NYPD handguns, S&W 5946 winner
- Thread starter CristianM
- Start date
Liability issues.. Less likely to fire without a good reason, less likely to start sending a rain of lead in the general direction of the threat.
mudgunner49
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
There is a world of difference between a "gunfighting" pistol and a "threat management" pistol. By issuing a DAO to larger groups primarily comprised of NDP's (non-dedicated personnel) you greatly lessen the chance that someone under the influence of a massive dose of adrenaline is going to put their booger hook on the bang switch and rip a shot into someone who shouldn't be shot (at least right now). Unfortunately everyone (I'm generalizing here) on CGN thinks they're a gunfighter and leans into the idea of choosing a handgun based on their personal criteria.
After a lot of watching and training of cops and the like, I think that it's pretty hard to go wrong with a Glock or M&P, especially if you can set it up with a decent firm trigger pull, say somewhere in the range of 6-8 pounds and clean (non-gritty). If you're paying attention to fundamentals you can do good work with a trigger like that.
This is not the place for the average guy/gal to have their hands on a pistol with a 3# trigger pull...
blake
.... Simple answer, in two words: Liability and Adrenaline. Under extrema stress the adrenaline "kicks in " and fine motor skills tend to fall by the wayside. Thus, in a single action mode, the trigger pull is very light, and it would be all too easy, to inadvertently tighten up on the trigger an fire unintentionally. ...... Up close and dirty, and realistically that's where most pistols are used, the DAO is no handicap. Particularly with the 5946, as it points instinctively, very well. ( Grips and backstrap can be "changed out" to fit the individual, if required )..... David K
mudgunner49
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
No it isn't at the bottom of the barrel - there are lots of worse choices. Like any other quality pistol it is very reliable if maintained correctly and fed decent ammo from good mags.
Heavy?? Sure - hit the gym.
Stiff trigger pull?? Sure - but if it's smooth, heavy isn't necessarily all that bad. And once again - hit the gym.
And you'd really appreciate that all-steel construction if you ever have to pistol-whip someone...
blake
David K pulling the trigger is a fine motor skill, how do we ever manage it under the stress of competition.
The RCMP got the 5946 back in the day for next to nothing and it was a middle of the road semi back then. Until the Feds get their budget back into surplus the RCMP will be stuck with the pistol. The will eventually wind up with the M&P becuase S&W will give them the pistol for next to nothing for the prestige of having the RCMP use the gun. Carrying the 5946 around all day on my hip would get old quick. Glad the officers in the main are young and fit.
Take Care
Bob
The RCMP got the 5946 back in the day for next to nothing and it was a middle of the road semi back then. Until the Feds get their budget back into surplus the RCMP will be stuck with the pistol. The will eventually wind up with the M&P becuase S&W will give them the pistol for next to nothing for the prestige of having the RCMP use the gun. Carrying the 5946 around all day on my hip would get old quick. Glad the officers in the main are young and fit.
Take Care
Bob
FWIW, DAO pistols are actually a VERY good choice for Police carry. As mentioned, there's the adrenaline thing. Also, most police forces specifically look to hire ppl that are NOT gun nuts as 99.9% of their job is ppl skills and non-threatening situation management. They want ppl to only resort to the sidearm when there is no other resort. Most cops don;t ever practise firing except at yearly or bi-annual qualifications that they see as a tedious obstacle to getting their jobs done.
The Smith trigger is around 9# averge and it's cheaper than the SIG which is not a lot lighter, but does cost over $100 more for the NYPD officer. The NYPD version of the G19 has the "New York Trigger" to compensate for a perceived safety issue of there not being a DA first round. It's close to 20#. No way would 20# be suitable, but 9# is for most police in a life and death situation up close.
My favourite .40 shooter is a Beretta Centurion 96D which is DAO. It's buttery smooth and I actually prefer the consistent pull over a SA/DA pistol where the trigger pull jumps around between first and second shot. The Smith is not far different and is a well made machined-steel firearm. IT's not hard to see why it's liked.
