Which 3rd Gens to avoid

[Trini]

Buy them cause you'll like them. I have a 1026, 1076, 4026 and 5926. The 5926 is the only one that is LEO marked. I have looked high and low for a 4576 without any luck. A couple of years back a friend call to say there was one at a KC gun shop. I called to check on it and the salesperson said that a guy was looking at and put money down on it. Couldn't get there weekend and it was got. Only one that I have heard of in the local area.

 

[4506517]

They are all winners.

I own:

4506-1 forged hammer and trigger
4506-1 MIM hammer and trigger
4505
4526
1006
4566TSW
4563TSW
4006TSW
4003TSW
4053

Did I mention they are addictive?

 

[QXSOUP]

Avoid all of them... They tend to reproduce faster than rabbits...

It's a slippery slope.

 

[oldwolf]

I would like to add a 4566, but probably won't for a long time since money is tight these days. A 1066 would be nice too. Oh and maybe a 645 also.

But I do have a 559, 659 and a 4506.

And even though you didn't ask, this is my wife's grandfathers S&W 38 4th Model. Bad picture but it is in pretty good condition and quite shootable.

 

[Timber Wolf]

The only thing currently wrong with the "value line" guns is price. As the old saying goes "a rising tide lifts all ships" so has the rising value of S&W pistols inflated prices of used value line pistols. From what I have seen asked for used value line pistols lately I would sooner pay a little more for "the real thing". Now the value line guns are fine pieces, I own a 457 that I shoot very well and like an awful lot, but they are not worth what the regular guns are.

I just recently jumped on a police-trade 5906 and although I have not shot it yet am very happy with it. I decided I wanted one, went on GB, bid on the one with the lowest opening bid I could find and won it. I may have gotten lucky but it is very nice with very little wear of any sort. Has a little dried grease on it and needs cleaning but should be a fine shooter. I am a happy camper for $350 including shipping, transfer, etc. Also won a used Safariland holster for it off fleabay for $10 delivered.

 

[RRH]

3rd generations to avoid? None.

 

[Ranch Hand]

It seems that the 3rd Gen guns are SPECIAL in that a failure to fire is very ,very remote,, I have heard that the new shield is picky about the type of ammo it gets,,(Hmmmmm???) All the guns I HAVE, are to be carried when I wish. And I bet my life on their reliability.
But the thing is 90% o the population is influenced by the marketing ploy of the gun makers,,. that;s ok because if more people knew what is in a
3 gen SW I would be paying twice what I have to now..

 

[Topspeed]

I recommend any 3rd gen S&W. I have a 3913, 4506 and 4516-1. They are all rock solid 100% reliable.

 

[sctman800]

Mine are 645, 4506 and 4513tsw(early 6+1 type) all great and would never sell. Jim.

 

[scatterguy]

3rd gens are the polar opposite of politicians--nearly immposible to find a bad one in the bunch.

 

[45times6]

Only avoid the ones that I'm bidding on...

 

[oldman10mm]

Got more responses than I anticipated I would get when I started this thread. THANKS ! Even though I was specifically asking about 9mm 3rd gens,I got responses for 3rd gens in 40 & 45. Since a gen model can have different cartridges within that design/model and no negative feedback was made,the consensus seem all 3rd gens are good.
At the upcoming gun shows I'll be concentrating on the 59xx & 69xx series. Although I won't pass up a good price on a 39xx series.