[Paco]

Ok, here we go:

This will be the 5906 discussion thread: pros and cons.
Did a search on every gun forum out there including the
S&W forum and there aint much info on what I do believe
is a highly underrated pistol, brothers and sisters.

Pros:
-9mm
-15rds.
-All Stainless construction: I feel like I'm holding a gun not a toy!:evil:
-Heavy, so absorbs recoil nicely
-very good DA pull and great short-setted SA trigger
-Good accuracy
-SUPER-DUPER Reliable: never jams in 1000's of rounds. I mean never.

Cons:
-9mm
-I've got big hands so the thick thing aint bad but my woman has a hard time holding onto that puppy!:evil:
-Not "Tactical" looking :D
-Heavy for wuzzy people but right for strong folk!
-SA doesn't even compare to a stock 1911
-"combat" accurate-nothing more

***Feel free to compare it to other guns!***

***Add to the list and tell us your stories, Brethren!***

[AndABeer]

My preference is for the 5926, but I wouldn't sneeze at a '06.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid27/p6db88453078763874a2fef9a7822d986/fd745d2e.jpg

[rauchman]

Greetings,

A few months ago I was in a gun shop and they had the 5906 TSW. First off, I was surprised at how expensive it was....roughly $675.00. It is a nice looking pistol thoughl. I've never been a fan of S&W autos, but I have to say, I would consider this pistol if it was a little cheaper. Pushing $700.00 for a S&W just doesn't seem right to me though.


Ken

[Jim Watson]

I just got a 5906 for a "non-glock stock" pistol in IDPA SSP. It is NOT meant to compare or compete with 1911.
The local volume store was having a S&W promotion, new or used, and I had a gift certificate prize from a match.
I picked the one of several PD tradeins in stock with the smoothest feeling DA and no hard dings. I took out the ejector depressor (magazine disconnector) so I could "unload and show clear" easily. No other changes yet, I probably won't do anything else to it other than a set of Wolff soft springs.
I have shot it in one practice session and two club matches. I'm learning, I'm learning.
No malfs with RN, JHP, or FP; I did have one premature slide lock but I think I let my thumb flop around and nudge the lever up, nothing wrong with the Smith.

Paco, get that gal a 3906 she can get hold of.

[Paco]

I thought this was gonna be a poppin-HOT thread what with all the pent up LOVE people have towards one of the great wondernines!:D

-Come on everybody: be different, break away from the crowd!

Rauchman,
Yeah, that sounds a bit expensive. See if you can't talk that dealer down a bit. You won't be dissapointed if you get one.Look for police trad-ins; the standard-cap mags (15rds.) are still plentiful and fairly cheap considering the ban.

-p

[Hkmp5sd]

...and carry it in a Miami Vice Classic shoulder rig.
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?s=&postid=925680

[Paco]

Hey Jim,

Now what did you do to the mag-disconnect-thingy? How does it improve the gun? See, I've been thinking about using my 5906 for comp. too.

-I sent my police trade in to S&W for a hand lapped steel frame to be fitted to the slide. Got Wolff springs in it now. Probably gonna get a bar-sto fitted in it and that's about all it needs. I polished the feedramp with my dremel to a mirror shine but like I said before: boring and monotinous reliability.

-p

[Paco]

HK,

Where can I get one of those shoulder holsters for the 5906? How much? It's hard these days especially among the newer polymer holster dealers to get a good holster for the 5906. I think safariland still makes for the 5906.

-p

[Hkmp5sd]

Galco Gunleather (http://www.usgalco.com/HolsterT3.asp?ProductID=2339&CatalogID=2)

They currently sell for $154.95.
http://www.usgalco.com/Catalog/large/MIAMI.jpg

[Paco]

God... Leather shoulder holsters is my idea of gun-porn... Thanks for the pinup!:cool:

-p

[Poohgyrr]

They are nice. I wouldn't exactly mind if it was the only pistol I had.

