an easy fix....the 59 series went thru several generations....with the 59's,459's/ 659's and then the 5904's....IMO the 5904's (third gen) were the more refined, and I have one in the alloy frame and the steel frame.
From 98 - 2013 I worked a lot with Sig's, Glocks, Berretta's & HK's and I consider the 3rd gen Smith's their peer
in performance, ruggedness, function, accuracy, etc.
In regards to resource, the "Standard catalog of Smith & Wesson, 3rd edition would be my recommendation.
 
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Yes I would like to stay in same caliber, but wouldnt mind a 4506 either. I don't currently own a .45ACP pistol but would like to and nothing against 1911's but I just want something a bit different.
 
+1 to Comrad. You say what you want the gun for plinking, and the range. The 4006 is nice, I have one, but its heavy for carry. I, too, would suggest the 6906. Light & easily concealable, very accurate.:cool:

*Update*

I misread the OP's post, so I've amended my post to better reflect that. A 4006, or a 5906 would be excellent for range fun. They are a little heavy, but still a lot of fun at the range. If you can get a TSW variant, even better. High capacity & just a lot of fun to shoot. I still recommend the 6906 for all around capability.:cool::cool::cool:
 
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4006 DA/SA trigger
4046 DAO
4043 Aluminum frame I think
411 economy version (some minor plastic parts). 4 is for 40cal, 11 is for 11 rounds
410. Same as 411 but with 10 rounds


Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2
 
My favorite is the 6906 as well. However, if you like 45's and 1911's, I say take a look at the 645, it's 1911 like but a true DA/SA pistol. It's almost as smooth as the 1911.
 
I took my 4566 out for a test run today after having a new trigger play spring and recoil spring installed. 100 rounds of reloads without a hitch. I haven't shot in a while, and needless to say, the gun performed better than I did. Still managed to keep them all in minute of BG though. Well, except for one that would have terminated the BG's gene pool.
 
In 9MM consider 3913, 3914, 908, 908S, 6906 is a double stack gem of the same family. Any of these will outlive you and your kids

In 45 consider any of the 4513, 4516, -1, -2, or related series 3rd gens. They'll outlive you too

You cant go wrong with ANY of these so I recommend you just buy them all
 
For carry, it's hard to beat a CS9 or if you want to stay in the same calibre, a CS40. The 6906 is a double stack and a bit broad in the butt for me to carry, but many people do so with no problems. Not steel frames, though.
 
I can't believe not one mention of the tried and true, easily obtained, and still bargain priced 5906. Somehow "carry" keeps being mentioned, even though you said "plinking and range time". There are alot of them out there at more than reasonable prices, many ex police sidearms, and are steel framed (another feature you mentioned, albeit stainless), and ultra durable. Give those a look.....
 
Any of these:

4505: Carbon Steel 5 inch barrel .45
4506: Stainless Steel 5 inch barrel .45
4526: Stainless Steel 5 inch barrel .45 frame mount decocker
4546: Stainless Steel 5 inch barrel .45 DAO

4566: Stainless Steel 4.25 inch barrel .45
4563: Aluminum Alloy 4.25 inch barrel .45
4586: Stainless Steel 4.25 inch barrel .45 DAO
4583: Aluminum Alloy 4.25 inch barrel .45 DAO

4006: Stainless Steel 4 inch barrel .40
4003: Aluminum Alloy 4 inch barrel .40
4046: Stainless Steel 4 inch barrel .40 DAO
4043: Aluminum Alloy 4 inch barrel .40 DAO
4026: Stainless Steel 4 inch barrel .40 frame mounted decocker

5906: Stainless Steel 4 inch barrel 9 mm
5903: Aluminum Alloy 4 inch barrel 9 mm
5946: Stainless Steel 4 inch barrel 9 mm DAO
5943: Aluminum Alloy 4 inch barrel 9 mm DAO
5926: Stainless Steel 4 inch barrel 9 mm fram mounted decocker


These are only a few of the 3rd generation line, but these are generally the models most commonly found. These are also the models most frequently turned in by law enforcement agencies, so you probably have the best chance of finding one for a good deal. Others will probably chime in and add to the list.
 
Thank you.

4506517 said:
Any of these:

4505: Carbon Steel 5 inch barrel .45
4506: Stainless Steel 5 inch barrel .45
4526: Stainless Steel 5 inch barrel .45 frame mount decocker
4546: Stainless Steel 5 inch barrel .45 DAO

4566: Stainless Steel 4.25 inch barrel .45
4563: Aluminum Alloy 4.25 inch barrel .45
4586: Stainless Steel 4.25 inch barrel .45 DAO
4583: Aluminum Alloy 4.25 inch barrel .45 DAO

4006: Stainless Steel 4 inch barrel .40
4003: Aluminum Alloy 4 inch barrel .40
4046: Stainless Steel 4 inch barrel .40 DAO
4043: Aluminum Alloy 4 inch barrel .40 DAO
4026: Stainless Steel 4 inch barrel .40 frame mounted decocker

5906: Stainless Steel 4 inch barrel 9 mm
5903: Aluminum Alloy 4 inch barrel 9 mm
5946: Stainless Steel 4 inch barrel 9 mm DAO
5943: Aluminum Alloy 4 inch barrel 9 mm DAO
5926: Stainless Steel 4 inch barrel 9 mm fram mounted decocker


These are only a few of the 3rd generation line, but these are generally the models most commonly found. These are also the models most frequently turned in by law enforcement agencies, so you probably have the best chance of finding one for a good deal. Others will probably chime in and add to the list.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the list, this information will help out alot.
 
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