Popularity of 3rd Generation S&W Pistols

The 39-2 is an iconic and historically significant 1st Gen S&W pistol. Production ceased in 1982. It was succeeded by the similar 2nd Gen Model 439.

The 915 is indeed a 3rd Gen. It was the first of the "value line" 3rd Gen pistols. The idea behind the value line were simply to reduce cost of manufacturing AND reduce the price. A 915 is basically a 5906 with these changes:

--black, not stainless
--aluminum frame, not stainless steel
--nondescript fixed rear sight instead of Novak
--single left side thumb safety/decock
The 915 occupies an interesting spot because S&W made them for about 2 years (and kicked out a SLEW of them in that time) before they decided that they hadn't "cheaped" them down enough. The other value line pistols that followed directly are not as nice as the 915.

It's little more than (seemingly typical) internet panic that parts are "hard to find" for these pistols. To put it bluntly -- it's nonsense.

Certainly, some parts are long gone directly from S&W in new condition. Places like Numrich and Brownell's is loaded with them.

S&W does not (for the most part) warranty these pistols, but like a lot of things... what will ACTUALLY happen if you need their help changes by the day, the rep on the phone and perhaps their mood.

Call them with a cracked frame and no, they cannot fix nor replace. But they may offer you some M&P at a crazy-low price in an attempt to honor the broken pistol.

I've got more than a dozen S&W semiauto pistols these days, they are my passion. Five 1st Gens, five 2nd Gens and a bunch of 3rd Gens.

Not one single "scarce" part am I worried about breaking. If and when I do need a part... thankfully, they made a gujillion of them and -MANY- of the parts work across many similar models.
 
I've got a 6946.

6946.JPG

I'm keeping an eye out for a 3953.
 
QUOTE: "...Women are detailed and specific, when men are after the action and the "BOOM". That's why women are typically better shots than men..." :confused:

Maybe in your experience but hardly true otherwise.

But to the op's point, I do see a time when Smith 1st, 2nd and 3rd Generation pistols attain a much deserved appreciation that they never seemed to garner while they were in production. But, as WVsig opined, there were just too darn many of them made during their heyday to see them become collector pieces any time soon. And that's fine with me.
 
Really nice write up sevens. My 39-2 is in top notch condition. Plus is is incredibly accurate. When I took my concealed handgun course we fired 50 rounds out to 15 yards. My target had all but two bullets in a ragged hole. The two that were out were just a bullet hole away. My target was the talk of the class. It was better than the sample target in the class to show what a good group looks like. I am not bragging on me. Just how well this gun shoots.

I haven't shot the 915 but one time and then just a rocks on a pond dam about 40 yards away. But its cleaner than any 915 I have ever seen on gunbroker. For the $37 I have in it it is a keeper.
 
Oh how I wish they would bring back the all metal Smiths! Especially the 10mms. A little facelift for an updated look and a double stack series. You'd think that guns are selling well enough these days that there would be room for both plastic and metal lineups.
 
Sevens is absolutely right in saying the 915 is a third gen Smith, not a second gen as I stated in my earlier post. I think I just clicked the database I referenced and typed what I saw without thinking. BTW, the 908 is a third gen Smith which is very similar to a 3913.
 
While I currently don't have a 3rd gen, I do have a 39-2 in really good condition that I love. I used to own a 410, which was my first ever .40 S&W, and boy I miss her.

I will add a 3rd gen to the collection, and like touched on earlier, I'm not in too big of a hurry due to how many were made. Great pistols for sure, Smith should do a Classic line like they are doing with their wheels.
 
But, as WVsig opined, there were just too darn many of them made during their heyday to see them become collector pieces any time soon. And that's fine with me.
Click to expand...

Oh, there are a few that are worth collecting...
As far as rarity, there are models that had very tiny runs...
like the 4044...3914NL...certain LE special runs...etc...
and smaller runs, like the CS series (CS9, CS40, CS45) & 10xx series...
ya just gotta know what's what in the S&W 3rd Gen world ;)

I've got a CS45 & CS40, eventually I'll find a nice CS9 to round out the Trifecta...
attachment.php
 
Last edited:
I have the shield 9mm no safety I guess that's 3rd Gen. When pulling back the slide it stops about a quarter inch and doesn't engage without a light tap sometimes but that might be because it's still fairly new. Other than that is a fantastic little gun.
 
Jeff no Shields and other M&Ps aren't 3rd Gen, 3rd Gen refers to the last iteration of metal framed guns. They were phased out as the M&P line took over.

A little 3rd Gen decocker only love
 
Ha, I also have a CS in .45 and one in 40 S&W and looking for one in 9mm so I can have three little chiefs.



Have been looking for a 10mm 3rd Gen but don't want to go out to the online auction sites and pay what I see them going for.
 
Have been looking for a 10mm 3rd Gen but don't want to go out to the online auction sites and pay what I see them going for.
Click to expand...

I hear ya there...fortunately due to truckin',
run across 20-30 pawn shops a month...
so when I do run across a nice pistol, buy on the spot...
if out-of-state have 'em ship it to my favorite FFL ;)
Sooner or later, a good deal on a 10mm will pop up!
 
S&W 5900's Location?

The Anderson Police Dept.Anderson,In.,46016had used S&W 5900's until recent Glock change over.Maybe help TFL find some of those S&W 5900's your looking for.Good Luck,Skeets :)
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top