NYPD handguns, S&W 5946 winner

CristianM

CristianM

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I just returned from a trip to New York.

On the streets there is a very strong NYPD presence. I was curious to look at their holstered guns to see what they prefer from the three choices they have: SIG P226, Smith & Wesson Model 5946 and Glock 19. (Older cops can keep their grandfathered revolvers if they want so.)

I didn't do a count, just estimating, but the differences were quite clear:

Most seem to prefer the Smith & Wesson Model 5946, then the SIG P226 and not too many (I would say especially ladies and short guys, just to tease Glock lovers:dancingbanana:) the Glock 19.

So, what's with this S&W 5946, or the base 5906? It looks like they don't make them anymore? Nice guns?
 
You are correct, S&W for the most part has/had stopped making the 5946 (for most of the world).

Nice guns I'm told. Prohibited of course due to barrel length.

Still available new for the RCMP.

Rumour is that the RCMP, seeing that they'd have a re-training nightmare on their hands decided to pay "whatever-it-takes" to S&W in order for them to continue making/supporting the 5946 for the RCMP.

Now I don't know what a company like S&W would charge for a personal request, but, it's probably safe to assume that each new 5946 is now obscenely priced; parts probably aren't cheap either.

It's a real shame since I've heard companies like Glock actually discount guns for Police forces. <sigh>
 
As most US agencies have standard issue pistols with officers having the option to buy their own preference from a list of approved guns, the 5946 may be the standard issue of the NYPD and officers just prefer to use that one as opposed to dropping the coin on a different one....
 
Personally, l have shot both, l carry and prefer the M&P40, low recoil as well, fit's the hand well, and shoots great, of course there not sig's, but for the money, a great choice.
 
G37 said:
You are correct, S&W for the most part has/had stopped making the 5946 (for most of the world).

Nice guns I'm told. Prohibited of course due to barrel length.

Still available new for the RCMP.

Rumour is that the RCMP, seeing that they'd have a re-training nightmare on their hands decided to pay "whatever-it-takes" to S&W in order for them to continue making/supporting the 5946 for the RCMP.

Now I don't know what a company like S&W would charge for a personal request, but, it's probably safe to assume that each new 5946 is now obscenely priced; parts probably aren't cheap either.

It's a real shame since I've heard companies like Glock actually discount guns for Police forces. <sigh>
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A retraining nightmare? WTF? It's a semi-auto pistol FFS. :confused::confused: Do they have to retrain staff when they get Ford cars instead of Chevys? Oh wait don't answer that - not sure I want to know :p :bangHead:
 
Joe549 said:
As most US agencies have standard issue pistols with officers having the option to buy their own preference from a list of approved guns, the 5946 may be the standard issue of the NYPD and officers just prefer to use that one as opposed to dropping the coin on a different one....
Click to expand...

I believe there is a choice of 3 different pistols they can select during the recruit training.

And I just also came back from NYC and also noticed how most were carrying the S&W.
 
The NYPD has 3 approved 9mm handguns, the Sig 226, Smith 5946 and the Glock 19. Officers are required to purchase their pistol but buy them from a Law Enforcement dealer for a stupid low price with the Glock being the cheapest, Smith in second and the Sig the highest priced. The last that I saw the difference between Glock and Sig was only about $150.

I know about 2 dozen NYPD officers and none of them shoot anything other than Glock for duty purposes. A couple in particular own several G19's and are very happy with them.

For those who are questioning the viability of Smith continuing to produce and provide the 5946 for NYPD, keep in mind that the uniformed numbers alone for the force are almost 35,000 officers so if even 20% want the Smith that's still 7000 units. Granted they probably never wear out...


blake
 
The Smith 5946 is a very good pistol. Incredibly reliable and very accurate. Its trigger takes considerable practice, but if you are willing to put in a few hours here and there dry firing, it is very manageable. It is heavy, but remember it is a steel gun. The departments that are transitioning to the M&P are doing so for a number of reasons, first off, Smith and Wesson is basically giving them the guns in the deal, but are making the profit back with the parts and service contracts - which are proving to be astronomically priced. The 5946 can be serviced every few thousand rounds and it keeps ticking along. I would buy one if they weren't prohib - just to have one.
 
daveg01 said:
A retraining nightmare? WTF? It's a semi-auto pistol FFS. :confused::confused: Do they have to retrain staff when they get Ford cars instead of Chevys? Oh wait don't answer that - not sure I want to know :p :bangHead:
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There is no bi-yearly qualifiction for driving like there is for shooting. The department has to train its officers on every weapon system and ensure qualification standards are met for each system. New handgun, new training regime.

