Why do people dislike S&W autos?

[Dorrin79]

Personally I just think they are overpriced for what they are, compared to CZs etc.

If I could get a NIB 3913 for <>$400 I would buy one, but at <>$600 it's just not a good buy, in my opinion, when I can get a CZ75 Compact for $400 or less.

I know there are some good deals out there on used ones, and if I ever decided to ta 10mm the 1006 would definitely be my 2nd choice (after a Delta Elite)

I think a lot of people dislike them because of the Clinton Agreement & the Sigma - it's taken them a long time to live that down (and they still haven't in large part)

 

[rde]

I own two and really like them. A 6906 and a 908S. Wasn't hard for me to understand that if I flip the lever this way it wouldn't work...but if I flipped it that way==>it would work perfectly, without fail, providing very good accuracy. If I practiced with the lever for a while...I would start flipping it that way (the way that made it work) when I wanted to put into operation...automatically. Then...and this is kind of scary...I noticed that the "that way" is the same "that way" on my Beretta 92FS, my Ruger KP94, and...well, a whole bunch of other handguns that I have as well. Hmmm...well...I guess I've got a bunch of handguns that are absolutely reliable and accurate but...well...with the safety/decocker/thingy in the wrong location and so confusing...are actually junk. Wonder if I can find a buyer somewher that just doesn't know any better.....

 

[jrpeterman]

I've owned 2 Smith & Wesson auots in the past, a Mod. 39-2 and 645. The 39-2 was nickle plated and the prettiest handgun that I ever owned. Size and weight were fine, I just wanted something with a higher magazine capacity in about the same size package. Sold the gun to my retired partner who still owns it and bought a Glock-19. No real gripes about the 39-2.

The 645 was a fine gun, but had some sharp edges that would catch you from time to time. The worst was the metal piece that helped retain the slide release lever. I liked the gun a lot, but now that I have a CZ-97B, I like the CZ better. I think that is the biggest problem with Smith's. They are a fine handgun, but there are others out there with features that are more appealing. I would not hesitate to buy a good used Smith auto. I wouldn't buy one new for the prices that they currently are retailing for. The prices are up there with Sigs for some of their autos. I just can't see the dollar value NIB.

 

[WorksForMe]

I happen to be a fan of the S&W 3rd generation autos. I currently am using all 40 caliber weapons. I’ve got both a 4006 and a CS40. They 4006 is not as accurate as I think it could be, but for carry purposes it seems to be fine. The CS 40 is a great gun to shoot, nicer than my Glock 27 although they could have made it a little more “pretty.†I find the S&W autos to be some of the most consistently reliable auto I have ever shot. They do have a lot of parts in them compared to some other guns. If they could shrink them down a little more and make a little trimmer model than the CS40, I’d be waiting in line to buy one. Unfortuanately for my budget I was holding a beautiful used 6906 in my local gunshop the other day. I’d gone in there lokking for something smaller, but what a nice weapon. Might have to pick up another S&W.

 

[B27]

I love S&W semiautos, as long as they have the number 41 on them.

http://www.fototime.com/F7EB830DA787984/standard.jpg

 

[Marcus]

Considering S&W has sold about a million autos it would seem that there must be a couple people who like them. Yeah the ergonomics of some models aren`t that hot but they make about a zillion models each with several grip configurations and action types there`s pretty much something for anyone if they care to look. While they don`t feel as sexy as a CZ and they`re heavier than a Glock they`re generally darn well made,reliable and accurate guns with good triggers and great sights (hard to beat Novaks).
I`ve had more than one person at the range tell me they don`t care for S&W autos (or 10mm for that matter). I ask them if they`ve shot one...

"Nope."

"Here try this." says I as I hand them my 1006 stoked with full power 10mm.

"Oh man,this is sweet! Can I shoot another mag?"

