Monday, September 24, 2007

Gunnie Bleg...

Okay guys (and gals). I've got a conundrum. A quandary. An enigma, if you will...

I've got a line on a NIB Smith & Wesson model 910S - a traditional double-action semi-automatic pistol in 9mm caliber.

It comes with some serious goodies - six genuine pre-ban full-capacity magazines (yes, I know, move out of MA, blah blah blah). And the price is excellent.

I don't have many traditional double action semi-autos - they're either all single-action (CZ-52, 1911, etc) or DAO (Kel-Tec, SW99). I've only got one other 9mm, and with the price of centerfire ammo continuing to skyrocket, it makes sense to have another 9mm.

I've shot my dad's model 39, which is essentially the single-stack version, and it's a nice, solid gun. He loves it - and qualifies expert with it every year.

So... What's the consensus out there? I've always heard that S&W makes great revolvers, but fair-to-poor semi-autos. I love my SW99s and my 422, and have heard nothing but glowing reviews from the M&Ps. Any and all input would be appreciated...

That is all.

14 comments:

knitalot3 said...

Um...no idea. You could move to Idaho. We have really crappy drivers here and you'd feel right at home.

Jay G said...

LOL!!!

That just made me literally LOL, knit... :)

In all seriousness, at my last job I had an offer to relocate to San Antonio.

Since we had just moved into our brand-new home 9 months prior, I declined.

I curse that decision almost daily sometimes...

knitalot3 said...

um, San Antonio is really far from Idaho.

If you want the really radical freaks (including skin heads) you could move to Northern Idaho, otherwise SE Idaho is very potato growing, hunting, and live and let live.

Of course, there is the crappy driver thingy....

You know you would miss it if you went anywhere else.

Jay G said...

Yes, I know SA is very far from ID. However, they're both REALLY far from MA, and if I can't get Mrs. G. to agree to relocate 20 minutes north, another 2,500 miles ain't gonna happen either...

Besides, you're right. I just like complaining about it... :)

knitalot3 said...

Better to complain about it on the blog than have to hide bodies at stop lights. Now that would be TOUGH!

Strings said...

In all deadly seriousness: if you pick up said pistol, I'll store the mags for ya. I don't personally like Smith autoshuckers (don't feel right in my hand), so they'd be waiting for you in exactly the same condition they arrived...

Give it some thought bro...

Anonymous said...

Sorry, Jay, but I'd pass on it. the ONLY S&W auto I like is their 1911. And I've heard more bad stuff than good.

Can you shoot it first? No, you said NIB, so I guess not. Well, S&W does have that great warranty, so I guess you could take a chance at it.

Weer'd Beard said...

If you've shot one and like it, buy it, but any gun with a DA trigger AND a manual safty, AND a mag disconnect, I would never consider as a carry gun.

IMHO skip it and buy a Sig if you want a DA/SA 9mm

Anonymous said...

1) I've shot a 4506 ( .45 ACP ) and found it a food pistol. Looks are alittle kludgy but seems to work okay. Between it and a SIG P220 in .45 I'd keep the SIG I have now.

2) The only wishlist for S&W autos is either a 1006 or a 1066/1076 in 10mm Auto. It wouldn't be a carry gun but still a very decent pistol.

S&W autos are generally good but not great. Good cop guns but not military level of trust. Still, if the price was right, grab it and shoot it. You don't like it, get rid of it. Me personally I'd rather have a Glock or a SIG.

To the guy wanting to hold onto his mags... if the pistol has preban mags and the pistol is old enough, he can use them with a Class A permit.

Joe R.

Jay G said...

strings,

I can own/possess the magazines as long as they were made prior to the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban. Governor Mitt "RINO" Romney signed the MA AWB into law - effectively continuing the expired Fed ban in MA in perpetuity.

ross,

Like I said, I'm torn. I love my SW99s - they've been reliable workhorses, easy to clean and maintain, through thousands of rounds.

But I have heard lots of horror stories about the Smith autos. Granted, most were the first- or second generation autos, but there's enough question out there...

weer'd,

The DA/SA doesn't bother me much, and IIRC the mag disconnect can be overcome (although it really doesn't matter much to me). The thing with buying a Sig is the price - this gun is easily $200 cheaper than a 226 or 229, and it comes with pre-ban hi-caps...

Joe,

My experience with Smith autos has been limited to the SW99 polymer series, which I really like; and my dad's model 39, which is an all-steel single stack model.

I'd like to get a Sig, but this is a new S&W pistol at a price significantly lower than a used Sig...

One clarification - in MA, only the magazines have to be "pre-ban". The only handguns that matter WRT pre-ban are those like the Intertec-9 which were banned under the Federal AWB.

Stupid, I know, but it is the law...

Anonymous said...

No problem - I throw in the pistol reference to get people to think.

The only problem on a standard S&W auto that I didn't like was the rear sight on a guys 1006 that was loose in the slot ( the blade, not the base.) The pistol was nice to shoot but that loose blade bothered me. Too bad he ended up in jail and I don't know where the pistol ended up at.

TOTWTYTR said...

Jay,

I have a 5906 and a 3914. Both are great semi autos, at least in my opinion. The 5906 is pre ban with three 14 round mags. It's really a pleasure to shoot.

The only modification I would recommend is Hogue Monogrips.

I'd definitely go for it.

Unknown said...

I have owned a 5906, 457, 1006, 4506, and 4566. All but one were perfect.

I had to send the 1006 back to the factory for a new extractor spring (which they took care of at no charge), but after that it worked fine.

Anonymous said...

The 3rd generation Smiths (like the 910), are generally regarded as good, reliable pistols. It took Smith 30+ years, but they did eventually produce semi-autos that would function on a regular basis. If the price is right - around $300 is what a 910 would probably sell for, it's a decent deal.