Is the S&W 6904 less popular than most 3rd. Gen. Compact 9mm types?

The compact 3rd gen 9's, in both the single and double stack models, were very popular during the heyday of the metal pistols.

Personally, when it comes to an imported "service" gun, especially one with an aluminum frame, I'd be very cautious of buying one that had spent its service life in a harsh sandy environment for myself. Who knows how it was treated, serviced and maintained? American cops can abuse their duty weapons bad enough, but foreign cops? Going without sufficient oil on the aluminum rails can chew up a frame, and not replacing a recoil spring often enough can batter frames.

I'd much rather look around for a privately owned late production 6906. One made after the introduction of MIM and the wider barrel tab & breech face cut. Hopefully one that spent virtually all of its life in the safe, and hadn't been modified or "improved" upon by the original owner.

I tried to wear out a couple of my older issued 6906's, from the early 3rd gen production ('89/'90). The later production guns benefited from improved tolerances and manufacturing (CNC). Even those older 6906's were great working guns (I staked my life on them, at the same time I was using them as my training guns as a firearms instructor).

Me? I'd be willing to pay upwards of $200 for an excellent condition early production (square trigger guard) model, and maybe up to twice that for an excellent-to-LNIB late production version. That's me, though. I don't pay arm & a leg retail or hard-to-get prices for old guns. Even though I have the parts to rebuild them.

I had one a long time ago which did, in fact, have heavy galling on the frame rails. Still functioned perfectly, though. I just made sure keep the rails greased.

Terrible DA trigger, not super accurate, IIRC. Not crazy about how the plastic grips retain the mainspring.

Personally, I think the 2nd- gen guns, like the 469, were superior thanks to their full metal grip frame. Hard to find now, though.

Good luck!

There's nothing wrong with the 6904/6 and I wouldn't be upset if one was issued to me. I just don't like the ergonomics. When it comes to 3rd-Gen series I've always preferred the single-stacks, particularly the 3913.

I agree Devonai, I had the 4006, 5906, 4506, 4013, 3906 3913 and 6906. Sold them all and kept the 3906 and 3913. I wished they were not collectors, I would CCW that 3913 in a heartbeat. And I love the 3906. Fits my hand great. Too bad I have not shot any of them in a long time.

I've long had my eye out for a 3906. I did once own a 909 which was the "budget" version of the same platform, but I was not impressed with the quality.