Your first 1st & 2nd & 3rd Gen!

[Jeppo]

I began this voyage just over 2 years ago. My first was a 3914.

A few weeks later, a 639 was listed locally. Within 45 minutes of the listing, I was cleaning it on the kitchen table. Recently, I bought a 59 from the same fellow.

A while later, NCBeagle and I were wandering through a local show. I turned around and he was yards behind looking at a gun in a display case. He’d found me a 39-2 in blue.

What a long strange trip it’s been.

 

[srsmyth]

My first 1st gen was a model 39 in the 1970's

My first 2nd gen was a model 645 in 1986

My first 3rd gen was a model 4516 in 1994

 

[ScubaSig]

I got a late start in the S&W world myself, back in 2005 I purchased a 457 since I began really started liking the .45 platform and already had a couple of 1911s. I was looking for something a bit more compact than the two Colts. I wound up trading the 457 for a Ruger Security Six in .357 since I had gotten a good deal on a 4516-2 and didn't have a wheel gun in the stable. Just recently picked up a 3913 to make two third gens I have and that one has quickly become a carry piece also.

 

[Ergonsdad]

My first Smith was a K22 in the early 1950's
I got a 4006 in about 1993 and a 3906 in 1994
Love my Smiths

 

[Sevens]

The 3906 was likely out of production when you got it in 1994. These are fantastic and scarce pistols, I love the two that I have and I had one of them out on Monday, a hundred rounds through it on to steel plates, these are just great guns.

The 39-2 feels better in the hand than a 3906, but the 3906 is a whole lot of fun to shoot as they are so heavy.

 

[Rock185]

I bought a new 39 back in the '60s, followed by a long succession of 1st., 2nd. and 3rd. Gen guns. After that first 39, I had 39-2, a 41, 539, 639, 3906, 3913, 5906, 1006, 1026, 1076, PC 945, 952, 952-1, alloy and all stainless CQBs, 4" and 5" DPA 5906s, etc. More than one of most of these since that first 39 50+ years ago. Wish I'd kept more of these, but still have a few 3rd. gen guns...

 

[Patrip]

Bought my first 39 in 1978 or so. In the early 90s my ex sold it because I " never shot it" sigh. Now I have a better wife and 3 model 39s to make up for the one I lost, one in beautiful nkckel....love the 39s and will buy more....a used 59.......also have a 669, bought new in the mid 80s, which is a sweet shooter and a 4006 from CHiPs...heavy as a brick but a straight shooter...still keeping an eye out for another 39

 

[donk52]

My 469. From what I found out, this serial number predates any others.

 

[CALREB]

My first S/A was a Browning HP right after Serpico came out, but as it wasn't an approved model when I changed employment so I went back to revolvers.
My first S/W would have been a 3913 around 1989-90, used it as a back up and off duty gun, was still a revolver guy.
The next 2 were a PPC 9 and the 5906 IDPA model when they came out, but strictly for competition. Then a 4506 when they were approved.
After that I cant keep tract just accumulated them as they came along.
I always wished the PC had made a steel 6906 (shorty 9) but mainly because I wanted one for the off duty gun match. I know I could have converted a 356 TSW but it wouldn't have been approved and my Shorty 9 shot X ring at 25 yards and still does after being carried for 20 years, without the extra weight.
I really wish the P/C had made a 3913 PC version, that would be a perfect gun IMO. My PC 9s were all ordered with a regular D/C/ safety as I am left handed. I don't think that makes them anything special, I believe they sent the single side extended safeties with them , have to check.
Here is the herd. Minus a model 52-2 I got for retirement. No plastic M&Ps but I have a couple they just don't go in this picture...

 

[18DAI]

Like many here, my first 1st Gen was a 39-2 which I aquired in the mid 80s. Traded it for a model 59 shortly after........which got traded for.......something...

A 645 I picked up in the 90s remains my only 2nd gen gun. I have a Barsto barrel for it and keep meaning to find a gunsmith to do some work on it. It would be a nice custom 45.

