Notes: Though prototypes of this pistol existed as early as 1947, the Smith & Wesson 41 did not actually go into production until 1957. The version that then went into production did so only on a small scale; it was a version with a 7.5-inch barrel and a muzzle brake. Shooters went wild for the new weapon, and production was exponentially increased. In 1959, a lightweight version was introduced with a 5-inch barrel, and versions without the muzzle brakes were also introduced (these had plastic grip plates). A less-well-known version of this pistol was the Model 46, built for the USAF as a match pistol; it had a 5-inch or 7-inch interchangeable barrel. In 1960, a version in .22 Short chambering called the Model 41-1, with an aluminum-alloy slide, but it was not very popular (though production continued at a low rate until 1973).

In 1963, a version with a heavy 5.5-inch barrel (with no muzzle brake) was produced. This model has a far better front sight than earlier models, and a micrometer rear sight was added. This sight does not move with the slide. The barrel of this version can be easily replaced with a 7-inch or 5-inch heavy barrel.

By 1990, only the 5.5" and 7-inch heavy barrel versions were still being produced. In 1991, however, a model with a 6-inch was introduced, only to be withdrawn within a few months. In 1993, the Model 41 was dropped entirely.

This did not sit well with the shooting public, and in 1994, the Model 41 was brought back as the Model 41 (New Model). The grip plates are of hardwood, the rear sight is a Millet micrometer sight, and the pistol is drilled and tapped for a telescopic sight. It comes only in a 5.5-inch or 7-inch heavy barrel version. The receiver is grooved to accept barrel balance weights.

Notes: This is a modified Model 39; changes include a straight backstrap and thinner checkered black plastic grips. However, the biggest change was a wider, squared off grip, to accept a high-capacity 14-round magazine. It took some time, but the Model 59 became one of Smith & Wesson’s best selling pistols. A version of the Model 59 was also modified for silenced use in the same manner as the Hush Puppy, to provide SEALs with silenced high-capacity weapon pistol. As with the Model 39, a carbon steel version (the 459) and a stainless steel version (the 659) were also made.

The basic Model 59 is an enlarged version of the Model 39, with a wider grip to accommodate a double-stack 14-round magazine. The Model 59 came out in 1971 in a blued finish, but in 1972 a nickel-plated finish version was added. The Model 59 has an alloy frame, and was manufactured until 1982.

The Model 459 is a version of the Model 59. It has an alloy frame with a blued finish (a small amount were made with a nickel-plated finish), and nylon grip plates. The buyer could choose between a fixed and adjustable rear sight, and a single or ambidextrous safety. Until 1984, the Model 459 has a rounded trigger guard, but this was replaced with a squared trigger guard thereafter. This version was built until 1987. The Model 559, introduced a year later in 1980, is a steel-frame version of the 459 with a blued finish, and is somewhat heavier. The Model 659 was introduced in 1982 and is the stainless steel version of the 559; it is identical to the 559 for game purposes. The Model 659 was produced until 1989.

In 1968, Smith & Wesson started what was then a top-secret project: the Model M59-WOX-13A. (This is otherwise identical to the Model 39 for game purposes.) This weapon was designed for the US Marines, but some were given to the Navy, fitted with a silencer kit, modified for use with subsonic ammunition, and became the Mk22 Mod 0 "Hush Puppies" (elsewhere in these pages).

The Model 5903 is a newer version of the 459, introduced in 1990. The alloy frame has a faux stainless-steel finish and a stainless steel slide. It began manufacture with either a fixed or adjustable rear sight available, but in 1993 a Novak Lo-Mount rear sight was also made available. Also made available in 1993 was wrap-around Xenoy grip and ambidextrous safety. The Model 5903 is identical to the Model 459 for game purposes. In 1990, a small amount (1500) of compact versions of the Model 5903 were made, called the Model 5903-SSV. The Model 5903 TSW is another subtype of the 5903; this version is a double-action model introduced in 2000, with a Novak sight, tritium sight inlays, and a rail under the frame for mounting lights or aiming modules. Some other similar models include the 5924, a blued 5903 with a Novak Lo-Mount rear sight (introduced and withdrawn in 1990); the 5943, a double-action-only version of the 5903 (a 5943-SSV version was also made, identical to the 5903-SSV for game purposes) that was introduced and withdrawn in 1991. A Model 5943 TSW was produced, identical to the Model 5903 TSW for game purposes; it was introduced in 2000.

