Some favorite DAO Smiths - What's not to like

I just picked up this like new 3953. For less than $400 out the door, I think it was a good deal.

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I have my eye out for some more 3rd gen DAOs as well. In the process I managed to pick up a 3914 LadySmith and a 5904 double stack 9mm DA/SA. Both at $400 or less. I prefer the blued guns.
 
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The 6946 is a terrific pistol and has changed the way I shoot - for the better.
 
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My DAO's
On top is a 4586 (4.25" & 8+1)
Bottom is a 4556 (3.5" & 7+1)
Stainless frame & slide
Pro's:
Accurate, reliable, and buttery smooth short trigger pull
Con's:
Heavy, but not a big deal with a proper belt & holster

Very nice pair, you have the medium and small versions, now you need a "large" to go along with them. The 45acp DAO guns are fantastic shooters and very reliable.

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Having said that, the M4586 really fits perfectly in the defensive and target roles, it's my "go-to" auto, my pair are favorites.

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:)
 
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Dare I ask??????

What is going on in this pic?

I see the M5946, got it (nice gun).... It's the rest of the photo that has me a bit stumped.

Rubber Gloves - check

Can of Snuf - check

Hospital gown? Now this begs a little explanation please (especially as it appears that someone is in it at the time the photo was taken :)

Actually, can of Snus. Swedish, spit-free snuff. General Mint, one of my favorites.
Blue technician's gloves.
Gray fluid recovery pads. For catching/picking up leaks/spills.

I'd just put in a snus befoe taking the pic.
I'd just bought the pistol and took a quick pic to send to my buddy who was not familiar with this particular model.

The gloves and pads were just some things that are in the trunk of my car.
I just put the gloves under the gun for color contrast, to help ring out detail.
I actually took the pic with the gun sitting in the trunk of my car.
Not a great pic, but it's the only one I have.

No rhyme of reason to the pic. Just a quick one.
 
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These are nice looking pistols, but being trained on DA/SA ones I just can't get used to them. There is one I would like to have, the M&P Bodyguard .380 without a laser. I love this pocket gun, if only I can get used to the DAO. I have looked at it 15x, pulled the trigger, etc. I have shot my neighbor's DAO 9mm, and it was fun to shoot. It is just the difference in what I am used to. Why did most manufacturers go to DAO, safety? Were too many idiots who could not handle a firearm shooting things and each other?
 
Actually, that wasn't my trunk.
What you're seeing is the tan leather of my passenger seat, upon which the pic was taken.
Sorry for the confusion.
 
Just picked up a 3953DAO. Kind of rare in Massachusetts. This particular pistol is in pristine condition internally. Rails look brand new and only VERY mild outer wear. It is a police trade-in as the right side of the slide has the seal of the Memphis Police Department and also 1st Edition etched onto it.
I also own a 3913LS and 3913NL and find the DAO trigger pull smoother, shorter and a tiny bit less weight than the first pull of the 3913s.
 

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Extremely rare in Massachusetts. There are no 3rd gen TL guns on the approved roster. As a result you have to find them where you can. For some reason they are not overly popular, so if you can find one sometimes you'll get a bargain.

I have a 3953tsw pre rail and a 6946. Great Guns to shoot.


Just picked up a 3953DAO. Kind of rare in Massachusetts. This particular pistol is in pristine condition internally. Rails look brand new and only VERY mild outer wear. It is a police trade-in as the right side of the slide has the seal of the Memphis Police Department and also 1st Edition etched onto it.
I also own a 3913LS and 3913NL and find the DAO trigger pull smoother, shorter and a tiny bit less weight than the first pull of the 3913s.
 
It's not a DAO S&W 3rd Gen, but my California Highway Patrol 4006TSW does have a bobbed hammer and a decocker only safety.

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But then again, if I could only own one, then this would be it. I wanted one of these since they first hit the civilian market in 2017, but only just managed to get my hands on one earlier this year when another wave of them way released. In many ways, it was my "grail gun" as they call it, so I'm satisfied with it.
 
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Wow, great photos of a super collection of Smith DAO Gen3 pistols!

My EDC choice is a model 3953. Sometimes I'll take my 4053. I prefer the single stack DAO pistols over my TDA handguns for EDC probably because I carried revolvers on the job for 33 years.

Thanks for sharing your collections, SmithNut.
 
Love the 3rd gen DAO pistols. I carry a 1086 as my primary carry and a 4053 10mm as my secondary :)
 
The 5946 is still the standard sidearm of the RCMP in Canada, although they're looking to replace it. Possibly the only LE agency still using it. They only transitioned to semi-autos in the mid-90s, from the Model 10, 5". I believe their duty ammo is 147 gr. Ranger SXT.

Article here.
 
Great thread.

Is it just my eyes or is the slide longer with regards to the backend? Or are the rear sights more forward than the TDA 3rd Gens? I have never seen one up close so I'm just judging by photos and images online.
 
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