Smith & Wesson SemiAutos.

That was my question too for a long time. I have had 59's and I don't need to say a thing.

Then the wife wanted a S&W 952, because she loved her Mdl 41. She shoots bullseye.

Guys/Ladies, why in the #@$% doesn't S&W make more pistols like the 952, it is incredible. I have a pile of custom 1911's, Sigs, reworked Browning HP's and this is every bit of any of them. It is a real keeper like the Mdl 41.

They need to build more in the same manner to change their long standing reputation as makers of wheel guns.

LP
 
Smith Autos

I've owned two of the 2nd generation and three of the 3rd generation. To me, the triggers on the 3rd gen guns are so superior to the earlier guns that the 2nd gen guns were not worth owning. The 3rds's cannot be beat due to the short trigger reset, that is why I prefer them to Sigs (even though the Sigs "feel" a bit better in the grip). I see a lot of rounds go downrange at the PD range, and the 5906's are very reliable, as are the 4506's. Not to say the Sigs and HK's aren't, it is just that I have not seen near as many in action, so I haven't seen near the number of rounds fired through them. I don't know how accurate they are, haven't actually benched them. Note: All my observations apply only to DA/SA guns, not the decocker version, DA version or, for heaven's sake, the Sigma. I tried the SW99 and found the trigger action "wanting."
 
Jhp147


I have seen my share of Smith autos on the firing line and I can't share your enthusiasm for them. I have seen them fail more than any other major brand. They do ok until it gets cold or they get a little dirty. They are very temperamental.
PAT
 
PAT,

I have shot mine cold, I have shot them dirty, I have shot them cold and dirty. I have shot them hot and dirty. Never a problem, with the exception of one not liking S&B. I have had more problems with my SIG than I have ever had with any of my Smith autos.

A lot of folks are Beretta fans, and certainly a lot of cops carry Berettas and love them. I know more than a few PA State Troopers had many problems with the issue 96D and thought it was the biggest POS they had ever seen (they have since gone to the 96D Brigadier).

Funny how some people have nothing but good experiences and others nothing but bad.
 
4506-1

I use a 4506-1 on duty. I have no complaints about it at all, exept in the ergonomics and trigger departments. The thing is huge, clunky, feels like a brick in the hand, and has a DA trigger pull that mimics dragging a dufflebag down a long dirt road.

Other than that it is fine. If it fits your hand, and you like heavy DA pulls (or can adjust it lighter, I'm not allowed to screw with it), its a fine weapon.

Mike
 
I have had pretty good luck with S&W auto's prior to the agreement I had a model 645 and a 9mm which I can't remember the model # of. They both were good performers that is until the agreement after that I sold them.However after the current owner change I bought a model 410 put some Hogue grips on it and changed the plastic guide rod out to a stainless steel gude rod seems to be a good HD weapon a little large for carry but NO F.T.E or F.T.F so far not as pretty as some smith autos but I like the plain all business look of this gun. As long as the carbon steel slide holds up over time firing the hot .40 's I will be happy.Not thrilled with the plastic sights though. Overall I think S&W auto's are reliable and of good quality just a little pricey for what ya get .
 
How 'bout the S&W 908....

I have one that I got prior to the S&W sellout, that I think is a fine little gun. It was an impulse purchase (it just whispered to me from the display case), but I've not been disappointed.

It's a single stack 9mm, so it makes a good CCW gun from a size standpoint. So far, it's swallowed everything I've fed it - which is quite a variety. The only thing about the gun that disappoints me, is the little wear spot on the slide where the slide lock sits. The lock has worn the slide (or actually, gouged it) bright. It doesn't seem to be getting any worse, but it still doesn't look "high quality".

Accuracy wise, it does as good or better than any of my other semi-autos. It's light and it feels good. The recoil is as light or lighter than any of my other semi-autos.

