Smith & Wesson 6946

About the Smith & Wesson 6946

The Smith & Wesson 6946 is a compact semi-automatic pistol chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum, introduced by Smith & Wesson in 1990. It is part of Smith & Wesson's Third Generation semi-automatic line that incorporated significant improvements over the earlier Second Generation models including one-piece wraparound grips, beveled magazine wells, and smoother trigger actions. The pistol features a aluminum alloy frame and a stainless steel slide, providing a durable platform designed for years of reliable service in both duty and civilian applications. With a magazine capacity of 12 rounds, this pistol offers ample firepower for defensive applications. The double-action-only trigger provides a consistent pull for every shot, simplifying training and reducing the risk of negligent discharge under stress - features that made DAO models popular with law enforcement agencies. widely adopted by law enforcement agencies throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, these pistols competed directly with the SIG P226 and Beretta 92 for police and military contracts. In S&W's Third Generation numbering system, this model's designation indicates all stainless steel construction, compact configuration.

Smith & Wesson's Third Generation pistols used a sophisticated model numbering system where each digit conveyed specific information about caliber, frame size, action type, and materials - essentially encoding the entire specification sheet into four digits.

Smith & Wesson 6946 specifications

The 6946 was popular with agencies preferring DAO operation in a compact package. The '4' indicates DAO, and '6' indicates stainless construction.