S&W Semi-automatics- how do they compare?

[Universal]

A police department I once worked for issues Smith & Wessons model 915s (called 910 today) and as a FI I had an opportunity to shoot one. I personally liked them a lot and when shot side by side with a Sig Sauer 229, I actually felt that the DA trigger on the Smith was better.

 

[agtman]

The 3rd Gen S&W autoloaders continue to impress me.

For the last several range outings, I've been shooting a "police trade-in" 4566, which had all the latest upgrades (e.g., blue hammer & trigger, decock lever that returns to fire automatically).

It bore the classic marks exhibited by most big bore autoloaders issued to cops: some holster wear on the slide; dirty grips; slightly dirty but otherwise pristine bore (once cleaned properly); gun internals were pristine, but needed oil. That's it. Plus, this one had an unusually nice DA trigger pull.

In short, it had been carried a lot, but shot very little. Took it to the range and - BINGO! Another shooter! I really like it alot - and I'm a 10mm guy.

That said, over the years I've handled and shot a number of 45XX-series and 10XX-series S&W autoloaders, and they all performed very well. The 3rd Gen 10mms & .45s were some of the best guns Smith ever made.

Speaking of shooters, this 10mm 1006 produces tight groups with regularity, and loves the HOT stuff.

 

[Len]

Another vote yes for the S&W's. I have a 5906, and a 4566, and like them both, very much. Personally, I like the location of the mag release, the ambi safeties, the general layout for my grip is good. I switch to Hogue grips, have them smithed at S&W perfomance center. [makes a huge difference for me.] Even if I didn't do the extra work, I like the triggers out of the box. Finally, I like the weight of an all metal gun.

Having said all of that, it all boils down to preference. All of the makers you named make very good guns...[I've shot all those brands, and found good ones by each maker] but we all have preferences based on what we first purchased, shot, or were advised to buy. We all tend to stick with what we like...the hard thing is to remain objective about all the other makers!

Once you determine your price range, try a bunch of different makers, decide for yourself what meets your cost, use, caliber preferences and go with it!

Then, in a couple of years, be ready to tell everyone how your preferred gun is the best, and all the others are useless!

 

[dogngun]

I recently bought a police trade 5904, my first Smith auto after over 30 years of Smith revolvers. It's the best pistol I have ever shot.
It will shoot anything, it is a great size and weight, more accurate than I can shoot it, good trigger, feels good to my hand.
17 round MecGar mags available, factory still has parts, but it doesn't need any.

I carry it every day now.

Mark

 

[Icewolf]

Smith and Wesson 1911's are the best value around for a 1911 in 45.
The ergonomics of the SW99 are very nice.
Smith M41 is the best target auto domestically produced (including Ruger).

All the other Smith autos never seemed to fit my hand right. I just couldn't get a comfortable grip on them. The fact that they are relatively expensive is a big negative also.