What made you S&W auto fan?

[heekma]

Howdy folks,

Like the title says, I'd just like to hear what made you a S&W auto fan.

I shot mainly 1911s for nearly 20 years-Colts, Kimbers, Springfield, heck even a Norinco or two. I liked 'em all just fine, some were dead reliable, others less so without a little work.

2009 and half of 2010 were tough. Had to sell my house, guns, motorcycles and other possesions and move to Dallas for work.

When the tide turned a bit and funds freed up for a handgun purchase, I decided to try some new flavors. Went through a few Glocks-great guns, but I like steel better. Tried a few Sigs and Berettas-great guns too, but as before, I prefer steel.

Had a Steyer. It wasn't my cup of tea.

I went back to 1911s with a couple of new Colts, but they were just reliable enough to make me wonder every tim I pulled the trigger. Good guns, but both needed just a bit more work out of the box and I wasn't willing to spend any more money on them. FWIW, I've had similar experiences with other 1911 manufactureres, not just the pony. Colt has made great strides in the last decade, but 1911s are a bit twitchy-no matter who makes them. JMVHO, not meant to be taken as fact.

As I tried different guns, my girlfriend shot them with me. After a few months she wanted a handgun of her own so we scoured a few gunshows and found a really nice 5906 trade in.

That 5906 impressed the hell out of me. It is the most reliable semi-auto handgun I've ever fired and I've shot my fair share of guns and put thousands of rounds down range over the years.

I've never been a fan of DA/SA handguns, but that 5906 is so great I decided to go with S&W autos. I have three of my own now-just put 500 rounds through a recently aquired 659 without a single issue-and I have to say I'm a believer.

So, enough rambling from me. That's my reason-what's yours?

Best,

Heekma

 

[chaad]

3rd Gens...

Got a smoking deal on a 6906 police trade, which led to a CDNN 5906 and a 908S. Handload a bunch of different bullets, different OAL, and different velocities and have yet to get one to hiccup.

 

[ColColt]

One word...4506. Best I had before, best I had since.

 

[heekma]

Got a smoking deal on a 6906 police trade, which led to a CDNN 5906 and a 908S. Handload a bunch of different bullets, different OAL, and different velocities and have yet to get one to hiccup.

Hey Chaad,

I've had a similar experience with the the 5906. Got a smoking deal on some reloads-I used to reload, but not 9mm-and even though the reloads were pretty good, my G17 would FTF every once in a while but the 5906 never had an issue. Maybe the Glock got a few bad ones with OAL issues and the Smith didn't-can't say-but the Smith never skipped a beat and that does a lot for peace of mind, for me at least.

Best,

Heekma

 

[heekma]

One word...4506. Best I had before, best I had since.

Hi Col Colt,

I'm a fan of the pony, no doubt. But if the chips were down and I had to reach for a Colt 1911 or a Smith 4506, I'd grab the Smith without a second thought. I love a good Colt, but I'm no fool-the 4506 is one to bet your life on.

Best,

Heekma

 

[Nuclearmike]

There is something about S&W autos that keep me coming back to them. I've tried all sorts of other auto loaders trying to find something else I like but always return to the Smiths. I've had several S&W autos from brand new in the box to beat up range rejects and have found them all to be 100% reliable if given fresh springs. I have complained about the ergonomics on some of them. I really like the grip on my 745 better than my 4506-1 and for the life of me can't understand why S&W went to the wap around grip but I think a little experimenting with some non-slip tape will cure that. Bottom line they do what they are supposed to do and are a fine piece of engineering to boot.

 

[OK Hog Shooter]

I picked up a used 4006 at an Oklahoma City gun show because it was stainless, had an ambi decocker-safety and was priced right for my budget. I've carried it as my sidearm when hunting and whenever I've been in the woods. I used it to qualify for my CCW permit. It eats everything I feed it and has never let me down. I joined the forum in October 2010 to do research on the 4013TSW as a lighter 3rd gen auto for concealed carry and soon found one here. Let's just say that I enjoy the look and feel of an all metal auto and have found no reason to try anything else. By the way, to me, Smith 3rd gen autos are kinda like Lay's potato chips. Betcha can't have just one!

 

[Ruger Nut]

I own several Ruger P series guns.I bought my first S&W back in 04,686-4.It wasn't until March 2010 that I got my first S&W auto,a Sigma SW40VE.The price plus the way it felt in my hand sold me.Now i'm saving up for a 5906,which IMO,is one of the best S&W autos ever made!

 

[g_conway]

1006 was mt first semiauto. I sold it after 18 years and got an M&P 40 FS. I just like the quality of the guns.

 

[Ruger Nut]

Another thing is S&Ws customer service! I think they are the best in the gun world!

