Elkins45
Member
I occasionally carry my 1006 or 1086 in bear country.
Sooner or later you're gonna love the S&W 3rd generation...
Just do it.I thought that the Star BM that I recently acquired had scratched my S&W 3rd gen itch, then somebody starts another thread and I watch this video and I want one again
Just do it.
You know you want to . . .
The 915 was only made from 1992-1994.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
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.
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".
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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)
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.
Here is a link where they discuss Brinks pistol choices over the years.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.
There is an element of truth to this.The only “catch” is to use OEM mags for best dependability ; pricey. $$
Too many people think that an older gun “…might break!!…” They should stick to newer plastic guns with warranties.