Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns S&W 3rd Gen Autos

That's nice, however, I don't even know why you are bringing those pos up. They are not even 3rd gen smiths. There is a big difference there. The OP has some nice 3rd gens. That long slide competition 4006 is one you will never find. He probably custom ordered that one.

Very nice gun, LD.

MM

Actually, no. I just walked into the TargetMasters gun store and there it was. When I saw that it came factory equipped with a BAR-STO barrel, I was most impressed. And, though I was an FFL holder at the time, I simply plunked down the full retail price for it right then and there, so it wouldn’t get away. I knew nothing about its limited run status, it just looked really nifty, and I had to have it.

Dang l_d, I like that one a lot.

My first carry gun was a Model 59, I needed a belt and suspenders...lol

Can’t argue with reduction of profile at all. Matter of fact I tend to avoid places where I’m most likely to be “chosen”. It’s those unanticipated events that bother me. Wife carries an Airweight for the same reasons you pictured the AirLite. For me a G23 has been a companion for so long it’s become acceptable in all but the most discreet circumstances. I’m liking the 5903 a lot and have standard 15 round factory mags to go with it. Either capacity allows for not carrying an extra outside a vehicle. But the slightly lighter G23 is hard to leave behind and is still in that category. Wandering a bit here.

The only third generation Smith I've owned was one of the 4516s, an early one, NOT a 4516-1. I never had any issues with it, and never knew why they came out with the dash1s. The only problems I had were the weight, and the muzzle flip, which was enormous. I went back to a LWT Commander, which weighed less and shot just as well, without the muzzle flip.

I had a second generation 745 for awhile, until the slide started coming apart at the spring tunnel. It was nice to shoot, but had a lot of muzzle flip, too, compared to a 1911.

Smith made good autos, usually reliable and accurate, but they could be a PITA, too.

Did they alter the mag release button design with the 3rd Gen? I wasn't aware that they had.

The taller a pistol sits in the hand, the more muzzle flip is likely to become an issue; it’s all about the leverage. Double action mechanisms typically require more space beneath the bore line than single action mechanisms. For example, compare the bore height of a S&W 645, 745 or 4506 to a 1911:





The shorter the barrel, the worse muzzle flip can get, as demonstrated by your experience with the 4516.

Kahr Arms employs a unique double action design to mitigate that, as the mechanism is placed alongside the feed ramp rather than below it. Compare the 3913 to the P9, both with 3-1/2” 9mm barrels:





These images are not scaled to match each other for accurate size comparison.

You're not allowed to refer to the scientific realities associated with bore axis height, and its effect on muzzle flip, here at the fire. You will now be opened up to ridicule.

Thanks for the warning. But, I’ve already been ridiculed here by those who believe themselves good at it. Still here and unrepentant.

Thanks for the invite. The ridicule doesn't stem from physics, it stems from the "everything else the same" requirement of your argument. Everything else is never the same, unless you want to sell me on a Kahr being easier to control than a 3913 due to the low bore axis.

It’s always enjoyable watching Jerry Miculek do his stuff. With the unbelievably extensive training, and a vice-like grip, such as Jerry has, muzzle flip wouldn’t present much of an obstacle. But, the forces to be counteracted will still be the same.

My 3rd Generation Smith & Wesson autos are still with me, and I am most pleased with them, despite their few drawbacks, which I see as completely inconsequential for my recreational shooting activities.

But, the only way I’d ever have a 4516 is if someone gave it to me, because my .45 ACP CCO Frankenpistol shoots very well indeed without my needing to work at it nearly so hard:

Always wanted a CCO.

Make your own. That’s what I did. Actually two, the second one’s in 9mm. Shoots like it’s on autopilot.

Oh, with these, CCO stands for Colt Copy, Obviously.

I’ve read where some guys are/were using 4506s for shooting .45 Super loads. I’ve thought about that; even got myself a 22 pound recoil spring and some Hornady 230 FMJFP bullets to load. Just never went through with it. As the years take their toll on me, I grow less enthusiastic about taking a recoil beating.

Anyone here use a 4506 as a .45 Super? How’s that working out?

Intriguing, though the notch is of typically too shallow depth:



Compare that with the old, unfortunately long discontinued, MMC adjustable rear sight:



The Novak adjustable rear sight, shown on the 4006 pictured in the originating post above, has also apparently been discontinued.

Sad times are these.

Exchipy, got any suggestions for replacement sightsr for my 5906? Night sight lamps are burned out.

If you mean a Novak adjustable, your guess is as good as good as mine.

If you mean a standard two dot Novak, PM me an address and I’ll mail you one of these:



If you’d like to try an MMC, let me know and I’ll mail you this guy:






It’s a Tritium dot version (long ago depleted) that came coated with some sort of cheap black stuff (paint?) which did not hold up well. It can still serve as a very good adjustable rear sight for your 5906, just butt ugly unless you strip it, clean it up some and carefully black out the lamp lenses (they look like Meprolights to me).

Trijicon used to replace depleted lamps in Novaks for a fairly reasonable fee. You could ask them if they still do that. Had them do a few for me maybe 6 or 7 years ago.

A place called ToolTech in Michigan IIRC does or did tritium vial replacement. Nice guys, used them years ago.