Opinions on S&W (pistols not company)
- Thread starter garrettwc
- Start date
- Status
George Hill
Member
Politics and Ergonomics aside... I think they are on the same level as SIG.
Tamara
Senior Member
My only real beef with (Third Generation) Smith autos is that they're pretty bland.
The triggers are usually nothing to write home to mom about, the grips are a little chunky, takedown and reassembly is somewhat eccentric, and they have that goofy monkeytail safety/decocker. However, they tend to be reliable and reasonably accurate and some models (xx13, 10xx, and 45xx, as well as all the TSW guns) are real "diamonds in the rough"...
The triggers are usually nothing to write home to mom about, the grips are a little chunky, takedown and reassembly is somewhat eccentric, and they have that goofy monkeytail safety/decocker. However, they tend to be reliable and reasonably accurate and some models (xx13, 10xx, and 45xx, as well as all the TSW guns) are real "diamonds in the rough"...
10-Ring
Member
The one I two I've owned were nice shooters. My only gripe is w/ the grip. If the grip fits you, GREAT, if not, I'd keep looking.
benEzra
Moderator Emeritus
All I can speak of is the 3913LS (compact 9mm), but mine is FANTASTIC. I've never had a single jam, FTF, stovepipe, etc. in ~2000 rounds. Accuracy is as good as a Glock 34 (longslide 9mm on full-size frame) with identical ammo--I shot them both in the same range session at the same target--and I've hit a 24" steel plate at 100 yd shot after shot, shooting from a sandbag. Not bad for a compact CCW pistol!
Fit and finish is first-rate, trigger is good, and I like the DA/SA action. Not as small as a Kahr, but small enough for me to conceal (5'6", 150 lb), and probably more accurate than any micro-compact. In short, I love it.
Fit and finish is first-rate, trigger is good, and I like the DA/SA action. Not as small as a Kahr, but small enough for me to conceal (5'6", 150 lb), and probably more accurate than any micro-compact. In short, I love it.
Bowlcut
Member
All above is true about most s&w pistols....
expect the sw99
I love my sw99. feels like it was poured into my hand then let dry. It feels so good to hold. Shooting is done lickedy split. Trigger is great. Only complaint is lack of accessorys for it
expect the sw99
I love my sw99. feels like it was poured into my hand then let dry. It feels so good to hold. Shooting is done lickedy split. Trigger is great. Only complaint is lack of accessorys for it
Mike Irwin
Member
Politics aside (which is very tough for me...)
They're far over priced for what they are and what they offer.
They're ergonomically challenged balance wise.
The location and operation of the safety stinks.
Reliability continues to be an issue when it shouldn't be, given the price.
Fit & finish is an issue for a gun that costs this much.
The above comments apply more or less to the entire line. Obviously, specifics will vary, but overall, I think the S&W line of pistols is not really a good value for the money.
They're far over priced for what they are and what they offer.
They're ergonomically challenged balance wise.
The location and operation of the safety stinks.
Reliability continues to be an issue when it shouldn't be, given the price.
Fit & finish is an issue for a gun that costs this much.
The above comments apply more or less to the entire line. Obviously, specifics will vary, but overall, I think the S&W line of pistols is not really a good value for the money.
Preacherman
Member
They have that 
magazine disconnector safety, which I will not have on any weapon that may have to be used to save my life. Also, in my hands, many of the S&W pistols feel "blocky" and uncomfortable. I've also seen many, many feeding failures with the earlier-generation S&W's... enough to say that even though the 3rd-generation pistols are supposed to be much better in this regard, I'm afraid I won't use them.
magazine disconnector safety, which I will not have on any weapon that may have to be used to save my life. Also, in my hands, many of the S&W pistols feel "blocky" and uncomfortable. I've also seen many, many feeding failures with the earlier-generation S&W's... enough to say that even though the 3rd-generation pistols are supposed to be much better in this regard, I'm afraid I won't use them.I have a 5906 purchased in 1988 that is a great pistol. The DA trigger is better than any of my other guns, including my Sigs. It has been 100% reliable and as far as ergonomics are concerned, it fits my hand perfectly. It has the curved backstrap which I find to be much more comfortable than the straight style. I also find the machining to be excellent, internally and externally. I took it to the range last week with two shooting buddies and they too were highly impressed to say the least. I wanted to get a 4516 and tried to get used to the grip but always felt it was way too blocky. Bottomline for me is that some of their models are as good as anything out there and others are lacking in one regard or the other. Then again, I think S&W has developed more variations on a theme than any other company. Mike
HankB
Member
S&W pistols have improved from the days when a buddy of mine bought an S&W M59 Jammamatic. The newer ones seem to be generally reliable, with the probable exception of the Sigma.
The SW99 is a collaboration between S&W and Walther, and is generally looked down on by Walther fans as inferior. (Of course, Walther worshippers get a bit upset when I mention I'm not a Walther fan myself - as nice as they balance in one's hand, their guns have not proven to be reliable in local IDPA circles. Some work well, but a fair portion don't. Especially in 9mm.)
But I digress . . . back to S&W.
Subjectively, ergonomics suck - these points have already been mentioned, but the safety moves the wrong way, the pistol doesn't actually point where it "feels" like its pointing, trigger action is mediocre, and it has the aforementioned %$#! magazine disconnect. Fit and finish seem to be highly variable - I sometimes wonder if the guns produced on Monday morning and Friday afternoon are the worst.
The S&W M41, a .22 target pistol, is nice, but "picky" as to what ammo it digests . . . which shouldn't be an issue with a gun that costs this much. The old S&W M52 was a decent bullseye target pistol, set up for .38 Special wadcutters. The SW1911 looks like it may be the best of the current bunch of centerfire S&W autos.
The SW99 is a collaboration between S&W and Walther, and is generally looked down on by Walther fans as inferior. (Of course, Walther worshippers get a bit upset when I mention I'm not a Walther fan myself - as nice as they balance in one's hand, their guns have not proven to be reliable in local IDPA circles. Some work well, but a fair portion don't. Especially in 9mm.)
But I digress . . . back to S&W.
Subjectively, ergonomics suck - these points have already been mentioned, but the safety moves the wrong way, the pistol doesn't actually point where it "feels" like its pointing, trigger action is mediocre, and it has the aforementioned %$#! magazine disconnect. Fit and finish seem to be highly variable - I sometimes wonder if the guns produced on Monday morning and Friday afternoon are the worst.
The S&W M41, a .22 target pistol, is nice, but "picky" as to what ammo it digests . . . which shouldn't be an issue with a gun that costs this much. The old S&W M52 was a decent bullseye target pistol, set up for .38 Special wadcutters. The SW1911 looks like it may be the best of the current bunch of centerfire S&W autos.
I think S&W makes some good looking and practical autoloaders..
My experience with them is short, but not that great..
Two incidents come to mind..
-The only time I shot a S&W auto was a rental .45 at a range in Long Beach, CA.........That .45 was the loosest , jammingest, sloppiest pistol I've ever shot. After about half a box of jams, I carried it back to the counter and got a Glock 21 I believe..... There's no telling how many rounds had been through that S&W causing it to jam so bad.....
Another was at a combat course put on in Jacksonville, FL..
I was there representing my PD, and Jacksonville PD's SWAT Team was also there.. It was very nasty out, and we were all wearing parka's and such...
Anyway, out of about 8 Jax SWAT guys, 3 of them had lots of trouble with their S&W's on the range that day, and their armorer had to break a couple of them down during the shoot.. I had a Beretta 92 at the time, was dropping my mags in the mud and slop when reloading, shaking them out before topping them off again and just plinking away... The same went for those on the range with Glocks and Sigs that day. No problems
This is my very limited experience with them, but you can see they were not very good experience..Maybe things have improved, but I 'm a little hesitant to buy one..
My experience with them is short, but not that great..
Two incidents come to mind..
-The only time I shot a S&W auto was a rental .45 at a range in Long Beach, CA.........That .45 was the loosest , jammingest, sloppiest pistol I've ever shot. After about half a box of jams, I carried it back to the counter and got a Glock 21 I believe..... There's no telling how many rounds had been through that S&W causing it to jam so bad.....