[MikeJ]

I'm a major fan of the 5906, one of the most underrated pistols out there IMO. My 5906 was the first DA/SA gun I bought, mid 80's, and it is still one of my favorites. The DA trigger pull is amazingly smooth, in fact it is the smoothest of all my DA/SA pistols, and I find that the curved back strap fits my average size hand perfectly. My particular gun came from a special run where the flats of the slide and frame were given a high polish and the trigger guard is rounded. I could go on and on but you get the picture, I like it a lot.:D

[Marcus]

Not a thing wrong with the 5906. A friend of mine had one and thought he`d "upgrade" to a Glock 17. The Glock jammed on the first shot and several times afterward and he couldn`t hit as well with it as the ol Smith. He retired the G-17 and the 5906 is his HD gun. I don`t have one but I`ve been really tempted by all these police trade ins! Marcus

[Jim Watson]

Paco,
The ejector depressor - magazine disconnector is powered by a plunger and spring in the slide under ther rear sight. Next time you have the slide off the gun, turn it bottom side up and look in the breech section just ahead of the manual safety shaft. You will see two plungers. The one on the shooter's left (when assembled and in shooting position) pushes the extractor down when there is not a magazine in place to support it so that a leg down in the frame depresses the trigger bar so the gun cannot be fired with the magazine out.
The only way to get the plunger and spring out is to remove the rear sight, take them out, and replace the sight. If you have a dovetailed fixed sight like my Novak, you only have to drift the sight halfway out toward the right. That will let you get out the ejector depressor plunger and spring without losing the other plunger which is the firing pin block. Leave that in.
If you have the eared adjustable sight, the whole mess has to be taken apart to get at the plunger. Instructions in the various takedown books.
Note: That Novak was tight in the dovetail, even with the setscrew out. It took my FLG's heavy vise and steel drift to move it.

The only effect taking out that plunger and its spring has is to let you fire or dryfire without a magazine in place. This is considered unsafe by some experts and they recommend leaving it in. But it is a damned nuisance in IPSC competition in which you must drop the hammer by dryfiring not decocking at the end of the stage. IDPA, too, most places, even though it is not in their rule book.

Unlike a BHP, the plunger has no effect on trigger pull or any other part of the gun's operation.

[pierrebazukhov]

Good thread. I have a 1990 5906 I bought used with hicaps and night sights. I've been really busy and haven't been able to shoot it yet (have dry-fired with a snap cap a little before work, though).

I'm fickle with handguns, I'll admit that. Partly because of my search for one auto that does everything I want. My issue with the auto pistol in my life is what I want from it: good house gun, ccw if needed (already have a ccw gun but it's a mouse gun), good to take wife shooting, good to teach son when he gets old enough, good to pass on to son, can afford to shoot, like it, etc. I've had lots of Glocks, Sigs, Berettas, but they haven't stayed.

9mm seems to be my caliber, though, since I've owned more 9's than anything else.

I like the all stainless steel construction, high capacity, and caliber so far. From what I can tell by looking at it, the quality is good too. Since I bought mine used, the other inexpensive 9's (Ruger, Taurus, etc.) either were longer or thicker. One of my local Mom and Pop type gun stores has hi caps (literally) by the bucket for this gun, and not so much even with Ruger. So, what I like is that it was a fairly expensive gun new but I can find them all over the place used (along with mags, grips, etc.) for the same price as a new Ruger.

I wish I could contribute more to this thread, but I'm going to take the 5906 out this week and see what happens.:)

[Paco]

Hey Jim,

Thanks for the detailed info. Very useful. I've got TWO slides for my 5906, one with the ear-tailed adjustable sights and the other, the dovetailed fix-sight.

I'm really thinking about making the adjustable sighted one into some kind of super-accurate thingy by adding a 6" bar-sto. I THINK it will look Ok and shoot like a champ. The fixed-sighted one will be left normal., maybe for HD.

