peacebutready
Member
I was wondering if Smith and Wesson should bring back a couple or more of their 3rd generation pistols. I'd be tempted to buy one.
What do you all think?
What do you all think?
Should S&W bring back 3rd gen pistols?
- Thread starter peacebutready
- Start date
PistoleroWadcutterGANG
Member
I said no because I want them to shrink their catalogue and increase QA and finish and bring back hand fussed outdoorsmans back.
ColtPythonElite
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I don't believe there would be a big demand for them.
sevt_chevelle
Member
If it's just a plain jane 3rd gen, nope. But if they built an updated version of the performance center models, then yeah. But then again I bought a metal competitor M&P and that was a major disappointment.
And for those saying it would be too costly, well Dan Wesson is selling every $2K DWX they make.
And for those saying it would be too costly, well Dan Wesson is selling every $2K DWX they make.
Homerboy
Member
Sure. People still buy metal, hammer fired guns. CZ, Beretta, Sig, all make and sell metal, hammer fired guns. I don’t see them doing it but they should AT LEAST make parts and springs for the millions of them still out there.
jar
Contributing Member
Gotta wear out the first and second generation Wonder Nines before I'd consider buying a new one.
Since I doubt that in my lifetime I will wear out the ones I have now much less all the others already out there on the market I can't see the incentive that might motivate S&W.
Since I doubt that in my lifetime I will wear out the ones I have now much less all the others already out there on the market I can't see the incentive that might motivate S&W.
crestoncowboy
Member
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No.
Nobody liked them to begin with. They did for good reason. The m&p is far more successful. With the third gen Smith..... probably 90% of le carried a Glock. Now at least you do see some smith in le holsters again. Smith wanted so badly to get away from the old guns that they blatantly copied Glock to do so.
Kind of like asking Ford to bring back the Pinto or asking chevrolet to bring back the corvair. Smith is in a decent place now, why go backward.
Nobody liked them to begin with. They did for good reason. The m&p is far more successful. With the third gen Smith..... probably 90% of le carried a Glock. Now at least you do see some smith in le holsters again. Smith wanted so badly to get away from the old guns that they blatantly copied Glock to do so.
Kind of like asking Ford to bring back the Pinto or asking chevrolet to bring back the corvair. Smith is in a decent place now, why go backward.
sparkyfender
Member
Interesting thought, but I fear they would be very expensive to reproduce.
They are good guns, but I think people are more appreciative of them now that they are becoming harder to find, check their rising prices. Nobody wanted them and now LOTS of people seem to have discovered them.
I still at times carry a 2nd Gen S&W, so I am really living in the past.
They are good guns, but I think people are more appreciative of them now that they are becoming harder to find, check their rising prices. Nobody wanted them and now LOTS of people seem to have discovered them.
I still at times carry a 2nd Gen S&W, so I am really living in the past.
Our city PD adopted Smith 5906's in 1994. In 2014 they finally replaced them after 20 years of use. The chief said anything but Glock when they started looking for a replacement. They asked S&W about doing a special run of 5906's. At that time Smith said they would, but the price was outrageous. It would probably be even more now.
You have to remember that the machinery and tooling to make those guns is worn out. It would take a major investment in machines and tools just to get started and I don't think they could sell enough to cover their expenses.
They had 9mm M&P's sent for evaluation but had all sorts of reliability issues. The M&P was initially designed as a 40 S&W and the 1st 9mm versions had some issues that have now been corrected. The city finally gave up and ordered new Glock 17's
You have to remember that the machinery and tooling to make those guns is worn out. It would take a major investment in machines and tools just to get started and I don't think they could sell enough to cover their expenses.
They had 9mm M&P's sent for evaluation but had all sorts of reliability issues. The M&P was initially designed as a 40 S&W and the 1st 9mm versions had some issues that have now been corrected. The city finally gave up and ordered new Glock 17's
JTQ
Member
I say no.
I have a 4506. It is an OK gun, but regardless of price, there are probably several guns I'd choose over it. Add in what they would cost to produce these days, no doubt above $1,000, in this era of polymer framed $500 pistols, and I don't see it as a big seller for S&W.
I have a 4506. It is an OK gun, but regardless of price, there are probably several guns I'd choose over it. Add in what they would cost to produce these days, no doubt above $1,000, in this era of polymer framed $500 pistols, and I don't see it as a big seller for S&W.
There are folks who have a nostalgic view of the 3913 LS or NL (for those whose masculinity is challenged by the LS). It's probably because it is an attractive gun and does work. I've seen a rumble about that one as a just because gun. The other 3rd Gens - they don't offer much.
