{"title":"Smith \u0026 Wesson Pistol Generations Guide","description":"\u003ch2\u003eUnderstanding Smith \u0026amp; Wesson Semi-Automatic Pistol Generations\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eNavigate the complete history of Smith \u0026amp; Wesson pistols with this comprehensive guide to identifying and understanding each generation. Whether you're looking for parts or trying to identify your pistol, this guide will help you understand the differences between 1st, 2nd, 3rd generation, and modern M\u0026amp;P series pistols.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003ch3\u003e1st Generation (1950s-1970s)\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIdentification:\u003c\/strong\u003e Simple two-digit model numbers\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Models:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eModel 39\u003c\/strong\u003e - 9mm, single-stack, alloy frame (first DA\/SA auto)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eModel 52\u003c\/strong\u003e - .38 Special wadcutter, target pistol\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eModel 61\u003c\/strong\u003e - .22 LR Escort pocket pistol\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCharacteristics:\u003c\/strong\u003e Basic model numbers, pioneering designs that established S\u0026amp;W's entry into semi-automatic pistols.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003ch3\u003e2nd Generation (1970s-1980s)\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIdentification:\u003c\/strong\u003e Three-digit model numbers (improvement on 1st Gen)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Models:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eModel 39 Series:\u003c\/strong\u003e 439 (alloy), 539 (steel), 639 (stainless) - single-stack 9mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eModel 59 Series:\u003c\/strong\u003e 459 (alloy), 559 (steel), 659 (stainless) - double-stack 9mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eModel 745:\u003c\/strong\u003e .45 ACP target pistol\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCharacteristics:\u003c\/strong\u003e Three-digit numbers, improved sights and features over 1st generation.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003ch3\u003e3rd Generation (1980s-2000s)\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIdentification:\u003c\/strong\u003e Four-digit model numbers with specific meaning\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModel Number Breakdown:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFirst digit = Caliber\/Frame Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3=9mm compact, 4=.40 S\u0026amp;W or .45 ACP, 5=9mm full, 6=9mm\/.45 ACP, 10=10mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSecond digit = Frame Material:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0=alloy, 9=stainless\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThird digit = Features:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0=DA\/SA, 1-4=various trigger\/safety configs, 5-6=compact variants\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFourth digit = Generation\/Variant\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePopular Models:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e9mm Compact:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3904, 3906, 3913, 3914, 3944, 3953, 3954\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e9mm Full-Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5903, 5904, 5906, 5943, 5944, 5946\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e.40 S\u0026amp;W:\u003c\/strong\u003e 4003, 4006, 4013, 4043\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e.45 ACP:\u003c\/strong\u003e 4505, 4506, 4513, 4516, 4526, 4536, 4546, 4553, 4563, 4566, 4576, 4583, 4586\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e10mm:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1006, 1026, 1066, 1076, 1086\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCharacteristics:\u003c\/strong\u003e Four-digit codes, most diverse generation, many variants with different trigger systems and safety configurations.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003ch3\u003eModern M\u0026amp;P Series (2005-Present)\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIdentification:\u003c\/strong\u003e Named \"M\u0026amp;P\" (Military \u0026amp; Police) instead of numbers\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Difference:\u003c\/strong\u003e Striker-fired polymer frame (not DA\/SA hammer-fired like earlier generations)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModel Lineup:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFull-Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e M\u0026amp;P 9, M\u0026amp;P 40, M\u0026amp;P 45\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCompact:\u003c\/strong\u003e M\u0026amp;P 9 Compact, M\u0026amp;P 40 Compact, M\u0026amp;P 45 Compact\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShield Series:\u003c\/strong\u003e M\u0026amp;P Shield (single-stack slim), M\u0026amp;P Shield Plus, M\u0026amp;P Shield EZ\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eM2.0 Series:\u003c\/strong\u003e Updated M\u0026amp;P with improved trigger and grip texture\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpecialty:\u003c\/strong\u003e M\u0026amp;P Bodyguard 380, M\u0026amp;P 22 Compact, SW22 Victory\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCharacteristics:\u003c\/strong\u003e Striker-fired, polymer frame, modular backstraps, modern design competing with Glock and other polymer pistols.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003ch3\u003eParts Compatibility Quick Reference\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBetween Generations:\u003c\/strong\u003e Parts are generally NOT interchangeable between different generations (1st, 2nd, 3rd, M\u0026amp;P).\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWithin 3rd Generation:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCaliber-Specific Parts:\u003c\/strong\u003e Barrels, slides, magazines, extractors, ejectors, firing pins\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInterchangeable Parts (same frame size):\u003c\/strong\u003e Triggers, hammers, sears, disconnectors, springs (in most cases), grips, sights\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMagazine Compatibility:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMagazines are caliber-specific and NOT interchangeable between calibers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e9mm magazines only fit 9mm pistols\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e.40 S\u0026amp;W and .357 SIG magazines may interchange (same case diameter)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e.45 ACP magazines only fit .45 ACP pistols\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003chr\u003e\u003ch3\u003eNeed Help Identifying Your Pistol?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eLook for the model number stamped on the frame, typically on the left side near the trigger guard or on the slide. Use the guide above to determine which generation your pistol belongs to, then browse our model-specific collections for the exact parts you need.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[],"url":"https:\/\/usagunsandgear.com\/collections\/smith-wesson-pistol-generations-guide.oembed","provider":"USA Guns And Gear","version":"1.0","type":"link"}