Smith & Wesson Model 1046

About the Smith & Wesson Model 1046

The Smith & Wesson Model 1046 is a full-size, double-action-only variant of the Model 1006, featuring a consistent long trigger pull for every shot and representing the ultimate simplification of the third-generation 10mm platform. Introduced in 1990, the DAO trigger system eliminates the single-action mode entirely, providing the same trigger pull weight and travel distance for the first shot and all subsequent shots, addressing concerns from some law enforcement agencies about officers accidentally firing light single-action shots under stress after the first double-action pull. Built on the same robust large stainless steel frame as the 1006 with a 5-inch barrel and 9-round single-stack magazine, the 1046 features a bobbed hammer that follows the slide forward after each shot, no external safety or decocker controls, and a trigger pull that mimics the feel of a revolver. This design was popular with agencies transitioning from revolvers to semi-automatics in the early 1990s, as it maintained familiar manual of arms while offering increased firepower and faster reloads.

In the early 1990s, DAO triggers were seen as the solution to negligent discharges caused by officers transitioning from double-action to single-action mode mid-gunfight. The theory was elegant: if every shot requires the same heavy pull, muscle memory stays consistent. Reality proved more complex, and striker-fired pistols eventually won the DAO versus DA/SA debate.

Smith & Wesson Model 1046 specifications

The DAO configuration was particularly popular with some agencies in the 1990s as it eliminated the need for officers to manipulate safety levers or remember different trigger pulls, providing a simpler, more revolver-like manual of arms that was easier to teach and maintain qualification standards. The New York Police Department famously adopted DAO pistols exclusively during this era, though in 9mm rather than 10mm. The Model 1046 featured Smith & Wesson's smooth DAO trigger that was regarded as superior to many competitors' DAO designs. Part of the limited production run of approximately 50,796 total S&W 10mm Auto pistols produced across all six variants before the entire line was discontinued in 1993. The 1046's bobbed hammer design prevents snagging on clothing during the draw, making it well-suited for plainclothes or concealed carry applications despite its full-size dimensions. Today, the DAO trigger design has largely fallen out of favor with most agencies preferring striker-fired pistols or traditional DA/SA designs.