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Smith & Wesson Classic Series
Model: Smith & Wesson Classic PistolsWhen the "wonder nines" went big in the late seventies, S&W decided that it would get into the market. They took the M39, a single stack 9mm used in small quantities during the Vietnam war, and turned it into the Model 59, an aluminum framed, high capacity pistol. They currently produce "Third Generation" pistol.These use four digits to indicate the setup of the pistol. The naming system is quite complex, so it'd be best to check this source: World.Guns.Ru on the S&W.
One example would be the 4506. The 4506 was produced from 1988 to 1999, a modern weapon compared to the average M1911. All Smith & Wesson centerfire pistols are very similar, so switching to a different variant or caliber takes little getting used to. The 4506 is the basic stainless steel pistol with double-action/single-action firing. The 4506-1 is an upgraded version, recognizable by the rounded trigger guard and a blued hammer and trigger in much later versions. The 4516 is a compact version with a shortened barrel and frame and one less round in the magazine. The 4566 is a mid-sized version with a 4.5 inch barrel on a full frame. The 4505 is a rather rare 4506 with a blued carbon steel finish. The 4586 is a double-action only version with no external safety/decocker, much like a Glock.
The stainless steel finish makes the gun quite resistant to harsh weather conditions and the gun has good reliability across the board, even when dirty. One thing to note is that +P+ overpressure ammunition, according to the owner's manual, is not safe to fire in the gun. Keep that in mind if you find any overpressure cartridges; while some owners fire +P+ cartridges in their 4506s, this may not be entirely safe and will void your warranty.
Where to find:
Any S&W automatic is not particularly uncommon. At $600-650, it's not particularly expensive for a decent-quality gun.
Complexity:
These pistols come in many configurations for many users. They can be as simple to use as a Glock or SIg, or comparable to a modern DA pistol like a Beretta or USP.
Size and weight:
Weight 1.16 kg (2.6 lbs). Barrel length 12.5 cm (5 in.).
Action:
Double-action/single-action
Caliber(s):
9mm Parabellum (59XX)
.40 S&W (40XX)
.45 ACP (45XX)
10mm Auto (10XX)
Magazine:
Detachable box magazine. In 9mm, 15 rounds, in .40 S&W, 13 rounds, in .45 ACP, 8 rounds, and for 10mm, 9 rounds. Less rounds for smaller models.
Trigger:
Double-action for first shot with single-action follow-up shots. DAO variants available.
Controls:
The safety/decocker is on the back of the slide and ambidextrous; down for SAFE, up for FIRE,. The slide stop is on the left side of the frame just under the slide. The magazine release is on the left side of the frame just behind the trigger guard.
Loading: How to load the firearm and make ready to fire.
Condition One, or "Locked and Cocked." Chamber loaded, magazine full, hammer cocked and safety applied.
1) Point in a safe direction. Critical step in case the gun accidentally discharges!
2) Push the safety down to activate it.
3) Take a loaded magazine and push it into the magazine well in the butt until it clicks. Tug on it slightly to ensure that it is in place.
4) Pull the slide back all the way and let it snap forward on its own.
To fire, push the safety up.
Condition Two. Chamber loaded, magazine full, hammer down, safety off.
1) Point in a safe direction. Critical step in case the gun accidentally discharges!
2) Push the safety down to activate it.
3) Take a loaded magazine and push it into the magazine well in the butt until it clicks. Tug on it slightly to ensure that it is in place.
4) Pull the slide back all the way and let it snap forward on its own.
5) Push the safety down farther to decock the hammer.
Condition Three. Chamber empty, magazine full, hammer down, safety off.
1) Point in a safe direction. Critical step in case the gun accidentally discharges!
2) Take a loaded magazine and push it into the magazine well in the butt until it clicks. Tug on it slightly to ensure that it is in place.
To fire, rack the slide.
Unloading:
1) Point in a safe direction. Critical step in case the gun accidentally discharges!
2) Push the safety down to activate it.
3) Push the magazine release to release the magazine.
4) Pull the slide back and push the slide stop up to eject any rounds in the chamber and lock the slide open. Examine the chamber for any ammunition.
5) Push the slide stop down to release the slide.
6) Push the safety up to deactivate it.
7) Pull the trigger.
Field Stripping:
1) Point in a safe direction. Critical step in case the gun accidentally discharges!
2) Clear the pistol as described in the unloading procedures, then keep the safety off.
3) Pull the slide back until the slide stop notch is centered over the front rounded portion of the slide stop.
4) Push the slide stop pin on the right side of the frame in to the left and remove the slide stop.
5) Push the slide forward and ease the slide, barrel, and recoil spring off the gun.
6) Remove the spring/guide rod and barrel from the bottom of the slide, moving them to the rear.
When reassembling, push down the ejector and firing pin block levers while replacing the slide so it goes all the way on.
Design Quirks:
In many ways, the S&W Classic pistols are identical to the also popular Beretta 92 pistols. Aside from field stripping, the controls and overall size are identical. These pistols have been described to be much like 1911s in overall aesthetics, and the older models had quite distinctive "blades" along the rear sight.
John_234 |
Latest page update: made by John_234
, Nov 28 2010, 2:30 AM EST
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Keyword tags:
autoloader
handgun
pistol
S & W
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