Tell me what you, especially if you got tips on setting this gun up for competition on one of the slides. Adjustable or fixed? Thanks.

-paco

BTW, keep ALL this good 5906 Luv a'comin'!:D

[Jiml3]

Slightly off topic, I have a S&W 6906 and give it very high marks for quality
of workmanship, good looking, accurate,27 oz, very good da/sa trigger with the shortest reset and it holds 12 rds. They don't get as much credit as they deserve because of the political climate that was created during the Clinton era. Still a lot of people holding a grudge against S&W even though the previous owners are gone.

[Jim Watson]

What kind of competition?
A protruding 6" barrel would probably make it too long to fit the IDPA Box and I doubt it could enter in USPSA Production. Best find out for sure before you spend the $280 or so if those are your games.

I think the eared adjustable sight gives too busy a sight picture. I would go (Have gone!) with the fixed. It shoots pretty well where it looks. Novak does not make their Competition sight for the 9mms as they do for .45s. Too bad.

[Paco]

Jim,

I'd greatly apprecaite it if you could tell me: What can I do, competition-wise, with that pretty 5906 of mine? Is there a sport that could take advantadge of 6" barrel? tell me what ya' think, gunguru!:D

-In desperate Need,
-paco

[Jim Watson]

I know of no sport that would truly take advantage of a 6" barrel in a 5906. It would not be allowed in IDPA at all. In IPSC/USPSA it would compete in Open Division against the 28 shot scope sighted compensated .38 Supers. In NRA Centerfire it would go up against the M52 and all manner of accurized 1911s. In PPC it would have to shoot with the autoloader match guns, again accurized 1911s and the extremely accurate PPC 1500, probably some 952s. No hope for success. Money spent to look like something out of a movie.

Shoot it stock or have a 4" Barsto put in and use it for IDPA Stock Service Pistol and IPSC Production. It would be as competitive there as you could make it.

[Paco]

Jim,

Sorry for yanking on your apron again, but one more:

-What do they mean by stock? Bar-sto barrels would be an upgrade, right?




For Everyone,

***Cash Prizes for Folks who Post about 5906's!!!***

-If you post something interesting, good, or comparitive, I'll give you 100 DOLLARS! All I need is for you to PM your bank account numbers, Social Security, Home Phone and a copy of your Driver's License or Passport so that I can pull, um... I mean put money in your account directly!:evil:

Is it lust or love for my darling 5906?
-paco

[AndABeer]

There's always the sport of "mine's bigger than yours".

[Paco]

Andabeer,

It's not my fault I was born this way!:neener:

[Jim Watson]

You have to take the term "Stock" as defined in the rules. IDPA Stock Service Pistol rules gives, under "Inclusive list of permitted modifications." - "Internal accuracy work to include replacement of barrel with one of factory configuration."

IPSC Production is more restrictive, no external modifications or replacement of internal parts is allowed. USPSA is a bit less strict, or less clear, but external modifications are still not allowed. And a barrel is an externally visible part. I wouldn't change it.

Accuracy requirements are not so tough as to call for a match barrel anyhow. The emphasis is on reasonable accuracy in a hurry.

Go to www.idpa.com and use the Affiliated Organizations button to find a club in reach.
Also www.uspsa.com and the Find A Club service.
Take your 5906 to whoever is closest. You will need a holster, mag pouch(es), at least three magazines for IDPA and all you can round up for IPSC, eye and ear protection, a concealment garment for IDPA, and a couple hundred rounds of ammo. Introduce yourself as a beginner and pay attention. We will help you get started.

Rules are on the organization sites but don't worry too much about the fine points, you will get plenty of guidance to be sure you are safe and reasonably effective.

[Paco]

Jim,

You've been a great help!

Do you have a any stpries on how the 5906 handles? I think it handles great but I haven't put it through the paces, just target practice.


