Ranger98
US Veteran
My "13" series TSW's..
Almost forgot about the CS series..
Almost forgot about the CS series..
Those of us NOT selling off your 3rd gens, which is your favorite?
- Thread starter 18DAI
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Coaltminer
Member
Got only one, 5904, kinda wanted the single stack 3904, but this one came up. May get the 3904 or a 3906 someday, but I like the lighter weight of the alloy framed pistols. You don't see many around here in WV that aren't police trades and a little rough. The 5904 was privately owned and probably 95%, but only one mag. Shoots everything. Put a Hogue grip on it, like the straight backstrap. Has fixed sights, which I prefer. I also have a 9c M&P, both great pistols.
I've got three 3rd Gens so far (6906, 4046 and 4516-1)... but I'm 100% focused on getting myself a 4506-1. Not an easy feat in the highly-restricted People's Republic of Taxachusetts, but that is my favorite 3rd Gen of all and my most immediate goal. After that I'm going to have to take a long rest because this 3rd Gen addiction thing is totally breaking the bank. 
Eventually, I'd like to add a 10mm to my collection, but I'm not going to hold my breath on that one. It's more of a fantasy than a realistic goal in this crazy state.
Eventually, I'd like to add a 10mm to my collection, but I'm not going to hold my breath on that one. It's more of a fantasy than a realistic goal in this crazy state.
My small collection of 3rd Gen's currently consists of a WVSP 4006 and a pre-TSW 4013. I sure wish I had my old 4566 duty gun back from my trooper days!
As for my favorite, that'd have to be my 4006. I'm not a particular fan of the .40 S&W round, but the gun is awesome. Both the SA and DA triggers are superb and the best I've seen on a 3rd Gen. The SA trigger on this gun is as smooth as a nicely tuned 1911. It's just a fantastic piece of workmanship all around!
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As for my favorite, that'd have to be my 4006. I'm not a particular fan of the .40 S&W round, but the gun is awesome. Both the SA and DA triggers are superb and the best I've seen on a 3rd Gen. The SA trigger on this gun is as smooth as a nicely tuned 1911. It's just a fantastic piece of workmanship all around!
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Well l I just bought a 4516-1...so my ranking may change.. I will keep you update..but the 4516-1 just seems like the perfect small 45.
This would be mine too if I had not stupidly sold it years ago. So instead my new favorite is my -1.
But like a long lost high school lover if I ever get another no dash.....
Southwest134
Member
I have a wide collection of the famed 3rd generation guns, from the cs9 & 3913 to the 5906, 6906 and 4046 just to name a few..
For ccw, I love the 5946/4046 when you can fit a full-size, the cs9/3913 when you need to be thin dressed...but my all time fav for ccw is the 6946!
I do love them all, and really enjoy the 5906/4006/6906 at the range.
I have a few of the M&P series, I do like the Shield, but for ccw and duty carry, I'll stick with the 3rd gens!
For ccw, I love the 5946/4046 when you can fit a full-size, the cs9/3913 when you need to be thin dressed...but my all time fav for ccw is the 6946!
I do love them all, and really enjoy the 5906/4006/6906 at the range.
I have a few of the M&P series, I do like the Shield, but for ccw and duty carry, I'll stick with the 3rd gens!
If I had to list the, I'd say 3913TSW for carry, 5906 for range shooting, and 6906 just because it feels so right in my hand and shoots well. I'm just not sure I want to carry a 6906 for self defense.
Of course there is a LGS that has a 6946 listed. If it's not sold when I get back from my southern vacation in early August, I might have to go up and look at it.
It just never ends, does it?
Of course there is a LGS that has a 6946 listed. If it's not sold when I get back from my southern vacation in early August, I might have to go up and look at it.
It just never ends, does it?
Stargater
Member
Sometimes I think people forget there's a second generation of outstanding Smith & Wesson auto pistols, and from a reliability standpoint, they have more in common with the third generation autos. At the same time, the 459, 559 and 659 autos bear more of a resemblance to the first generation 59, and that the 439 and 639 looked more like the older 39s.
