So why do some people shun S&W autos?

[TopDog]

I'm sorry but its got to be a hit and miss thing. My only experience with these was the one my neighbor had. The trigger was absolutely horrible. It was heavy and clunky. Maybe they are not all like that but that one gun cured me of ever wanting to purchase one. My neighbor has since gotten rid of his.

I own a couple of S&W revolvers and love them to death. But I shy away from S&W autos because of experience with them. Just my

[rhino]

My comments apply only to the so-called "third generation" of Smith & Wesson self-loaders.

I share the opinion that they're the most underrated guns on the shelves in stores. It's unfortunate that most of them have been discontinued, but the market drives the production in this case.

The triggers on the three that I own (a 3914, 5904, and 5906) are all excellent, especially the double action. I won't discount singlestacksig's experience, but people like Bruce Gray can do magic on the triggers if you happen to get a bad one. Overall, however, I think that if you took 100 5906s, 100 Sigs, and 100 Berettas, more of the 5906s would have better triggers. That's my opinion.

Some criticize the all steel versions as being too heavy, but that can actually help manage recoil. Plus, the alloy framed versions are not that heavy. Some criticize the bore height, which as some merit because they do sit higher in the hand than a Glock. It's about the same as a SIG, though.

Reliability is as good as it gets.

Another factor is that if you have small hands or short fingers, the 59XX series is among the easiest to reach the trigger for conventional double action, wide body guns. I can't reach the trigger on a CZ 75B, I can barely do it on a SIG with a short trigger installed. I have no trouble with a 5906. The only conventional double action gun that has an easier reach to the trigger is the Browning BDM, another discontinued and highly underrated pistol.

The 3914 and its stainless cousin the 3913 could very well be the ideal compact carry guns. They're also very friendly to people with short fingers or small hands.

This is making me want to carry them again!

[in812]

I must have been real lucky I've owned 20+ S&W's and they all had great triggers

and to those who have had " bad triggers " did you ever Fully Disassemble the gun and clean it not just spray it down & swab the bbl where it looks clean

now you want to talk about a crappy trigger pick up new glock heavy pull, lots of over travel, long reset , over all ruff trigger setup factory

ok all you koolaid drinkers get on your soap boxes

but remember the question was "So why do some people shun S&W autos"
not how great glock are

[TopDog]

Originally Posted by in812

ok all you koolaid drinkers get on your soap boxes

I will wait until you get off your soap box.

[U.S. Patriot]

The only s&w auto i'll own is an m&p. They finaly got it right. For the money I would rather buy a 24/7 for $400!

[Joe Williams]

The 3rd gen 39/59 series are some of the finest handguns ever made, IMHO. The earlier ones were fine guns, and I've owned several. But the 3rd gen guns were flat out right. They aren't more popular because metal guns simply aren't fashionable any more. The only one still hanging in there with any real amount of popularity is the 1911. The Smiths are accurate, durable, and as reliable as any gun on the market today, feel great in the hand, and all the ones I've owned have fantastic triggers. Far better triggers than my XD, or the Glocks or M&Ps we've owned. As much as I like my XD9sc, the 3913 is a better carry gun, IMHO.

[Indy317]

Originally Posted by in812

but remember the question was "So why do some people shun S&W autos" not how great glock are

But that is like at least part of the answer to the question asked. I never got to shoot one of those S&W style autos. I actually had the chance, if I had just asked, but the department I worked for ended up going with Glock...but not for any reason other than that is what they were buying for new guns. They also had 1st Gen Sigmas, and they were awful. I actually never had an issue qualifying with one. The trigger also wasn't that big of deal to me. However, they had some issues with strikers breaking and front sights falling off. I have heard the newer Sigmas are much more reliable. So S&W likely got beat up over the whole 1st Gen Sigma thing...as that is the pistol they pushed to the LE market. As those few departments that purchased them had issues, my guess is that it gave S&W a black eye.

[shooter521]

I think that, aside from the fact that all-metal traditional DA/SA guns are generally falling by the wayside, some people shun the S&W 3rd Gen autos because they remember the spotty QC and "lawyer triggers" that Smith had in the late 80s/early 90s. Others are still sore at S&W for selling out to the Clinton administration, and refuse to use or recommend S&W products to this day (nevermind the fact that they have an entirely different corporate structure than they did then).

I've shot S&W 3rd Gens with great triggers and some with crappy triggers, just like most other brands out there. I wouldn't bet my life on a 1st or 2nd Gen S&W auto, but IMO, the 3rd Gens are vastly underrated. If I had to carry a traditional DA/SA pistol, it might well be a 3913.

[drgnrobo]

Always liked the s&w line of semi autos (5900 series,4006 series & 4500 series),they fit good in my hand & pointed well .I'm also a sucker for full sized autos & if I was to run across one at a reasonable price,I would probably snag it ,Police trade in or otherwise

[dbd870]

Owned 1 third generation and fired 1 other - didn't do all that well with either so no interest here. I agree with the poster who said they finally got it right with the M&P.