What is your favorite S&W auto pistol? Why?

[Smith357]

Of the ones I have shot it is a close race between the 52 or the 945.
The reason is they were both dead nutz accurate.

Of the ones I currently own its easily the 4506, because its stone cold reliable and the softest shooting .45 I have ever shot.

 

[mrchuck]

It would have to be my S/W Sigma sw40c.
This was the Glock clone that Glock sued and won at least 7 million cash from S/W.
It fits my hand. It just feels good! And it protected me faithfully so I could retire and write these wisdoms of truth.
Yes,,,,It was,,, and still faithful to me.
Some out there can relate to this feeling,,,,,,,,,

 

[whiteviper1964]

Oh such an unfair question! I love to shoot all my 3rd generations, my 915 and 5906 are up there with my 4006. Still looking for a 4516 though.

 

[JohnHL]

Which is my favorite and why?

I'll "limit" my answer to include only those pistols and accessories that i actually own.

I like them all and they all "fit" my hands (Except for the sub-compacts. My pinkie finger feels neglected).

Because it is "my" opinion (Thank you, Charles.) I will list two.
One "open carry" (i.e. Full size, Combat, Duty pistol).
One "concealed carry" (i.e. CCW, Compact, Sub-compact pistol).

My favorite Full size: 4006TSW

Why?: Engineering and versatility.
The TSW pistols were the most advanced of all the S&W metal framed, center fire, semi-automatic pistols and incorporated all of the knowledge gleaned in the nearly 70 years of production beginning with the pre-model 39.
It is all stainless steel tough and durable.
I can set it up as safety/decocker, decocker only, or DAO.
I can set it up with straight back or curved back grips (my preference is curved).
I can install the Crimson Trace laser grips or the LaserMax guide rod laser.
Speaking of sighting, I can carry with the Novak Trijicon fixed rear sight or drift in the LPA adjustable rear sight (or just swap a slide that already has the LPA sight fitted).
While we are on the subject of swapping slides, exchanging the 4006TSW slide for the 4013TSW slide gives me an "SSV".
Last, but most importantly is cartidge capability and capacity.
I consider the .40S&W cartridge to be substantially superior to the 9mm and somewhat superior to the .45acp.
The double stack design gives me a confidence inspiring 12 rounds.
And with nothing more than a simple barrel and recoil spring swap, I now have the same great pistol in .357 Sig, which I consider to be ballistically superior to the .40s&w.

My favorite concealed carry pistol: CS40

Again, engineering and versatility.

The Chiefs Special models were among the very last 3rd gen pistols S&W designed and incorporated the latest features.
It is light and small enough for pocket carry.
I can swap out the Hogue rubber grips for my home made "Big Dog" delrin grips and exchange the ambi safety/decocker for a single sided safety or go DAO for maximum thinness.
If 8 rounds of .40s&w doesn't seem potent enough, I can exchange the slide, barrel, and magazine for the CS45 parts and now I have 7 rounds of .45acp and can use the full size, 8 round .45 mags as back up.

John

 

[Dpapa]

Tough one!

If I could just say my favorite S&W it would be my 686 Pro Series, because of the flexibility of optional use of moon clips, conventional speed loaders, or just hand loading, plus the power, accuracy, and smooth trigger. Ooh I luv that wheelgun!

But I digress. The question was about favorite "auto-loaders," so I'll have to go with my Model 41. Reasons: It is accurate, it is beautiful to behold, it is aesthetic, and I have both the 5 inch and 7 in barrels for it. So with the 7 inch barrel I've a super-nice sight radius, and with the 5 inch barrel, I have a Match-Dot mounted on the rail. Finally, it is a "classic" S&W, with old-school craftsmanship built into it.

 

[Mikedtkd]

Wow tough choice! Well out of all my S&W semi-automatics I think it's a tie between 2 of my favorites.
My 659/5906 interim & 3913LS
First off the reason I am torn between these two is because they are in my mind the tops in both of their respective categories, home/SHTF gun and everyday Conceal Carry gun.
I love shooting my 659/5906 interim with its 14/15 Rd high cap mags. It's super accurate and the stainless steel is buffed shiny. Classic!
I carry my 3913LS everyday, everywhere. It's slim and sexy looking with its rake-ish angled dustcover, and I can one-handed bullseye at 15 yards all day long.

