Today, Smith & Wesson is mostly known for revolvers and their growing line of M&P pistols. Despite the rapidly growing popularity of these polymer-framed striker fired semi-auto pistols, there’s also a lot of buzz around the former metal-framed S&W pistols that were discontinued a few years ago.Prices on the used market for the so-called 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation S&W pistols are still affordable, but have been rapidly rising over the past couple of years. These pistols are usually tough, reliable, and excellent shooters. If you happen to run across one for a good price, now would be a great time to snatch it up.The trouble with that plan is the absurdly confusing system that S&W used to assign the model numbers for these pistols.

1. Smith And Wesson Revolvers

Today, their M&P pistols follow a pretty logical formula. I carry a M&P9c — a. Makes sense, right? Well, the 3rd Gen equivalent of that pistol is the 6904. But if it was made before the late 80’s, it would be the 2nd Gen version — the 469.

Smith And Wesson Revolvers

And the single stack version would be the 3914, which is virtually identical to the 908. Confused yet?Unless you’ve committed these models to memory, looking at the numbers stamped on the slide of an old S&W pistol in the case at a gun shop or an online ad doesn’t really tell you much. Even if you ask Google for some help, you might have to wade through a multi-page forum thread to get a straight answer.Well, believe it or not, there is some logic to the old S&W numbering system, it’s just not particularly intuitive. So we whipped together this S&W semi-auto model number quick reference chart to make it a little easier for you the next time you misplace your S&W decoder ring.Our chart covers most of the regular production models for the discontinued Smiths chambered in major service calibers.

There are a few less common ones out there, but these are the pistols you’re most likely to run across today. Even with the chart, there might be a few confusing details about the numbering system, so keep reading for a little background info on each “generation” of S&W autos. 1st Gen PistolsThe first S&W semi-automatic chambered in a service caliber was the Model 39, which first saw the light of day in 1954. The aluminum alloy-framed 9mm pistol had an 8-shot single-stack magazine, a 4-inch barrel and a traditional double action/single action trigger with a slide-mounted safety/decocker, similar to what many people are familiar with from the Beretta 92 series. The Model 39 was developed as a potential replacement for the U.S.

Army’s M1911A1. The Army declined to adopt the Model 39, but the pistol was a commercial success, and was even used by a few police departments as one of the very first semi-autos carried by American law enforcement.In the early 1970s, S&W released a version of the 39 that used a double-stack 14-round magazine dubbed the Model 59. Together, the 39 and 59 are considered the “first generation” of S&W semi-autos. All of the following S&W 2nd and 3rd generation 9mm pistols are essentially derivatives of these two and in many cases, their model number provides some clue to that origin. The S&W Model 39 and the 439 that followed are among the only S&W semi-autos to come standard with a blued finish and wood grips.

2nd Gen PistolsIn the late 1970s the S&W models 439 and 459 were released, which are considered the first of the second generation pistols. These were basically the 39 and 59 with a few small changes and the number “4” added to the begining of the model number. Steel framed versions of these pistols followed, available with either a stainless, blued, or nickel finish. Blued and nickel model numbers start with “5” (539, 559) and the stainless steel models start with “6” (639, 659).In the mid 1980s, S&W released two alloy-framed compact versions of the 59 series; the 469 (blued or nickel finish) and 669 (stainless finish). Establishing the form factor that the third gen compacts would follow, these pistols had a 3.5-inch barrel and 12-round magazine.Around this same time, S&W also began producing their first.45 ACP pistol — the model 645.

This was a large frame, single stack pistol with an 8-round magazine, 5-inch barrel, and DA/SA with slide-mounted safety/decocker just like the 9mm pistols. There is one variant of the second gen.45 pistol — the single action only model 745, which was a special limited run intended for IPSC competition shooters.I hope you caught all that because here’s where it gets complicated 3rd Gen PistolsThe third generation of S&W pistols started hitting the market in the late 80s. They can be easily spotted by their four-digit model numbers. S&W continued the numbering trend they had started on the 9mm pistols — the 3900 series are full size and compact single stack pistols, the 5900 series are double stacks, and the 6900 series are compact double stacks.Third gen pistols in other calibers are much easier to remember.

The 4500 series is for.45 ACP, 4000 series for.40 S&W, and 1000 series for 10mm.So, looking at the first two digits of a four-digit model number from a 3rd gen pistol, we can know the caliber, and if it’s a 9mm, we might also know the frame size. The rest of the info we’d need is in the second half of the model number. The S&W Model 4506 is large, even by.45 ACP standards, but the slim single stack grip makes it usable even for people with small hands.The third digit indicates one of nine possible combinations of action type and frame size. Most S&W autos are DA/SA, but not all. Some are double action only (DAO), and a few were even made with a slide-mounted decocking lever and no external safety (similar to what you’d find on a Sig P220 series pistol).

