Why do I not see many 3rd gen pistols

[The Assembler]

They still make them in limited runs.

 

[4506517]

I refuse to believe that S&W cannot make these again for under $1000. CZ can make a steel frame 45 for under $700. If S&W "has more CNC capacity than anyone on the East Coast" then it should be a snap to make it happen. Heck, they probably manufacture more steel frames han anyone once you factor in revolvers. Besides, wasnt the entire point of the CNC machine to make better quality pieces, in less time, for a cheaper price than traditional machining techniques? The real issue is profit margin on the polymer garbage......NOT that producing 3rd gennies is prohibitively expensive.

 

[cbr6864]

One thing I don't get is the 1911 love. In so many ways a 3rd Gen S&W is head and shoulders above and beyond a 1911 in safety and function I don't know why you'd pick a Colt knock off over nearly any 3rd Gen.

And no, this isn't trolling. I just don't much care for the 1911, goes back to before my Navy days. If someone gave me one, I'd probably keep it long enough to find a trade.

I guess it all depends on the shooter for me I shoot my 1911s far better than my 6906. The trigger on the 1911 just cant be beat as far as safety the series 80s are beyond safe with firing pin blocks even the 70 series are safe far more negligent discharges with Glock style handguns than anything else. I think most just cant get past the whole hammer cocked back thing with the 1911s. With the thumb safety on it locks the hammer to the sear the grip safety blocks the trigger toss in a firing pin block and it takes a lot to go wrong to get a a ND with a 1911.

 

[cbr6864]

I refuse to believe that S&W cannot make these again for under $1000. CZ can make a steel frame 45 for under $700. If S&W "has more CNC capacity than anyone on the East Coast" then it should be a snap to make it happen. Heck, they probably manufacture more steel frames han anyone once you factor in revolvers. Besides, wasnt the entire point of the CNC machine to make better quality pieces, in less time, for a cheaper price than traditional machining techniques? The real issue is profit margin on the polymer garbage......NOT that producing 3rd gennies is prohibitively expensive.

Companies today make an insane profit margin off of poly framed guns Glock is the worst they have the largest profit margin around poly frame and plastic sights come on how can they charge $500 and up?

 

[luis]

Another reason they are hard to find is that collectors purchase 3 or more extras just for spare parts. It is getting hard to find parts.

 

[TexasG]

I have 4 and I only "got hooked" on them 3 months ago. 5906, 4006, 6904, and a scarce BNIB RSR 6690. They're my favorites over and above my newer Sig's. I'm always tracking the next one..... kinda like the old lays potato chip ---- you just can't have one. If you learn to full break down and reassembly, replace the stock springs with reduced power hammer and plunger springs, debur the trigger bar, and clean the "gedunk" out of them, the trigger and reset is as good or better than all my Sig's.

 

[James&theGiant1911]

doesn't smith and wesson still take LEO orders for specific 3rd gens made to order?

 

[lhump1961]

If you learn to full break down and reassembly,

How would a guy go about learning this on a 3rd gen without the risk of a box of parts?

Seriously...I'd like to learn to do it.

 

[Checkman]

Hey lets not give forget the 2nd Generation models either. I have both a 745 (2nd Gen) and a 4586 (3rd Gen). Both are very well made pistols. They're not going anywhere.

 

[Gunhacker]

"wouldn't a M&P be better?","HAHAHAHAHAHA!"

And I suspect that was also the answer that many LE agencies gave S&W when offered the M&P.

I can remember the 4006 trouncing the M&P's, with large LE agencies like the CHP favoring them over the poly. It makes me wonder where M&P's would be today had S&W not relegated 3rd gens to special order only.

I also agree with Checkman... the 2nd gens are no slouches either.

 

[The Assembler]

doesn't smith and wesson still take LEO orders for specific 3rd gens made to order?

Yes they do

 

[coorslight]

LOL! Thanks, I'll have to head out there some day. Of course, you're sharing your secret in the hopes I'll buy them so you don't go broke and I do.

the cats out of the bag now as an eastern mass resident now i know where to go for my 5906 the race is on.

 

[coorslight]

While we are on the subject of 3rd gen smiths,does anyone know a trick to get them to malfunction, I have 6906,908,4013tsw,cs9,39-2 and a4043 I can't get them to stovepipe, FTF,FTE, or double feed. You would think a manufacturer who gets a series of semi-autos to work that well would be smart enough to continue to make them.

 

[MaxS]

the cats out of the bag now as an eastern mass resident now i know where to go for my 5906 the race is on.

Hi Coorslight! Go for it! The gunshop owner's name is Greg, and he's a nice, knowledgable guy. My weakness is 3913's. I'm thinking of listing a 908S(w/original box & 2 mags) on the Northeastshooters.com website to fund something else.

 

[wproct]

I have owned 5906 pistols since 1994 and wouldn't be without one. I bought one of my 5906 pistols unfired in the box a couple years ago and it remains that way today. Funny thing in my area is that dealers at gunshows will not offer you anything for a 5906 pistol, they just don't want them period. I guess that they feel most buyers are totally in love with the polymer pistols and that there is no market for them. I'm sure it has something to do with the LEO models that have been dumped into the market.

 

[Ruger Nut]

For those of you looking for a very nice 5906,or for an extra $10 a much nicer 5906.

Smith & Wesson all steel Md5906 9mm - Default Store View

 

[coorslight]

Hi Coorslight! Go for it! The gunshop owner's name is Greg, and he's a nice, knowledgable guy. My weakness is 3913's. I'm thinking of listing a 908S(w/original box & 2 mags) on the Northeastshooters.com website to fund something else.

Not another NES'r i am on there under a different name, i have a few to sell after the first of the year myself.

 

[gmiller0737]

doesn't smith and wesson still take LEO orders for specific 3rd gens made to order?

I am pretty sure the West Virginia State Police have the S&W 4566

 

[GaryS]

doesn't smith and wesson still take LEO orders for specific 3rd gens made to order?

Not for individuals. There is a minimum number of guns required in an order before they'll ramp up production. If you go over to the Wish List forum, there is at least one thread about that.

 

[GaryS]

It's a matter of profit margins and best use of their equipment to maximize that.

The M&P guns were developed to compete with the Glocks and get Smith back into the police market. I'm sure that they can make a 3rd generation gun for well under $1,000.00, they just can't make enough of them to stay in business.

I'm not a machinist, but from what I saw the machining of the frame is pretty complex. Complex means time consuming. Machining a slide is much easier, so they can produce a lot of slides in the time it takes to make one frame.

I'd much prefer it if Smith still made the 3rd generations, but it seems that the money is in polymer framed guns and 1911 style steel framed guns.

I refuse to believe that S&W cannot make these again for under $1000. CZ can make a steel frame 45 for under $700. If S&W "has more CNC capacity than anyone on the East Coast" then it should be a snap to make it happen. Heck, they probably manufacture more steel frames han anyone once you factor in revolvers. Besides, wasnt the entire point of the CNC machine to make better quality pieces, in less time, for a cheaper price than traditional machining techniques? The real issue is profit margin on the polymer garbage......NOT that producing 3rd gennies is prohibitively expensive.