Rationalizing a 5943 purchase

[Jstonefish]

I think I panicked when assessing the current state of prices in the Denver area for 3rd Generation S&W's. Browsing the last Tanner show didn't help much either. No knock to the show or people implied.
Quickly realized that prices will never go down and I jumped at a reasonably priced 5943 @ a LGS. Reasonably meaning below $450 (scary).
Cosmetically very nice and I like the weight and balance to it, although the grips feel a little wide for the webbing of my hands.
I'll probably roll some eyes with my next ??'s, but here it goes:

1. There's a"U" stamped under trigger guard. LE return and inspected/recondition/refinished/resold by S&W?
2. Would there be marks somewhere to verify the above?
3. If an LE exchange, wouldn't there be an agency or armory stamping, or not necessarily?
4. I've read these were only listed 1 year in catalog, any estimate on the # produced?

I certainly appreciate any information. I know this isn't a Registered Magnum or anything, but I'm curious what my paranoid consumerism lead me to buy!
Off to watch American Pharoah, for some reason...

 

[kaveman]

I think you did well. The 5943s don't seem to show up very often compared to other duty sized DAO models. The nines appear to be outnumbered by the .40s and the all steel numbers are more common than the lightweights. A 5943 is one of the last pistols I've purchased and it took about a year and a half of searching to turn up the right deal. I paid about $100 less but mine is easily a hundred dollars more worn than yours. I don't feel you got hurt at all. The 5943 is a very nice balance of size/weight/power. Light enough to carry but large and heavy enough to be pleasant to shoot.

I can't offer anything in response to your list of questions other than #3. Right off the top of my head I've got some 45 police trade-ins(half of them being 3rd gen DAO Smiths)and I don't think more than 2 or 3 of them have any departmental markings at all so it's not uncommon for them to be unmarked.

You might want to check out the straight backed grips if you get a chance. Just wrap your fingers around the next one you see whether a 4046, 915, 5906 or whatever. I prefer the arched grip that you've got but I've seen slightly more people weigh in with a preference for the straight backs. Not much you can do about the width(the OEM grips are narrower than any of the aftermarket grips)but the straight backs do feel enough 'different' that they may help.

 

[mpi]

great pistol, love mine!

 

[Silversmok3]

I think I panicked when assessing the current state of prices in the Denver area for 3rd Generation S&W's. Browsing the last Tanner show didn't help much either. No knock to the show or people implied.
Quickly realized that prices will never go down and I jumped at a reasonably priced 5943 @ a LGS. Reasonably meaning below $450 (scary).
Cosmetically very nice and I like the weight and balance to it, although the grips feel a little wide for the webbing of my hands.
I'll probably roll some eyes with my next ??'s, but here it goes:

1. There's a"U" stamped under trigger guard. LE return and inspected/recondition/refinished/resold by S&W?
2. Would there be marks somewhere to verify the above?
3. If an LE exchange, wouldn't there be an agency or armory stamping, or not necessarily?
4. I've read these were only listed 1 year in catalog, any estimate on the # produced?

I certainly appreciate any information. I know this isn't a Registered Magnum or anything, but I'm curious what my paranoid consumerism lead me to buy!
Off to watch American Pharoah, for some reason...

A wise choice.

The supply is fixed as S&W is unlikely to produce new ones-and I hope someday to be proven wrong about that point. Anyways at the moment limited supply isnt a big deal-until Hillary "President Elect To Be" Clinton runs her yap about finishing what Slick Willy started.

If you guys thought 2012 was bad, just wait until 2016. $450 will be considered "no way dude you're full of it " prices soon enough.

 

[rwsmith]

Justify???

That's kind of a no brainer, like pouncing on it with your wallet open.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

5943

1. There's a"U" stamped under trigger guard. LE return and inspected/recondition/refinished/resold by S&W?
2. Would there be marks somewhere to verify the above?
3. If an LE exchange, wouldn't there be an agency or armory stamping, or not necessarily?
4. I've read these were only listed 1 year in catalog, any estimate on the # produced?

If you don't already know, the 5943 is the double-action only (DAO) version on the 5903 (TDA) & has an alloy frame, stainless steel slide, double-stack 15 rounds mag, Novak Lo-mount sights & weighs 37.5 oz.

Concerning the "U" stamped on it, there are numerous possible reasons. S&W might be able to give you some insight on it's history & it's goings & comings from the factory, but yes it likely went back to S&W for refurbish/refresh & then redistributed. Here's a thread that might be useful.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-semi-auto-pistols/358705-s-w-4013-u-used-gun.html

Is that the original box for the gun?
Does it say "used gun" on it's label? (Can you post a picture of it?)
What is the spec ord# on it (that's it's Julian date)?
The SCSW says they were only made it 1991.
Does the product code start with a "6"? (Possibly 608560?)

Have you shot it yet? If it shoots good & you like it, it was definitely worth it! Hope you enjoy it!

.

 

[grif684]

I've also read the "produced 1991" , however I believe it should read "catalogued 1991", as they were absolutely made up to at least 1998 for LE contracts. I was issued a new one that actually shipped in 1990, and they were continued to be issued until 2004, although there were some 5946 models mixed in, although not many. Here is a pic of the label from my issued 5943, with a product code not reflected in the SCSW, and the pistol, followed by a fellow officers much later issued plastic box label, with an altogether different product code, which shipped in 1998, which has a black hammer and trigger (not pictured). These are both fitted with Novak night sights and identical engraving. I spoke to Wayne Novak, and he said the first thousand or so were shipped to him for the night sight installations, then he shipped them on to Standard Law, which supplied them to the department under contract. The later issued models were fitted by the factory, which probably explains the different product code. According to Wayne Novak, the guns were already engraved when he received them from S&W, so obviously this was done at the factory. The different boxes, julian/ship dates, and black hammers/triggers make it clear these were manufactured much longer than catalogued...also note the "features", listed as "special" or "LE program". I should also note the later box has the barrel labled as "5", but this is just an error, it actually has the four inch.

 

[Jstonefish]

Appreciate all the input and information from you all. I've got a box, but not the box for the gun. I posted a picture anyway in case someone might find the info useful. From the pictures I've seen, kinda wish mine was a SSV. But, I shouldn't complain.
Haven't shot it yet, but hope to get out in the coming weeks. Is there a difference shooting aluminum case 9mm compared to steel, besides priced?

 

[BLUEDOT37]

From the pictures I've seen, kinda wish mine was a SSV.

Well heck yeah!

Maybe the person who actually owns that SSV will wanna offer to buy that box from you.

.