Rock185
Member
I'm a 3rd. Gen. fan, but no. Their time has passed..
I'm a 3rd. Gen. fan, but no. Their time has passed..
Unfortunately, this IMO.
I (and probably many more) would be happy if they'd revive 3rd Gen magazine production!
Specifically, 1006 mags please
Nature Boy
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In a sea of plastic a few new (old) all metal pistols is always welcome so I voted yes.
ontarget
Member
Maybe a better chance of getting a good copy someday from the Turks.
Like they have with the 1911s and Hi Powers.
Who knows? It could happen.
Like they have with the 1911s and Hi Powers.
Who knows? It could happen.
peacebutready
Member
Interesting post. They should build something like you mention and put an appropriate MSRP on it.
I'd guess the ones with the alloy frames are good for 30K rounds if a person uses standard pressure 9mm.
Why did people dislike them? DA/SA manual of arms?
IIRC, Glock sued S&W. IIRC, the Sigma, which is the predecessor of the SD series was the one that copied the Glock. I think the current SD series are nicer looking than the M&P line. The triggers are heavy, though.
I was thinking they would be expensive to produce as well.
Their rising prices is part of the reason I started this thread.
peacebutready
Member
Do we know the machinery and tooling is worn out?
If it came out nice, I think they would sell a good number. See post #5 referring to the $2K Dan Wesson model selling well.
I never fired a 3rd gen but I'd guess the single action trigger on them is nicer than the striker fired guns.
They could certainly make a single action only version if they wanted. I want to say they did in the past but I'm not sure. FN brought back an updated version of the HP-35. I predict the combination of the weight (more than a CZ 75) and 9mm caliber, along with the price will put a damper on enthusiasm. But if they made one in 10mm...The 3rd gen S&W I had were DA/SA with a magazine disconnect.
I like a consistent trigger (Glock / 1911) and a magazine disconnectis a deal breaker; so, no I would not buy a resurrected 3rd gen S&W with those features.
Interesting thought. It sounds like it just may fly. The Tisas 1911 is getting good reviews. I don't know how good their Hi Powers are.
Yes but how many is Dan Wesson selling? You can make more money selling 50,000 M&Ps or Glock 19s at $500 a pop than 2000 DWX.
Big difference in the point of view;
From a gun board consumer standpoint and as a big fan of my 3rd generation Smiths, absolutely they should bring them back!
From the standpoint of the, much larger segment of casual home defense gun buyers who's only going to buy 1 maybe 2 guns in their lifetime only to have it sit in a sock drawer; "what's a 3rd generation S&W?"
"My, dad, son, coworker, hair stylist, neighbors gun nut friend etc said to get a Glock something or other"
From the standpoint of S&W; no way shareholders, accountants and upper management decision makers armed, with the latest market research confirming the current crop of tactical, high speed, plastic fantastics, are the lions share of the handgun market today and putting monetary resources into a 30+ year design with little more than a cult following of internet enthusiasts will agree that it would be a sound business move to reintroduce.
Of course, that's just my opinion and if anyone wants to start a petition to get S&W to resume production, I'll sign it
From a gun board consumer standpoint and as a big fan of my 3rd generation Smiths, absolutely they should bring them back!
From the standpoint of the, much larger segment of casual home defense gun buyers who's only going to buy 1 maybe 2 guns in their lifetime only to have it sit in a sock drawer; "what's a 3rd generation S&W?"
"My, dad, son, coworker, hair stylist, neighbors gun nut friend etc said to get a Glock something or other"
From the standpoint of S&W; no way shareholders, accountants and upper management decision makers armed, with the latest market research confirming the current crop of tactical, high speed, plastic fantastics, are the lions share of the handgun market today and putting monetary resources into a 30+ year design with little more than a cult following of internet enthusiasts will agree that it would be a sound business move to reintroduce.
Of course, that's just my opinion and if anyone wants to start a petition to get S&W to resume production, I'll sign it
ontarget
Member
I bet the Turks could sell us a 5906 copy for under $500.
Homerboy
Member
Nobody likes them to begin with? They were enormously popular among police departments and civilians, too. They’re all over movies and TV in the mid nineties and into the 2000’s. I’ve had at least two dozen over the years and I still have 8. They don’t get carried anymore because for me every ounce and inch matter, but a 5906 is my home defense gun, and I occasionally carry my 3953. I’ll always feel more comfortable slipping a hammer fired gun into my waistband.
