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Gen 3 smith auto's

MossbergboogieMossbergboogie Member Posts: 12,211
edited July 2013 in General Discussion
You can buy 2 for one glock or 4 for one 1911. They are very well made and reliable.

But alas people are turned off by them.

Cats nuts in the 1990's now you can buy them for a little of nothing. They seem to be really good shooters, but don't have much of a following anymore.

5906's were the main duty gun of many officers for a long time.

Comments

  • rscoleman88rscoleman88 Member Posts: 4,250
    edited November -1
    No thanks on a Smith auto pistol.
  • MossbergboogieMossbergboogie Member Posts: 12,211
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by rscoleman88
    No thanks on a Smith auto pistol.


    I once read that on GunBroker. [;)]
  • montanajoemontanajoe Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 60,240 ******
    edited November -1
    Smith has and does make damn good pistols,,,just none in semi-auto,,[;)][;)][;)]
  • 45forme45forme Member Posts: 948 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by montanajoe
    Smith has and does make damn good pistols,,,just none in semi-auto,,[;)][;)][;)]



    That's not true! There is the... Errr.. Umm.. Hmmm. 952 maybe?[;)]
  • cpermdcpermd Member Posts: 5,273 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    M&P pistols are very nice
  • barbwiredbarbwired Member Posts: 7,924 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Run a M&P real good get it hot and see if it don't seize up. A lot of agencies found this out.
  • ChrisInTempeChrisInTempe Member Posts: 15,562
    edited November -1
    SW59_1a_zpsccae72fb.jpg

    A model 59 I owned and carried for twenty years. Never a feed, fire or eject problem with any ammo I put through it. Clean and oiled or dirty and dusty on the trail it always worked. My only problem with the gun was the problem I run into with all double-stack magazine pistols. I'm a short guy and my hands do not get the full grip on a thick gun that I prefer.

    I liked that gun a lot. Carried it in the nylon holster mostly, back country hiking, wilderness travel. Typically on the backback hipbelt.

    Leather holster was for more civilized environs. Arizona having always been an open carry state.

    Finally sold it after trying the Ruger SR9 for fit. First double-stack pistol I could get a full grip on, even one handed. Wouldn't have sold the 59 (on GB) but could not be spending money without selling something, so that was that.

    The 59 was S&W First Gen. A good, solid dependable design in my experience. They kept improving in the 2nd gen guns (three digit model numbers) and 3rd gen (four digit, 5900 series). I'd be happy to own any of them, just for fun.

    If Ruger came out with a hammer fired pistol on the SR9 frame, one with a de-cocker, I'd get real interested about that. Or if S&W did similar, same interest. My striker fired SR9 has worked perfectly fine these past couple of years, but I still have that affinity for what I learned on.
  • William81William81 Member Posts: 25,482 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Wow...no love for S&W semi-autos....


    I have owned many over the years. Accurate, reliable and well made.
    One of my favorites is a 669 that I bought 25+ years ago. Still a great shooter.

    I could use another 5906 as I think about it...[:D][:)][8D]
  • nunnnunn Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 36,085 ******
    edited November -1
    The only problem I ever saw with a 5906, is that it is darn heavy for its size and caliber.
  • ChrisInTempeChrisInTempe Member Posts: 15,562
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by barbwired
    Run a M&P real good get it hot and see if it don't seize up. A lot of agencies found this out.


    Don't know about that one way or another. But then how many of us will ever be in such a situation where we have to do that? A pile of magazines pre-loaded and a whole lot of pistol combat in a desperate fight against numerous determined enemies? A non-stop tactical shooting competition with a speed trial? Something like that?

    Most gun owners do not own enough magazines to put all those rounds through a gun fast enough to build up the heat.
  • barbwiredbarbwired Member Posts: 7,924 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by ChrisInTempe
    quote:Originally posted by barbwired
    Run a M&P real good get it hot and see if it don't seize up. A lot of agencies found this out.


    Don't know about that one way or another. But then how many of us will ever be in such a situation where we have to do that? A pile of magazines pre-loaded and a whole lot of pistol combat in a desperate fight against numerous determined enemies? A non-stop tactical shooting competition with a speed trial? Something like that?

    Most gun owners do not own enough magazines to put all those rounds through a gun fast enough to build up the heat.
    It will happen and I didn't mean run 2000 rounds at once but try 250 - 350 like a break in period and see. And what the test shows to me , it maybe just a matter of time before it happens with just plain use. I have some S&W auto's and like them so I'm not a hater just some I don't think will hold up.
  • SP45SP45 Member Posts: 1,761 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    1st, 2nd and 3rd gen are all junk
  • GashaulerGashauler Member Posts: 2,281 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Used to have a 3913 but alas needed money so out the door it went. Wish I still had it.
  • Gunman760Gunman760 Member Posts: 140 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have a 5904 S&W and have never had any issues with it. Never fails to feed, fire or eject with whatever ammo you put thru it. It's PIA to take apart and clean, but other than that, it has never given me any problems and I have owned it for 33 years.
  • shilowarshilowar Member Posts: 38,811 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Mossbergboogie

    5906's were the main duty gun of many officers for a long time.