*** Is there ANYONE else in all this forum who has love for this great pistol?***

-maybe I should start comparing it to a 1911 and dog the 1911! That should bring a crowd!:evil:

[twbredw]

i just traded for a smith 5906 stainless with the blued trigger and hammer thursday nite anda 15 rnd mag in the box i love the gun it feels the hand and it shoots smooth very reliable i wouldnt hesitate to carry it i do need more magazines for other than the one if anyone knows where to get full caps ata decent price for the smith ,only complaint i really have with the pistol is that reassembly is a bitch:banghead:

[Badger Arms]

Well, it's ALMOST a 5906.

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?s=&postid=929249

[Alan Fud]

5906 ... http://fud-files.netfirms.com/image/private/guns/f44.jpg ... great gun -- I own it and it's parent, the 659.

[Coffee357]

Never owned the 5906 - but came close numerous times! I owned the 659. Great gun - super reliable, but needed cleaning every 250 rounds - so-so accurate (but it may have been me - I had just started shooting handguns).

Owned the 3904 - accurate and reliable but the grip was a little too narrow for me.

Owned the 5944 - super reliable and accurate. Never malfunctioned and I carried it for about a year.

Owned the 3953 and 669. Not super accurate but very reliable.

Recently got a 3913 and have a 908 on layaway (haven't shot either of these yet!).

I like Smith auto's - don't love them - but like them a great deal. If they would just clean up some of the edges around the magazine release and bottom of the trigger guard, I think their ergonomics would be world class. Always thought the 5906 was a little heavy but always had an eye out for a 645 (go figure!)

Very under-rated pistols!

Coffee

[Hkmp5sd]

If we're gonna include the parents, we gotta have the granddaddy of them all..... :)
http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?s=&postid=931303

[Badger Arms]

Technically, that would mean the Model 39, not the later Model 59 wouldn't it?

http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?s=&postid=931492

[Hkmp5sd]

Nah, 39s are distant cousins. They're too skinny because they don't eat enough. :) We're talking wide-bodies here.

[Andrew P]

I bought a PD trade in a few weeks ago got a great deal on it and a couple of hi-caps. It is true pleasure to shoot the sa/da trigger pull is smooth as sillk and I occansionally use it as my CCW. My wife can shoot it and it fits both of our hands very well. It has to be one of the best used gun investments I have made in a long time.

[355sigfan]

Pros:
-9mm
-15rds.
-All Stainless construction: I feel like I'm holding a gun not a toy!
-Heavy, so absorbs recoil nicely
-very good DA pull and great short-setted SA trigger
-Good accuracy
-SUPER-DUPER Reliable: never jams in 1000's of rounds. I mean never.
END

Well personally I feel the 9mm does not have enough recoil to justify lugging around a gun this heavy. But thats my opinion. My personal experience with Smith auto's (4006) makes me never want to own another. Mine was unreliable and not that great in the accuracy department. It did have a good trigger however.
Pat

[Abominable No-Man]

First pistol I bought when I turned 21 was a 5906. Still have it, 10 years and more (bought it used.....) and it is still going. I've had lots of other pistols, but this one has always stayed with me.

In fact for a few years, it was my only pistol.

Got a few thousand rounds through it, never a jam, hiccup, FTE, or a malfunction that wasn't ammo related.

Love it.:D

How's that for love, Paco?

ANM

[ss]

Paco,

Get a 5906 TSW. It's like an improved 5906 in terms of construction, quality and accuracy. Plus it is tactical. Though I don't like the equipment rail.

If you want the ultimate 5906 get the S&W PPC9. Read it's even more accurate than the beautiful 952. Available to L/E only. PPC9 might be the ultimate 9mm target pistol.

Seems like out of the 3rd gen line people love the 5900 ad 4500, and 1006 series. seems like 4006 is worse liked. read that its accurate with 185 grain sunsonic, but anyting lighter and faster, accuracy goes out the door.

the 5906 modelo militar seems good. i wonder if having such a hard rockwell rating, would make it more prone to cracking.

whats are the pros and cons of the 5906M?

