S&W TDA pistols

[Trevor]

Would anyone like to confirm or deny that Smith and Wesson has discontinued its traditional double-action metal frame pistols?  I am referring to the models derived from the Model 39, which was the first American-designed double-action 9mm pistol.  It entered the market in 1955.  In 1971, its sibling the Model 59 went on sale.  This pistol was the first “wondernine.”  If these pistols are discontinued, it is a historical moment.  The current S&W online catalog lists several models of the iteration, but each “buy” link shows out of stock or unavailable.  Is it only a matter of time now before the pistols are no longer listed?  If so, it completes the Glock revolution started over twenty years ago.  Tactical Tupperware rules.

[Timothy]

It makes sense as with injection molding, machining or casting of the molds is done PRIOR to injecting the tupperware.  With investment casting or forging, the machining is done after the casting and considerably more expensive for the gun maker.  Changes can be made in a 3D modeling software such as SolidWorks, and function of the mechanism can be subject to force analysis before a single part is made.

It saves money and that's really what manufacturing is all about.  Make things people want as cost effectively as possible and make a profit doing it.  If they continue to sell a HUGE inventory of guns like they have in the past, there are only so many people to buy them.  Unfortunatly, highly skilled machinists and gun smiths are finding themselves out of work as a result!

Along these lines, Para Ordnance has severly cut their gun line as well and they basically make ONLY 1911 style firearms!

[Neon Knight Anubis]

I think they only produce the TDA pistol per request by law enforcement (LAPD still buys the 45s, I think), and they keep a couple of 9mm in production but I think that's it as far as the civilian line. The M&P is doing much better and I think they are just accommodating the market.

[Trevor]

The S&W TDA line, descended from the first Model 39, has a lot of handgun history wrapped up in it.  For instance, the S&W 645 was the first successful double-action auto in .45 ACP.  Its successor the 4506 went on to sell well and helped usher in many double-action .45 ACP pistols.  The 1006 was the first successful TDA in 10mm Auto.  Had it not been for the 1076 debacle there might have been a future for this configuration in 10mm Auto.  The 4006 was S&W's first pistol chambered for its own .40 S&W cartridge and was popular amongst law enforcement for a short time.  Of course, it was displaced in this group by Glock and Sig.  

The 5906 in 9x19 remains a cult favorite.  Were it made still in a decocker only version without the dreaded magazine disconnect device, it would sell.  I would buy one.  Remember the Gun-of-the week journey S&W took around 1990 with its third-generation pistols?  It drove collectors crazy, but for a few months there were DAO & Sig-style decocker pistols produced that proved how versatile the line up of third-generation pistols was.  Finally, let us not forget the 3913 and variants that demonstrated a good concealed-carry weapon could be made with just the right balance and heft.   It is all gone now.  The new M&P pistols may make more sense in today's market, but they lack the mystique of metal on metal.