 

[BruceB]

In order, starting in 1969: Model 41 and .38 Master (M52), Model 19, Model 39-2, Model 27.

Didn't touch any of them that I kept for 30 years from about the mid 70s, then re-discovered the wondefulness about 5 years ago. Now those 1st and 3rd gen autos are just taking over!

 

[Cyrano]

The Model 41 feels better in my hand han any oher pistol I've ever handled. The Model 39 comes in second. I love my old 41, and am acquiring a modest stable of 39s.

 

[wproct]

Hi, I've been buying and trading handguns since I was 21, some 45 years ago. In the early years I would admire and lust after Smith & Wesson revolvers and semi-autos. Bought my first new S&W semi-auto, a 4006, in the nineties. Loved that gun, but being the gun trader that I am, I unfortunately sold it. A little over a year ago I was lucky enough to find a NIB 5906, which I promised myself I would hang onto. I just really like the 3rd generation S&W semi-autos. Yes, I also like the 1911 format, but if I had to use one in a life or death scenario, I would take the S&W anyday! I know that in todays world of polymer framed pistols that the 5906 is a very heavy piece, but I just love the way they are built and how they handle.

 

[Onisius]

I bought a police trade in model 59 in about 1986. It was in rough shape, had been both carried and shot a lot.
I loved it anyways.

I then got a 469. I fell in love with the no snag profiles and 13 round capacity of the gun. Sadly I sold it in 1991 to get my first duty gun a G17, since the 469 wasn't approved for carry by my dept.

I did just get a 469 to fill the hole in my heart that was left by the sale of my beloved 469 20 years ago.

Oh and the 10mm line sure did help my affection for Smith autos. I still have a 1076, I foolishly sold a 1006.

 

[sniper47]

My love affair with S&W began back in 19 and 86. A security guard that worked at our building had a new 645. I couldn't believe how beautiful that gun looked. It stuck in my mind and a few years later I bought my very first firearm, 5906. From there, I just continued to buy S&W's.

 

[Dot_mdb]

I like the features of the 3rd gen guns. I like the triggers, I like the mag safety and I like the decocker/lock. I think most of all I like the reliability. I started buying S&W revolvers before the semi-autos. I like the revolvers just as much. I carry concealed every day and I only carry S&W firearms.

 

[Stan]

I came into them by accident. A friend had asked to help him learn to re-load and his gun was an HK in .40 S&W. I wanted a similar caliber to proof the loads before our training session, so I bought the dies and supplies to re-load and the cheapest .40 in the case was a pristine 4003 with those ugly adjustable sights with the wings.

Anyway, shooting that gun impressed me a lot. I still think they aren't the best looking guns around, but they are darn good handguns.
Have purchased several more since then in several calibers.

 

[dougthug]

Oh this is an easy one.
Not so much of a fan at the beginning but I was "forced" to become a fan because my state sucks and I'm not allowed to purchase many other manufacturers.
I was in the market for a 1911 and when I found my state does not allow the higher end manufacturers like Les Baer, Ed Brown etc. I kind of had no choice but to buy a S&W.
Now with that said, as of today I'm a HUGE FAN of S&W because my 1911 is awesome and its been such a great pistol I'm very, very satisfied with it.
Call it a blessing in disguise.

 

[Shadow1006]

Well I had a few S&W revolvers which I still enjoy...
I was burned out on everything 1911 this and 45ACP that, still am...but in 1990 S&W built the Model 1006 10mm, I had to have it!

I have embraced the 10mm cartridge since day one for its ballistic potential, flexability of loading it, mild to wild, with many different bullet weights and designs, therefore as a handloader it was natural for me to explore this cartridge from my New S&W1006. The very best and strongest 10mm semiauto pistol to fire the 10mm cartridge.

My love of them grew to obtain the rest of them in the 10xx series.

I will say that the benifit of getting extra Bar-Sto Match Grade barrels chambered for the 40S&W and 9x25Dillon has added to the flexability of this sweet platform. Hopefully the 357Sig barrel will be added as well!

9's were just punety and the 45's were just heavy and slow. The 10 has proved to be...well "PERFECT"!

 

[Gunhacker]

In 1981 I purchased a 459 from a sporting goods store going out of business, I liked the gun but not the chambering, and sold it to finance a 686 and largely remained a fan of S&W revolvers.

Fast forward to 2007 and a classified ad on the forum for a Fresno SO marked 4506-1. I bought it due to my interest in PD marked weapons, but once I got it to the range... I was really pleased with how far S&W pistols had progressed since my 459.

Since then, I've been hooked on 3rd gens and for the past few years I now find myself accumulating more S&W pistols than revolvers.