Each model series has a frame size and barrel length that is “standard” for that series, which we’ve listed on the chart. The third digit will tell you if a given model is the standard size, mid-size, or compact.The final digit in the model number indicates the frame material and finish.

Frames are either steel or aluminum alloy and the finish is either blued/black (sometimes with a nickel plating), or stainless/silver. ExceptionsWhat makes this complex system frustrating to follow is that there are multiple exceptions to the product “codes”. Some are pretty easy to figure out like the “value” series pistols.

These were budget versions of the third gen pistols that lack some of the finishing touches of the standard models and have a three-digit model number. The first two digits reflect the caliber (9, 40, or 45).The Chief’s Special pistols are also easy to spot, like the one in the header image of this post. They are single stack, sub-compact variants with a “CS” pre-fix and they’re some of the most sought-after 3rd gen pistols on the used market. There’s one model each chambered in 9mm,.40 S&W, and.45ACP called the CS9, CS40, and CS45 respectively.Besides these obvious exceptions, there are a few sneaky model numbers that look normal but don’t follow the numbering trends. For instance, the 6906 should really be the 6903 — a “6” for the final digit normally means stainless steel, but the 6906 is an alloy framed pistol with a silver stainless finish.The compact.40 S&W pistols can also be confusing. Most are double stack, but a few single stack versions were made. The model 4040PD in particular breaks multiple model numbering “rules” and seems to have been given its name arbitrarily.Letter suffixes are another detail to watch for.

A couple of letters tacked to the end of the model name might mean something minor like a new finish, but they can also indicate major changes like the “TSW” (Tactical Smith & Wesson) series of pistols which indicate the addition of features like improved sights and accessory rails. Sometimes, the TSW pistols were built with a completely different frame size and barrel length than the standard model.Some of the oddball model names come from pistols developed by S&W’s in-house custom shop, the Performance Center. To keep things simple (relatively speaking, anyway) we didn’t include these and other obscure models in our chart.

If you want more detailed information on any of these models, I highly recommend picking up the which was a huge help in verifying the info for the chart.Hopefully, the next time you’re trying to track down a deal on an old Smith, this info will help your search go a little quicker. If we’ve missed anything important, or if you spot any errors in the chart, let me know and I’ll try to correct it ASAP. If you guys like this one, be sure to tell us in the comments and maybe we’ll tackle S&W revolvers in the next one!

. S&W Model 915 Worth?.If this is your first visit, be sure tocheck out the by clicking thelink above. Gpro.net. You may have tobefore you can post: click the register link above to proceed.

To start viewing messages,select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.Welcome to the Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association Forum, we hope you like what you find here and we strongly encourage you to with us, especially if you are from Pennsylvania. Once registered you will have access to participate in our community. Thanks for visiting and we hope you become a regular!. Get the word out, take a day off if needed, and please attend these hearings in Harrisburg.Pennsylvania Capitol Building, HarrisburgTuesday, September 24, 2019Wednesday, September 25, 2019. Im thinking of selling my Smith and Wesson Model 915. I have some idea what the gun is worth but im not sure.

I looked on Gun broker and they are asking anywhere from 160-380. The one for 160 looks like it pretty well beat up. What do yous think would be a good asking price for the gun if i decide to sell it? It would come with 1 factory 10 round mag and 3 non factory mags. 1 metgar (15 round) i think is the brand and 2 i think its an eagle mags (17 round). I cant find the other factory 10 round mag it came with which makes me mad. Other wise it would some with the box all of the original paper work I still have the original bill of sale from the handgunner in topton from 1997-98 id have to look.

Even the Trigger lock that it came with, and a Desantis Cozy Partner IWB leather holster.The only thing that is wrong with the gun is there is an idiot mark neat the slide release pin that you have to push out to break down the gun well i was trying to push it out using a metal tool and it slipped and there is just a scratch on the gun you can see it in the picture. Other wise it works great I only carried it from 2002 till October of 2004 when i got my Kimber 1911. 915's are great guns but don't sell for a lot of money. Maybe trade it on something?

You might make out better that way.I had a cherry 915 that I won on GB for not a lot of money. It was one of my favorite guns and a regular in my CC pistol rotation until some Reading piece of shit stole it.Yea, that would be a possibility. But im really only interested in Glocks, Sigs or like a 357 revolver so i would have to add money but that wouldn't be a problem. I still have to see what i feel like doing. I just wanted to see what people thought since the people here know a lot more then i do. Its just the type of thing i just dont rally shoot it and ill never carry it again.

Ive shot maybe 1000-1200 rounds through it. I'm thinking of selling it and taking the money so i can get something that i will shoot/carry more.

Its a great gun and shoots great, i just dont like that type of safety anymore.Don't use it. The pistol functions perfectly well without using the safety as anything more than a decocker.The 915 is every bit as good a self defense pistol as any virtually any Glock, Sig or HK.