The Model 5904 is also an updated 459, introduced in 1988. It has a slightly larger magazine capacity and a Novak Lo-Mount rear sight (after 1993). A very small amount of this model was produced in 9x21mm and sold only on the Italian market. A double-action-only version of the 5904, known as the Model 5944, was produced from 1991-1992.

The Model 5905 was a very limited version of the series, with a blued steel frame and slide, and Novak Lo-Mount rear sight. It was manufactured only in 1991, in very small numbers. Before this, however, the 5906 was produced; this was a stainless steel version with a Novak Lo-Mount rear sight. As with the Model 5904, a small amount were produced chambered for 9x21mm and sold exclusively on the Italian market. The 5905 and 5906 are identical for game purposes. The Model 5906-M (Military) was introduced in 2000; it has a stainless steel frame and slide, with a dark Melonite composite coating. It has an ambidextrous decocker, a Novak triple-dot sight, wrap-around Xenoy grips, and a double-action operation. The Model 5906 TSW is as the other TSW series pistols, but based on the 5906, with a Novak Lo-Mount rear sight, tritium sight inlays, double-action operation, and a rail under the frame for accessories. The Model 5926 was built from 1990-1993, and is a 5906 with a decocker, a Novak rear sight, and a wrap-around Xenoy grip.

The Model 5946 is a double-action-only version of the Model 5906. It has significant changes, such as a Novak Lo-Mount rear sight and Xenoy wrap-around grips, and is substantially heavier than the 5906. There is also a TSW version of the 5946.

The Model 69xx series is a development of the Model 59 series. The first of these, the Model 669, is a compact version of the Model 659. It is a double-action pistol with a shorter grip and shorter barrel. It has a light alloy frame. The rear sight is adjustable, but only laterally. The grips are of wrap-around Delrin. The Model 669 debuted in 1986, but was discontinued in 1988. The Model 669 was succeeded by the Models 6904 and 6906. The 6904 is similar to the 669, with a blued slide and blued alloy frame, but it has a fixed rear sight and the wrap-around grip is made of Xenoy. It is 1 millimeter longer (but not in the barrel), and slightly heavier. The 6906 is also similar, but the slide is of stainless steel and the frame has a stainless-steel-like finish. The rear sight is also a Novak Lo-Mount, with optional tritium inlays. The 6904 was manufactured until 1997; the 6906 until 2000. Both are identical for game purposes.

The Model 6924 is a 6904 with a decocker, and with a Novak rear sight with tritium sight inlays. The 6926 is the same, but based on the 6906. The 6944 is a 6904 with double-action-only operation and a Novak rear sight. The 6946 is the same as the 6944, but based on the 6906. All are identical to the Model 6904 for game purposes.

Alert fans of the X-Files TV series may have noticed that Agent Fox Mulder uses the Model 659, while Agent Dana Scully uses the smaller Model 639. However, neither were ever FBI issue; apparently, those two broke FBI regulations and bought their own weapons for use while on duty!

Twilight 2000 Notes: The following weapons of this series do not exist in the Twilight 2000 timeline: Model 5903 TSW, Model 5943 TSW, Model 5906-M, Model 5906 TSW, Model 5946 TSW.

Notes: This is a set of related Smith & Wesson pistols that share the same basic design, though they may differ widely in size, shape, and purpose. They were the first commercial small-caliber designs that Smith & Wesson made after the Model 41, debuting in 1970 with the Model 61.

The Model 61 Pocket Escort is a tiny automatic pistol designed for self-defense. It was designed to be cheap and easily concealable, basically a "Saturday Night Special" type of firearm. It was available in blued or nickel-plated finishes and black or white plastic grip plates. Production stopped in 1973.

