Kp321
Member
Let‘s see, two 52-1’s, a 952 and a 945 in the stable. Yes, I’m a fan of the 3rd gens.
Anyone a fan of S&W 3rd generation autos?
- Thread starter ncairman
- Start date
SwampWolf
Member
I have a Model 52, a Model 6906 and a Model 945. The only one of the three I would call a "Third Generation" pistol in the strictest sense is the 6906. I've always thought that the Model 945 is sort of a cross between a Third Generation and a 1911 pistol; a culmination bringing out the best between the two concepts.
Old Dog
Member
I believe that anyone who's perused this forum for more than a minute would be aware that there are many, many of us here who are fans of the S&W 3rd gen autos.
The 3913/3914/5906/4006/4506 are all classics in my book.
The 3913/3914/5906/4006/4506 are all classics in my book.
This topic comes up here every once in a while. The answer is still yes. I have a Model 915 I bought new in the early 1990s. I wish I had more 3rd generation models. I most likely will when I run across some good deals on low mileage models.
The 915/5904 type is a good fall/winter carry gun under winter clothing, or all season open carry where you can do that. In all these years I haven't handled an auto that I like better than my 915. It's a keeper. Well, I have kept it for 30 years. I'd like to find a 3914 for something more compact when circumstances call for it. It's on my Christmas list.
The 915/5904 type is a good fall/winter carry gun under winter clothing, or all season open carry where you can do that. In all these years I haven't handled an auto that I like better than my 915. It's a keeper. Well, I have kept it for 30 years. I'd like to find a 3914 for something more compact when circumstances call for it. It's on my Christmas list.
hemiram
Member
I have some and I really like them, a 4506-1, a 5096, and a 6906.
If you don't like the mag disconnect, just remove it. Simple.
If you don't like the mag disconnect, just remove it. Simple.
kevincallahan
Member
- Joined
- Feb 4, 2006
- Messages
- 65
I carried a 457 for work when I was assigned to a task force for the state. They did not allow my 1911 Colt back then. It had to be a double action. Shot a lot back then and it never had so much as a stovepipe even dirty. Still have it and sometimes carry it in winter if I am going somewhere where I think i might find trouble. The only issue I have now is finding magazines
Homerboy
Member
The magazine disconnect is my favorite part about them. I have a few PD 3rd Gen guns without them, but I prefer the mag disconnect.
hoardingthemanual
Member
My 1076 is one of my favorite firearms. I wish S&W would renew this product line.
crestoncowboy
Member
- Joined
- Feb 22, 2011
- Messages
- 3,307
After the lawsuits and all the bad press....id say the 1076 is the last gun smith wants to resurrect. That or the 916a. Lol. I have a 916 and a 1006
The 1076 is a lot of the reason Glock won over the police/gubment market
hoardingthemanual
Member
It’s one of my favorite firearms and cartridges.
crestoncowboy
Member
- Joined
- Feb 22, 2011
- Messages
- 3,307
I've not had any issue with the 1006 or the 916 through my limited usage. But both were an era that smith would love to have a do-over on. Lol. The 1076 was short lived and had several issues in service. If the smith had been a better gun it makes you wonder if Glock would have thrashed the others the way they did from the 90s-2010 or so.
hoardingthemanual
Member
I love mine.
Cocked & Locked
Member
6946 DAO gets carried some here.
P5 Guy
Member
sparkyfender
Member
Have a 3913 LS that gets some carry time, and a 2213 that does not. Interesting little .22 though.
Taroman
Member
My third gen carry. Think of it as a slim 8-shot 40 revolver.
A fan? Yes. Presently carrying? Well, no, but that may change. Nostalgia, post-retirement, prompted me to buy a decently-preserved S&W Model 3913 TSW, to ”replace” an original-version 3913 that I had let get away from me, in the mid-Nineties. I liked this TSW enough to decide to accumulate a 3914 LS, a 3913 NL, and a 908, plus, a few mags and spare parts, some Wolff springs, plus a couple of holsters. I am “set” to return to carrying one or more of these wonderful little pistols, if at least one or two of them pass a thorough vetting, and I have enough live-fire reps of DA/SA transitions, to make sure that I am again “in the groove.” The Panic-Demic interrupted the ammo supply, so, my 3913/3914/908 project moved to the back burner, and another expensive hobby competes with my shooting budget, but, that other hobby has topped-out, in equipment-acquisition, with no more “grail quest” items, plus, I think that I may have found a shooting range that I like.
A factor that favors DA/SA pistols, as I age, is that my left hand is aging more gracefully than my right hand. I chose* to carry right-side primary, almost 40 years ago, but I write left-handed, so, my left hand is my “smarter” hand, with the result that I tend to handle the DA-to-SA transition better when shooting lefty. My right hand does better with weapons that have consistent trigger pulls, either single-action-only, or double-action-only. Notably, when I let my first 3913 go, it was because I adopted the DA-only S&W Model 3953. (I then let the 3953 get away, when I started a phase of the 1911 being my only auto-pistol system.)
*I could not legally carry a handgun until I became a sworn LEO, in 1984. (Texas did not have a carry licensing system until ~1995.) So, when I attended a police academy, in 1983 and 1984, and was required to use a relatively heavy S&W L-Frame duty revolver, drawn from the then-mandated low-slung duty holster, the motion was not unlike throwing a heavy object under-handed. Well, I throw right-handed, and long-stroke DA was something that worked well enough for me, with either hand, so, I established right-side primary
A factor that favors DA/SA pistols, as I age, is that my left hand is aging more gracefully than my right hand. I chose* to carry right-side primary, almost 40 years ago, but I write left-handed, so, my left hand is my “smarter” hand, with the result that I tend to handle the DA-to-SA transition better when shooting lefty. My right hand does better with weapons that have consistent trigger pulls, either single-action-only, or double-action-only. Notably, when I let my first 3913 go, it was because I adopted the DA-only S&W Model 3953. (I then let the 3953 get away, when I started a phase of the 1911 being my only auto-pistol system.)
*I could not legally carry a handgun until I became a sworn LEO, in 1984. (Texas did not have a carry licensing system until ~1995.) So, when I attended a police academy, in 1983 and 1984, and was required to use a relatively heavy S&W L-Frame duty revolver, drawn from the then-mandated low-slung duty holster, the motion was not unlike throwing a heavy object under-handed. Well, I throw right-handed, and long-stroke DA was something that worked well enough for me, with either hand, so, I established right-side primary
bassjam
Member
I've always wanted to try one and found a good deal in 2021 on a LEO trade-in on a 5906. I liked it, but didn't love it. It just didn't shoot great for me and it was more clunky than the other 9mm's of that era I own so after about a year I traded it for something I wanted more.
I still wouldn't mind having a 9mm Chief's Special though, always through those were cool.
I still wouldn't mind having a 9mm Chief's Special though, always through those were cool.
kevincallahan
Member
- Joined
- Feb 4, 2006
- Messages
- 65
Carried a 457 while assigned to a task force early 90’s . Loved it and still have it
The Chief's Special is a nice piece.
At 38+ ounces the 5906 was a little clunky. If you want stainless the 5903 could be a good alternative. The stainless alloy frame with the stainless slide brings the weight down to about 28 oz. Same weight as my 915.