[Carbon_15]

A 5906 police trade in was one of my first pistols. I really liked it. I have been considering getting another one as of late.

[Paco]

...Some of these stories are bringing sweet tears of love to my tired eyes...


There is still goodness in this world!

How do ya'll think it compares to say, a sig or glock?

-paco

[RON in PA]

Got a 5906 several months back, another Smith and Wesson "used" gun stamped on the frame with a "U". Essentially this was a demo gun used by Smith sales. When I got it, it appeared unfired and only had wear marks after I shot it.

The best features of the pistol are its weight(used for range and HD only), quality construction, excellent DA trigger and excellent trigger reset. The latter is almost up to the Glock and 1911 and certainly better then any other autos I've fired. Standard 15 round mags are cheap. The SA trigger is a bit heavy, but improving and the gun has yet to hiccup. For me the ergonomics are very good.

Like others have said, the gun doesn't get the respect it deserves.

[twbredw]

having all three you mentioned paco i think the sig beats my 5906 on trigger pull in both double and single action both beat the glock on trigger pull in my opinion all three are reliable or have been for me i have more expirience with the glock but the smith is a handfull of gun the sig fits just about right (sigpro9mm) and the glock is a very good concealment peice(g23) for me :cool:

[Poohgyrr]

Hey, the 5904's aren't bad either. The lighter frame means you can carry more other stuff ;).

[Daniel Watters]

Here is an example that you don't see everyday...the single-action only Super 9. This example came from the factory with three barrels: 9x19mm, 9x21mm, and .356 TSW. I believe that Talos was the distributor for these, primarily intended for the European market. I have seen two others in the States, but these were equipped with only the 9x19mm barrel. (Suffice it to say, the current owner is not interested in selling.)

http://www.planetrainbowsix.com/armm/images/S&WSuper9b.jpg

[Poohgyrr]

Paco,

For my two cents, I carried a P226 for a while, and that is a good pistol, but just too doggone big for a 9mm for me. And the bore axis also seems too high, just like with their smaller 9mm's. I simply shoot Smiths better.

I do have a friend with a very good trigger on his Glock, & we often compare it to the good Smith triggers. (Grins, how is that for a comparison.) But his Glock trigger is pretty rare, and the parts you need can be difficult to find for a street pistol. I think a second generation G19, with his trigger, would be nice to have, but I don't know how to get one.

Overall, I really like a good 5906 a lot. Everything in the whole package is pretty good, and I have a nice one. :D

[Poohgyrr]

Lets see if this smaller picture link takes of a DPA5906

[Paco]

Daniel Watters,

Where could I send my 5906 to become that uber-gun you posted about? I have two slides for mine that work nicely so I'll maybe get a third that would be for super-duper accuracy. Hmmmm.

-Oh, I always hear about people having a problem with the slide-mounted safety. I have a 1911 and I love the set up, but it's like speaking two languages: when I'm on one gun, my brain uses a different part of itself than when I'm using the other. I've got no problems quickly and effectively manipulating the 5906 even though I'm a 1911 accolyte. Go figure.

-I wonder how many shoot-outs this old war horse of a design has been through... This was THE auto with the police forces for many years.

-paco

[Daniel Watters]

Paco,

Only S&W would be able to help you there.

[k8ysv]

I just picked up a new 5906TSW and I have to say I'm very impressed with it. It's the model with adjustable sights, though I never saw much use for them on a handgun. The feel and weight of the gun seems right for me. I have big hands and am a large guy so I don't see the weight as an issue, even for CCW. The way the pistol points had me sold the minute I picked it up.

Anyway, I fired the gun for the first time last week. I was absolutely stunned at the out-of-the-box accuracy. Shooting at 7 yards (my self-defense drilling distance) I put eight of the first 10 rounds fired from this gun into a 1.5" group. The other two were my fault and ended up making a two-hole-touching group 2" right of center. The range where I shoot is also the shop where I bought the gun and I had to mess with the owner/gunsmith about this. I took the target to him and said, "I think there's something wrong with this gun... Look, I missed the bull twice...." He snatched up the target to put aside as a sales tool. :D THe rest of the night saw me tearing out the centers of the targets and making ragged one-hole groups.