Heh,another convert. Marcus

 

[craig]

i got my wife a 908s. she really likes it. i tried it out and i like it too. love the decocker. yeah the safety took getting used to. it's been a totally reliable gun with about 700 rounds of various power and weight loads. round nose or hollow point, it doesn't seem to care what you feed it. reasonably accurate. i'm thinking of getting a 457 based on how good this 908s has been. besides i got to handle a 457 at a shop and it fits my hand okay. they look a little clunky but they seem to work well.

 

[Diamondback]

Craig...I've got a 908 too.....utterly reliable from the get go and slim and compact enough to carry comfortably. I really wanted the 3913 but when I stumbled across a 908 for $225 well how could I say no ? I have since added a CS9 which I got an equally good deal on to my battery of semi's and this Smith has also been remarkably flawless and easy to shoot. Now for the position of the safety/decocker and the traditional double action let me say my overall experience with shooting a variety of different pistols with different actions has been limited; the very first semi I fired was a friend's 1911 and I never quite became comfortable with it......it's manual of arms just didn't seem intuitive to me ( heresy ? ). I suppose it just comes down to what I have become familiar with. My ignorance is bliss ! I really don't know if these Smiths are better or worse than a Glock or Sig or whatever.....I do however know they have always worked properly when I pull the trigger and I feel as comfortable with them as I do with my old J
frames.....so I stake my life on a Smith.

-regards

 

[Roc_Kor]

I have a 915. It's not bad, but the grip is too wide for me and my Dad. We might be trading it in for a 1911, which I would love.

I WOULD like a 686. Those are NICE revolvers. My Dad used to want one but they are pricey to him.

 

[craig]

i'm probably gonna get flamed but here goes. i have a springer 1911 and it's been a great gun. i'm just not comfortable carrying it cocked and locked. i know the 908 has a long trigger pull in d.a. but you can drop the hammer again for a second strike without racking the slide. i also like the decocker. if i ever get in a bad situation i'd like to be able to safe the gun (if i survive) without worrying as much about having a accidental discharge. granted it's not the classic 1911 design but for some weird reason i like the overall design and layout of it. i still have to find out the differences between the 457 and cs45 and decide which one. maybe both if the wife doesn't mind. we switch off who gets a new gun, she'd want a couple of new ones too.

 

[Lofland]

DMiculek from Louisiana-- just curious, are you related to the legendary Jerry Miculek?

 

[Alan Fud]

As has already been pointed out, S&W auto's are not cheap. For the same money (and often times, even less), a person can buy a SIG or a Beretta. Despite this, I own more S&W autos than all of my other guns combined ...

... If I didn't think that their accuracy & reliability were excellent, I would have spent my money on something else and had some extra change left over in my pocket.

 

[Wolfy]

Alan nice collection!!

 

[Lofland]

Alan-- so which one of those is your favorite and why?

 

[RON in PA]

Have to say a few kind words about 3rd generation Smith autos: They have a smooth DA trigger and a trigger reset up there with the 1911 and Glock. They seem to go bang every time I pull the trigger with any type of ammo I've tried.

 

[Alan Fud]

Posted by Wolfy: ... Alan nice collection!! ...

Thank you.

Posted by Lofland: ... Alan-- so which one of those is your favorite and why? ...

• For Summer Carry (no coat / jacket / outer garment) -- 3913TSW because it's the smallest compact 9mm around without getting into the sub-compact region ... meaning it fits my hand without being TOO small.
  
• For the night stand -- 4006TSW because twelve rounds of .40S&W is hard to beat in a handgun.
  
• For Winter Carry (with a coat / jacket / other outer garment) -- 4513TSW because it's the smallest compact .45ACP around without getting into the sub-compact region ... meaning it fits my hand without being TOO small.
  
• For Fanny Pack Carry (when I go to a tourist place so the pack doesn't stand out) ... 4013TSW ... since it's a double stack, it doesn't conceal well on me under normal circumstancs but fits right in a fanny pack and 10 rounds of .40S&W make me more comfortable than 7 rounds of .45ACP in the 4513TSW or 8 rounds of 9mm in the 3913TSW.
  
