Community Stories

So... any of our members here have an interest in firearms?

03Hemi
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Professor Professor
My S&W is what I suppose is the first version Model 59. It has an unprotected windage adjustable rear sight.
I never liked the feel of the grip. The thin plastic grips are okay but the slab sided grip frame has no radius at all at the web of thumb. Alright for most I suppose but I don't have much flesh there.
From the looks of later models others have had the same problem and they addressed it in later grip designs.
I considered filing a radius there but decided not to alter what might be a collectible .
The early version have a rather sloppy trigger pull, it's apparently that way for all these and not just mine.

When cleaning up a CZ52 for a friend I was surprised to find the grip of these felt no better in my hand, though it looks like it should be comfortable. I guess my hand only fits a revolver grip well.
When firing this same CZ52 years ago I found I could not hit the ground with it if I dropped it, though no one else had a problem with it.
The 59 was the next generation of the 39's, great guns. And yes, you can certainly do something about that trigger with an upgraded spring kit from Wolf Springs. "If" you can completely disassemble the gun yourself it's an easy job to do.
 
Waltesefalcon
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Mtek Mtek
New nightstand set up. Stand by


I’m still concerned with some of the reports. I ran it until it was hot, but do far no issues. I’ll let everyone know if problems.

I do think those holding out for the 4.25 will have made a better choice. I think the 6” is a bit nose heavy.
My Python is a 4" and I've always preferred that to the 6" so I imagine that will hold true with these new ones.
 
Mtek
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Waltesefalcon Waltesefalcon
My Python is a 4" and I've always preferred that to the 6" so I imagine that will hold true with these new ones.

I’ll probably get a 4.25 and hopefully a snub if they make one.

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Waltesefalcon
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If they make a snub version that is what I'll try to snag. I can't afford an original snubby.
 
03Hemi
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Wow, turns out this 4566 Fresno 150th anniversary edition railed stainless is a pretty rare gun. The feedback I'm getting from forum members at the S&Wforum is these weren't made in large quantities. Trying to nail it down and may have to have it lettered, but it may have been only a dealers sample making it extremely unique and rare $$$$? I'll keep y'all posted.
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voere
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03Hemi 03Hemi
Wow, turns out this 4566 Fresno 150th anniversary edition railed stainless is a pretty rare gun. The feedback I'm getting from forum members at the S&Wforum is these weren't made in large quantities. Trying to nail it down and may have to have it lettered, but it may have been only a dealers sample making it extremely unique and rare $$$$? I'll keep y'all posted.
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I would give S&W customer service a call ask them about your 4566 if the rep is in a good mood the rep may look up the information they have on record for your pistol. Sometimes S&W goes above and beyond customer service That's a good thing in my book

S&W 5906

This melonite version is an uncommon 5906 that is one of three made for the "RCMP" royal Canadian mounted police
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03Hemi
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voere voere
I would give S&W customer service a call ask them about your 4566 if the rep is in a good mood the rep may look up the information they have on record for your pistol. Sometimes S&W goes above and beyond customer service That's a good thing in my book

S&W 5906

This melonite version is an uncommon 5906 that is one of three made for the "RCMP" royal Canadian mounted police
Wow voere, that's in pristine shape! Nice. That's a good idea, I'll try that, but I'm going to send the info/pictures to Roy Jinks and get a letter on it. He'll know everything about it. The only thing coming up at the S&W forum on anybody's S&W's archives is they only made a "test" batch for the Fresno Sheriffs Office, but never went into production or service and therefore extremely rare.
 
ArtGecko
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Something old, something new (ish)

Dad's 1954 Omega Seamaster, and his 1948 High Standard HD Military, both purchased new, and now in my stewardship. (I also have Dad's 1955 Winchester Model 12 20 gauge, but didn't think to add it to the photo. And I have my grandfather's 1914 Savage Arms Model 1912 Automatic takedown rifle.)

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My Omega Seamaster 2551.80 (1999), Smith & Wesson Model 686 Distinguished Combat Magnum (1986), and Smith & Wesson Model 642 Airweight (2012), all purchased new. (More in the safe, but these are the only stainless/aluminum that go well with the Seamaster. Everything else is blued and walnut! 😀 )

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noelekal
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Good stuff ArtGecko!

I wanted an HD Military for years. Got a good lookin' one and thought I'd scratched my itch. Perhaps I didn't now so much about High Standard magazine feed lips and possible issues, but the poor pistol wouldn't give reliable function and I became exasperated and traded it away. Still wish I had one.

Do have a wonderfully accurate High Standard SuperMatic Trophy. Never bobbles.

