Some favorite DAO Smiths - What's not to like

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SmithNut

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Third Generation DAO models.....

Some of my favs..... :)

Model 4054
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Model 4556
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Model 4043
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Model 4056 TSW
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One of a kind M4006 PC Limited DAO
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Model 4546
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One of a kind PC PPC9 DAO
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M457D
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M5946 Melonite (one of 5 made)
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Got DAO Smiths? Let's see em....
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They are great, best factory DAO out there IMO. I've owned a number of them. Right now the only one I have is a 4586, but it is by far my favorite example of a DAO S&W auto.
 
Right now the only one I have is a 4586, but it is by far my favorite example of a DAO S&W auto.
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Landric,
Couldn't agree with you more, my "go to" autos are a pair of M4586's.... Don't have pics of them since they are working guns...
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They got it right with the M4586...!
 
That is a beautiful collection of DAO's.I was a double action only revolver shooter for many years who made the jump to Semi-Auto in May of 08 with a new in box CS9.I had a hard time going from DA to SA so I sent it back to smith for trigger work and a DAO conversion.I now have the sweetest trigger pull and the hammer is always cocked.It is my go to gun http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2137083830047709249pBUsDN God bless....Mike
 
Smithnut,

Your pictures take my breath away.

One question. My only exposure to Smith DAOs was a 6946. The trigger was so bad that I dumped it within a week. The best pistol shots I knew shook their heads after shooting it.

How does one clean up the trigger on a DAO and make it into a usable gun? Any recommendations on gunsmiths?

Thanks, keep the pics coming
 
The DAO triggers are usually pretty slick as they leave the factory. The only one I've encountered with poor triggers were police trade-ins or ones that have been messed with.

You can usually replace the hammer spring with one that is 1 or 2 lbs lighter, without affecting reliability. The PC used to do action jobs on the early models with forged parts, though I don't think the current staff is doing so. Recent models with MIM parts will slick up on their own with use.
 
One question. My only exposure to Smith DAOs was a 6946. The trigger was so bad that I dumped it within a week. The best pistol shots I knew shook their heads after shooting it.
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jaysouth,
Honestly, the majority of DAO guns I've had the opportunity to inspect/play with have had fantastic actions. While I've heard of experiences like yours, it's a rare thing, not unexpected for a company putting out lots of product, but unusual in my opinion. All my DAO guns, with the exception of the two "one of a kind" PC models shown above, have factory original actions which are smooth and crisp. I've had more than a few folks ask me who worked the actions over, because they are so good. And, I never had the opportunity to pick and choose between several of a particular model, since these are generally hard to find on dealers shelves, now and back then.

As to how to clean up one, I really can't advise because I've never had a third gen gun apart for such an exercise. I'd suspect that one that was horribly bad would be best looked at by the factory, they do stand behind their products and the lifetime warranty should be a hedge against additional costs on your part.
 
Smithnut; You really do have a stash of a bit of everything!!! And, very nice too.

I've had limited contact with the DAO Smith & Wessons and since mine has been as a Pistolsmith it hasn't been a real good one. But, that being said I can say that ALL of the guns I had to work on had been 'toyed with' before they got to my Shop. I've met more than one LEO who thought because he carried a gun every day he 'knew' enough about it to take screwdriver to it!!! WRONG; but since I was making good money off lots of these fellows I didn't really mind them tinkering.

The only Smith big bore I still own is a Model 645 that began life with Fixed Sights, a Magazine Disconnector and a Hammer Drop Thumb Safety. It now sports a Rear Sight from a Model 41 and no longer has the Magazine Disconnector and is basically a Single Action with a Thumb Safety - even if it is backwards in operation from the Browning design. I have yet to have a malfunction with this gun and it is the second one of these I've owned and it is a replacement for an earlier Model 645 that had also functioned flawlessly.

My 'Show Partner' has begun collecting the Big Bore Smiths so I'm getting to see a few every once in a while.

I've had some contact with the new M&Ps through another friend and while they seem to be an outstanding replacement for the Sigma series I can't say I'm fond of the hole in the side. I've had the chance to shoot guns(the M&P autoloaders) with and without the hole and while I can't see any particular difference, well, I don't see the point.
 
Nice DAO collection!

I really like S&W DAO pistols. I think they make one of the best carry guns around. I only have a 4586 (exceptionally accurate and smooth) and a 4053 right now. Been looking a while for a good 3953 locally, but I'm eyeing some decent 4046s right now at give away prices.

I recently ran across another 4053 and told a lady friend who was interested so she snagged it. S&W DAOs seem good choices for women looking for simple to operate effective defensive pistols. They seem to shoot them much better than most smaller, lighter J-frame revolvers too.
 
THE "CHICAGO STYLE"457D CAME IN 2 STYLES. THE FIRST WERE 457D WITH DOUBLE STRIKE CAPABILITY. I BELIEVE ONLY 6 OF THOSE WERE MADE. ALL WENT TO CPD RANGE STAFF. THE 2ND GROUP WERE SEVERAL HUNDRED UNITS OF SINGLE STRIKE TRIGGER SYSTEMS. THESE GUNS WERE ALL CARRIED HARD AND MANY ARE STILL IN FULL USE. JP
 
That M4006 PC Tactical DAO is the schnitz!

Wouldn't mind a 5943 SSV myself either...
 
Great looking guns posted here guys!
I've got a 4053 on the way bought here in the classifieds. Glad to hear they are so highly regarded. I'm an old double action revolver shooter and don't care for DA/SA so figured I'd give a DAO autoloader a try. I'll post pics when she gets here.
....tom
 
I took my 5946 to the range yesterday and it performed magnificantly as always. My partner almost converted to the S&W side after shooting it. He likes it more than his DAO Sig 226, but not enough to justify the expense and hassle of changing service weapon. On a similar note he let me try his Glock 26 off duty. While I didn't totally hate it, my 3914DAO has absolutely nothing to fear. I couldn't be happier with my 5946/3914DAO carry duo.
 
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