What made you S&W auto fan?

[SMK]

I like .22 target pistols. Bought a M-41 and one wasn't enough. Great trigger, fit, finish and accuracy.

Scott

 

[Old cop]

I own a Glock M23 that was my service weapon (LEO retired) that is dead bang (no pun intended) reliable. During a recent visit to my LGS I picked up the S&W 9C and was sold. It is easier to carry, fits my hand better and is every bit as reliable as the Glock. Of the many 1911's I've tried every one has some sort of issue that will not allow me to depend on it in a life-or-death situation. Smith is giving Glock a run for its money when it comes to the LE market.

 

[z4lunch]

52-2

52 is a treat to shoot
Steve

 

[427mach1]

I like pretty much all US-made handguns; I have a Colt, some Rugers, and some Smith & Wessons. The Rugers are revolvers for woods carry (can't beat them for brute strength) but in my opinion the 3rd gen compacts are the ultimate concealed weapon. While I prefer and own a 4013TSW, I can't find fault with someone who prefers a 3913, 6906, etc. They are the perfect size, tough, reliable, accurate, and they just plain work for me.

 

[18DAI]

I shot one. Then I shot examples of all the "popular" semi auto's.

I prefer reliability and accuracy in my handguns and require they have a good trigger. 3rd gen S&W's are the only pistols to do all that, for me. Regards 18DAI

 

[dsk]

To be honest, aside from a 4" model 686 and 3" M60 revolver I both briefly owned during the early 1990's I never gave S&W products much thought. I completely ignored the autos, including the 3rd gen pistols. Then a couple of months ago while looking to get back into the .40 cartridge I saw a used 4006 for sale. I had already given up on most of the plastic fantastics as being a bit too hard to shoot .40's through, but that big stainless steel boat anchor suddenly piqued my interest. Then I made the mistake of holding it. Great feel, excellent DA trigger, smooth safety operation. It came home with me, and a couple weeks later I also found a 9mm 915 for sale dirt cheap. I didn't need it, but for the price I couldn't resist. Now I'm wondering why I had overlooked the 3rd gen Smith autos all this time. They're well-made, ergonomic and reliable. It's just a shame they're all discontinued.

 

[paperboy98]

S&W revolvers! Quality and functionality.
paperboy98

 

[Houdini1953]

I bought my first semi auto Smith & Wesson Model 59 nickel plated in 1982 and have been a S&W fan ever since, I had Colts and Ruger's but the reliability of my Model 59 which was stolen in 1996 has been replaced with a blued finish but I also own a M&P9 full size and will pick up my layaway M&P 40 Friday (1/6/2012).

Out of all the rounds through any of my Smith and Wessons I have never had a failure to feed with any ammunition or a failure to fire. I do not reload and use re manufactured ammunition as well as new ammunition from just about anyone that has it.

Only problem is that some ammunition leaves lots of residue on your hands from firing but it still works. The Smith and Wesson is one of the best and most reliable firearms there is and that is why I have three of them out of five pistols!

 

[Aden67]

Love them just because the are a great hunk of METAL in your hand. Reminds me of my grandfather who was an attorney from 1919 to 1981...he told me before he died...I deal in paper...lots of paper. You know what paper is good for...wiping your ***. Said a man's handshake is the most solid thing you should get.

S&W's 3rd generations are in my opinion..."a man's handshake."

http://smith-wessonforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=62489&stc=1&d=1325555128

 

[Jim PHL]

Actually it was a single model, not the entire line that really hooked me; the 3913. I had bought, sold, borrowed, traded or rented quite a few different guns in just about every caliber over the years. The 3913 was just one that I always liked the look and feel of. I was for a while in a 'rut' of J's, K's and 1911's only for quite a while. When I "allowed myself" to expand my interests, the 3913 was one of the first I got. I really like the single-stack 9's. At one point I had a 6906, 3x 3953's, 2x3913's and a CS9. I'm down to 2x 3953 and 1x 3913 and still love 'em all. I've forced myself to accept that I can't afford to "collect" a ton of guns but a screamin' deal on any 9mm or .45 3rd gen would still get me reachin' for a credit card!

 

[sgt.207]

I was issued a 669 in late 1988 as my duty gun. Accurate and dependable. Was then issued the 6906 as soon as the 3rd gen came out. Since then i have bought a model 41, 4516, 4566, 4006 etc...... Can't go wrong with them.

 

[RufusG]

The range I used to shoot at back east had a pile of pretty clean turn-in 6946s with night sights (this was the mid to late 90s). I didn't need another 9mm, and didn't want a DAO, but they were so cheap I couldn't see not buying one. Walked from the counter to the range and shot it better than any of my other semis (Sig, Beretta, Ruger). Over ten years later it's still in my EDC rotation while many other guns have rotated through back to the safe or other hands. It also prompted me on a 3rd gen buying spree (with a little 1st and 2nd mixed in) and I still have a few laying around here somewhere.

 

[vista461]

When I was younger and the 3rd gens were just coming out, I thought they were the coolest looking guns, but were out of my price range. A few years later we bought a 686 for my wife to shoot league with and we both love that gun, which I also used to get my first deer. Then in 2006 I saw a 5906 for a good price and bought it. I ended up needing money so I sold it, but have since replaced it with a 4003 and a 4.25" M&P pro, and whenever it gets in a M&P9c will be my carry gun.

 

[Gregrn14]

My father was a police officer for 26 yrs. He bought a S&W Model 59 when they first came out in the early 70's and carried it for duty. He taught me how to shoot on that gun. He was lucky; it fed everything from 115/124 gr hollowpoints/FMJs to his duty load of 90 gr Super Vel hollowpoints (notorious for causing failures to feed in many guns at that time). Ever since then I have been hooked. Within the past year and a half I have bought a 5906 (to bring back great memories) and a 4566. Both sweet shooting guns. So the love affair continues...

 

[Goony]

I related my reasons in a thread back in November.

See: http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-semi-auto-pistols/218580-love-story.html

 

[mattallamerican]

my father brought home a model 41.i new i needed to get one

 

[gunny4053]

Bought a 4053 TSW because it looked cool and was rather inexpensive. Then I went and shot it. Probably the softest shooting .40 I've ever seen. When I traded it off for something else, I almost immediately regretted it. I now have a 6690, am looking at a 4043, and am searching for another 4053TSW.

 

[Pokerstar]

My first S&W auto loader was a Sigma 9, and while the trigger isn't soft and buttery smooth, it was 100% reliable with everything from cheap Wolf 9mm to the Self Defense rounds I use. In a pure self defense gun, the harder trigger pull is fine, and in some cases preferred.

I have since purchased a .380 Bodyguard (love it)
an M&P .45 (LOVE it!)
and an M&P .9 (Brand new, only about 75 rounds through it, but great)

 

[mbliss57]

I have hunted and owned shotguns and rifles since I was 14. But my 1st pistol was a S&W MP .45 I purchased in early December of 2011... and i'malmost 55! Why I waited so long I don't know. I have always wanted a handgun so when I went to purchase I never thought of buying anything but a S&W. The feel of it in my hand was just better than anything else I looked at.

 

[DCWilson]

I had never owned a S&W auto -- or any large centerfire auto -- until a month ago. Then I came into possession of a first-year 4006 that I just cannot keep from picking up two or three times a day just to feel its heft and explore its pointability. What a delight!

I'm still a revolver guy at heart, but now I feel myself more kindly disposed to semiautos than I ever was before. If I ever feel the need of an alternative to the 1917 to throw .45 ACP bullets downrange, I think a 4506 would be the first place I'd look.