Which ones should be avoided?

[tascofeldman]

As I peruse the auto section I find few unhappy owners. I'm always on the look for my next good deal and knowing which Smith autos are the proverbial *** might be an asset. I had an M&P 40 that although I really liked, I was persuaded to sell. Decided after watching the M&P 40 flop around in slo-mo on Top-Shot the other night that I was justified in my love of a metal framed handgun. Have recently run across a CS9 & CS40 and liked the size and feel but were both priced north of $450, no boxes or paperwork. Which ones should I walk away from and which ones would be best had @ a fair price. BTW, when it comes to gens, what differentiates one from the other? Thanks!

 

[jdesro1911]

As to what differentiates the generations, the First Gen. are the two digit model numbered ones (39,59). These are of course the earliest ones.

The Second Gen. have a three digit model number (639, 659), and the Third Gen. are the last of the breed and have a four digit model number (3906, 5906).

the budget models, like the CS9 & CS40 you were looking at, are all third gens, even though they used a different numbering system for the budget ones.

As to which ones to avoid, that's hard to say. When it comes to the 3rd gens they are all very good. They are pretty much the epitome of the S&W metal framed guns and in my opinion are some of the best out there.

The only one I have ever had an issue with is a 4053, which has a FTF malf. a lot. I've only used it with one type of ammo though, so someday when I get around to trying it out again I hope it works better.

Other than that one, I have never had an issue with any of the 3rd gens, and I own and have used a fair number of them.

 

[Chefjon]

I don't think there's a dog in the bunch! It all amounts to your personal preference which one is right for you.

I'm not the fondest of DAO, so I prefer the TDA models. Some folks only like DAO/TDA/Single-stack/3g/etc. The fun thing about S&W 1/2/3g is the variations! (Honestly....I want them ALL lol)

Prices on S&W semis seem dependent on a number of factors, including geography, condition, and who you're buying from (are they S&W people too? Do they really know what they're selling?). The prices do seem to be going up pretty steadily where I'm at and nationally. You can find a CS40 online for about $425 (+shipping and xfer). A guy had a CS9 at my last local gunshow for $425.

Don't forget that gun prices are ~generally~ negotiable.

If you're buying a pure-shooter, I wouldn't sweat the box/papers/etc. If you're buying a "collectible", I'd consider them a must-have.

The long and the short of it is (and I think you'll hear it from most if not all of us on THIS forum) that if the gun is good for your purposes and in good shape at a price you can afford, YOU CAN"T GO WRONG

As for what differentiates one from another (as far as 3Gs), let me refer you to the stickies.

S&W semi-auto model designations?

Disclaimer: I am not responsible for any addictions that may ensue!

Have fun, stay safe and welcome to the coolest gun board on the planet!

 

[tascofeldman]

Thank's for the replies so far! I felt like the gen differences were as y'all have explained but just wanted to be clear. The CS models have been referred to as "budget" models, why, what would be considered a decent price range for one. I'm in the N.E. Tx. Area. Found a CS 40 for around $475 and a CS9 for $599, think they've bumped their head on the 9 though!

 

[gunny4053]

Can't speak for others, but to me those prices are a bit high. I bought my 6690 for $275, the 4053 I had was bought for $300ish, and I have seen a 4043 for $330 and a 6906 for $299. That's here in SE Idaho, and as has been said before, location effects the prices sometimes.

Pick a caliber you like and you'll find any number of choices to fill the bill, and at prices a little less painful. Good Luck.

 

[mlk18]

It's all about supply and demand. The CS9's sell faster and for more than the CS40's, always have. The .40 is a snappy round in a sub-compact and a lot of people shy away from them. The CS9's are also smaller than the CS40's which are built using the CS45 frame. While those prices seem a little high to me as well, the Chief's Specials are highly sought after without enough to go around. While a lot of the standard 3rd Gens were mass produced for years.

Some people will call the CS series guns "budget" or "value" line guns because the slide is more square, like the 908, 910, 410, etc. But there are in no way budget guns. They are much better finished than the value line guns and have more milling.

 

[RightArm]

If you like fixing things yourself, fixer uppers are pretty cheap. My 4006 is the most accurate handgun I've ever shot, but it was in need of lots of work, mostly cosmetic. I'm still waiting on springs from various sources. With Wolff Springs being so backed up you have to get creative with part finds.

 

[Gunhacker]

Each of the different gen's have their pros & cons, and to me the 2nd gen pistols in their final years prior to the appearance of 3rd gen pistols, I feel they are pretty much functionally equivalent and often overlooked solely because some think that just because they are an older version, they must be inferior to the new ones.

