Smith & Wesson SemiAutos.

P

Pistole

Moderator
Why is it that S & W does not come to mind when talking about good semiauto pistols ?

We're used to putting Beretta , SIG , Glock , CZ etc , at the top when mentioning Semi Autos, but never S & Ws.

Is there something wrong with their autos ?

Or is it pure prejudice ?

I got a copy of the new S & W 2002 Handguns Manual ( Special Collectors Edition ) and it was really lame on the issue of semi autos.

Maybe their reputation ( of lack thereof ) is well deserved ......
 
Smith & Wesson pistols have built a reputation of poor or mediocre accuracy and are not alway comfortable to shoot. I think most of the accuracy reputation was earned by their early versions known as the 39 and 59. These early models also occasionally showed reliability problems. The 439/639 and 459/659 were more reliable and some were more accurate. The current models have pretty good reputations for accuracy and the blocky feel of the 59, 459 and 659 has been corrected. Smith & Wesson also got a bad rap when the former management signed an agreement with the Clinton administration in an effort to avoid litigation.
 
Not to be a wisea@@, but S&W has a very fine semi-auto heritage. The models you listed were all 2nd generation, which were hit or miss, like the 639 which is a very fine gun. However, their 3rd generation autos ROCK!!! Case in point, the 4506, 3913, 6906, 5906, 4566, etc. So they are very fine guns. My dad owns a beautiful 639 and his deputies have 5906's. They very, VERY rarely hit a snag.

If you have the opportunity to buy a 3rd generation Smith, go for it.

Chris
 
Hmmm, ok. I will get to the point. I am a CZ guy and have other guns also. I only had enough of a budget for 1- 9mm CCW. I already owned a CZ Compact..which was one of my favorite guns.
I ran across a NIB 3953....I tweaked it alittle for carry, slight melt, polshed the feed ramp..wolff 17# recoil spring...etc.
I chose to sell one of my 9mm's to gain a sweet deal on a Kahr K40. I chose to sell the CZ..the 3953 is just a sweet gun, especially for a carry. I walked into this deal on the 3953, completely ignorant about S&W's....I knew of the deal and it being over....I just liked the way the gun felt. Its very accurate even with a DAO trigger. I have around 400-500 rnds thru it and not a hitch in function except...Silver Bear Ammo.....wont shoot it again. Get what you want........and enjoy it. Shoot well
Oh ya...get a Hogue grip for any S&W s/auto...its like night and day for comfort. The plastic grip and flat backstrap dont make for a comfortable shooting platform.
 
I used to hate Smith autos myself but gave them another chance when I happened accross a NIB 1076. It is my carry gun now and I would not part with it. I even bought a second one "just in case".

My own dislike for Smith autos began with a 659 which was the first centerfire pistol I had ever purchased. It was not really reliable and accuracy was blah. The trigger was not real good either. I got rid of it when I experienced other brands. Years later I bought a 6946 (DAO, alloy frame) and a 5906. And though they were decent enough they did not stand out and were soon traded to make room for other brands.

I seem to be on a collection tizzy now for Smith's frame decocker models (ex. 1076) as their triggers seem much better than the slide mount safety models. In addition to the 1076s, I have a 4576, and a 5926 on the way. Though I have no real desire for another .40, if I see the 4026 I'll snap that sucker up too.
 
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Smith N' Wesson's 39-2 in 9m/m was far ahead of it's time;
a quality piece, capeable of extremely good accuracy.
I owned several specimen's of this model, and never ever
experienced a problem with any of them. Also, owned one
model 459 Smith; and it too was a masterpiece, with no
problem's.

The problem's arise with the third generation model's; and
in particular the Sigma series of semi-auto's. I have never
seen a Sigma that finished a police qualification course, with
out having some sort of problem. The 3913 seems to get a
lot of respect on this forum.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, Life Member N.R.A.
 
As stans said, comfort is a factor. I have small hands, and do not shoot the Smith autos very well. However, the same is true for Beretta and ParaOrdinance, they are very big in my hand. I stick with single stack 1911s and HiPowers.
 
I used to dislike *&* autos, but after owning a 411, a 4513 Tactical, and a 1066, I have changed my mind. Their third generation autoloaders are generally solid, reliable and well-made handguns. The 1066 in particular has turned into one of my favorite carry guns.
 
(Putting my political feelings aside about S&W). I have a S&W 4566TSW and have no complaints regarding its accuracy or reliability.
 
Little Confusing

I think stans has it about right when he states...

Smith & Wesson pistols have built a reputation of poor or mediocre accuracy and are not alway comfortable to shoot. I think most of the accuracy reputation was earned by their early versions known as the 39 and 59. These early models also occasionally showed reliability problems. The 439/639 and 459/659 were more reliable and some were more accurate. The current models have pretty good reputations for accuracy and the blocky feel of the 59, 459 and 659 has been corrected.
Click to expand...