 

[Buford57]

No contest: the 39-2 I foolishly traded for a 469

or if not that, the second 39-2 I foolishly let get away because it was "no longer authorized" for duty carry.

Or the 39-2 I hope someday to find for sale in my LGS with some price south of $300 on it because "you know you can't get parts for that anymore and you can't mount a laser on it and the grips are made of wood or something".

On the belt in a Bianchi Shadow or IWB all by itself it was the nicest carrying, most naturally pointing, flawlessly functioning semi-auto I ever owned. The only modification I made was to cover the hammer spur with a rubber cap robbed from a coat rack in the PD to protect my sport coat lining.

I couldn't tell a nickel's worth of difference between the "accurized" first one I owned and the second, which had been purchased new, fired once and then allowed to ride around under the front seat of a van for about 5 years before I got it.

 

[PJO1425]

I would be tempted to say the 39 (nothing) that I was issued in the ISP academy in 1968, and was allowed to buy when it was replaced by the 439 in 1980-ish...but 39s are hard to find parts for now, so my new favorite is probably my recently purchased 659...

 

[Mightymoo]

There are many good picks here!

My favorite is my 1972 Model 41.

Runs smooth as a clock, very accurate and looks awesome!

 

[Ed Fowler]

Mod 39 carried the most and love it dearly.
Mod 41 gets shot a lot and very accurate.
Mod 952-1 the most accurate 9mm I own.

 

[BAM-BAM]

My best and most accurate CCW piece is a Performance Center PC9, the quality of these guns is exceptional with Titanium/brass Briley barrel bushing, aluminum hand fit custom PC frame and DA/SA trigger... simply an awesome weapon.

(Net pic)

Stealing EngineGuy's picture and description.............and ditto...... the best concealed carry S&W if I was carrying for "work"; add full size magazine(s) with "Plus-2" adapters as backups!!!!!!!!

Though I must admit 95% of the time my concealed carry is a 3913NL or 3914..... both with checkered Hogue wood grips and 7rd flush fit magazine w/ an extra 8 round magazine ............cus I live in the "Burbs of the Burgh"

I'm also very fond of the plain Jane 915 in a full size 9mm with Mec-gar 17round magazines.........

 

[6actual]

What day o' the week is it?
Mondays & Tuesdays, its the 10mm 4013
Wednesday is the 4513
Thurs is the CS9
Fridays is always 3913 day
Saturday is 6904
Sunday is 1006 or 4566

 

[BAM-BAM]

What day o' the week is it?
Mondays & Tuesdays, its the 10mm 4013
Wednesday is the 4513
Thurs is the CS9
Fridays is always 3913 day
Saturday is 6904
Sunday is 1006 or 4566

TGIF!!!!!!!




Oh and I like your weekends toooo!!!!

 

[federali]

Model 39, 39-2

I think the Models 39 and 39-2 are the most comfortable pistols that Smith ever made.

 

[gen3guy]

My vintage 1995 4013 (pre TSW). I call it my "Grand Jury Gun". I sat on a county grand jury for 4 months back in '95 and they sent me $42 a week for my trouble. Every week I would cash the county check and stick the money in a coffee can. After I was discharged from the jury, I grabbed my $670 and headed for my favorite LGS. I couldn't pass that little .40 up. Still one of my favorite guns and one of my favorite stories.

 

[Shooter Mike]

Like a lot of you fellows and ladies I have owned some very nice pistols, Baer's, Wilsons, and Browns. The best in my safe are my Smith 945, 952-2, and the Smith 41.

When I am on I can make these babies sing. I love my Smith and Wesson PC's.

 

[davek610]

My single stack 4053. The perfect carry pistol for me.

 

[vboy36]

The only auto loader I own, SW915.

 

[Longhorn1986]

Model 457. It's the only S&W autoloader I own. Never needed to replace it. Nothing fancy or flashy, but when I point it and pull the trigger, it goes "BOOM" and makes a hole pretty much where I was aiming!

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

I cannot choose between the Model 915 and the 4506. The 915 is a nice do it all practical 9mm handgun that is extremely accurate and easy to maintain. I would have picked it over the Beretta 92F.


The 4506 is a hand cannon with a more modern and sturdier design than the revered 1911. If I run out of ammo, it is heavy enough to use as a club. Fun to shoot.