S&W 5903

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JN01

JN01

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I have in the past owned several TDA S&W autos, all of which fell by the wayside over the years. Recently, though, I again had an itch to add an example of one of these classics to my collection.

I found this police trade-in 5903 at a local shop. It has a slight bit of holster wear and a couple tiny dings on the frame, but overall, it is in great shape. A lot of the police trade ins are really trashed on the grip frame, especially on the right side.

This is my first 5903, I previously had a 5906 which is a whole lot heavier. Got in one trip to the range with it, shoots as well as I recall the 3rd Gen guns do.

S&W5903web.JPG
 
Yes. Most people tend to shoot one type of gun or another better than others. For me, 3rd Gen S&W autos are easy to shoot well. I don't recall every having a malfunction with any that I have owned either.
 
I have it's kissing cousin, a 915 (black anodized frame and blued slide), and it's a keeper. The S&W's are nice guns.

Since it's got an aluminum frame, remember the Sig advice and keep the rails lubed up well. Stainless and aluminum can gall.
 
Having owned three I can tell you they're very reliable. Not sure if anyone cares, but unlike a Glock they show visable wear after only few hundred rounds or so. If you don't mind cosmetics after use and uncertainty of future parts availability they are ok guns. If you don't mind steel framed DAO 9mm the 5943 is still being made by S&W in Ma.
 
The 3rd gen S&W's are an addiction I've tried to overcome, but have failed to. I currently have an old LE trade-in 5943 for the my full sized example, but the compact 6906 and late-2nd-gen-almost-3rd-gen 669 are my latest favorites. I have one of each; both having finish wear issues, but they both shoot just fine.
 
PabloJ said:
Having owned three I can tell you they're very reliable. Not sure if anyone cares, but unlike a Glock they show visable wear after only few hundred rounds or so. If you don't mind cosmetics after use and uncertainty of future parts availability they are ok guns. If you don't mind steel framed DAO 9mm the 5943 is still being made by S&W in Ma.
Click to expand...
The wear issue goes both ways with this. A metal framed gun might show wear sooner, but you can address that. Not too much you can do with a Glock's frame, once that is showing wear.

If we're talking about just the slides, there's a difference between a Tennifer finish and a blued one.
 
I have other guns I prefer for carry, but I think everyone should have a few just for the fun factor. I just enjoy shooting this one.
 
I'm always on the prowl for a good FTF private sale in NH of a 5906 , a 4006 or a 3906... Yeah,I like their Third Generation Steel Frame Autos a lot.
 
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