The next small-caliber model was introduced in 1987, the Model 422. Two versions were made: the Model 422 Field with a fixed sight and black plastic grip plates and blued finish, and the Model 422 Target, with an adjustable rear sight, walnut grip plates, and a stainless steel finish. Both could have either a 4.5-inch or 6-inch barrel. Both are identical for game purposes. Initial models had a magazine capacity of 10 rounds, but in 1992, this was increased to 12 rounds. Production stopped in 1996.

In 1989, the Model 622 was introduced. This weapon is similar to the Model 422, but has a light alloy frame finished to look like stainless steel, and a stainless steel slide. Like the Model 622, this pistol changed to a 12-round magazine in 1992, but this reverted back to a 10-round magazine in 1996 with the advent of the Brady Gun Bill. Field and Target versions were produced. Production stopped in 1996.

In 1996, the Model 622 VR was introduced. The "VR" stands for "Ventilated Rib," and refers to the sighting rib above the front portion of the slide. The Model 622 VR has an alloy frame and an adjustable rear sight. Most have black plastic grip plates, but a few were built with walnut grip plates. Only 6-inch barrel versions were made, and no provision was ever made for a 12-round magazine. Within months of being introduced, it was withdrawn. For game purposes, it is identical to the Model 622 with the 6-inch barrel.

The Model 2206 was introduced in 1990 as a totally stainless steel version of the Model 622. It was originally available in 4.5-inch and 6-inch barrel versions, but only 6-inch barrel versions were made after 1993. Three versions were built: the standard 2206 (identical to the Model 622 for game purposes); the Model 2206 Target with match-quality barrels and a micrometer rear sight, and the Model 2206 Target Match with an ergonomic grip, adjustable hand support, micrometer rear sight, and heavy match barrel. Production of all 2206’s stopped in 1996.

The Model 2213 Sportsman Stainless is an update of the Model 61 Pocket Escort, introduced in 1991. The barrel is an inch longer than the Model 61, but it is not physically much bigger than the Model 61. The Model 2214 is similar, but the 2214 has an alloy frame and a blued finish. Manufacture of the 2213 and 2214 stopped in 1997.

The Model 22A Sport is basically a very large version of the Model 2214. It has an alloy frame and blued finish and comes in barrel lengths of 4, 5.5, or 7 inches. The grip is made of polymer. A version of the Model 22A is the Model 22A Target; this version has a bull barrel with 5.5 inches. Both versions have an adjustable rear sight.

The Model 22S Sport is a variant of the Model 22A Sport, introduced in 1997. The slide is of stainless steel; the frame is of light alloy, finished to look like stainless steel. It is a much heavier weapon than the Model 22A, but is otherwise similar. A Target version also exists. It is still in production.

Notes: Public demand led to the development of this series; the American appetite for the .45 ACP round could not be denied. Smith & Wesson began experiments with .45 ACP-firing pistols in 1984, and produced their first one, the Model 645, in 1985. The series is basically a .45 ACP version of their 9mm Parabellum weapons. They typically have a wider grip than equivalent Colt designs, allowing more rounds to be carried in the magazine, and they are normally double-action weapons. They generally have a coned muzzle instead of a separate barrel bushing. Like many Smith & Wesson models, each variant was generally in production for only a few years.

The Model 645 was introduced in 1985, and produced until 1988. It has a stainless steel frame and slide, an ambidextrous safety/decocker, a squared trigger guard, and black plastic grip plates. The Model 745, built from 1986-1990, was a single-action target version of the Model 645, with a match barrel, Novak sight (an adjustable rear sight was optional), an adjustable trigger stop, and walnut grip plates. It does not have ambidextrous controls, but does have a half-cock safety.

When Smith & Wesson changed its numbering system, one of the first in this series was the 4505; this is essentially the 645 with only the safety catch ambidextrous and a blued finish. A Novak Lo-Mount rear sight was installed on a small number of 4505s. It was produced only in 1991. The 4506, has stainless steel finish, a Novak Lo-Mount rear sight, and a Xenoy wrap-around grip. After 1998, the 4506 had a squared trigger guard. It was produced from 1988-2001. The 4505 and 4506 are a bit heavier than the 645, and both are identical for game purposes.

