S&W 3rd Gen Semi Autos

[1775usmarine]

I saw those too, but 319 for an out of production 3rd gen can't pass it up. Plus my CHP4006 is kinda lonely being the only 40 in a house of 9's and 45's lol.

I do notice on the tsw4006 the slide to frame when trying to rotate side to side by hand is just about nonexistent compared to my other 3rd gens. Though the 3906 is pretty tight as well probably do to it being fairly unused over its life and being beefer with the step up frame.

I'll get all the down and dirty pics and results once it arrives hopefully in the next 10 days.

 

[kaveman]

The 4046 is the bargain, no doubt. That's a $70 step up to the 5946 and at least from the pics of one example each, the 40's are in much better shape. I'm assuming they didn't pick the worst of the lot for pics and that 5946 looks pretty ragged. They also mention the loose rail on the 5946(common problem with those riveted rails)and don't mention such in the 4046 description so that too could indicate lesser wear/use on the .40's. Regardless, either of these are great shooting pistols with the heavy steel frame and will last forever. The exterior condition is just from banging around in a holster for several decades.

 

[1775usmarine]

The 4046 is the bargain, no doubt. That's a $70 step up to the 5946 and at least from the pics of one example each, the 40's are in much better shape. I'm assuming they didn't pick the worst of the lot for pics and that 5946 looks pretty ragged. They also mention the loose rail on the 5946(common problem with those riveted rails)and don't mention such in the 4046 description so that too could indicate lesser wear/use on the .40's. Regardless, either of these are great shooting pistols with the heavy steel frame and will last forever. The exterior condition is just from banging around in a holster for several decades.

Yeah Im not a fan of the riveted rail but hopefully im surprised by what comes.

 

[1775usmarine]

After looking through my 4th edition S&W bible I seen the 4046tsw was msde for 2 yrs between 2000 and 2002. Also seen the TSW kidney beans are easier to convert to tda and back than the earlier dao's.

 

[1775usmarine]

Picked up my 4046tsw. It has far less outside wear than my 4006chp. Would rate a solid 90 to 93. Came with unmarked din nighr sights, and of course it is filthy inside. Mag has an 11rd body with 10rd follower. 5rds functioned great. Will try to cleanup on my offdays and do a side by side with my 5946 as far as trigger pulls. For 319 not a bad deal.

 

[1775usmarine]

 

[1775usmarine]

According to S&W was made in 2003. Will call tomorrow to see if I can get a better date and to get a 3913 post recall grip for a grip that doesn't have a dimple.

 

[kaveman]

Looks like you got a nice one. That is a bargain.

 

[1775usmarine]

Looks like you got a nice one. That is a bargain.

Yeah was surprised when I pulled it out of the soft case. Got 2 straight backs grips and a hammer assembly on the way from midwayusa. Used my birthday pricing which I didn't know they did. The grips were around 13 a piece and the mim hammer assembly for my 5906 build was roughly 28.

 

[doddg]

Very interesting discussion.
I've had 3 different 3rd gen SW: 5906 x2 & a 4006.
Should have kept the 4006 w/adjustable sights: a great gun!
I think I bought it & sold it for $300: a true bargain!

 

[1775usmarine]

Yep I think Im at 12 or 13 different 3rd gen models. Will do a physical count when I put the 4046 up after cleaning. Also have the 1 frankengun.

 

[steif]

well, thanks guys.. I just ordered 3 from ssdi.
2 40's and 1 9. they only had 2 9's listed so they might be out by now..
I had never seen a 9 tactical 5946, it would be interesting to see the production numbers on all the tsw models, does anyone have a link or list?

 

[kaveman]

I have a chart that lists production numbers of some models, but neither the 4046TSW nor the 5946TSW are listed. Manufactured 2000-2002.

Not sure how many I've got. Went a little wild a few yrs ago when the 3rd gens were surlpusing out of LE and they were so cheap. Probably have more than a half dozen each of the 5946 and 4046 models(I like the DAO models primarily).

3953
3954
4046
4053
4053TSW
4586
5943
5943SSV
5944
5946
6944
6946

Have a few oddballs like a pair of CS9D's and a 5926 along with a 5906.

A pair of 1st gen 39-2's and a pair of 2nd gens,.......a 539 and a 639 I want to convert to DAO to 'replicate' the all steel 3946 S&W never really made.

 

[1775usmarine]

I have a chart that lists production numbers of some models, but neither the 4046TSW nor the 5946TSW are listed. Manufactured 2000-2002.

