I have just ordered from Brownells some spare parts for my 3rd Gen autos. I ordered recoil springs, firing pins and firing pin springs. I have a good supply of magazines. Does anyone else do this or am I just being silly about the availablility of parts on these guns no longer being produced. I have seen some k frame parts hard to find.
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Spare parts for 3rd Gen.
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jdesro1911
Member
Not being silly at all. Even though S&W made, what, millions of 3rd gen. pistols, the fact is that these are not really being made anymore, so at some point the supply will dry up, or at least become more scarce and expensive. Best to buy the parts that are most likely to wear or break while they are cheap and available.
Recoil springs especially. These are like the oil in your car - for the best performance and longevity they should be replaced regularly.
You may also want to consider spare magazine springs too. Couldn't hurt to have a few extra of these on hand as well.
Recoil springs especially. These are like the oil in your car - for the best performance and longevity they should be replaced regularly.
You may also want to consider spare magazine springs too. Couldn't hurt to have a few extra of these on hand as well.
Super Trucker
Member
Some parts for the 3rd gen guns are already gone from S&W's inventory. Part number 106780000 - Sideplate Assembly, is one that I was told by S&W is no longer available. The part is for a gun made in 2004.
Fastbolt
Member
For one of the .40's, right?
S&W shipped off all their 3rd gen production to their Maine plant. I don't know if they shipped off a lot of their repair parts stock (for other than production), as well. I heard they did release a lot of spare parts to at least one of the major retailers.
Sometimes S&W will keep back some parts for which they have a low inventory, setting them aside for repair use only instead of retail sales. I've had this happen when I was ordering spare parts just to add to my parts collection. This is different than when I called for a needed repair part for a specific gun.
I doubt they're making as many parts inventory orders through their vendors for 3rd gen parts now that they've discontinued the guns except for special orders and existing LE customers.
Considering the number of 3rd gen .40's still in use, I'd think it possible they might just be holding onto a smaller number of parts, at least at this time, so they can make repairs as needed. Maybe they'll order more sideplate assemblies later.
Have you tried to ask about sending your .40 in for factory repair for a damaged/broken sideplate assembly?
I'm just getting started in the 3rd Gen pistols and concentrating on those models in terms of collecting and shooting. So far, in a little over a year, I've acquired five.
So, I try to keep my eyes open for spare parts that have some commonality. I've bought magazines 3913/3953 when they've been advertised on the forum, and I've bought other misc parts as well - including a complete slide assy yesterday. I share the concern that we may find ourselves not shooting as much if the critical parts are no longer available from S&W and the major distributors. The sideplate is perfect example. I'm sure some of us are eyeballing guns to use as "organ donors" to support their shooters.
So, I try to keep my eyes open for spare parts that have some commonality. I've bought magazines 3913/3953 when they've been advertised on the forum, and I've bought other misc parts as well - including a complete slide assy yesterday. I share the concern that we may find ourselves not shooting as much if the critical parts are no longer available from S&W and the major distributors. The sideplate is perfect example. I'm sure some of us are eyeballing guns to use as "organ donors" to support their shooters.
I called S&W CS for a part that was discontinued for my 4566. They gave me this source that sells parts from used guns - Jack First, Inc. out of Rapid City.
Jack First Gunshop - First in Gun Parts - Rapid City, South Dakota
Jack First Gunshop - First in Gun Parts - Rapid City, South Dakota
KurtC
Member
In 21 years of using 3rd Gen pistols, the only parts I have ever seen wear or break are:
1. Trigger play spring
2. Extractor
Both were on high mileage trade-ins.
1. Trigger play spring
2. Extractor
Both were on high mileage trade-ins.
boingboing
Member
that's strange cause I have a 67' Camaro and a 71' Olds 442 and i can find parts easily for them. Yeah, yeah I know, they're cars not guns. I've never figured out why Smith dropped the 3rd Gens. Was it because of the advent of Combat Tupperware? I mean I'm in my mid 40's but I believe in steel cars and steel guns. You wouldn't catch me driving a plastic patrol car.
I have been buying "parts kits" on Gunbroker for various firearms to have on hand. I'm a firm believer of better to have it and not need it than the other way around.
Parts may not become scarce to come by in my life time, but I plan to pass down my collection and want to make ensure that they continue to be in usable condition after I'm gone... they may not break parts that often but they do wear.
I also like to have some "trading stock" on hand for a part that I may need from someone only interesting in a trade rather than sell.
Parts may not become scarce to come by in my life time, but I plan to pass down my collection and want to make ensure that they continue to be in usable condition after I'm gone... they may not break parts that often but they do wear.
I also like to have some "trading stock" on hand for a part that I may need from someone only interesting in a trade rather than sell.
azasadny
US Veteran
I buy spare parts, mags, springs, etc... for every gun I own that I can find them for. I'm just paranoid, I guess...
Fastbolt
Member
It took a long time for us to exhaust our small original supply of spare parts from when we started using 3rd gen guns, back when they were first released.
The mostly easily lost parts (small springs & plungers) are handy to have for when they disappear from the bench top.
Some of the smaller springs, like those used under the rear sight base, can experience damage if someone is inattentive when installing the rear sight base, and it helps to have extras. I've noticed some differences (revisions, likely) in them over the years.
The firing pin safety levers can be different among some models.
I've seen a few firing pin springs become shortened from use over time, and I've even come across a bent firing pin.
