What are the 'desired' models of semi's?

[gr8smiles]

A little background, I have become quite addicted to this whole 'Smith and Wesson' thing and will be the 1st to say that my kids are gonna have a hell of a time going through the safe one of these days

I have 42 SW handguns that I have managed to acquire, but please don't tell my wife All but 7 are revolvers. I love my revolvers, but I am dipping my toe in on the semi-auto side. I have several .22s...a nice A series model 41 with box and docs, a 622, 422, 2213, and M&P 15/22 Pistol. All equipped to run with suppressors....my other addiction

As far as centerfire, I have a shiny nickel 439 and a mint 6904, both with box and docs.

What are some other centerfire guns that I should look for? What are the semi-auto equivalent of the 27-2 revolvers? I have Kimbers and Nighthawks in 1911, but I am interested in SW 1911s too. There are 3 generations of semi-autos if I am correct? How bout some models that are nice? I do like nickel and I do like wooden grips. I have plenty of guns to carry and sit in the nightstand. Any ideas on some good semi-auto candy?
45 or 9mm preferred. I don't have any .40 or odd caliber semi's and would like to keep the ammo hoarding to limited calibers.
Thanks for any ideas.
Rick

 

[scootergirl69]

Model 39

IMHO You can't beat a nice Model 39 Smith for good looks and function. It as the first semi-auto pistol I ever bought back in 1980 or so. Feels great in your hand; eats any decent ammo you want to feed it, shoots to point of aim. Walnut grips looks really nice. Maybe you need a nice 39 or 39-2 to keep your 439 company.

 

[civil1977]

How about a Model 52? Five shot, .38 special wadcutter only with one of the best triggers you'll find. The 52-2 was probably the best version.

 

[socal s&w]

I agree with the 52-2, I also think that the stainless 952 might be a good fit for your list as it is a 9mm.

I like the DK 1911 in 45 too.

 

[k22fan]

Your desire for wood eliminates all 3rd generation and newer S&Ws except for 1911s and Performance Center target guns. If you also insist on nickel then you're limited to 2nd generation and older autos in 9mm.

I hope this helps you focus you search.

Best Regards
Gil

 

[Hovnnes]

You could look for a M46 to keep your M41 company.

 

[gr8smiles]

Your desire for wood eliminates all 3rd generation and newer S&Ws except for 1911s and Performance Center target guns. If you also insist on nickel then you're limited to 2nd generation and older autos in 9mm.

I hope this helps you focus you search.

Best Regards
Gil

Thanks...I do like wooden grips. Nickel is nice, but not a deal breaker. Some bling is good

 

[18DAI]

IMO, 39, 3913, 4516, 4513TSW, CS9, CS45, 645, 4506........and all the Performance Center 1990-2000 pistols. Regards 18DAI.

 

[Engine49guy]

I can only say which models I like,

Of course old Model 39's and 39-2's but I personally prefer the older 1st gen high cap 59 to the later 459/659 because of the rear site,
They also seem undervalued .
Original 645's and 745's if you can find a clean example.

 

[rock doc]

You can always get Hogue wood grips for a 3rd generation. I put a set on my 4566 (45 acp) because I didn't like the thin single stack feel. Now the grip is a little thicker than a 5906 (9mm) double stack and is comfortable to shoot. I would think wood grips on the 5906 would be too thick.

 

[k22fan]

Thanks...I do like wooden grips. Nickel is nice, but not a deal breaker. Some bling is good

You used a 27 as a revolver example of what you want. In my words, a top of the line large service gun with considerable appeal to target shooters and power for hunters. S&Ws only autos with compareable power were 10mm, and all of them were 3rd generation brushed finish stainless autos with a plastic stock, besides you specified 9mm or .45 ACP. S&W's top of the line 9mm target gun, the 952, was originally produced as a polished blued gun with wood stocks. They've only been made in stainless for a while. Hopefully a member more familiar with 945s and 1911s can steer you toward a .45. Those two model .45s have the most of what you want although I think all 945s are stainless and you already have 1911s. None of S&W's top of the line autos have been around long enough or been produced in sufficient quantity to have the wide spread recognition of a 27, but starting a quest for an early 952 might make you happy.

Happy Hunting,
Gil

 

[Catshooter]

This one is the top of my list:

I only have two, so I'm still hunting.


Cat

 

[turbo38gn]

got some good ones there... but you gotta have the 39 or 39-2... for sure... Since you mention the Kimbers and such... then you HAVE to have a PC 945 and or the PC 945-1 compact.. bad to the bone guns.. I'd say a couple M&P's but plastic may scare ya... my favorite guns to shoot..

945-1

 

[RichardWA]

So far I only have 1 S&W auto, a 745

 

[turbo38gn]

So far I only have 1 S&W auto, a 745

That's a beauty Richard... like it alot.

 

[JudgeColt]

I lean toward collecting significantly historic Smith & Wesson semi-automatic pistols. Here are half a dozen that I think are the most important Smith pistols.

The Pre-Model 39 is very important since it was the first double action 9x19 pistol made in the United States, and spawned all of the traditional single-action/double-action Smith & Wesson pistols that followed, as well as the Model 52 target version. So the first should be a Pre-Model 39, or, if you cannot find one of those, then a "pure" Model 39.

Next should be the Model 52 target version of the Model 39. The early pistols are works of art. If you cannot find a "pure" Model 52, an early Model 52-2 would be a second choice.

Third should be an early Model 59, the first double-stack, double-action pistol.

Fourth should be an early Model 41. The early ones with the cocking indicator and muzzle brake are gorgeous.

Next should be an early Model 645, the first Smith .45ACP.

Finish up with a Model 669, the first compact high capacity pistol. It was also the first to combine stainless steel and an alloy frame.

Good luck.

 

[Nframe357]

645 should definetly be on the list.

 

[gr8smiles]

got some good ones there... but you gotta have the 39 or 39-2... for sure... Since you mention the Kimbers and such... then you HAVE to have a PC 945 and or the PC 945-1 compact.. bad to the bone guns.. I'd say a couple M&P's but plastic may scare ya... my favorite guns to shoot..

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I figure this thread has the potential to cost me a bunch. I am not too afraid of plastic...I have the HK Tactical in both 9mm and 45, an HK p30 threaded, an FNH .45 Tactical in black, and am picking up a FNH .45 Tactical in FDE tomorrow.

 

[turbo38gn]

got some good ones there... but you gotta have the 39 or 39-2... for sure... Since you mention the Kimbers and such... then you HAVE to have a PC 945 and or the PC 945-1 compact.. bad to the bone guns.. I'd say a couple M&P's but plastic may scare ya... my favorite guns to shoot..

Thanks for all the great suggestions. I figure this thread has the potential to cost me a bunch. I am not too afraid of plastic...I have the HK Tactical in both 9mm and 45, an HK p30 threaded, an FNH .45 Tactical in black, and am picking up a FNH .45 Tactical in FDE tomorrow.

in that case.... M&P9,40 and the 45 is an amazing shooting gun. Went to the range last nite with my son, who is a new shooter, who I've gotten to the range now about 3 times. He loved my Thunder Ranch 325 the 1st time out, shot my model 640 last nite with a 357 magnum shell, then I handed him my M&P45 .... he blew through another 100 rounds and when I looked over was destroying the bullseye..

Oh ya... one more gun he shot..... he was grinning ear to ear when I put my S&W500 - 4" revolver in his hand.

 

[vrichard]

One of these would be nice,645 or 659
Dick