i've heard a lot of talk in gun stores about smiths third generation semi autos, that the 39 series are near perfect, but all the rest(5906,6906,669, 639, etc) fall short. i personally don't feel that way but i was wondering what the forum thinks.
third gen models
- Thread starter theways9
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
serpentine
Member
- Joined
- Jun 13, 2012
- Messages
- 94
- Reaction score
- 22
I wish I had the vast wealth of expertise that you have access to in your local shops. Can't speak to anything you've mentioned except the 5906. And my experience with the 5906 has been absolutely flawless.
I've never heard that any of them fall short. I've never had a problem with my 4013TSW. They are all very similar in their basic design, so unless there was a prolonged manufacturing problem, I don't see how any one of them could be that much better than the rest.
Fall short of what? A Les Baer, a Wilson Combat? Maybe. But judged against their competition when they were made, & even a lot of current offerings, they stand up nicely. I've had no problems with any of the seven I own. You should form your own opinion by trying them out & seeing how they run for you. The LGS crowd, both in front & behind the counter, are typically more concerned with "the latest & greatest". They want to sell poly pistols because that is what they have to sell. More power to them. Try & find someone with a 3rd Gen that will let you shoot it & again, form your own opinion.
losingle
Member
Take a look around at your LGS, if they have any 3rd gens, they will be gone quickly.
They don't have to sell them, they sell themselves. My LGS is full of plastic. Been looking for particular 3rd gen pistol for over a year and LGS can't find it either.
They don't have to sell them, they sell themselves. My LGS is full of plastic. Been looking for particular 3rd gen pistol for over a year and LGS can't find it either.
Arizona5906
Member
I have two of the third gens, 5906 and 3913. Now if only I could find a really nice 4513...
I can't imagine what those gun shop experts are thinking. These are wonderful pistols, well made, strong, and reliable. It's lucky for me that examples in really good condition don't show up often in the used cases at the local shops because I would be broke.
Or maybe a 4516 would do....
I can't imagine what those gun shop experts are thinking. These are wonderful pistols, well made, strong, and reliable. It's lucky for me that examples in really good condition don't show up often in the used cases at the local shops because I would be broke.
Or maybe a 4516 would do....
shouldazagged
Absent Comrade
If I had the money I'd be on a nice 3913 or 4513 like ugly on a baboon's behind. The two second-generation models I've owned, a 469 and a 411, were excellent, especially the 469. And I'm a revolver guy.
- Joined
- Aug 21, 2005
- Messages
- 8,020
- Reaction score
- 7,101
The 39 Series in the 3rd Gen has always been the one with which I had issues, not because it does not work or is not good looking, but because older magazines do not work in them. All of the 3rd Gens are excellent.
If it is employees of the gun store making the comments, then the gun store in question is staffed by idiots. If it is just the "Saturday morning commandos" who drop by because they are too cheap to actually buy their coffee at a coffee shop, then that is about "par for the course."
If it is employees of the gun store making the comments, then the gun store in question is staffed by idiots. If it is just the "Saturday morning commandos" who drop by because they are too cheap to actually buy their coffee at a coffee shop, then that is about "par for the course."
oddly enough my LGS has a good amount of third gen pistols. they had one 3913 for $445, i had to have it. i definitely like it more than my M&P9c. not to say the M&P is a bad gun, it's excellent. theres just something about those earlier generations. just like cars. if i could afford a 67 impala, i'd be one happy guy.
Badkarma 1
US Veteran
Ever notice how the "latest and greatest" tend to be a problem child recently? Not that the 3rd Gens didn't have the occasional problem as well.
The thing is a lot of folks come to forums like this one to get the straight skinny on wether or not the piece in question is any good or not, true there will be some emotional imput from us cause it might be a personal favorite but still we try.
Gun shops like gun magazines are there to sell you a piece, if you ask them to suggest one, nine chances out of ten it will be the latest poly wonder or hi-end 1911 that was in the recent issue of whatever magazine they read last night. Or it's a personal favorite that works for them.
I like to suggest an interested buyer go to a range and test fire a variety of handguns and find the one that best suits your needs and that you can hit with.
And the 3rd Gen is looked upon as "old school" technology much like the Beretta 92, and HK P7. They ain't polymer and don't hold a bucket of bullets (since when is 15 rounds a bad thing, compared to 17?). Funny thing is they still do the job for which they were designed!
Lastly just for giggles, I'd love to be able to walk up to a bunch of these so called "shooters" and tell them they have to carry a Smith model 10...for a week!
Dale
The thing is a lot of folks come to forums like this one to get the straight skinny on wether or not the piece in question is any good or not, true there will be some emotional imput from us cause it might be a personal favorite but still we try.
Gun shops like gun magazines are there to sell you a piece, if you ask them to suggest one, nine chances out of ten it will be the latest poly wonder or hi-end 1911 that was in the recent issue of whatever magazine they read last night. Or it's a personal favorite that works for them.
I like to suggest an interested buyer go to a range and test fire a variety of handguns and find the one that best suits your needs and that you can hit with.