The model 39 was a beautiful weapon and still is by most standards. The early double stack (59, 459, 469) were block feeling and accuracy was an issue, but the 3rd generation line-up for S&W is on par with most other manufacturers out there. Are they the best available??? No, not necessarily, but the guns that are better are on a short list.

I personally own a 4506 which has replaced my SIG 226 as my primary defence weapon (don't get too excited, the 225 is my main house gun and probably my best shooter). The 4506 has proven to be an excellent shooter and is very controlabe regardless of ammo used. Plus, you cannot find a better looking semi-auto pistol out there!!!:D

As to the Sigma line, I have only heard stories. Besides, if I want tupperware, I'll go buy a Glock. :p

It will be interesting to see how the new SA X-treme pistol stands up to the constant "but it's not a Glock" garbage that the Sigma had to put up with.

In summation, the S&W semi-auto line of pistols are good solid guns that should serve the user well.
 
If you go around the gun boards gathering opinions and stats about 3rd Generation Smith autos (except the polymers) you mostly get a picture of excellence. It surprised me. I picked up a traditional double action 3913. It shoots anything. The safety system makes keeping a round always in the chamber no concern, even during administrative handling of the gun. The DA shot is no big deal, although it could be a little lighter. Apparently, most of the the steel and steel/alloy Smiths are fine guns.
 
Generally, I feel that S&W makes relatively competent pistols, and that's about it.

They just don't stack up to many of the other semi-autos in ergonomics, reliability, functionality, or price.
 
My first new handgun was a S&W 915 w/ Novak sights intalled. Not a bad pistol at all, reasonably accurate and reliable. But alot of sharp edges and a horrible hump-back grip. Replaced that with a flat grip and was happy until I fired a friends G19, then it went the way of the trade-in. Also had a 3906, 3rd generation full size 9mm w/ a single stack mag. Felt good in the hand and shot well. Overall I think S&W autos are good reliable guns, but agree that there are better choices out there (depending on your purpose and taste). But don't get me started on the Sigmas....

mlk18
 
The main problem I have with Smith autos is the poor reliability I have seen in some models. The Sigma comes to mind as a jam amatic. ALso I went to the academy with about 20 State Troopers that were forced to carry Smith 4006's. I saw then malfunction more than I care to remember.
PAT
 
A: They're ugly, clunky and feel weird in my hands.
B: Smith and Wesson deserves no money from anyone for "The Deal" they made. Don't care if they're under new management - they should have gone under and it's gun buyers that kept them in business. So there.
 
I've not seen or experienced any problems with reliability in any S&W autos I've seen or owned. My wife has carried and shot a 3913 for over 10 years now and it has NEVER malfunctioned. I've used a 4013, 5906, 4566 and CQB for carry and IDPA and haven't had any problems with these either. They fit my hands very well. They're as accurate as I can be and feed all the different types of ammo I feed them. I've owned and shot all the other big manufacturers guns and seem to prefer the S&Ws.
 
I've owned several Smith autos, my current carry gun is a 4013TSW (pre-agreement and pre-that-stupid-accessory-rail). All of mine have been completely reliable with the exception of some ammo-induced failures (all with .40 S&B, so I steer clear). I have heard all of the talk about reliablility problems but I haven't seen it, in my guns or any of my friend's guns.
 
3913

This is the only S&W autopistol I own, but it is great -- use it for ccw a lot. Accurate, reliable, etc. Have owned it for 7 years now, and it is a true keeper. Only problem was the plastic grips -- kind of slick, so replaced them and that solved that problem!
 
S&W Autos

I own two S&W Auto Pistolas, One is a Md#39-2 which I bought LNIB , 70's vintage gun and I like it ;) It was my first auto from S&W. Feels good in my hand and have had no problems with it.
When I had wanted another Smith I looked at a 910 and thought it was pretty poor on quality for the money and it wasn't worth it :( My next purchase was a NIB CS45 which I really don't care for and I think is pretty poor on quality for the money, I only bought it because it carries the Chiefs Special name and I collect them.
I don't think the quality from S&W is by far what it use to be and believe them to be overpriced for what you are getting, I also feel this way with their revolvers. I haven't bought a new Smith revolver since about 1984 :( I just no longer have a liking for new Smith products anymore.
I believe my Walthers, Berettas, CZ's , Glocks and Baby Eagles are better guns for the money ;) and some of them costing alot less out the door :)
Just my thoughts on the subject, FWIW :)
 
Smith autoloaders.


Their 10XX series pistols are some of the best, most accurate semi-autos they ever made. :cool:

I've heard positive things about the 45XX series guns from those who own them, especially the 4566. Magazines for both are sturdy and usually problem-free.
 
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