• For carrying into the woods in a backpack -- 1006 because ten rounds of 10mm should be able to handle just about anything in these parts.
  
• For accuracy -- 5906TSW ... heavy gun, light recoil, adjustable sights; I can shoot this one the best.
  
• For general plinking -- 659 ... over two decades old and been through a lot so I'm not worried about an extra scratch or two.

 

[Storm]

S&W 4513TSW 45 Tactical

Deleted. I mistakenly responded to this thread while rsearching on the 4513TSW.

 

[Deanimator]

1. I don't like conventional DA/SA autos that can't be carried cocked and locked. I don't like their DA only guns either (see 2).
2. Trigger reach, especially on the .45/10mm guns is too long for me.

The M&P doesn't seem like a bad gun. The first one I picked up felt TERRIBLE in my hand. I picked up another one a few months ago and it felt much better. It probably had a different backstrap installed.

 

[kwelz]

I never liked any S&W Semi Auto till the New M&Ps came out. Now they are my favorite gun but I will never own one of Smiths older style pistols.

 

[Euclidean]

I'll be honest, the only S&W bottom feeder I own is the new M&P 9mm, full sized, no mag disconnect or internal safety and I love the thing.

So I found the initial question vexing, the new autochuckers are the bee's knees.

That said, I'd really like a classic 4506, 1006, 3913, and a couple others, but there's so many (dozens of) S&W revolvers I'd rather have first!

 

[PX15]

JMOfartsO:

I'm a senior citizen, so perhaps I can be forgiven for my appreciation for 3rd generation S&W pistols and we can just chalk it up to advancing senility...

I bought my first 3rd gen S&W in 1995. It was $402.00 (my friend was an ffl dealer and gave me a good price). It has NEVER bobbled in any manner.. It has been 100% reliable for over 13 years.. It is accurate at self defense range, in fact more accurate than my old eyes can take advantage of, but is is not "quite" as inherently accurate as several other 9mm pistols I own (or have owned)... The difference in accuracy at any reasonable distance would be of absolutely no consequence in a deadly confrontation, but if you are into plinking or semi-serious target shooting it would not be the winner.. It would be close, but not the winner.

Having said that, I consider for self defense purposes the 3913 is PLENTY accurate.. Even more importantly, I KNOW it will fire when I pull the trigger, every time. Reliability is JOB #1 as far as I'm concerned when it comes to a personal defense firearm.

Recently my Son asked me if he could have my 3913 "one day", so I cleaned it up and put it away for him. Of all of my little "stash" of firearms he has always loved the 3913 best of my pistols, and my pristine Colt Detective Special (nickle) in my revolvers.. I put the DS away for him too.





Anyway during the past couple of years I've finally settled down to liking my Walther P99c/AS, P99/AS and then I got my PPS (I'm not so crazy about).. Walther makes, IMO, so of the finest pistols on the market, but they are underappreciated by the majority of the American firearm buyers for the most part. I think almost ZERO advertising and marketing on Walthers behalf has something to do with that. I know my P99's are very, very accurate, and have been 100% reliable.

Then I "discovered" the HK P7 pistol (as sold my CDNN), and bought three of those suckers. Never in my life have I found a more accurate pistol.. They are fantastic firearms, but hey, they cost around $700 and have a couple of "quirks" some folks don't like. (I love my P7's.)

And then.... and then:

I saw the NIB S&W 6906's & 5906's in the CDNN catalog advertised with a lifetime warranty for $399.99. Since my 3913 was "stashed" I bought one of the 6906's (which is a 3913 in double-stack).

I love it. It's just like my old 3913 but goes "bang" more times. I like it... Not too much money for a class A pistol imo, and I find I prefer carrying it as my cc choice OVER my Walthers.. Weird? Crap, I can use the 15rd mags of the 5906 w/S&W Grip+2's and have a capacity of 15+1..

