S&W Police Trade-In Pistols

G

glockman68

Inactive
I have the opportunity to purchase a S&W Police trade in and was wondering if any other members have had an experiences with them. I can get the following:

3913-$319.99
3906-$269.99
3904-$239.99
6906-$279.99
6946-$259.99

All these pistols are in NRA (very good condition). I was wondering which models you would choose as I am not fimilar with the 3906 and the 3904, what do other members think of them? Any comments would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Glockman68
 
If I remember correctly (from when S&W brought out the 3rd Gen. pistols in the early '90s), the 3904 is the re-vamped 439 (which was the re-vamped 39) - a blued 8-rnd single column mag 9 mm with a 4" bbl and an alloy frame. The 3906 is the same in stainless with a stainless frame.

I had a 439 in the mid-'80s, and thought it was just fine. And the 3rd Gen. S&Ws had improved triggers. $239 is a pretty darn good deal for one. It wouldn't be my first choice for a 9mm, but the value seems pretty outstanding, so if I were in the market I'd likely give it serious thought.

Re: trade-ins. I had a police trade-in Mdl 60 that was wonderful, and when I managed a gun store for a couple of years after college we dealt in lots of police trade-ins that were almost all real values. They were used, but they'd for the most part been *slightly* used, and they'd mostly been cared for. Besides, the departments had gunsmiths on staff to deal with problems.

Hope this helped.
 
I've sold to and taken trades from LEOs, MOST of the trade ins were in like new condition inside with a little bit of holster wear on the outside. A very few were rustbucket and trash collections inside. Some people can trash a new Ferrari on the way home from the dealer.

If it feels good it probably is.

Sam
 
I wish to give you a different opinion. I have seen several Smith shooting LEO's abuse their handguns because the Smith auto's are crap. If you purchase one and shoot it by yourself you'll be OK, but as soon as you shoot it beside a quality handgun you'll be wanting to trade that boat anchor for a better pistol. If you want a LEO trade in get a Sig or Glock.
 
"I have seen several Smith shooting LEO's abuse their handguns because the Smith auto's are crap."

Yeah, it must be the beauty of those blocky looks and flat-black Tennifer, and the feel of PLASTIC in your hand, that make you just want to baby that Glock.
My police turn-in 4506 arrived in like-new condition except for a lot of holster wear (which just made the stainless more shiny). It has been 100% reliable with both self-defense hollowpoints and 200 gr. SWC target loads. Offhand, I put 8 of the latter into 2" at 15-20 yards yesterday. My Sig .45 never was this reliable. Additionally, my 5906 has been totally reliable and dead accurate. So, what part of "total crap" am I not understanding?


"as you shoot it beside a quality handgun you'll be wanting to trade that boat anchor for a better pistol. If you want a LEO trade in get a Sig or Glock."

No, you won't be trading, unless you cherish mediocre accuracy and faddishness. I promise you, the Smiths are just as "quality" as any Glock or Sig. The Smith autos may not be the ultimate in ergonomics, but I really don't think Glockers have room to talk on this one, what with the Glock pointing somewhere at the ceiling when held normally. And when was the last time you've heard of a S&W Kb?
Get a stainless 9mm, all you mentioned should be accurate and reliable, and very cost-efficient. I'd buy all-steel, it dampens recoil. Just my .02
 
Yeah, and so was the model 52 a piece of junk.

Look, I had a model 59 that deserved every epiphet you could call it.

I also have a 39-2 that has never failed to work perfectly and that I swear I shoot better than my eight inch Python. Go figure.

Some are junk, some are jewels. If you find a jewel, never let go of it.
 
I have a *&* 669 9mm that was a police trade-in.
I paid $249.95 for it. Other than some holster wear it is just fine. It has been totally reliable with several different rounds I have tried, using 3 different 12 round mags.
I thought the grip fealt pretty unusual when I first handled it, but the more I shoot it the better it feels.
I was reluctant to buy it at first, but now I am thinking of getting a .45 to match it.
I like it that well.
Dennie NRA Life Member, GOA
 
Actually, I thought about purchasing a police-trade in 3906 myself.

It is a full-size gun, but has a single-stack 8-round magazine, which makes the grip thin enough for both my wife and me.

But I passed on it, because I could never handle it or see it first. I've been told, though, that the curved backstrap and the thin grip make it a very pleasant gun to hold.

Skorzeny

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For to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the supreme excellence. Sun Tzu
 
I would NEVER buy a LEO trade-in. I am my department's gun nut, I mean armorer. I know first hand that most of these guys do not take very good care of their department issued guns. The guys that bought their own guns take better care of them. I field strip my duty gun at least every other week and clean/re-lube it (my theory is I want the thing to work, my life depends on it). I also wipe it down with a silicone cloth when I get home every night. I have tried to get my cohorts to do this and they look at me like I am insane....well I am but that isn't the point. ;) I have had some of them tell me that they don't even clean them after every qualification (I could tell some stories). They do clean them when they find out I am doing an inspection.

[This message has been edited by mrat (edited September 09, 2000).]
 
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