Not sure how many I've got. Went a little wild a few yrs ago when the 3rd gens were surlpusing out of LE and they were so cheap. Probably have more than a half dozen each of the 5946 and 4046 models(I like the DAO models primarily).

3953
3954
4046
4053
4053TSW
4586
5943
5943SSV
5944
5946
6944
6946

Have a few oddballs like a pair of CS9D's and a 5926 along with a 5906.

A pair of 1st gen 39-2's and a pair of 2nd gens,.......a 539 and a 639 I want to convert to DAO to 'replicate' the all steel 3946 S&W never really made.

I would find a beat up 3906 if you could find one and do the conversion. There was a 3904 on armslist down in southern indiana for 350 or 400.


Steif buy yourself the 4th edition standard catalog of S&W. Tons of info and pictures.

 

[kaveman]

I would find a beat up 3906 if you could find one and do the conversion. There was a 3904 on armslist down in southern indiana for 350 or 400.

But I already have the beat up 639.

3906 would be fine but I can't say I've ever seen a really good deal on one of those(except isn't that what turned up at Maple City Sports a few years back?). It'd have to be a 3906(because I want the weight of steel)and it'd have to be cheap(because I am cheap), and it would have to be rough because even if it was cheap and in good shape I couldn't bring myself to molest it with this cockamamie conversion to DAO I'm envisioning. 3906 is uncommon enough that I didn't expect to ever find one where all the above conditions were met.

Not that much difference between 2nd and 3rd gen for what I plan to do. Rear grip strap? I'm good with that.

 

[1775usmarine]

But I already have the beat up 639.

3906 would be fine but I can't say I've ever seen a really good deal on one of those(except isn't that what turned up at Maple City Sports a few years back?). It'd have to be a 3906(because I want the weight of steel)and it'd have to be cheap(because I am cheap), and it would have to be rough because even if it was cheap and in good shape I couldn't bring myself to molest it with this cockamamie conversion to DAO I'm envisioning. 3906 is uncommon enough that I didn't expect to ever find one where all the above conditions were met.

Not that much difference between 2nd and 3rd gen for what I plan to do. Rear grip strap? I'm good with that.

Yep the 3906 from Maple that now resides in my safe lol. That would be too nice to mangle. I think some 2500 3906's were made. A 909 could be another option, but I would wait for a beat up 3906. I've seen a handful over the years that went for around 400.

 

[1775usmarine]

Called this morning to S&W. They apparently still have some parts. The 3900 compact grips cost 24.89 shipped. Wasn't able to score them free.

The customer service rep I then talked to was able to tell me my 4046tsw was made 9-18-2003 and left their factory 9-24. If you call to ask about your 3rd gen its in their old system, which Im hoping doesn't get shut down down the road. Again depending on who you get you may or may not get the whole date made or the extra info.

 

[mcapo]

Called this morning to S&W. They apparently still have some parts. The 3900 compact grips cost 24.89 shipped. Wasn't able to score them free.

The customer service rep I then talked to was able to tell me my 4046tsw was made 9-18-2003 and left their factory 9-24. If you call to ask about your 3rd gen its in their old system, which Im hoping doesn't get shut down down the road. Again depending on who you get you may or may not get the whole date made or the extra info.

That’s good to know.

I’ve been told that they have a lot of spare parts. Getting them or talking to someone that knows they have them is the challenge.

Don’t know how true that is but I’ll keep the rumor going.

 

[1775usmarine]

That’s good to know.

I’ve been told that they have a lot of spare parts. Getting them or talking to someone that knows they have them is the challenge.

Don’t know how true that is but I’ll keep the rumor going.

I think I was on hold with parts for almost 10 min as he looked for the grips. He told me they may not have the dimple as the moulds may of changed. Not too sure how that could be especially when there was a recall years ago. Meh as long as they are new thats all I care about.

 

[1775usmarine]

Got my 5906 stripped frame assembled. Used the new MIM hammer assembly I got from Midway awhile back and tr he rest were parts from my collection of lots over the last 2 years.

Ended up creating a cocked and locked 5906 probably due to using a DAO sear release lever. The reset is extremely ahort compared to the factory 3rd gens I own, but the DA pull is 9.2lbs and SA according to my lyman puller is 8.2lbs. I don't really feel it since I have a wide trigger installed.

Might disassemble again and try a different sear release lever and order more hammer springs of different weight. Used a new recoil spring and hammer spring which if I recall are factory rated weights.

It does function those as intended and rounds were sent down range.