They are a bit less refined, but certainly not inferior to the 3rd gens.

I bought a 559 a few years ago, and I like it as much, if not better with it's grip frame, than it's 5906 3rd gen replacement.

My $.02 worth... if I walked into a gun store and saw nothing but a 2nd gen in the display for a metal framed S&W pistol, I'd buy it without any hesitation.

 

[blujax01]

As recently as this past autumn, police trade 3rd gens of all sorts have been available for less than $400 pretty much everywhere you looked.

Then somebody let the cat out of the bag and word got out about what a great deal they are. As is dictated by the market, increased demand coupled with a fixed supply was followed by increased selling price.

They will never be cheaper and they are not making any more. Any 3rd Gen in decent shape with 2 mags for less than $450 has become a bargain. Ask anyone who disagrees to sell you theirs...

 

[cololab]

At the gun show here yesterday, I didn't see all that many metal frame S&W semi autos, but those that were there weren't all that inexpensive. Examples: 5906 no box $525, 59 no box $475, 4566 no box $575, 4053 no box $415, 915 no box $525, 910 no box $450. I didn't see any CS 9s, 40s or 45s.

I found a near mint 4006 with night sights, four extra mags and the matching box with all papers for $450 and that went home with me.

 

[18DAI]

Avoid the striker fired plastic and you will be OK.

Try the 915, 39, 3913, 4566, 4506-1.....hell, try them all! Regards 18DAI

 

[VTHokiesDuckHunter]

I saw that plastic frame flexing on Top Shots as well and it was amazing to see this happen in slow motion.

While I have several 3rd gens, and don't think there are any dogs either. I personally think part of the magic in 3rd gens is there excellent DA/SA (or TDA) triggers/actions.

I really like the big all stainless ones for house/range guns: 5906, 4006, 4506; and the alloy framed smaller, compact guns for CCW: 3913; 4013 single stack, 4014, 6906 for double stack compact.

My all time favorites are the 4040PD, Shorty 40, and 4014.

 

[OK Hog Shooter]

I'm a big 3rd gen fan also. My farm carry/target/plinkin/HD shooter is a 4006. For concealed carry l usually tote a 4013TSW. Prices at Oklahoma City gun shows tend to range from $400 to around $550, usually without box, papers, etc. Here's an interesting factoid. I bought my first 4006 probably 10 years ago for $400; just the auto and two mags. I finally decided l needed a back-up 4006, if for no other reason than for spare parts. (How's that for an excuse to buy another 3rd gen? ) I started looking at the OKC gun shows and late last year l finally found one. The price? $400, auto, two mags, box and papers. Now here's the real kicker. The serial numbers are less than 300 numbers apart! Go figure...

 

[Birds Away]

The Chief's Specials (CS9, CS40 and CS45) are not value line guns. They are 3rd gens and can be a bit pricey compared to their brethren.

 

[GaryS]

$450.00+ might be a bit on the high side, but I don't think that they are going to come down in price. I bought a CS9 for $379.00 no box or papers, but an extra magazine over a year ago, probably closer to two years. It's become more or less my every day carry because it's compact and easy to carry.

I wouldn't avoid any 3rd generation semi auto, just find a caliber you like and start looking.

 

[Birds Away]

The only real decision about the autoloaders is caliber, capacity, frame size, finish and weight. Once you make your decisions it is easy to find the model that fits.

 

[Bearcat]

All are exceptionally well-designed and well-made pistols. And they are a bargain at current prices. Just wait a year or two until they are bringing $700-850 and then you can kick yourself for not buying them now....

 

[GKC]

I'm in the N.E. Tx. Area. Found a CS 40 for around $475 and a CS9 for $599, think they've bumped their head on the 9 though!

I live about 30 miles SE of Dallas, and I find that most of the time, the prices in this area are higher than others report from other parts of the country, on both new and used guns, and in local gun shops as well as retail stores like Academy and Cabela's. I don't know why that is, and I can't say I've been in EVERY gun shop in the area, but it seems to be the case in all of the ones I have visited (and there are more than a few.)

 

[nipster]

I live about 30 miles SE of Dallas, and I find that most of the time, the prices in this area are higher than others report from other parts of the country, on both new and used guns, and in local gun shops as well as retail stores like Academy and Cabela's. I don't know why that is, and I can't say I've been in EVERY gun shop in the area, but it seems to be the case in all of the ones I have visited (and there are more than a few.)

It's not just you. I see fascinating reports of bottom basement prices on here, but rarely see them in the field (LGS/Pawn Shop/Gun show). The few really super bargains I have gotten were private sales between people I know or out of the newspaper (usually older retired people on fixed income with no idea of worth/value)