Whats the general opinion of the S&W 6946?

[MrInox]

Thinking of picking one up after i pay off something else. Ive heard 3rd gen smiths are great guns.....

[Polecat]

They were ahead of their time. Nicely sized, decent trigger pull, short reset! Under cut trigger guard. A lotof bang for the buck!

[Inspector71]

It was our issued duty gun from 1992-99. Every shot double action trigger pull. There was an early problem with the “trigger bar” breaking on some guns, but S&W came up with a modification that solved the issue. It runs better when kept well lubed. A solid performer in my opinion.

[Bigghoss]

3rd gen Smiths are cool but support and parts are limited. Get it for a collectible/fun gun but beyond that I'd consider something else.

[URIT]

I own a Smith & Wesson model 6946 along with a host of other S&W 9mm and .40 caliber Gen3. I carried S&W models 15 and 19 on the job so I'm very comfortable with the double action Smith trigger. This trigger is so nice and smooth it is a joy to shoot. It is not a true double because it is pre-cocked and much friendier than the first pull on a TDA (DA/SA) model, such as a model 6906.

The lack of a safety-decocker makes the pistol thinner and a plus for conceal carry. You don't need to remember a manual of arms when the SHTF to fumble with when pressured by a life-threatening incident. I carry my 6946 in an OWB Hughes Avenger style holster.

I feel strongly about carrying DAO semi-auto for CCW and have a 3953 and a 4053 which play a dominant role in my carry selection. Only my Walther PPS40 is a Gen3 exception and is carried on those rare occasion when I wear a suit or sports jacket.

Don't worry about parts availability. These pistols were built to last for decades of use by police and military, and S&W, Midway, Numrich, and others should be able to take care of your needs for the foreseeable future. It would take a wad of money to run one of these into the ground.

[Willard]

3rd gen Smiths are cool but support and parts are limited. Get it for a collectible/fun gun but beyond that I'd consider something else.

This. You cannot even get a recoil spring guide rod for a S&W 4506 anymore (some were staked and could separate). I don't know what else you cannot acquire, but parts are definitely limited.

[JAH 3rd]

I had a S&W 6906. Bought it new. Just didn't shoot it that much........my fault, not the pistols. I have so wanted it back, but years ago I traded it for another firearm. I still am on the lookout for one, but not burning up the road looking.


Parts are drying up, but here is a place to buy parts other than the frame. Never used them, just a parts option.

https://everygunpart.com/handgun-kits/semi-auto.html?manufacturer=552

[MattyD380]

I love the Smith 69 series guns. I have a 6904--I think it's pretty much everything you'd want in a compact-ish double stack, double action 9. Not sure there's really anything that offers the same size/footprint/features, nowadays. Mine's never had an issue and shoots very well.

I don't have any first-hand experience with DAO 3rd gens... but I'd say my 3rd gens have the best DA pulls of all my DA/SA guns. Fairly heavy, but very consistent with no stacking and no "sight jostle" when the hammer falls. And... I've heard the DAO guns have even better DA pulls vs. the DA/SA guns. Plus, you don't have the decock lever sticking off the slide.

True, parts aren't in current production. But they're sturdy, well made guns. And police trade-ins ones are still all over gunbroker, at cheap prices. You could get a few of 'em.

[Cypher]

I really like third generation S&Ws but as Big Hoss mentioned parts and accessories such as magazines are hard to find. There's also little aftermarket support.

[OlongJohnson]

Magazines are still easy AFAIK, thanks to Mecgar.

[Bigghoss]

Magazines are still easy AFAIK, thanks to Mecgar.

I didn't know they made 5900 series mags. That's gonna make passing on the next one I come across that much harder. Shame they don't make .40 or .45 mags.

[paherne]

I don't fish, so i have no need for S&W autos as a boat anchor.

[Bigghoss]

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention they're heavy. They make my Beretta 92's feel light by comparison.

[Motor51]

When I first became a LEO 20+ years ago we were issued a 4046. That thing was a great less lethal weapon because it was soo dang heavy. As soon as I was able to carry my own handgun I happily switched.


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[fatdog]

Owned one a few years back, it was reliable as all gen 3's were, the alloy frame made it easy to carry, but I did not like the S&W DAO system/trigger at all. I am saying that as someone who is a fan of the DAK and the LEM, the S&W gen 3 DAO was just much harder for me to manage and perform with.

[Stephanie B]

I have a LE 6946 (no mag safety) that I bought at a GS moving sale. It's my "automatic revolver" as, to my mind, the only difference between shooting it and a DAO revolver is reloading it. When I moved, I spent quite a bit in buying 10-round mags for it.

If I found a good deal on a 3953, I'd grab it up.

[tankpondman]

I had a S&W 6906. Bought it new. Just didn't shoot it that much........my fault, not the pistols. I have so wanted it back, but years ago I traded it for another firearm. I still am on the lookout for one, but not burning up the road looking.


Parts are drying up, but here is a place to buy parts other than the frame. Never used them, just a parts option.

https://everygunpart.com/handgun-kits/semi-auto.html?manufacturer=552




John

[URIT]

I've owned a Smith & Wesson 6946 for years and find it to be a pleasure to shoot and carry. At 26.5 oz, the 6946 is hardly a boat anchor, but I do prefer to carry it in an OWB avenger style holster by Hughes rather than an IWB holster.

I like the Gen3 DAO pistols for EDC and own many 9mm and .40 S&W models. I favor my single stack models because they fit my hand better and I believe grip is of utmost importance in a CCW. I find the trigger to be smooth and much nicer than the first shot from my TDA (DA/SA) models because the DAO triggers are pre-cocked.

Many guys who shot revolvers for years, me included, find the DAO models to their liking more than gents that started with Gs or other striker-fired handguns.

I've never had a problem with parts for any of the 20 Gen3s I own, but I'm sure I day I'll have to come to the SW guys on their forum for help.

Make sure the gun fits your hand before you invest hard-earned money in it.

[ffhounddog]

I just picked up a barely used one for $300 worth of AR parts I was not using. I wanted something with a positive safety that I could use as a hiking gun when I go hiking in some places that could be crazy with gun laws. I love my Glock 23 but I have ran into some rangers who basically did not know their own rules.

[Duelist]

I have a LE 6946 (no mag safety) that I bought at a GS moving sale. It's my "automatic revolver" as, to my mind, the only difference between shooting it and a DAO revolver is reloading it. When I moved, I spent quite a bit in buying 10-round mags for it.

If I found a good deal on a 3953, I'd grab it up.

That gives me a sad. I sold a nice 3953 last month. Would have given you a good deal.

[Chuck Whitlock]

If I found a good deal on a 3953, I'd grab it up.

I just saw one for ~$300.

[Rex G]

I loved my 3953, which I left in the care of a dear friend, on indefinite loan. I have not been actively searching for another 3rd-Gen S&W DAO auto, but just might act if one were to be available at the LGS, at a time when I did not have other significant irons in the financial fire. A 6946 would be as suitable a candidate as any of these S&W 9mm DAOs.

Now and then, I check the evil bay for the parts to convert my 3913 TSW to DAO. This is not a “goal,” but something I just might eventually try.