3rd Generation S&W Autos

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I've been on a "classic military 9mm" kick and while a S&W 3rd gen wasn't exactly on that list I figured it was close enough that when I finally ran across a good deal on leo trade in's last month I didn't hesitate. The original hard plastic grip was scratched up so I swapped in a new Hogue grip which is noticeably fatter. Runs great with fmj's, after I get a chance to vet it with some hollowpoints it might end up replacing the S&W 66 as the "living room gun".

PXL_20211217_172602707~2.jpg
 
Had a 1066 for a few years - custom shoulder rig with extra mags- Hornady Custom ammo was above 40+p and not Warm 10mm.

Sold it as it was a Heavy Sob and single stack.

Kinda regret it, Yet not really as I’m a revolver guy
 
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Beck said:
LOVE MY S&W MODEL 915.

Not sure of the year my 915 was made, but I bought it new in 1995. It's a beauty. I replaced the factory Grips with Hogue black rubber grips, and the sights with Meprolight Novak style. It could use a little trigger work to smooth the single action, but it's not bad as is. There are still quite a few aftermarket grips available... some real pretty. I'm happy with the basic black spartan look, and the Hogue grip fits my hand like it was custom made for it.

After comparing it side-by-side with an Illinois State Police friend's 5904 back when I got it, I liked my 915 better. I think he did too.

IMO the S&W 3rd Generation semi-auto era was a high point in Smith & Wesson history. Perfection is sometimes better left alone.

Nice thing about the 915 is that most parts are interchangeable with the 5904. There will be spare parts available if you need them until Kingdom come.

It's one of the best purchases I ever made. Flawlessly cycles any 9mm I've put through it , shoots straight, not too heavy, feels good in the hand, 15+1 capacity... what else does a guy need?

View attachment 1044864
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The 915 was only made from 1992-1994.
 
gnappi said:
Fault? For a LOT of years, S&W's were the choice in law enforcement in part BECAUSE of this feature. I wonder how many LEO's would agree this is a fault who were losing their gun in a struggle with a perp and dropped the mag had it save their lives. Like other things it's a feature that the overwhelmingly many times it's invisible.


The ONLY issue with it is the gun is temporarily disabled while changing mags. Answers to that?

1. Don't miss 15+ times
2. Change mags from cover
3. Change mags quick.

All require training, something many don't do enough of.

Anyway, I'd venture a guess that LEO's struggle physically more with a perp than run out of ammo without a BUG or other officer standing by.[/QUOTE


ABSOLUTLY!

Tell me all the bad things about a mag. disconnect AFTER you spent some effort trying to keep a wet naked and hyped up crack addict that outweighs you from wrenching that pistol from your hand. Just tell me how horrible an idea those stupid designers created............yeah just put yourself in that tight shower space with the water on full blast how great it'd be if you just didn't have to contend with that magazine disconnector!!

And THAT was a real life experience..........thank what powers be that the back up officer had a j frame if that gun went the wrong way.
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bassjam:
Which model is in your photo, Remarks # 81? It seems to be in the 5906 or so family. I owned one as a range toy,

and on Page One of this topic, I posted the S&W 3rd. Gen. family tree.:)
Acquired a 908 last December and really enjoy the slender, single-stack ergos.

>>>> Many of the viewers here might be "new shooters", o_O or new to handguns, and very unfamiliar with any of this 1st-3rd. Gen series.
I'm 66, acquired my first handgun (WW2 Sauer 38H) about age 56, and only learned about these excellent S&Ws roughly three years ago.
 
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bassjam said:
I've been on a "classic military 9mm" kick and while a S&W 3rd gen wasn't exactly on that list I figured it was close enough that when I finally ran across a good deal on leo trade in's last month I didn't hesitate. The original hard plastic grip was scratched up so I swapped in a new Hogue grip which is noticeably fatter. Runs great with fmj's, after I get a chance to vet it with some hollowpoints it might end up replacing the S&W 66 as the "living room gun".

View attachment 1045414
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If the Hogues are too fat, you can get OEM grips: Smith & Wesson Factory Grips Straight S&W 4003TSW 4006TSW 4043TSW (midwayusa.com) Smith & Wesson Factory Grips Curved S&W 5903TSW 5906TSW 5943TSW 4003 (midwayusa.com)
 
JN01 said:
If the Hogues are too fat, you can get OEM grips: Smith & Wesson Factory Grips Straight S&W 4003TSW 4006TSW 4043TSW (midwayusa.com) Smith & Wesson Factory Grips Curved S&W 5903TSW 5906TSW 5943TSW 4003 (midwayusa.com)
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I agree. The factory straight grips are perfect for me. I do like the Hogue grips on the single stack guns like the 3913. On the double stack guns, they are too fat. The Hogue wrap around grips for the double stack compact guns like the 6906 are an abomination
 
wnycollector said:
Posting to this thread made me look on GunBroker...I just picked up a Brinks S&W 4046 for less than $350 after transfer. This will be my 1st DAO 3rd gen.
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I wonder when/where Brinks issued a 4046. When I worked for them in Boston 22 years ago they gave us a S&W Model 64 with mis-matched ammo.
 
6906 ... solid carry piece. This one's an ex-Cali-Corrections gun.

IMG_20200928_185603307_HDR.jpg

411 ... scored this 'Value-line' .40S&W model for stupid cheap about six months before the Corvid-panic set in. Came with the original box, papers, and three 11-rd mags. I bought a few more mags right away from CDNN.

The only 'value' thing about it (i.e., sub-par feature) is the crappy peeling paint job. It's about the same quality as what you'd see on Euro-Commie guns, like a CZ 82. Otherwise, it's tight and clean inside. The owner didn't shoot it much, and it does shoot surprisingly well ... for a 40. :barf:

photo.JPG
 
My 908 just burned up 50 rds.. of Russian ammo: Brown Bear.

Its not the first box of such oft-misunderstood ammo.

The 908 is such a rock-Soild gun and extremely reliable.
There’s no doubt that the “non” “Value Line” 3913 and 3914 must be just as reliable and of course slender.

Let’s be totally frank- my three 3rd Gen S&W handguns have been as rugged and reliable as my CZ PCR and German-made Sigs plus Walther P99 (and my Makarovs), and vice-versa.;)

The only “catch” is to use OEM mags for best dependability ; pricey. $$
Too many people think that an older gun “…might break!!…:eek:” They should stick to newer plastic guns with warranties.
 
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Ignition Override said:
The only “catch” is to use OEM mags for best dependability ; pricey. $$
Too many people think that an older gun “…might break!!…:eek:” They should stick to newer plastic guns with warranties.
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There is an element of truth to this.

Recently, I had a case crack at the rim that blew the extractor off my S&W Model 39, an early one with the flat spring extractor. I spent almost as much on a replacement extractor than I did buying the pistol originally. And if it happened again, I might not be able to find another one.

Years back I broke an extractor on a Sauer 38, it took me 15 years to hunt down a replacement.
 
Ah, I owned several 2nd -3rd gens back in the day and getting bored, then stupidly trading and selling all but one of them because they were quite plentiful and of course "I could always easily get them back". Yeah, but they're a bit more expensive and not quite as plentiful, at least in nice condition.. Anyway, I still have my favorite which was the 6690, a somewhat rare 2nd-3rd gen transition version sold by a dist called RSR back in the day. I actually had two of them originally, and shot the snot out of one and sadly moved it on but kept the one I have. I really liked them and regret not keeping a couple more of them.


6690_590.jpg
 
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