IMNSHO, great gun. Period.

[Schuey2002]

Anyone know of any online dealers that have any screamin' deals on new/or used S&W 5906's (or the Modelo Militar)?? I checked the latest CDNN catalog and it didn't have anything.

Please help a brotha' (who's got the joneses for an autochuckin' 9mm S&W) out... :o

[Big Mike]

Brotha Schuey...

Try www.kyimports.com and/or www.jgsales.com for all your new/used 5906 needs. Also try www.gunsamerica.com for an abundance of S&W pistols and more.

Mike (S&W 6946, 24/7)

[James Bondrock]

My first semiautomatic handgun was a 5904 (alloy frame, blued carbon steel slide) with adjustable sights, similar to the one in Badger Arms' picture but without the hooked trigger guard. It never malfunctioned, but was not particularly accurate (although plenty good for defensive use). I eventually traded it in on a SIG P228.

[FW]

My 3rd gen S&W has been 100% reliable using the factory magazines. Thousands of rounds with no problem. The grip wasn't just right, so I tried an after market rubber grip. It was worse. Mine had the curved back plastic grip orignally (I think this is was is standardon the 5906). I found a straight back factory grip and it is much better for me.

The trigger pull sucks, the ergonomics are not perfect, and it's not the easiest pistol to use. It is, however, very well made, reliable and easy to field strip. The 3rd Gen S&W autos are definitely underated. You just can't compare them to tricked out 1911s.

While they are not the prettiest pistols, they are certainly not ugly, as many modern pistols are. They did look better before they stated putting all the "tactical" features on the new ones.

[Schuey2002]

Thanks for the info, Mike.

I checked out JG and it looked like they didn't have any 5906's, and the ones at KYI look to be the older style guns, perhaps 2nd. Gens., who knows..

There are a bunch of them on GunsAmerica, but I just can't decide which seller to purchase one from.. I wish you could find out which sellers are the real deal, and which ones are gonna' hose ya'.. :o

I'll keep looking. :)

[aguyindallas]

I bought a used 5906 about 4 years ago. It looked basically new when I got it. It was purchased through Auction Arms. I originally wont the auction for a S&W 915. A couple weeks after they recevied my money and the FFL, they still had not shipped my 915. I called to see what the deal was and they said they sold the 915 retail on accident. In return, they offered me a refund ($220.00) or a 5906 or a Sigma. Well, I went for the 5906!

So, I got my 5906, nearly new condition for $220.00! Its the model with the eared adjustable sights. I recently spoke to Smith about it, no night sights made for this slide/sight config which is frustrating. I have 1 14 round mag and 2 10 rounders.

Man, I love that gun. Shoots anything with no malfunctions! Its slightly heavy to carry, but I have done it before and am starting to put it into my carry rotation with my Sig.

[Sawdust]

I love mine.

Anybody know where is the best place to buy 10 round mags for a 5906?

Any brands to avoid?

Thanks,

Sawdust

[Tony S45]

Daniel Watters--

I am currently shooting a Super 9 (9x19) in IDPA ESP with ten rounds in the mags and in IPSC with the hi-caps full! A GREAT single action gun. Can't understand why S&W doesn't bring this model out for production. I believe that they would sell a bunch to competition shooters.

The Super 9s are a little big for "carry" so I CCW a 5946.

[Gunnutz13]

I gotta 2nd Gen Model 659 in stainless that I bought back in the 80's for around $350 NIB. I swapped out the black plastic grips for some real nice Zebra wood finger grooved ones...loved having the adjustable sights and 15+1 capacity...think the barrel was 3.75 inches...check the pic :evil: