When did 3rd gen mfg move to Houlton Me

[ACEd]

Just checked with SW on manufacture dates for 2 5946 pistols
VJP 35xx 5/2009 Springfield Ma
UCF 91xx 6/2010 Houlton Me

Surprised at mfg date as neither of these are TSW variants and i thought 5946 mfg stopped long before 2009.

 

[Sevens]

I wish we had a resource for more history on some of exactly these things. I believe the Model 41 was the first thing they produced in the Houlton plant, they also made the 622/422 series there, which would include the 2206 perhaps but definitely includes the 2213/2214 which I know for sure were made in Springfield first and later moved to Houlton:

I remember the first time I ever saw “Houlton, Maine” printed on a S&W 3rd Gen, I absolutely did a double-take!

 

[toddimusnimski]

I know the Model 4566 TSW made for the West Virginia State Police was also made in Houlton. That contract was announced in 2011. Not seeing "Springfield" on our hardware-of-choice definitely takes some getting used to.

 

[ACEd]

Assuming S&W info on Manufacture dates on the 2 5946 pistols is correct, they were still making 5946 in Springfield, MA in May 2009 and were making same in Houlton, ME in June 2010. Unless they were making 5946 in both locations concurrently, that would seem to narrow window at least for 5946.

But I don't understand why they were making garden variety 5946 that late - thought they were discontinued in 1999 except for 5946TSW and a few Special Orders and even those mostly ended before 2010.

 

[jsbethel]

I believe S&W made 5946 pistols for the NYPD and RCMP up until just a few years ago.

 

[ACEd]

I believe S&W made 5946 pistols for the NYPD and RCMP up until just a few years ago.

RCMP were supposedly Black Melonite finish and I thought all the later 5946 were 5946TSW, but maybe NYPD?

Any NYPD experts want to help clarify please?

 

[kbm6893]

RCMP were supposedly Black Melonite finish and I thought all the later 5946 were 5946TSW, but maybe NYPD?

Any NYPD experts want to help clarify please?

They definitely made them for the NYPD after 2009. Probably not much after, though. Guys are still carrying them since they’re grandfathered in but I would imagine they were no longer authorized for new hires after about 2010 or so. There’s a member here named MTS South I believe who is NYPD and carries one.