Some favorite DAO Smiths - What's not to like

My 5946 and latest acquisition. I have several 3rd gens including a very nice 5906. I debated why I needed yet another 9mm 5900 series. But it was in very good condition and i just couldn't get over how smooth racking the slide and the trigger pull was. That and the price. At first, I had a bit of buyer's remorse until may first trip to the range. Any doubts I had dissapeared. It is a completley different experience shooting the 5946 DAO from shooting my other 3rd gen double/single actions in the best way possible.
 

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Just have one, a 4546. Like all of the S&W 45’s I’ve had it has been 100% reliable. Had it out today and not only is it reliable, but it’s also ACCURATE! It’s cold today so I only fired 15 rounds, all at steel plates. 15 hits for 15 rounds fired at plates from 10 to 120 yards. I actually bought this gun to use for trade/resale but I think I should probably hang on to it. I have a 645 that I like a lot, but the DAO 4546 may be better.

Dan



 
Lots of thread resurrections these days!!!! :)

Does this count?

Customized M 64 - DAO

iscs-yoda-albums-s-and-w-revolvers-picture20604-customized-m-64-after-fire.jpg
 
I never noticed in the previous pictures that the 3983 had the notched grip like the pre rail TSWs.

That just makes me wish all the more that they would produce them. It also makes me wonder what the difference between that and a pre rail 3953TSW are.

demkofour said:
Let’s bring it to the top again!

A seldom encountered 3953TSW and a 1 of 10 known to exist NYPD prototype 3983.
Click to expand...
 
GaryS said:
I never noticed in the previous pictures that the 3983 had the notched grip like the pre rail TSWs.

That just makes me wish all the more that they would produce them. It also makes me wonder what the difference between that and a pre rail 3953TSW are.
Click to expand...

Your observation of the stepped grip triggered my interest too - but the early 3953TSW with stepped grip used a 7rd mag.

But the 3983 uses the 8rd mag like the late 3953/3953TSW with the non-stepped grip and the 3914DAO?

So the grip length must be different from the early 3913TSW/3953TSW 7rd variants?

As to the 3953TSW being rare, I would debate that - however the 3953TSW made in Houlton, ME with indented S/N on right is rare.
 
I wonder how they managed to pull that off?

Yes, the 3914DAO uses a regular 3913/14 8 round magazine. Mine came with three stainless magazines as by the time it was made (2012) the carbon steel magazines were well out of production.

All things considered the 3914DAO was likely adopted for cost reasons since the conversion to DAO was inexpensive as was the carbon steel slide versus stainless.

I still think that the 3983 would sell among civilians. At least those that appreciate well made firearms.

ACEd said:
Your observation of the stepped grip triggered my interest too - but the early 3953TSW with stepped grip used a 7rd mag.

But the 3983 uses the 8rd mag like the late 3953/3953TSW with the non-stepped grip and the 3914DAO?

So the grip length must be different from the early 3913TSW/3953TSW 7rd variants?

As to the 3953TSW being rare, I would debate that - however the 3953TSW made in Houlton, ME with indented S/N on right is rare.
Click to expand...
 
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