My first 3rd gen was a 910 that I was issued. I subsequently bought it and ran it up to 29K rounds before the frame cracked. I got my moneys worth out of that fine pistol.

My "first" 3rd gen I purchased was my 4516-3 LE special order. I picked it up in......2003?.....2004?.... Great pistol that I still have and still shoot periodically. I too wish the Performance Center had made an all steel 4516 piece, before they went out of business. Regards 18DAI

 

[srsmyth]

the 3906 is a whole lot of fun to shoot as they are so heavy.

I bought one for my lady because it was a single stack and thinner than my 659. But it was far too heavy for her so I sold it. Dang ! I wish I had that one back.

 

[Keysmia]

Better late than never. Wasn’t really a fan of the SW autos. I did like the 1066 and 1006’s and figured that I would get one eventually but it was nothing that I really needed to have! Then a CHP 4016 TSW was offered for a trade and I said what the heck. It had some LE history on it and I thought well why not add an FBI 1076 to go with her. Then I figured heck how about an LAPD 4506....then I had to stop! Well after a 1026 to fill my 1006 style passion from years ago. Anyhow, these were all picked up about 6 months ago and I had to indeed stop. They are awesome guns and have history but didn’t want to start another collection!!!! Especially since the prices are starting to soar!!!! Still catch myself looking for a nice blued or carbon steel SW auto!!! Almost bit on a 915! Had to shake my head!!!

 

[Meyersgold]

Late starting for 3rd Gen

I am sorry to admit that I have never been a 3rd Gen fan until recently. I fell in love when my dad brought home an M39 back in 1970. Needless to say I was hooked on 1st Gen. It is safe to say I was sold on 2nd Gen since they were very similar.

Dec. 1990 saw my first purchase, a nickle M59 no dash followed in Apr. 1991 with a nickle M39-2. Feb of 1992 I was able to talk my buddies M645 off of him as my first 2nd Gen.

Four years later I found my first grail gun, an M745 in Feb of 1996. My second grail gun and prised possession, a 1st Gen. M52 no dash, took until July of 1997 to acquire.

My next 2nd Gen. took 20 years of waiting. In Feb. 2018 I was finally able to replace the M645 that was foolishly sold 15 years ago.

That leaves my first 3rd Gen in May 2018. A solid M4003 with hopes of finding an affordable M1006 and M41 or 46 to finish out my automatic collection.

 

[Sevens]

Hahahahaha, did you hear him, guys?!

He said “finish out.” !!!!

 

[Farmer17]

In 1978 I was 19 years old and bought a new M-39-2 from the Tulsa Gunshow and I traded a well worn Ruger 22 auto and a little over a hundred in cash for it. To this day it was one of the most beautiful handguns I have ever owned and definitely the prettiest auto pistol. It had a good, smooth double action trigger and the single action trigger was slightly squishy but nice and light.

 

[M29since14]

Like JoeinTexas pointed out, I can’t recall this stuff - but reading those of you who can makes a fun thread.

When I was a young fellow we were all REVOLVER shooters, and normally that meant M19s, M27s, M57s, and M29s. S&W autos (39s, and later, 59s) weren’t taken as serious guns. Aside from S&W revolvers, “serious gun” meant 1911, and that was about all! All that said, I’ve always tinkered (sometimes secretly ) with S&W centerfire semi-autos, probably since the late ‘70s. Only when the 3913 came along did I actually start to warm up to them.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

They are like Lay's potato chips, you cannot have just one.

 

[cnette01]

You can't have just one. While I was in college, my dad had moved away for a new job so I hadn't seen him in a while. I had acquired a couple of more guns since he had seen me. He looked at the collection and declared that I had an arsenal. I replied "Not yet". He just about hit the floor laughing...

Here's my current 3rd gen collection, plus the 2nd gen 645. I keep telling Mrs. cnette01, just one more, only one more...

 

[jbtrucker]

I found this forum 2014 looking for info on my first pistol a 469 , couple weeks later bought my 5906 . I few months later had to sell the 469 which I kinda regret . When funds available bought a new Shield for EDC , still have both pistols.

 

[Meyersgold]

So what's your special serial number?