Devonai
Member
I'm still kicking myself for not buying one when I had the chance.
I had a 909 for a long time, I held onto it just for the strangeness of it.
Should S&W bring back 3rd gen pistols?
- Thread starter peacebutready
- Start date
I'm still kicking myself for not buying one when I had the chance.
I had a 909 for a long time, I held onto it just for the strangeness of it.
I don't think there's a need for sarcasm.
The things you mentioned in your post are all a matter of opinion; in this case, your opinion.
Lot of people think the 3rd gens are very athletically pleasing.
I happen to be one of them.
The aluminum frame models are not heavy and the appropriate models can be CC'd very easily.
peacebutready
Member
Ironically, the PX4 gets good reviews. Maybe it would sell if they made one with an alloy frame. And maybe make a subtle change or two to the style. Those PX4s supposedly have lower recoil than many of their competitors. The action is much different.
Devonai
Member
I have a PX4 full-size in 9x19 and have no complaints about it. As far as recoil, it is slightly more than my 92FS or P229, but I think it has less muzzle flip. More straight back like a 1911.
Homerboy
Member
I know. I owned one. I’m a big Beretta fan. They have the same manual of arms as the 3rd gen guns. The PX4 should get more respect but it doesn’t. Just got passed over, I guess. Wrong time, wrong place. I think the Cougar that spawned it is a better gun.
hemiram
Member
I voted yes, I would be VERY interested in a new 5906 or 6906 optic ready gun. What they have now isn't even slightly pulling me to crack my wallet open. But they could make me happy just making some parts for the 3rd gen and keep them in stock. Mags would be nice too.
Homerboy
Member
But haven’t you heard? They were junk that was forced on a few police departments that couldn’t afford any better. And today they are so hopelessly outdated that they would be worthless in your hands if a threat materialized! If you value your life you would be wise to steer clear!
Beretta fan as well (isnt everyone? LOL) Well the Cougar is a Better design than even the 92 series in calibers above 9mm. That locking block design the 92 series uses isnt all that great for more powerful and violent chamberings. Cougars could handle 40S&W (also 357sig) well due to that Rotary Barrel system. PX4 vs Cougar... hmmm not sure. Definitely more craftmanship in the Cougar but the PX4 might be the best rotary barrel pistol ever made. Glock 46 isnt imported last I checked so no telling on those. Rotating barrel pistols never really take off in popularity. PX4 is the most successful so far so kudos to Beretta for that. People really need to shoot the pistol in something like 40S&W to understand the advantages of that system. I just wish Beretta would make the PX4 in 357 sig chamberings. 357sig Cougars always end up in major bidding wars. PX4 is still hanging in there though. They work a 10mm into that PX4 design and people would probably get interested real quick.
LOL.. OH and anyone saying the S&W 3rd gen pistols are ugly needs a shrink IMO. Very classy pistols and the Build quality is top tier. Im guessing people saying this stuff are not owners because I cant remember anyone in my life ever saying those pistols are ugly. Smith and Wesson doesnt have a whole lot of ugly guns unless they go full blown stupid on the "tactical" look like some of their new plastic stuff and even then their Ergos are top notch. Even the the much maligned Sigma series which everyone hates (except me) were fine looking pistols for what they are. FN basically stole the entire look from the Sigmas. That new 22wmr pistol is pretty ugly IMO but I bet the ergos are first rate. Nothing they make right now has the class of the 3rd gen pistols though. 3rd gen Smiths make sigs look ugly unless your dream car is a tonka truck. I would say they give 1911s a run for the money in terms of looks.
CCW wise my Alloy framed third gens carry like a 1911 Commander with an aluminum frame and are much more reliable across the board while offering better capacity, durability, and safety. I wont say 3rd gens are my favorite pistols but they are top notch firearms and the design has been well vetted. Performance wise they are just as good if not better than my favorites. Whole lot of talking going on in this thread with not as much experience. 3rd Gen smiths have a bit of a cult following and there is good reason for that. Smith and Wesson made a bonehead move with the third gen line (among others) and no amount of tricking out the M&P line (which are excellent) or 1911 attempts is ever going to fill that hole.