And the 3rd Gen is looked upon as "old school" technology much like the Beretta 92, and HK P7. They ain't polymer and don't hold a bucket of bullets (since when is 15 rounds a bad thing, compared to 17?). Funny thing is they still do the job for which they were designed!
Lastly just for giggles, I'd love to be able to walk up to a bunch of these so called "shooters" and tell them they have to carry a Smith model 10...for a week!
Dale
Last edited:
cpeblue
Member
I'm with Timn8er, but if I may add the 39s are pretty and do melt in your hand but only a unknowing fool would say their better than the 439/539/639. The 3rd gens are the evolution ware their was constant improvement till there end at pinnacle of the TSW pistols. If there was a flaw in the early pistols I see it as the lack of a dot on the front sight, they are not removable and 'I' am not a fan of the half cock hammer. The steel pistols though heavy are almost indestructible. I wish Barstow made barrels for 'our' pistols and we could still get Briely bushings installed. Now, Arizona5906 you don't want a 4513 or a 4516 or even 4563 they are terrible pistols don't walk runaway from them ( at least until I have gotten mine ).
lhump1961
US Veteran
I love my 3913TSW...but my 6904 is my go-to 3rd gen. Smoothest feeding double stack I've ever handled...the rounds just slide in like they are greased and the gun has never failed in any way. If that's the falling short they are talking about then I'll be fine. 
I love my 3913TSW...but my 6904 is my go-to 3rd gen. Smoothest feeding double stack I've ever handled...the rounds just slide in like they are greased and the gun has never failed in any way. If that's the falling short they are talking about then I'll be fine.
If the 6904 is your go to gun, I would be willing to give that 3913TSW a good home, you know, as a favor, so that the 6904 won't ever get jealous!
lhump1961
US Veteran
If the 6904 is your go to gun, I would be willing to give that 3913TSW a good home, you know, as a favor, so that the 6904 won't ever get jealous!
Good to know. It's comforting that people here have my back and will relieve me of these marginal guns so I can remain in good standing with the latest crowd at the range and the LGS.
Fall short????? How?
I remember shooting my LE trade in 4506-1 next to a fellow with a Les Baer 1911. My $550 standard production 45 shot tighter groups than his VERY expensive 1911 using the same ammunition. In BOTH our hands. He asked me if "the custom shop still made these?".
He was more than a little green around the gills when informed it was a mass produced LE gun that was well used.
I own many guns from different manufacturers. HK, Colt, Springfield, Walther. I could put pretty much anything I want in my holster. I choose to bet my life on 3rd gen S&W 45's. I don't know how much more you could praise a gun.
Sounds like your gunshop guy doesn't know what he is talking about. Regards 18DAI
I remember shooting my LE trade in 4506-1 next to a fellow with a Les Baer 1911. My $550 standard production 45 shot tighter groups than his VERY expensive 1911 using the same ammunition. In BOTH our hands. He asked me if "the custom shop still made these?".
He was more than a little green around the gills when informed it was a mass produced LE gun that was well used.
I own many guns from different manufacturers. HK, Colt, Springfield, Walther. I could put pretty much anything I want in my holster. I choose to bet my life on 3rd gen S&W 45's. I don't know how much more you could praise a gun.
Sounds like your gunshop guy doesn't know what he is talking about. Regards 18DAI
finesse_r
Member
I assume this is a joke or an attempt to spur some discussion.
The third generation Smith and Wesson semi-autos are as a group the finest production semi-autos ever made. I consider them far superior to current Smith and Wesson semi-autos.
In order my list of favorites are:
4513TSW pre rail
3913TSW no rail
4013TSW no rail
6906
3913
4013
I have carried a wide variety of them. I have owned or shot nearly all but the 10mm series. Every one was a solid shooter that I would bet my life on. Totally reliable with decent accuracy and in the TSW versions excellent accuracy. If you want a self-defense gun, you just cannot do better than one of these find, solid built, extremely reliable, all metal semi-autos, unless you carry a revolver.
All but two of my semi-autos are third generation Smith and Wessons. I also own two Mark II Rugers in .22LR.
I think you can look for the prices on these fine guns to continue to rise in the future. So if you want one, I would suggest the sooner the better.
You might want to find a more knowledgeable LGS dealer.
yeah, i didn't think they knew what they were talking about. but they have damn good prices, i just try not to listen to their nonsense. i bought a decent 3913 from them, a bit of wear, some chips in the finish, but overall good condition. my next hunt is for a 6906. only the compact models fit in my hands, and they're the only ones i can carry, i'm a smallish guy. 5"7 and 135lb.
James&theGiant1911
Member
I bought one of the 6906 Cali guns being liquidated on GA. I sold it and could not get it to shoot right for me. The 3913TSW I own is a whole different story it is light and slim with pin point accuracy. I thought the tactical was just a selling ploy but they are built better with smaller tolerances and a lot more accurate than their non TSW counterparts.
Arik
Member
Actually the 2 models I dislike are the 69 and 39 midels. They dont fit in my had that well. But to be fair I dislike most pocket semis.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2
Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2