Some other similar to the 4505 (identical for game purposes) are the 4526, a stainless steel weapon without a manual safety and with a decocker on the left side, built only in 1991; and the 4546, a double-action-only version of the 4506, built only in 1991.

The Model 4513 TSW was a compact version fitted with the TSW kit: light alloy frame, ambidextrous safety, Xenoy wrap-around grips, tritium inlays for the sights, no hammer spur, and a rail under the frame for accessories. It was introduced in 2000, and is still being manufactured. The 4553 is a similar weapon, but from an earlier series, it was introduced in 1999 and is still in production.

The Model 4516 is a compact version of the 4506, with a frame and slide of stainless steel, Novak Lo-Mount rear sight, and wrap-around Xenoy rear sight. It was introduced in 1991, and was produced until 1999. In 1992, the trigger guard was squared, and it was then known as the 4516-1. The 4536 is the same weapon without a manual safety and with a decocker; it was built only in 1991. The 4556 is virtually identical, but from the 4500-series, and was built only in 1991.

The Model 4563 TSW is a mid-sized pistol with the TSW kit; it was introduced in 2000 and is still in production. It has a light alloy frame.

The Model 4566 is mid-sized version of the 4506, totally stainless steel and with a with a Novak Lo-Mount rear sight. It was introduced in 1991 and is still in production, but in 2000 was given the TSW kit and renamed the 4566 TSW. The Model 4567 is a 4566 with a blued slide, manufactured only in 1991. The 4576 is a 4566 with a decocker, manufactured 1991-1992. The Model 4583 TSW is virtually identical to the 4566 TSW, but is double-action-only and has a light alloy frame; it was introduced in 2000 and is still in production.

The Model 457 is another compact version, double-action and with a blued light alloy frame and blued steel slide. It was introduced in 1996 and is still manufactured.

The Model 945 PC (Performance Center) is a target version manufactured by Smith & Wesson for the German company Akah. It has a stainless steel frame and slide, a safety on the left side of the weapon, a match barrel, and a Bo-Mar micrometer rear sight. It was manufactured only in 1999.

Despite the similar name, the Micro 945 PC is quite different from the 945. It is the smallest member of this series, with 3.25-inch barrel. Smith & Wesson manufactured the Micro 945 for Camfour Distributors in 2001. It is a single-action weapon with a light alloy frame and stainless steel slide, and a titanium barrel bushing. It has a Novak Lo-Mount sight, Hogue laminated wood grip plates, and a grip safety with an extended beavertail. The Micro 945 PC Black was manufactured for RSR Distributors in 2001; this version has a matte black coating and is slightly lighter.

The Model 945-40 was produced for Sports South Inc. It is similar to the Micro 945 PC, but is chambered for .40 Smith & Wesson. The barrel is also longer at 3.75 inches. The trigger has an adjustable trigger stop.

The newest version of this series is the Model 457S; though based on the design of the Model 4516, the Model 457S is in fact much different than the 4516. Introduced in 2005, the Model 457S uses a blockier slide, but the 457S has regardless been largely dehorned. The ambidextrous manual safety is gone, replaced by a safety/slide catch on the left side. The slide of the 457S is constructed of stainless steel which is lighter, yet stronger than that used on the Model 4516, but the frame is alloy, and the dovetailed 3-dot sights are of plastic and dovetailed in (but otherwise fixed). The trigger, hammer, and several internal parts are made using Metal Injection Molding instead of being machined or stamped. The checkering on the front of the trigger guard is not found on the Model 457S, and the backstrap and grip plates are not as tightly checkered. The action is DA/SA, and the barrel length is 3.75 inches.

Twilight 2000 Notes: The following weapons of this series do not exist in the Twilight 2000 timeline: any TSW-series weapon, Model 457. Model 945 PC, Model Micro 945 PC, Model Micro 945 PC Black, Model 945-40, Model 457S.