    I carried a 5906 for a time in my career. When we changed guns I could have bought it back for $195. One of those wish I had moments. I've always wanted a 6906 just for giggles. We changed to the Sigma, what a huge mistake, Smith had to replace our 9mm Sigma because they were junk, they were replaced with the .40 "enhanced" which was still junk, so we ended up changing again to Glocks. Never looked back.
  • gjshawgjshaw Member Posts: 14,770 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I just sold a 639 locally . Very nice gun that never misfired or stove piped for me as it was never fired by me. It was new old stock that had never been fired. They are bringing good money if NIB.
  • leadlead Member Posts: 2,311 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I've owned 3 S&W autos. All have been reliable, but not all have been my most accurate pistols. They are heavy, and seem to work best if kept oiled. I've always felt that if S&W had put better triggers in them, they would have been much more popular pistols.
  • tsavo303tsavo303 Member Posts: 8,913 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    there is a huge disparity on the 3rd gen smith old and current pricing, you are correct
    they are PITAs and hard to shoot with that trigger though.
    you couldnt give me one now
    I had a 1026, which the novelty wore off really quickly

    thankfully the M&P came to save Smith as a duty weapon supplier
    that is a good pistol
  • nunnnunn Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 36,085 ******
    edited November -1
    A colleague carries a VERY old 469 daily. It is exposed to a lot of perspiration, so it has little finish left, but it is dead solid reliable.
  • MaxOHMSMaxOHMS Member Posts: 14,715
    edited November -1
    I will take a 38 oz (+,- empty weight) solid stainless steel 5906 over any lego gun (IBTL [:D]) out there.

    I can shoot that heavy thing waaaaaaaayyyyyyyy more accurately than any I have ever shot.
  • DocDoc Member Posts: 13,898 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    They are cheap because there are so many of them and all the young squirts who haven't grown brains yet are convinced that a plastic 2x4 with rifling is a good pistol. The S&W autos have been enforcing the law and protecting hides since 1954. One of my daily working guns is a 5906 that was carried for 11 years by an Atlanta PD officer before I got it 8 years ago. Functions first time, every time.

    Yes, it is a heavy. Real guns made from steel are heavy.

    I also have a Model 39 made in 1980 that I picked up at a police auction in 1988. Best feeling gun I ever held. But the stainless 15 shot model makes more sense to ride around in my truck.

    Keep your Austrian Clunk, I prefer a real gun.
    ....................................................................................................
    Too old to live...too young to die...
  • M1A762M1A762 Member Posts: 3,426
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Doc
    They are cheap because there are so many of them and all the young squirts who haven't grown brains yet are convinced that a plastic 2x4 with rifling is a good pistol. The S&W autos have been enforcing the law and protecting hides since 1954. One of my daily working guns is a 5906 that was carried for 11 years by an Atlanta PD officer before I got it 8 years ago. Functions first time, every time.

    Yes, it is a heavy. Real guns made from steel are heavy.

    I also have a Model 39 made in 1980 that I picked up at a police auction in 1988. Best feeling gun I ever held. But the stainless 15 shot model makes more sense to ride around in my truck.

    Keep your Austrian Clunk, I prefer a real gun.



    Well said![:)]
  • jltrentjltrent Member Posts: 9,344 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Doc
    They are cheap because there are so many of them and all the young squirts who haven't grown brains yet are convinced that a plastic 2x4 with rifling is a good pistol. The S&W autos have been enforcing the law and protecting hides since 1954. One of my daily working guns is a 5906 that was carried for 11 years by an Atlanta PD officer before I got it 8 years ago. Functions first time, every time.

    Yes, it is a heavy. Real guns made from steel are heavy.

    I also have a Model 39 made in 1980 that I picked up at a police auction in 1988. Best feeling gun I ever held. But the stainless 15 shot model makes more sense to ride around in my truck.

    Keep your Austrian Clunk, I prefer a real gun.
    +1 I like mine, the trigger pull is nothing great.
  • Sooeyman2035Sooeyman2035 Member Posts: 3,226
    edited November -1
    I have the stainless S&W 4026 I bought when I retired from the PD. Absolutely reliable. Never a hiccup.
  • GrasshopperGrasshopper Member Posts: 17,041 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    SSHH,, its a good secret,,Smith autos are FINE guns,, I have a SIGMA 380 at my bedside!!! I took it one day for a total test. I ran EVERYTHING through it!! and it ran PERFECT,,and I am talking everything..I like them and have had MANY of them with NO problems-imo.
  • Mr. PerfectMr. Perfect Member, Moderator Posts: 66,437 ******
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Mossbergboogie
    You can buy 2 for one glock or 4 for one 1911. They are very well made and reliable.

    But alas people are turned off by them.

    Cats nuts in the 1990's now you can buy them for a little of nothing. They seem to be really good shooters, but don't have much of a following anymore.

