Favorite 3rd Gen S&W

Favorite Smith 3rd Gens.

Mine include a 1006, 1076 and a 4566.

The 1076 came my way in the early '90s. While alternating with my Glock 20 on some days, it became my 10mm carry piece 'til the early 2000s. The 1076 was a former L.E. pistol, which, as is typical of such, was carried regularly but shot almost not at all. IOW, it was in pristine condition.

Of the S&Ws above, however, my favorite shooter is the 1006, to which I added Wolff XP f.p. & recoil springs. This is an old pic; I ditched the girthy Hogue panels for the factory one-piece deriln "palm-swell" grip.

S&W 1006


The 4566 I picked up from CDNN. It was part of a batch of L.E. "trade-in" 3rd Gens from a large midwest agency that was dumping them for some brand of polymer-whatevers.

S&W 4566


All of these 3rd Gen Big Bore Smiths are really great pistols. They're built like tanks, and each has proven to be a smooth and accurate shooter in its own right.

:cool:
 
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My 3914 is the rare black Lady Smith and I've carried it enough that the slide blueing is too thin now. I think I'll soon be getting the slide Ceracoated.
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Sounds like mine. I am thinking about sending it out to Birdsong for BlackT

3914-ls6.gif
 
I like alot of the S&W 3rd gen guns, my most carried gun is my 3904 but one of my all time favorites are my 10mm's 1076 or 1006. I will say a close second for carry is my 3913NL or 3953. So many choices so little time......:D

1 Nickel 39-2
1 3953
1 3913NL
2 3906
1 3904
2 5906
1 5926
1 1006
1 1076

I like them a little :o its funny all 9 & 10mm's
 
I have a 3913 and a 5906. Can't remember either ever having a failure, which is more than I can say about most of my autos. I also had the 908, which is the budget version of the 3914, and it ran great too. I traded it straight-up on a pristine 39-2, so I can't complain too much.
 
4513tsw

This is the weapon described in posts above: no rail, 6 mag capacity, special attention to this model at the S&W factory, I'm told. Bought mine about a year ago and haven't shot it yet. It is pristine--no scratches or wear whatsoever--and looks to be brand new. Came w/case & two mags.

I've read what great guns these are, and I'm looking forward to taking it to the range, hmm, I think. May just keep it in the safe.

From the discussion on this thread I'll be looking for some other S&W's. Thanks so much guys!
 
I have a 5906 and a 4506. Both great guns but I don't shoot them much. Also have a model 59 that has less than 200 rounds through it.
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Rare to see a 59 with so few rounds through it,...bet that is a little safe queen. ;)
 
Hands down the 5906 in my book. I think these things are pretty much indestructible! Love all the stainless steel. They shoot really nice too.
 
Which models had ambi safeties? I know my 4516 did. Being a lefty I always hated the "Van Goghs" what with the ear cut off. Ugly as well.
 
3913

There Seems to be a recent resurgence in interest in the 3913/3914/3953/3954/4040PD as people move away from the recent trend of super-small ruger LCP sized .380 semi-autos for something slightly larger, more robust, and more shootable.

Part of this is probably due to people learning various carry methods that allow for slightly larger guns.

Maybe S&W could make a few more 39xx:)



In addition to the 39xx, the 10mm third gens are really sweet. Any of the performance center third gens are winners too. Especially the later, very limited guns like the 356tsw's, 945's, 952's etc, etc. honorable mention to the workaday all steel service guns like the 5906, 4506, etc, etc. the way these guns "click" and "clack" in your hands is the personification of American industry. Just nice guns.

I think if they were able to more reliably implement frame safeties and sig-style decockers (x2xx models) the collective memory of the third gens would be better.
 
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kcub
Senior Member

Join Date: October 24, 2010
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 1,738
Which models had ambi safeties? I know my 4516 did. Being a lefty I always hated the "Van Goghs" what with the ear cut off. Ugly as well.
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Single side safety is preferable for concealed carry.

My 3913 will be taking a trip to Springfield to have it's left side safety removed at the factory. If they can change to decocker only, I will have that done too.
 
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