Thinking of picking one up after i pay off something else. Ive heard 3rd gen smiths are great guns.....
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Thinking of picking one up after i pay off something else. Ive heard 3rd gen smiths are great guns.....
They were ahead of their time. Nicely sized, decent trigger pull, short reset! Under cut trigger guard. A lotof bang for the buck!
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.
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.
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.
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bigghoss
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-kit...nufacturer=552
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.
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.
Magazines are still easy AFAIK, thanks to Mecgar.