What difference does that make? First, many people, me included, wanted a 59 more than its weight in gold. Fifteen shots was nothing to snicker at in those days and though they were both handsome pistols (the 39/59), neither one of them worked reliably until the end of their runs. Then, whatever the company learned was implemented in the fixes and the second generation of autos.
The second generation was flawless in operation, but a more ergonomic design was made in the third generation. Indeed, many of the parts are interchangeable between the 659 and 5906. Twenty-round mags fit both and I actually like the 659 over my 5906.
Two great second generation autos, the 645 (top) and the 659.
The 5906 had a more ergonomic grip, to some, and better (dot) sights.
The 3906.
I would hate to sell any of these guns, but all of them will eventually belong to someone else, just as yours will. Horrible thought, no? They may end up in the hands of our kids or grandkids. And they'll more than likely sell them and buy plastic autos, or worse, Apple iPads, so they can buy games and afford to text message!
.
What difference does that make? First, many people, me included, wanted a 59 more than its weight in gold. Fifteen shots was nothing to snicker at in those days and though they were both handsome pistols (the 39/59), neither one of them worked reliably until the end of their runs. Then, whatever the company learned was implemented in the fixes and the second generation of autos.
The second generation was flawless in operation, but a more ergonomic design was made in the third generation. Indeed, many of the parts are interchangeable between the 659 and 5906. Twenty-round mags fit both and I actually like the 659 over my 5906.
Two great second generation autos, the 645 (top) and the 659.
The 5906 had a more ergonomic grip, to some, and better (dot) sights.
The 3906.
I would hate to sell any of these guns, but all of them will eventually belong to someone else, just as yours will. Horrible thought, no? They may end up in the hands of our kids or grandkids. And they'll more than likely sell them and buy plastic autos, or worse, Apple iPads, so they can buy games and afford to text message!
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I don't see getting rid of any of mine, however I carry my 1066 daily CCW. I love the 10mm, but for looks the 645 is hard to beat. I don't carry the 645 because a lack of holsters for it.
Take care and God Bless
HT
Take care and God Bless
HT
Jim PHL
Member
I've already gotten rid of all except my single-stack 9's - and they're not going anywhere soon. (3913, 3913NL and 3953.) Even though I keep saying I am in quantity-reduction mode when it comes to guns, deep down I know it would be really hard to pass-up a good deal on another one of these.
I've no use for any .40's, I prefer 1911's for .45 and the CS9 and 6906's I've had were just not as 'right' for me as these are.
Chocolate and vanilla, I guess.......
I've no use for any .40's, I prefer 1911's for .45 and the CS9 and 6906's I've had were just not as 'right' for me as these are.
Chocolate and vanilla, I guess.......
sw44spl
Member
I traded one of my 6904s for a new looking in the box 5906. So I would have to say the 5900 series and the 4000 series. I have 4 5900s and 3 4000s. I will replace the 6904 with another 6906.
FirebirdV8
Member
I think I'd have to go with my 4040PD. Just in case that one stops working right I have a NIB spare. I have several other 3rd gens but that 4040 is just amazing.
03Fatboy
Member
I'll Play.
Some of my favorite to shoot are the alloy 40's and this 4004 is a hoot at the range. No clear cut favorites, I like 9, 40 and 45, some more than others and those are typically sold to try out another. Kind of like a rotation in the bullpen.
Some of my favorite to shoot are the alloy 40's and this 4004 is a hoot at the range. No clear cut favorites, I like 9, 40 and 45, some more than others and those are typically sold to try out another. Kind of like a rotation in the bullpen.
Charlie111
Member
I really like both my 3906 and my 3913. I love those single stack autos. Next one to purchase will be a 4516. I hope that will be soon.
Zebulon
Member
This one......Early Production 4566.....Carried IWB in TT Leather....Zebulon
photoman
Member
So far... The 6946 is my favorite.
3953. I'm a revolver guy at heart and this Gen3 is the best. No levers and smooth DAO trigger. Accurate too!
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