Over the years I saw us replace a steadily increasing number of parts as the well used (and abused) guns started to reach 12-20 years in-service. Replacement of extractors & ejectors outnumbered drawbars, hammers, sideplates, slide stops & guide rods, but even then the numbers of damaged, broken & worn parts weren't what you might call large (and we had about 500 of the older guns). Well-used pistols can require periodic replacement of some parts which typically wear as the result of normal shooting. Not unexpected.
Probably not something that's going to happen to the average owner who may not ever shoot more than 500 rounds through a particular gun, though.
I think I replaced an extractor in one of the issued guns I used over the years at about the 12,000 round point, and I wasn't the first person to whom the gun had been issued. One fellow from the factory once told me that extractors might sometimes become work-hardened and brittle after about 10 years or 10,000 rounds of usage, becoming susceptible to chipping or breakage, but that's only a rough guesstimate and some guns might well run longer. Naturally, abusing extractors, like loading the chamber by dropping around into it, instead of loading from a magazine (as intended), might damage extractors and require replacement sooner than normal wear & tear. (Extractors typically require fitting, and gauges to check for fit & tolerance, though, and aren't what you might consider 'hobbyist/enthusiast' replacement parts.)
Armorers are told to replace a sideplate once the pin becomes loose from the plate (so it can be turned with light fingertip pressure), and to replace guide rod assemblies when the staking of the guide rod collars becomes loose so the collar can easily be turned within the rod body. (Newer design guide rod assemblies started to incorporate the 1-piece rods which didn't have a separate collar staked in them.)
Ejectors have been revised over the years to eliminate the sharp angle under the back of the tip, which helped eliminate a potential stress riser and helped prevent tip breakage. The tips were also lengthened to speed up ejection of the empty cases. (Part number can vary by model.)
There are some differences among some of the ejectors nowadays when it comes to models/calibers, so it's best to check with S&W to confirm a part number.
I've collected a lot of the different extractor springs over the years to make sure I can find one for repair/replacement in various models & calibers. Also, extractor revisions have occurred since the early 3rd gen guns were introduced.
Replacing recoil (and mag) springs periodically can really help reduce the battering effect of recoil forces, and making sure the gun is properly cleaned and lubricated helps extend useful service life, too.
Just my thoughts.
The mostly easily lost parts (small springs & plungers) are handy to have for when they disappear from the bench top.
Some of the smaller springs, like those used under the rear sight base, can experience damage if someone is inattentive when installing the rear sight base, and it helps to have extras. I've noticed some differences (revisions, likely) in them over the years.
The firing pin safety levers can be different among some models.
I've seen a few firing pin springs become shortened from use over time, and I've even come across a bent firing pin.
Over the years I saw us replace a steadily increasing number of parts as the well used (and abused) guns started to reach 12-20 years in-service. Replacement of extractors & ejectors outnumbered drawbars, hammers, sideplates, slide stops & guide rods, but even then the numbers of damaged, broken & worn parts weren't what you might call large (and we had about 500 of the older guns). Well-used pistols can require periodic replacement of some parts which typically wear as the result of normal shooting. Not unexpected.
Probably not something that's going to happen to the average owner who may not ever shoot more than 500 rounds through a particular gun, though.
I think I replaced an extractor in one of the issued guns I used over the years at about the 12,000 round point, and I wasn't the first person to whom the gun had been issued. One fellow from the factory once told me that extractors might sometimes become work-hardened and brittle after about 10 years or 10,000 rounds of usage, becoming susceptible to chipping or breakage, but that's only a rough guesstimate and some guns might well run longer. Naturally, abusing extractors, like loading the chamber by dropping around into it, instead of loading from a magazine (as intended), might damage extractors and require replacement sooner than normal wear & tear. (Extractors typically require fitting, and gauges to check for fit & tolerance, though, and aren't what you might consider 'hobbyist/enthusiast' replacement parts.)
Armorers are told to replace a sideplate once the pin becomes loose from the plate (so it can be turned with light fingertip pressure), and to replace guide rod assemblies when the staking of the guide rod collars becomes loose so the collar can easily be turned within the rod body. (Newer design guide rod assemblies started to incorporate the 1-piece rods which didn't have a separate collar staked in them.)
Ejectors have been revised over the years to eliminate the sharp angle under the back of the tip, which helped eliminate a potential stress riser and helped prevent tip breakage. The tips were also lengthened to speed up ejection of the empty cases. (Part number can vary by model.)
There are some differences among some of the ejectors nowadays when it comes to models/calibers, so it's best to check with S&W to confirm a part number.
I've collected a lot of the different extractor springs over the years to make sure I can find one for repair/replacement in various models & calibers. Also, extractor revisions have occurred since the early 3rd gen guns were introduced.
Replacing recoil (and mag) springs periodically can really help reduce the battering effect of recoil forces, and making sure the gun is properly cleaned and lubricated helps extend useful service life, too.
Just my thoughts.
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3 rd gen.
Just to add a question to this thread . Wear can I find recoil springs for a 1516-2 I can't find them at Brownells ,Midway or Wolf .I would like to have a spare or two.
Just to add a question to this thread . Wear can I find recoil springs for a 1516-2 I can't find them at Brownells ,Midway or Wolf .I would like to have a spare or two.
Catshooter
Member
Thanks Fastbolt, that info is very helpful.
Cat
Cat
Another place to try for miscellaneous Third-Gen parts is Numrich Gun Parts (Numrich Gun Parts Corporation).
walter o,
According to the S&W parts list on their website, the 4516-2 uses the same dual recoil spring as the 40XX variants. These should be what you need:
Inside Spring
Inside Spring
walter o,
According to the S&W parts list on their website, the 4516-2 uses the same dual recoil spring as the 40XX variants. These should be what you need:
Inside Spring
Inside Spring
