3rd gen S&W steel pistols are underrated.

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K

KM

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I used to own a 5906 that was flawless in function, very accurate and of course I felt it was aesthetically pleasing in design. Had to get rid of it though a while back due to financial strains.

Just picked up a 6904 this week in great condition and just like the 5906, flawless function and I was drilling nice groups with it. 200 rounds of assorted hollow point and pressure loadings and not one feeding issue.

However, I'm kind of glad that they're overlooked, it keeps the secondary market prices for these gems in the 300s range and that is all for the better for those in the know.:D
 
I agree 100%.
This one has never been fired, it just sits in my safe next to my other 4506-1 that does all the work.

pix502278203.jpg
 
Let's see... first I bought a police-trade 5904 and really liked it, but apparently so did my wife because she promptly declared that it was "her's", ...so then I bought a 411, then a 4006, then a 3913 and a 4013, all while pawn-shop trolling, and I just ordered a 908 "NIB old-stock" from Bud's today. You could say I'm convinced. :D

Les
 
My opinion is that the 4506 is the best of the S&W 3rd generation pistols.
Click to expand...

Close.

Mine would be my 10mm 1006 or 1076, take your pick.

Absolutely no doubt that S&W's 3rd Generation large-frame 10XX- & 45XX-series autos are the best ever made.

I still see these from time to time in gunshops or at gun shows.

:cool:
 
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All are under rated. They are good guns. My current favorite is a 4563 I found used at a good price a few months ago. Every bit as good as the Sig 220 and a lot cheaper on the used market.

Maybe we should stop this thread now before the secret gets out!!
 
my 1st pistol was a 5906. i have purchased other guns since then, but i always go back to the 5906. when i purchased it, i had no idea just how reliable it would be in comparison to other pistols.

i still have it, and carry it regularly...but that SOB is HEAVY. i'm going to start working the M&P 40c into the carry rotation, and keep the 5906 at the house
 
That's why I opted for the 6904, very easily concealed even in summer weather.

And agreed, as good as a comparable Sig, imo.
 
Bought myself a police trade-in 6906 a few months back:

IMG_0070.jpg

I still can't quite be accurate with the first DA pull, but am pretty good with the SA pulls. As much as I want to like and carry this gun, I still shoot my G26 (and my G19 prior to the G26) better than my 6906.

That said, I will always have at least one 3rd-gen pistol in the collection -- I've always liked the aesthetics ever since they came out. NYPD officers still have the option of carrying a 5946, and I still think they're the most professional-looking gun carried by NYPD officers.

And by the way, if you have a 5906 or 5946 you'd like to trade for my 6906, shoot me a PM offline...since I carry the G26 90% of the time (a Taurus TCP gets carried the other 10% of the time), I'd be willing to trade up to a full-sized 3rd-gen.
 
I have a Model 910 (value line 5904) and love it. It is accurate, reliable and tough as nails. I love the fact that many shooters overlook these gems since they are don't have accessory rails or high tech polymers! I'm on the lookout to add a Model 457 and 469 to my ever expanding collection of S&W firearms!
 
I like some of the 2nd gen versions as well, like the 659 and 645 for example.
 
My 645, 4566, and 4516 are the most accurate 45 pistols I've owned.

They are all as accurate as my Colt Gold Cup.

I hope they stay underated, as it keeps the prices down. TJ
 
Agreed, getting any of these in mint condition in the 300s-low 400s range is just awesome. Can pick up two for you'd pay for a comparable gun.
 
Hugely underrated. The only one I have is a 5904 that I acquired from an older gent who's thinning out his sizeable handgun collection. Mint condition, mid-$300s. Fine shooter, most pleasing to the eye, one of my very favorite pistols.
 
I've carried one or another issued 3rd gen S&W since 1990. I've carried the earliest of the 3rd gen 9mm TDA guns and newer (current production) TSW models chambered in .40 S&W and .45 ACP.

I own half a dozen 3rd gen models (regular and a couple early 'original' TSW) chambered in 9mm, .40 S&W and .45 ACP.

As user, owner, instructor & armorer I've always found the 3rd gen guns to be reliable, durable and accurate.

My personal favorite is a 3913, which I consider to essentially be state-of-the-art when it comes to a compact metal-framed, lightweight, TDA 9mm defensive pistol using a single column magazine.

Although I feel the new M&P pistol series is a very good design and a very viable service-type/defensive pistol platform, I do rather regret that S&W is seemingly allowing Sig Sauer to carry the banner for TDA metal-framed pistols (although expect to see their emphasis shift to the plastic P250 series for LE/Gov contracts in the future).
 
Is Smith ceasing production in metal framed pistols?
 
I've owned several "Third Generation" Smiths and never had one malfunction, even the well used one (a 6946) with a recoil spring like a limp noodle. ;) The one that really shines, IMO, is the 3913.
 
Is Smith ceasing production in metal framed pistols?
Click to expand...

A while back. We used third gen 40XX and 69XX and 59XX for years since the second gen came out. Since 1984 we carried S&W semi-auto. Few problems over the year with the exception of some 669's.

They will do a run if the order is sizable enough but the interest is no longer there.
 
I think the Smith 'metal' framed pistols were some of the best shootin' irons made.
I see today a flier came in saying get it today don't delay Smith 410 and 910 along with 5906 TSW's are discontinued!

I think Smith wants to sell nothing but that silly M&P auto!
 
^^^
Wow. MachIVshooter, what is the compact model at the bottom of the second pic?

Les
 
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