The Smith trigger is around 9# averge and it's cheaper than the SIG which is not a lot lighter, but does cost over $100 more for the NYPD officer. The NYPD version of the G19 has the "New York Trigger" to compensate for a perceived safety issue of there not being a DA first round. It's close to 20#. No way would 20# be suitable, but 9# is for most police in a life and death situation up close.
My favourite .40 shooter is a Beretta Centurion 96D which is DAO. It's buttery smooth and I actually prefer the consistent pull over a SA/DA pistol where the trigger pull jumps around between first and second shot. The Smith is not far different and is a well made machined-steel firearm. IT's not hard to see why it's liked.
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NYPD glock trigger pull is spec'ed for 12#... not 20, and for conversation sake the original pull weight for the 5946 is spec'ed at 12# as well but after depot and breakin period most officers report a trigger pull of between 9-11#'s and smooth.
This is a very good thread! Not because I started it
, but by so many knowledgeable and very detailed explanations most contributors placed in.
Special thanks to the police officers who gave us here valuable insights of their experience!
, but by so many knowledgeable and very detailed explanations most contributors placed in.Special thanks to the police officers who gave us here valuable insights of their experience!
... Simple answer, and I've shot Competion as well as having carried both the "old Model 10" and the Pistol (5946 ) and, held on more than one occasion, someone at gun point. And have come very, very close to completing the firing cycle, and I can assure you there is absolutely no comparison ! ....... David K
From an accuracy point of view, I like the 5946 or at least the one I shot(RCMP issue). I used to compete in PPC and shot one of these guns at 25yrds in the prone position on a full size PPC target. Went thru a full mag and only dropped one into the 9 ring-thats pretty darn good accuracy for a duty 9mm. Found the DA trigger to be easy to shoot like my revolver. I would carry one if I had to-just in something a little bigger like the 40.
I think there will always be people that don't like the 5946 the same as lots don't like the Glock, Sig.... Everyone's preferences are different. For myself I can't say to much bad about it. Sure its heavy and has a fairly long heavy trigger but I find it comfortable in my hand and that long heavy trigger has on a couple of occasions given me that extra second to reassess before changing my and my families life forever. In addition I've been issued the same pistol for close to 10 years and after thousands of rounds it has never failed to do exactly what I expected when I pulled the trigger.
If the RCMP retires them I'd love to buy mine back but we all know that will never happen
If the RCMP retires them I'd love to buy mine back but we all know that will never happen
I was thinking that the other day actually.
It's a real shame they'll end up getting chop-sawed or melted someday. I had to trade my Depot-issued piece in for the black one a little over a year ago now. But I wrote down the serial number so hopefully when I go back to GD "Cynthia Bangsalot" and I can be reunited (Don't judge. What we had was special).
It's a real shame they'll end up getting chop-sawed or melted someday. I had to trade my Depot-issued piece in for the black one a little over a year ago now. But I wrote down the serial number so hopefully when I go back to GD "Cynthia Bangsalot" and I can be reunited (Don't judge. What we had was special).
Good Luck ! You'd need it !
..... David K
... Don't hold your breath waiting ! ... When "we" transitioned from the Model 10 to the 5946, I really tried hard to keep my Model 10, and even with good "connections" wasn't able to ! ( And I didn't even try to keep the issued MP5 ! LOL !!! )
..... David KAs much as I like the Model 10, I must say that I prefer the 5946. There is just no replacement for the extra rounds, etc. and I shoot it every bit as accurate. I think that we need to maybe start a movement to promote members being able to buy their issued 5946's if they have carried them for 25 years or something. Sell them to us without their prohib barrels and we can get them rebarrelled ourselves.
I would be all over that!! I'm sure that there's someone out there who could make custom replacement barrels. I'm not gonna get to hopeful though that it could ever happen.