The only other problem is - the 908 seems to be the forgotten S&W model. There's almost no aftermarket stuff for this gun. Oh, well.... :rolleyes:
 
No complaints here about S&W semi-auto's. I've owned a few and all were good solid pistols. Strangely, I've never bought a new S&W semi-auto so they were good value also.
Presently, I've got a S&W model 6906. Slick little piece at 26ozs or so, compact, 12+1 capacity, reliable and good value in used form.
Also a S&W model 4506. There ain't nuthin' like a big stainless Smith. Beautiful pistol, reliable, built like a tank, and about the same size as a 1911 government model.
Somehow I just can't bring myself to buy a new one.:D Best, J. Parker
 
4506-1

I too have a 4506-1 and I absolutely love it. Of all the full size DA/SA .45s I have fired it shoots and handles just as well as most others and better than most.

The ergonomics were a bit different when I first got the beast but I contacted S&W customer service (who were very helpful) and for 14.95 I replaced the straight backstrap for the curved grip...WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!! I also tried the Hogue rubber grips and they seemed to add to much girth to the pistol.

The trigger on my particular 4506-1 is excellent, even comparable to the trigger on my P226. Plus, since I have fired about 500+ rounds through it, the trigger has lightened some.

All in all, the 4506-1 has been an excellent pistol that I picked up at a great price...$425.00 NIB. I would whole heartedly recommend one!!!
 
Hey PeterGunn;
Yeah, I love mine. These are great pistols IMO. I put it next to my 1911 and they are the same size. I believe they're 381/2ozs. so that would be about the same weight too.
I got mine used with a couple of nicks here and there but it polished up real nice.
Like I said earlier, I have a tough time buyin' a new one but used Smith's are good value IMO.
So if you carry a 1911 a 4506 is no bigger or heavier. They just look that way 'cause they're BIG and STAINLESS. :D Best, J. Parker
 
So far in this thread, the opinions are:

Neutral..............10

Unfavorable........4

Favorable..........16
 
Another data point...

Being the owner of a very pre-agreement Model 52 (1961 vintage), I doubt anybody who shoots one would walk away disappointed. It's the daddy of the new Model 952. And as soon as I pay a few more bills, I'll be looking for an older pre-agreement Model 41 to sit next to my Model 52 in the pistol box...;)
 
Well, it does seem that S&W semi-auto's aren't that popular with "enthusiests" but then again we don't seem to have a problem with them either.
I think it's part political and the fact that new S&W's are pricy little son-of-a-guns. Folks simply don't think the new ones are worth the tariff.
I personally think they are good, solid pistols and the used ones on the market are especially good buys. Best, J. Parker
 
Regarding pricing...HOLY SH*T! My 3953 was NIB with nights and I paid a very reasonable price for it. I looked at the 2002 S&W catalog....up to $ 925.00 for the new version of my gun....mine isnt the "TSW" version.
They are so over priced its not funny....what is funny is you can get them for about 1/2-2/3 of the original price...just about anywhere. I love my gun ...shoot well
 
I must admit that I wasn't a huge fan of S&W Autos. That was until I got a look at the 945. Sure it's pricey, but it's every bit as good as a custom 1911 and about $400-$800 cheaper depending on the competition.

Now, does that say I'll never buy a 1911 from Wilson, Brown, Baer, etc... heck no. But will the 945 always be one of my favorite... sure will!

-Red-
 

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One thing I meant to bring up in regards to price is that S&W does stand behind their products with a LIFETIME WARRANTY and their service department is very friendly and effecient the few times I needed it. Had to send a model 645 in because the slide mounted safety kept coming lose 8 day turnaround was pretty impressive . Although they aren't my all out favorite I like em and they are easy to mantain.
 
S&W autos have never really thrilled me,mostly due to their 2x4 ergonomics but I`ve come to appreciate their beefy 10mm line. I hope to add an obviously pre agreement 1006 (and a 1066 and a ....;) )to my collection at some point. I`ve always had a soft spot for 645s too. FWIW I think I should mention that I owned apparently the only good Sigma ever made. It was a 40V,it felt great in the hand,the trigger wasn`t all that bad and it was as reliable as the sun with everything from soft LSWC loads to 135gr. Corbon screamers. Never a jam or a problem in thousands of rounds. What it wasn`t was terribly accurate,it did great in fast fire excercises but suffered shooting slow for bullseyes. I traded it for a Ruger P-97DC. Marcus
 
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