Can someone explain the S&W auto numbering system?

[agony]

I did a search at TFL and got more confused. I thought I knew the answer a few years ago, but now I'm getting older and the brain-cells keep shrinking.

I have a 5906.

Can anyone give a simple answer to the S&W numbering system? Gives me a headache figuring it out.

 

[dairycreek]

A simple answer?

No such thing exists! Good shooting

 

[Rob999]

The way I understand it is that

XX - 1st generation
XXX - 2nd generation
XXXX - 3rd generation..

Hope it helps

 

[ArmaLube]

S&W Model Numbering Systems

There is much to the various S&W model numbering. It is all arranged in accordance with very specific identifying formats.

Part of the numbering history is here: http://www.recguns.com/Sources/IIIB2e1.html

In the current 4-digit pistol models, a 6 in the 4th place designates stainless steel.

The complete story is described here:
http://i.world.guns.ru/handguns/hg01-e.htm

Bob

 

[SouthpawShootr]

I'm told that not even S&W field reps could remember when production was at it's height. There used to be some sort of dial in gizmo that Smith put out to identify their guns. As already put forth, 4 digits represents 3rd generation guns (an exception here is the value line, which has most 3rd generation features, but only 3 digits in the code). The 5900 series were 9mm, double-stack (or staggered) mags. 6900 series were compacts, but also 9s and used double stack mags. A 6 in the last digit generally denoted a stainless steel gun (exception - 6906 had a stainless slide and matching [more or less] aluminum frame). A 3 in the forth digit was used to denote an aluminum frame on everything besides the 6906. When a 4 appeared in the third digit, the gun was double-action only. 1's in the third digit pretty reliably were used for compact versions of full-size guns (makes you wonder why the 6900 series was 591x). 3900 series was single stack mags. 4000 were .40 S&W based on the 5900 series, for the most part (exception: 4013 - compact .40 based on the 4516 frame size - 4013TSWs were another animal altogether). 4500 and 1000 series were .45 and 10 mm, respectively. There are more - This just gets better and better. You can lose you sanity sorting this crap out.

 

[Mike Irwin]

A key to third generation S&W numbers

First two numerals indicate caliber

39 = 9mm
59 = 9mm
69 = 9mm
10 = 10mm
40 = .40 S&W
45 = .45 ACP
35 = .356 TSW


Third digit is the type of model:

0 = standard model
1 = compact
2 = standard with decocking lever
3 = compact w/decocking lever
4 = standard double action only
5 = compact double action only
6 = nonstandard barrel length
7 = nonstandard barrel length w/decocking lever
8 = nonstandard barrel length w/double action only

Fourt digit is type of material

3 = aluminum frame, stainless steel slide
4 = aluminum frame, carbon steel slide
5 = carbon steel frame and slide
6 = stainless steel frame and slide
7 = stainless steel frame, carbon steel slide