 
Partagas
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ArtGecko ArtGecko
My Omega Seamaster 2551.80 (1999), Smith & Wesson Model 686 Distinguished Combat Magnum (1986), and Smith & Wesson Model 642 Airweight (2012), all purchased new. (More in the safe, but these are the only stainless/aluminum that go well with the Seamaster. Everything else is blued and walnut! 😀 )

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I like the airweight J-frames. I'm way overdue to shoot my Model 38 Bodyguard. I bought it new, wow, think it was 27 years ago! Not mine, below, but the same gun.

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ArtGecko
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noelekal noelekal
Do have a wonderfully accurate High Standard SuperMatic Trophy. Never bobbles.
Very nice! I can't tell from this side; is that a Connecticut one or Texas? I have a very late (unstamped( 107 Supermatic Trophy from New Have, serial number 2,500,XXX. One of the very last before the doors closed for good.

Before Dad died, I bought an HD Military of my own, so that I could use it while my eyes were still young, so I now have two. I had a 101 Olympic Third Model that I've often kicked myself for selling,

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ArtGecko
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Partagas Partagas
I like the airweight J-frames.
I hate it, but it does what it is supposed to do and is light enough for pocket carry. I'm small framed, and full loads hurt like Hell after a box of practice. And shooting lower power for practice changes point of impact. I've since changed to low power full wadcutters for practice and carry. The Lucky Gunner did a series of videos, and convinced me they are "good enough".

I'm considering a 3" Model 60 for OWB carry. I'm usually in an untucked flannel shirt or loose fitting t-shirt, so OWB would work fine. The 686 is a bit conspicuous. 😀
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Partagas
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ArtGecko ArtGecko
I hate it, but it does what it is supposed to do and is light enough for pocket carry. I'm small framed, and full loads hurt like Hell after a box of practice. And shooting lower power for practice changes point of impact. I've since changed to low power full wadcutters for practice and carry. The Lucky Gunner did a series of videos, and convinced me they are "good enough".

I'm considering a 3" Model 60 for OWB carry. I'm usually in an untucked flannel shirt or lose fitting t-shirt, so OWB would work fine. The 686 is a bit conspicuous. 😀

Well, I agree not the most comfortable to shoot! I haven't carried it in years, but I was pretty accurate with it and enjoyed shooting it...in moderation! For summer carry, I prefer the super easy pocket carry of a Ruger LCP in a DeSantis Nemesis.
 
noelekal
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ArtGecko ArtGecko
Very nice! I can't tell from this side; is that a Connecticut one or Texas? I have a very late (unstamped( 107 Supermatic Trophy from New Have, serial number 2,500,XXX. One of the very last before the doors closed for good.

Before Dad died, I bought an HD Military of my own, so that I could use it while my eyes were still young, so I now have two. I had a 101 Olympic Third Model that I've often kicked myself for selling,

DSC_0031.jpeg IMG_0291 (1).jpeg

This one is from Hamden Connecticut. I think I recall that it's a 1973 gun.

A group shot of "snubishness" old and new. I like owning 'em, but not as keen on carrying 'em.

A stainless steel Smith & Wesson Model 649 is on the bottom left. I love the Bodyguard J-Frame more than any other Smith & Wesson J-Frame based model and the Model 649 is pleasingly heavy with its steel frame rather than one of the flea-weight aluminum alloy framed models. A Smith & Wesson Model 642 is also kept on hand, but I don't like light weight, especially in a cramped J-Frame. Mrs. noelekal has appropriated the Model 642 for her use. She likes it fine.
 
ArtGecko
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noelekal noelekal
This one is from Hamden Connecticut. I think I recall that it's a 1973 gun.

Nice! PM me your name and address, and I'll send you an authentic High Standard patch. I picked up a few when I was in the HS Collectors Association.

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03Hemi
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I just read a report from the armorer in Fresno California (thank you S&W forum member living in LA) when the 4566TSW were in service and it seems at that time they only had 675 in service that were being traded back to S&W and being fazed out to make room for the new plastic fantastic coming in. The report said it was because of the trouble with getting parts to service these (and other older weapons) due to parts availability.
At least we know how many were produced with these markings (Fresno S.O. 150 Year Anniversary), around 675 produced between 1990-2004. Explains why we don't see them come up for sale.
I can't find any info on line that's useful about this particular gun, but at least now I know it's scarcity.
The integral railed stainless 4566TSW still remains an elusive bird. Plenty of railed 9mm, railed 40TSW, railed 4566TSW in Melanite, stainless 4566TSW with riveted on black rail, but not many 45TSW to speak of like this. She'll be retired and displayed.
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03Hemi
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4566TSW in stainless with "riveted" rail for those that want to see one.
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Waltesefalcon
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I have a buddy who picked up one of those Kimbers awhile back, nice little gun.
 
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