Another was at a combat course put on in Jacksonville, FL..
I was there representing my PD, and Jacksonville PD's SWAT Team was also there.. It was very nasty out, and we were all wearing parka's and such...
Anyway, out of about 8 Jax SWAT guys, 3 of them had lots of trouble with their S&W's on the range that day, and their armorer had to break a couple of them down during the shoot.. I had a Beretta 92 at the time, was dropping my mags in the mud and slop when reloading, shaking them out before topping them off again and just plinking away... The same went for those on the range with Glocks and Sigs that day. No problems
This is my very limited experience with them, but you can see they were not very good experience..Maybe things have improved, but I 'm a little hesitant to buy one..
Ditto what Mike and Preacherman said. The only Smith auto I ever liked was a friend's 5906. It was fairly ergonomic, reliable, and very easy to use. My 226 beats it cold, though. I don't care for the larger frame pistols, although I'd still like to get a 1076 for nostalgia purposes.
Marko Kloos
Moderator Emeritus
I've had nothing but good experiences with my S&W third-generation autoloaders. Between a 1066, a 411, a 908, and a 4513TSW, I have never had a failure of any kind.
Erich
Member
I wholeheartedly agree with George.
Police trade-in 3rd Gen S&W autos are some of the most unbelievable bargains out there. Check CDNN and KYImports to see what I mean. (And full-cap mags are easily available and not all that pricy.)
Police trade-in 3rd Gen S&W autos are some of the most unbelievable bargains out there. Check CDNN and KYImports to see what I mean. (And full-cap mags are easily available and not all that pricy.)
cslinger
Member
Preacherman said...
"They have that magazine disconnector safety, which I will not have on any weapon that may have to be used to save my life. Also, in my hands, many of the S&W pistols feel "blocky" and uncomfortable. I've also seen many, many feeding failures with the earlier-generation S&W's... enough to say that even though the 3rd-generation pistols are supposed to be much better in this regard, I'm afraid I won't use them."
Can I get an AMEN.
I like some of their offerings and I think they make great range guns but I will not have a magazine disconnect on a serious social firearm. Is this an unfounded fear, maybe, but I like reloading with one in the pipe already just in case.
Other than that I can't say I have ever really seen or heard of a really bad example of a Smith Auto with the exception of the early SW99s which seem to have had their bugs worked out and those heinous SIGMA offerings that are really an affront to all that is good and natural.
"They have that magazine disconnector safety, which I will not have on any weapon that may have to be used to save my life. Also, in my hands, many of the S&W pistols feel "blocky" and uncomfortable. I've also seen many, many feeding failures with the earlier-generation S&W's... enough to say that even though the 3rd-generation pistols are supposed to be much better in this regard, I'm afraid I won't use them."
Can I get an AMEN.
I like some of their offerings and I think they make great range guns but I will not have a magazine disconnect on a serious social firearm. Is this an unfounded fear, maybe, but I like reloading with one in the pipe already just in case.
Other than that I can't say I have ever really seen or heard of a really bad example of a Smith Auto with the exception of the early SW99s which seem to have had their bugs worked out and those heinous SIGMA offerings that are really an affront to all that is good and natural.
George Hill
Member
DISCLAIMER:
My previous comment has nothing to do with the SIGMA series.
Those, I consider just a small step up from a High Point.
My previous comment has nothing to do with the SIGMA series.
Those, I consider just a small step up from a High Point.
Depending upon when made they can be great or junk. S&W seems to have gone through several changes in ownership/production quality in the last 25 years or so and some of their stuff is worthless. Yet, you can find some excellent, servicable, reliable S&W.
keithernTN
Member
I like my 5906 alot. It shoots everytime I pull the trigger. Never had a jam. It is very accurate if you do your part. I would buy another in a heart beat.
That 1911 looks pretty nice, how much are they going for?
That 1911 looks pretty nice, how much are they going for?
Erich
Member
(Oops)
Again, I wholeheartedly agree with George!
Again, I wholeheartedly agree with George!
Mute
Member
Love their revolvers. Never took a fancy to their autos. I think there are better choices in the latter department from other makers.
- Status
Similar threads
- Locked