I have been looking for another S&W and was trying to determine what would work as a carry gun.

My decision factors:
1. Stainless Steal.
2. 9mm or 40 with 10 plus rounds.
3. Size smaller than the 39-2 I have.
4. Could fit other holsters I have. So S&W round trigger gaurds.
5. Under $300 out the door.

Found the 6946 and it met all these critera and felt very good in my hand. It was a police trade in and has some holster wear but everything is bright and in good shape for $265. I have cleaned her up and she was sure dirty but no worse for wear now. I only have one mag at the moment but will try to fix that in the next few weeks.

I'll post some pics tonight or tomorrow and maybe try to shoot it this weekend.

Who else has this model and how do you like it?

Srigs, I have the 5946 as my duty weapon, which is the same gun, slightly bigger, I think you'll be very happy with it.  Its pretty heavy, but I think its balanced nicely, its very durable and extremely reliable. Good luck with it!

Quoted: Srigs, I have the 5946 as my duty weapon, which is the same gun, slightly bigger, I think you'll be very happy with it.  Its pretty heavy, but I think its balanced nicely, its very durable and extremely reliable. Good luck with it!

JayJay4735,

I like the gun so far and have a holster that fits it quite well.  Here are pics of it:

Looks to be in great shape...and sounds like a good price, too bad it only came with one mag though...but still for the price you could pick up more and still  be ahead of the game....let me know how you like it after shooting.....by the way did it have the night sights installed on it?

Quoted: Looks to be in great shape...and sounds like a good price, too bad it only came with one mag though...but still for the price you could pick up more and still  be ahead of the game....let me know how you like it after shooting.....by the way did it have the night sights installed on it?

Thanks and yes it has night sights not super bright but still can be seen in pitch dark!

Ikor thanks for the comments and I'll post after the next range trip... :)

The 69xx Series S&W's are the only (that I know of anyway) S&W auto that does not follow the over complicated S&W numbering system.

"69" Compact, double stack 9mm
"4"   Standard model with DAO trigger mechanism
"6"   Stainless Steel frame and slide

But, the 69xx Series S&W's all have aluminum frames.

So, the 6946 should actually be numbered the 6943.

It makes me wonder who dropped the ball on that one, huh?

Anyway, I have a 6946, it's little brother, the 3953 and it's big brother, the 5943 (same thing as your duty weapon,  JayJay4735, except with an aluminum frame.  I swapped over the original grips with the arched back to a set from a 4006 with a straight back.  I don't have another auto pistol that fits my hand as well as that one does!

Hawgleg, how do you like the aluminum frame on yours?

Actually, I traded both of my 5906's after getting my 5943.  IMO, the all SS full-size S&W 9mm's, like the 5906/5946 are way too heavy for the 9mm round.  There's no recoil to tame, so the weight is just wasted IMO.

The 5943 and 3953 I have both came from the Suffolk Co. Sheriff's Department as unissued pistols.  If you have a choice, I would highly recommend swapping over to the aluminum framed 5943 for your duty weapon.  Your back will thank you for it!  I was issued an SW40F, and I was happy to carry such a light pistol when I also had to pack two spare mags, two sets of cuffs, radio, expandable baton, OC, keys, flashlight and a medical glove pouch.  With all your gear, plus the weight of your vest, every bit of weight you can save is a bonus.  I swapped over from leather gear to nylon, too.  It may not look as good, but it's sure more practical, and you don't get the "squeak, squeak" with every step!

yeah i would love to switch the frame, but we are very limited to what we can carry (even off-duty)  but that might be the thing to do once i'm retired....thanks for the info

Are you NYPD?

Sure is a good-looking piece, everything I see, somehow, I WANT!!    Right now, I'm into the GLOCK frenzie---So it goes, this, that, and the other  

Here's a pic of mine with a 59xx Series 15-round mag with the grip extension installed:

In regards to the way S&W names these I must admit I hate their stupid numering scheme....

I had a 4013 Smith (40 S&W, Tradional Double Action, Alloy Frame, single stack mag) and it was one of the best pistols I ever owned...  I never really liked the way they field strip but it was a nice small and lite auto...  Some days I wish I still had it!



Sounds like your purchase is a real winner... I need to look for a replacement for the one I sold!

p.s. I am pretty sure it was a single stack but it has been a long time since I sold this little auto.

Yeah, the 4013 is a single stack .40.  It's just a little beafier than the 3913.  Personally, I feel that the 39xx Series (I prefer the 3953 for DAO) is the best CCW pistol around.  I load up with Winchester Ranger SXT 115gr +P+ JHP's and certainly don't feel undergunned with a single stack at all.  I usually have two more mags loaded up on my hip, too.