    5906's were the main duty gun of many officers for a long time.
    http://www.GunBroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=356606734
    Some will die in hot pursuit
    And fiery auto crashes
    Some will die in hot pursuit
    While sifting through my ashes
    Some will fall in love with life
    And drink it from a fountain
    That is pouring like an avalanche
    Coming down the mountain
  • andrewsw16andrewsw16 Member Posts: 10,728 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by ChrisInTempe
    SW59_1a_zpsccae72fb.jpg

    A model 59 I owned and carried for twenty years. Never a feed, fire or eject problem with any ammo I put through it. Clean and oiled or dirty and dusty on the trail it always worked. My only problem with the gun was the problem I run into with all double-stack magazine pistols. I'm a short guy and my hands do not get the full grip on a thick gun that I prefer.

    I liked that gun a lot. Carried it in the nylon holster mostly, back country hiking, wilderness travel. Typically on the backback hipbelt.

    Leather holster was for more civilized environs. Arizona having always been an open carry state.

    Finally sold it after trying the Ruger SR9 for fit. First double-stack pistol I could get a full grip on, even one handed. Wouldn't have sold the 59 (on GB) but could not be spending money without selling something, so that was that.

    The 59 was S&W First Gen. A good, solid dependable design in my experience. They kept improving in the 2nd gen guns (three digit model numbers) and 3rd gen (four digit, 5900 series). I'd be happy to own any of them, just for fun.

    If Ruger came out with a hammer fired pistol on the SR9 frame, one with a de-cocker, I'd get real interested about that. Or if S&W did similar, same interest. My striker fired SR9 has worked perfectly fine these past couple of years, but I still have that affinity for what I learned on.


    Looks just like the one I bought in about '87. I still use it regularly in steel plate competitions and have to testify that it is a very reliable and very accurate gun. YMMV, but for me, S&W autos have been great guns.
  • sgm hagsgm hag Member Posts: 1,028 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Bought a new Mod. 39 S&W back in 1970 and loved it. It fit my hand perfectly, (the stacked 59 was too fat). I put thousands of rounds thru it with nary a problem. Then, I was burglarized and they took my pistol. They took a whole lot of stuff but all I missed was the 39. I know all the 9mm stories about, "no knockdown power, not enough rounds, hang-fires, failure to load, etc". Several years ago I happened across another one and grabbed it up. Plus, I've switched to hollowpoints and she hits really hard and makes a sizable hole, so, I'm once again happy. Besides, how many shots do you need to get the job done? If 8 wasn't enough, why would you think 14 would be?
  • beantownshootahbeantownshootah Member Posts: 12,776 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by montanajoe
    Smith has and does make damn good pistols,,,just none in semi-auto,,[;)][;)][;)]


    Smith 41 is a great pistol.

    I don't think the Smith Gen 3 autos are "great" but for what they cost right now, they're great.

    Where else are you going to get an American made double-action stainless steel modern gun with Novak sights for $400?
  • dog1944dog1944 Member Posts: 295 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Have a 745 a 52 and a 41 no problems
  • gesshotsgesshots Member Posts: 15,678 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    S&W makes auto pistols ?

    Thanks, I'll have to do a search !

    [;)][:D][:D]
    It's being willing. I found out early that most men, regardless of cause or need, aren't willing. They blink an eye or draw a breath before they pull the trigger. I won't. ~ J.B. Books
  • DRP-AZDRP-AZ Member Posts: 2,318 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Sigmas are garbage, the .380s are the worst, all the price of a real gun, all the quality of a Lorcin.

    The full size Sigmas are no better, just slightly better construction.

    I've always felt the Gen 3 Smith autos to be some of the PRETTIEST pistols out there. Even the early ones with the recurved trigger guard are heavy, shoot nice and feel solid, you can really pistol whip the crap out of someone with them. (Yes...)

    314660_02_smith_wesson_5906_9mm_640.jpg

    I made the mistake of buying a 4516 I saw once...it was expensive then, even for a used gun. Put some night sights on it, after I disassembled it and bead blasted the frame and slide. It was an early one when they still chromed the hammers and triggers...after that they went to black/blued ugliness...to cheap out, of course.

    But that POS would NOT shoot to point of aim. Fixed sights shot WAY off to one side and very low.

    Dumped it.
  • ruger41ruger41 Member Posts: 14,665 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    On my list of used gun wants are a Model 39-2 & a 645. Fresno PD was one of the first LE agencies in CA to use the 645's. Loaded with Winchester Silvertips. They used them for many years til they went to Beretta's.
  • select-fireselect-fire Member Posts: 69,524 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    41's and some that went thru the Performance Shop. Production autos..no thanks.
  • mlincolnmlincoln Member Posts: 5,039 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I own one of the first Sigmas that came out in 40 S&W. It feels great in my hand and has never, ever, ever had one single hiccup. It goes bang every single time I pull the trigger and is more accurate than I am.

    The trigger pull is bad, but in terms of good gun / bad gun, any reasonable person has to admit that it's a good gun. It works. It's accurate. It's reliable. It's easy to clean and maintain.

    If the poop hit the fan would I feel confident grabbing that gun? Without a doubt.
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