Bring back the 1006 you dummies at S&W! Colt has the Elite name wrapped up. Since you like to copy them with 1911s call the performance center re-intro of the 1006 the "Elitist" if you must. Put a blue triangle on the Grips and watch people line up. Sheesh!
shoobe01
Member
Too late for me. Loooooved my 5946 and pined for others, but when they were discontinued so hard it was difficult to find parts, I upgraded to M&P and never looked back. Also annoyed S&W chose the evil path of making the mags 100% not compatible. I still have a ton of 59xx mags just gathering dust (and the best floorplate design for carry also! Miss that!)
I think it was criminally dumb they didn't keep making the 3/4 gen guns — in parallel at least, but ideally like CZ where they use that base gun and make a plastic frame, make a similar geometry but striker fired one, etc. And the last of the 4th gen were amazing, the TSWs were really taking that design to the logical extreme.
But now? Too late. Nostalgia piece.
I think it was criminally dumb they didn't keep making the 3/4 gen guns — in parallel at least, but ideally like CZ where they use that base gun and make a plastic frame, make a similar geometry but striker fired one, etc. And the last of the 4th gen were amazing, the TSWs were really taking that design to the logical extreme.
But now? Too late. Nostalgia piece.
Im not sure what parts you fellas are having trouble finding. I see parts and kits for sale all over the place. I also cant remember ever having any chronic parts failure. Firing pins, extractors, and fire control parts have all held of fine for me. Wolff sells springs to tune these pistols however you want. Its not what I would call a fragile design. Only thing I really recall was some of the early 4006s barrels cracking.
Maybe everyone is talking trash about them to keep the prices down. Im fine with that LOL.
Maybe everyone is talking trash about them to keep the prices down. Im fine with that LOL.
Old Dog
Member
Dude, no on here's talking trash about the 3rd gen S&W pistols.
The recurrent theme seems to be that we all loved them dearly, but there are clearly better options now.
Having been issued a 14+1 5906 back in the day and (much) later a 17+1 M&P with a much better trigger, far better ergonomics, way lighter in weight and spiffy factory nightsights to boot, which would I pick given a choice? At some point, iconic looks and being considered a classic take second place to practicality, function and reliability.
I still have a huge fondness for 3rd gen S&Ws, as I noted very early in the thread. While I'd love to own a '55 or '67 Corvette, if it comes down to a car I want to drive all the time, yeah, it's gonna be a 2023 C8 mid-engine.
Right but even if that is how you feel you dont have to carry it. I dont carry every pistol that I have. I wouldnt think the new 1006 Longslide would be a popular carry option either. I would disagree on your opinion of the M&P line being better of course but theres no point. 5906 is all steel... of course there is going to be a weight difference. Most people want iddy biddy subcompacts for carry now so thats not the market this is aimed towards. These would be geared more towards the Beretta 92x, Sig Legion, CZ Custom shop crowd along with Collectors and Fans of 10mm. The average Joe looking for the plastic fad pistol of the month is not the market. S&W has that covered 10 times over. I cant even keep track of all their economy pistols now. Being a fan of the company (Beretta and S&W are basically my favorite of the big boys) I expect more from them. Plastic pistols are not going anywhere dont worry. People have become programmed to it now on both sides. Its a big enough company to put a little work back into the 3rd gen design and offer some truely excellent and well crafted high end pistols. Smith and Wesson did it for many decades.
Now is the time. Gun sales are down compared to a few years ago. 10mm is all the rage. Perfect time for S&W to get their act together on this segment of the market. Perfomance center Model 1006 in 4", 5", and 6" barrel/slide configurations. The S&W "Elitist" 10mm time has arrived. Youtuber influencers would wet their diapers and Foreign companies Beretta, CZ/Colt, Turkey etc. etc. would be scratching their heads trying to figure out what to do next.