For an old fart with shaky hands and declining vision, I am inclined to prefer 13 or 15 rounds for a concealed carry firearm over one with a capacity of 8+1, NO matter how much more accurate that single stack might be. At my age I need ROUNDS over fantastic accuracy at self defense range.

Well actually I need absolute RELIABILITY, then mo' rounds....



So, I'm inclined to cc my 6906, and when I want to walk out "back" and try and place neat little groups in targets I'll use my HK P7.

I like 3rd generation S&W pistols. I think some folks who put them down have simply never had one. I know a zillion cops found them absolutely reliable and more than sufficiently accurate for on duty work for many years.

Just personal opinion, no offense to plastic gun lovers.

Best Wishes,

Jesse

P.S. I just ordered a nib 5906 yesterday for $399.99. I think it'll make a great house gun.

 

[rocinante]

A 915 was my first pistol. Still the pistol I have designated as the one I trust my life and my family life with. 16 rounds of hot hollow points in a gun I am positive will perform. It has fired everything from lead reloads to expensive defense ammo with zero problem. Bang.

I went to the store and handled a lot of pistols. It was the one that felt best in my hand and I liked the way it looked. My knowledgeable buddy gave it his blessing and I am glad I took it home. Very reasonably priced used. It fits what I want it for. High capacity, dependable, more accurate than I am, for me great fit and balance. Not the lightest gun nor a good CCW piece but I now have others fitting that role. Fun to shoot at the range and comforting in my night stand. That will do pig.

The only thing I wish it had was better sights. Not a lot of aftermarket options since it is the economy model of the 5906.

 

[Pilot]

I had an S&W 915 right after the hi cap mag ban came along. HATED IT. While it was reliable, it was the least accurate of all my semi-autos. The ergos were wrong and the gun just plain lacked soul. I sold it and never looked back. Love S&W revolvers, just can't stand their autos. And then there's the Sigma.

The M&P may be their saving grace, but I have a number of semi-autos that fill that roll and they start with the letters CZ.

 

[Storm]

Well, since I mistakenly resurrected this thread I may as well respond.

My first 3rd Gen Smiths were acquired right after they came out (late 80's/early 90's?) a 4506 and 5906 with adjustable sights. I shot them side-by-side with comparable HK and SIGs and considered them there equal in terms of reliability and pretty much in accuracy. But, from what I have heard they mostly went to police contracts and suffered in terms of civilian sales. Appreciation for these guns has certainly renewed with the police trade-ins.

I think that the former foreign ownership of S&W and the deal with the Clinton admimistration has really contributed to the dislike with many still holding grudges against the company although it's now different owners and US owned. Much the same happened with Ruger with perceived buckling to the anti-gun Administration.

I'd also say that Smith's reputation for its wheelguns has overshadowed the semi-autos. The Sigma, while a big seller, certainly hasn't had a sterling reputation, although greatly improved over time.

With the re-emergence of the 3rd Gen guns from trade-ins and CDNN type pricing, and the popularity of the M&P, I would expect to see Smith & Wesson's fortunes rise considerably.

 

[Janos Dracwlya]

I can think of a couple of reasons why people dislike the S&W autos:

1. Heavy

2. The magazine disconnect

3. (Snarky) They paid more for their gun than their neighbor paid for that police surplus S&W

I have always loved the S&W guns in spite of 1 and 2 above, though I wish there was a true DAO in their 3rd Generation guns. I've owned two, a 915 (traded to finance the purchase of a Sig P-226) and a 5906 (from a production run without the magazine disconnect). I'm looking for more without the magazine disconnect and have promised myself I will purchase another when I find one of those.

The two I've owned have been completely reliable and more accurate than I am. I also, despite the weight, like the feel, which is something completely subjective.