IE the S&W has a magazine disengage. No mag and it won't fire. If your switch to a Glock then that alone would require a shift in understanding. "I can shoot without a mag in the gun if a round is chambered."

Guns are seen as a bigger liability. Not saying its right. Just the way it is.
 
fenceline said:
There is no bi-yearly qualifiction for driving like there is for shooting. The department has to train its officers on every weapon system and ensure qualification standards are met for each system. New handgun, new training regime.

IE the S&W has a magazine disengage. No mag and it won't fire. If your switch to a Glock then that alone would require a shift in understanding. "I can shoot without a mag in the gun if a round is chambered."

Guns are seen as a bigger liability. Not saying its right. Just the way it is.
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Interesting and well put, I had no idea about the disengage (I don't do much home work on firearms that I can never own..legally). Think I saw one of those smiths on the EE lately if they weren't prohib wonder what they would run for...

I would think that the glock would be a nice choice...I assume shaving as much weight off your belt would be nice lol..
 
I shot and carried the 4046 which is almost identical, minus the part that its a 40 cal. It has the worst trigger (DAO) ever (11+ lb's) and it had magazine problems from the get go with last round fail eject / stovepipe almost every 2nd or 3rd mag. (i blame those on the tired old magazines issued to me. New springs solved the problems almost immediately. Later on the gun would not eject every second round, as the ejector kept braking. Ugh i hated that gun, i feel for the RCMP with the 9mm variant, as smith is not making parts for the suckers anymore. If RCMP was smart, they would go with the M&P, with the mag disconnect and no need to pull the trigger to dissasemble, it might not be as much of a training issue whatsover.

I have a friend wiht the NYPD and he actually loves his 19. Has a personal one at home and swears by it. I would too because its dirt cheap and in the end, its absolutely reliable. i like the sig, and the smith, but i would never use either for duty, they are just not my thing, as range guns, sure, but i would not depend my life on either but the glock.
 
The 5946 isn't that bad. I have one issued to me. Even though I can shoot circles around it with my Shadow, I'm going to use the 5946 for IDPA.

If you can master a long heavy (8-12 lbs is the official number. Mine is 9lbs) double action trigger then every other pistol is much easier to use. Unless you are using the CBSA Beretta PX4 Storm. It's trigger makes the 5946 feel like a competition pistol.

I would argue that most police officers would take the lightest pistol they would be allowed to carry. The reason for that is that 99 percent of the time it is hanging on our hip with the 20 pounds plus of gear.

I didn't realize myself that heavier was better for shooting until I starting doing IPSC.

If the RCMP ever changes its' duty pistol, unfortunately the 5946s will probably be returned or melted down unless the firearm laws change. I can't see us changing anytime soon because of budget constraints.

My two cents.

Fozzy
 
The RCMP will switch to the Sig 226 when the 5946 is all over with. Certain units are already carrying them. Considering that they have over 26000 5946 that switch won't happen for a long while.
 
Certain RCMP units carried them in the past then went away from them to the 5946 and then to a Sig pistol again. I wouldn't say that every mountie will be carrying one anytime soon - or ever.
 
I've shot the 5946 (RCMP duty issue) and as mentioned above, there is surprisingly very little recoil given the weight; my tiny hands found the grip quite comfortable (I can actually see it being an issue for people with normal/big hands); and it did feel very solid overall. The trigger isn't the best but also not the worst I've ever felt. Not even close to being on my wish list but it's even farther from being junk in my opinion.
 
daveg01 said:
A retraining nightmare? WTF? It's a semi-auto pistol FFS. :confused::confused: Do they have to retrain staff when they get Ford cars instead of Chevys? Oh wait don't answer that - not sure I want to know :p :bangHead:
Click to expand...

Oh friend. My best bud has been in the government bureaucracy for only two years, on the management side... And the stories I could tell you... :yingyang:
 
the 5946 has a very SMOOTH trigger pull, sure it is heavy but once the gun is broken in it is no different then a very good revolver double action trigger pull.... just remember smooth trigger pull and keep front site on target and you will hit the x every time.
 
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