That folding carbine is no show stopper thats for sure LOL. The 22wmr M&P pistol while neat, isnt something S&W should hold up like Thors hammer either.
CCW market is about played out anyways. Unless people are going to start changing their carry pistols every month the entire field is saturated. Time to stir things up for S&W and trying to out do Keltec is getting kinda silly. Kellgren must get a kick out of it though.
1984 would be the conclusion of the XM9 trials. I think the Corrosion stuff on the 459 came up in the XM10 trials. Chrome lined bore requirement I "think" (Again from memory) 1988 timeframe. Ruger P85 made it into the tests by that time as well. Few pistols missing off that 1984 chart. Manufacturers must have not submitted for that 3rd round and bowed out early.
Thanks for sharing. Been a while since I looked at the trials. I remember the Walther P88, Sigs, and S&W had some frame cracking issues as well.
The Night Rider
Member
- Joined
- Feb 16, 2022
- Messages
- 2,156
I voted yes but they're never going to do it. The price point would be way too high for today's market and really, technology has moved on.
I mean, they quit making them for a reason. If they were still making money off of them they'd still be selling them but they're not.
Res Ipsa Loquitor
I mean, they quit making them for a reason. If they were still making money off of them they'd still be selling them but they're not.
Res Ipsa Loquitor
shoobe01
Member
I thought the S&W entry for XM9 failed for small parts like the front sight kept falling off.
They fixed it, Gen3 guns are not XM9 submissions (like many others!)
They fixed it, Gen3 guns are not XM9 submissions (like many others!)
Ignition Override
Member
Heck yes- without any doubt!At least plenty of them should still be available at random, sporadic times on Gun Broker.
Anchorite
Member
I like the several I have. Springs are still available, I suspect some parts too. Who needs Mothership support?
At least plenty of them should still be available at random, sporadic times on Gun Broker.
Theres not really any areas of of chronic parts breakage on these. Recoil springs are the only thing Ive every changed out after many thousands of rounds and that was just PM. Only other thing I make sure I do is use grease on the rails for the Aluminum framed pistols. Im not sure what all the concern for parts breakage is. Some of the modern plastic pistols I keep spare parts for but not really on the S&W 3rd gens.
People say the same thing on Ruger P series... No parts etc. I have yet to encounter one parts breakage on a Ruger P series. Pistols were built a bit differently back then and Almost all of the major Duty size pistols that were produced in large numbers were built to last. Beretta was mainly the locking block replacement and trigger reset springs. P Series Ruger I can only thing of the Mag release spring on the P90 and the recoil spring assembly c ring on the p95. S&W 3rd gens are pretty darn strong pistols. These pistols were made in such quantity for so many years even if someone did have a minor parts breakage with a little diligence finding a part is not going to be that hard. Ive also never had a mag tube split or crack on a 3rd gen pistol even when going to high strength mag springs for tuning.
LOL.. I stopped depending on mommy once I got my paper route. Its nice when you have manufacturer support or they sell parts direct but Ive never let that keep me away from purchasing a pistol unless unless it was something really rare with a short production run that had a chronic issue which was never remedied by the manufacturer. New version of Remington R51 in 9mm comes to mind for the more recent stuff.
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hemiram
Member
I have three of the junkers sitting in my safe. I guess I'll just keep them. I used to have six at one time. I got "out" of .40 and sold two of those, a 4006 TSW, and a plain old 4006 and sold a DOA .45, I think it was a really bad looking 4586. All three of my present ones look pretty much new.
Homerboy
Member
The DAO models are starting to really grow on me. I used to carry a 5946 on duty and always felt that the gun would be better in DA/SA. I have several of those, as well. But I now own 3 5946’s, a 3953, a 3953TSW(early 7 shot model), and a 6946. The DAO 3rd Gen triggers are smooth. I have a 4566. I’d like a 4586, as well.
