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

My 915. Sold all my other 3rd gens. Bought 3 new Mec-Gar mags and recoil spring. It's not my CCW. Just a nice feeling gun in my hand.
 
Over the last 40+ years I have had many S&W semi-autos. Today I only have one left, and it is a fairly new one. The others (incl. an M41*) I collected and shot occasionally. One by one they were sold for another pistol or rifle, mostly for older S&W revolvers. The one that is still with me:
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I carry this one and I shoot it better than any other CCW handgun I have had in the last 30+ years. My M642 is a good second but the flatness and higher number of rounds of the Shield 9... well there's that.

*OK, the selling of the M41 was a BIG mistake. I regret that one still.
 
Sevens said:
"Penultimate" is a 25-cent word that means "next to last." So while I hope you come up with a fantastic pistol, I -really- hope it is not the next to last S&W pistol ever. ;)

My easy pick is my 845, but I don't think that's fair because the 845 is very rare and basically hand-built. And that would make me want to defer to my Model 52-2, but that one is pretty much the SAME way. Both of these pistols are, well, ridiculous.

In the spirit of the thread, I'll take a production S&W pistol as my favorite -- it certainly was before I got those two above.

My S&W 745 fits that bill. It's a later model, non-IPSC Anniv pistol, shipped with a fixed rear sight that a previous owner swapped out for an adjustable. It runs flawlessly, it's extremely good lookin' and it's all grins on a range day.
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Can not agree more. I have two 745s with the adjustable rear sights. One has over 30,000 rounds through it and it is "just broken in"!! Dave_n
 
I only have two; an M&P .380 and the M&P .22C and of the two the twenty-two is my favorite range gun. Both are totally reliable.
 
I'd have to go with the Model 41. My dealer contacted me a few days ago saying he had just received a new one from the distributor. S&W must have done a recent production run. I now own two of those beauties!
 
If I answer from my heart it would be my 39-2. If I use my brain there are many more modern choices that would make more sense...5903, M&P, 1911SC to name a few. The 645 would be a strong contender due to the fact that it's built like a tank and it's chambered in the venerable .45 ACP.
 
I can't decide, don't make me choose. I'm in love with all my Smith pistols and still haven't figured out a favorite. I'm still trying to give them equal range time. My 3906 has been my cold weather choice for carry. It's size is comparable the Commander 1911's. So far for summer carry its been the Shorty 40 with the PC 9 as its practice buddy. I need more rounds out of my 3913LS to test more carry Ammo before she goes in rotation but she shoots really well.
So now the predicament is which to use for Sunday's Steel Challenge. The 3906, Shorty 40 and M&P PC 9 have had their turns, so it's either the PC 9 or 3913LS. Still undecided aaarrrggghhhh !!!!
 
Have quite a few favorites in the safe including a Pre Model 39, 39, 39-2, 539, 639, 59 and a Model 3953,
My most accurate is a Model 52-2 in .38 wadcutter but its not at all practical for CCW.
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.
Model%205906%20PC-9%20PCV%200410_zpsc69ohmcj.jpg

(Net pic)
 
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Hard to choose between my early (SN 99XX) Model 41 or the 39-2 that has the best trigger pull. I got out of competition before the 52 came in so I have no experience with it.
 
I just got interested in S&W autos last year when I got 9mm Shield just picked up a 639 round trigger guard so I only have 2. Its been which ever one is in my hand so far at the range but the Shield is my carry gun.
 
That reminds me, did I mention my 4516? Yes please put that one one the list............somewhere. My 4516-3........not the 4516-2 or the 4516 no dash.......although both of them are fantastic guns too and should be somewhere on the list as well............it is a sickness. ;) Regards 18DAI
 
Well, I only have two S&W semis......

....and a Kel Tec. So

Top on the list the 5943 third gen. Aluminum frame so though full size, it's carryable. But then. It's a great shooter as well way beyond SD distances. I hope never to part with it.

A close second would be the Shield. Why? It's a gun in a million (literally) The trigger is superb. Take down is easy. It's very concealable/carryble, it's comfortable to shoot and shoot well.

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Way down here is the Kel Tec P-11. A good gun, good design. No fun to practice with. Made for for scaring perps by shooting AT them instead of hitting them. It's like a pair of dime store pliers that you keep in your kitchen drawer. They work on the little stuff.
 
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I own a number of 3rd gens.
My favorite is the 1066 my son gave me as a birthday present. Feel the S&W 10mm's are simply the finest 10mm pistols ever produced.
Saying that I open carry a well worn 6904 most of the time at work but alternate carrying it at times with ether my Shorty .40 or 4013TSW.
Love the 4013 and Shorty but in the end prefer the 9mm round to a .40. reason is that snappy recoil of the .40 or .357 sig to me is more uncomfortable than a 10mm with hot loads. 10mm is more a hard push than that super sharp snap with the .40/.357 sig and putting follow up shots on target I find easier and quicker with both a 10mm or 9mm than the .40's.
My favorite conceal carry pistol is my CS9.
 
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rwsmith said:
Top on the list the 5943 third gen. Aluminum frame so though full size, it's carryable. But then. It's a great shooter as well way beyond SD distances. I hope never to part with it.
Click to expand...
Hear you I own a DAO 5943 as well and also really like mine. Need to drop in a lighter hammer spring and work the trigger a little to really get it where I like it. Saying that it's a pistol I hunted for a while and there is no way i would part with this one! Having that DAO to play with on the range REALLY helps my trigger control!
 
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M&P shield 9. I've had all kinds of firearms, but I've never had a favorite range toy that was also a favorite carry piece. Still not my only gun, but for fun and serious purposes, the shield does it all, at least for me.
 
945, 41, 52..... All scary accurate, but the 945 looks cool too.
 
I have to agree with sevens and dave_n, 745 rules for me. Cloverleaf groups at 50 feet. I shot this gun 200 rounds a week for about six years, still functions flawlessly. My shooting partner wore out his stainless Gold Cup. I shoot my 845, 945 and 52 even better, but the 745 is my favorite.
 
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