Would you or wouldn't you? S&W 5906

Looks good from what I can see. I would get it. New set of grips will cost around $20 and mecgar still makes the magazines.

Nice pistols that hold and increase in value. They are more solid feeling than heavy IMO. People are just use to Polymer frames. I wouldnt wait to long because if the finish is as nice as looks someone will snatch that up.

If you have a list of priorities, then "anything" one the list becomes one as you come across them.

Snooze you loose!

I would be willing to shuffle the priority on the list if one was available in good condition at a good price.
That Smith is priced nicely.
Like Trackskippy said, "you snooze you lose"

The 5906 would be considered a bit too large and heavy for a carry gun today. However, its weight would make it a superb range and home defense gun. And did I mention that the 3rd Generation S&Ws are built like tanks; you would never wear it out.

$430 is a good price; snap it up before someone else does.

Those guns have been out of production for a long time and S&W no longer supports those pistols, with anything. As long as you're OK with that ...

Oh the trigger... I dont have the 5906 but all my 3rd gen smiths are like that in DA. Probably could use a decent cleaning. I have never trying to work over the triggers on a 3rd gen smith but Im sure things could be polished well. In SA they are pretty nice. A good bit of pre travel but once you hit the wall its a very clean break.

Parts are out there should anything break but they are durable pistols. Wolff sells a lot of the springs. I highly doubt you will regret purchasing one other than it makeing any plastic framed pistols you may have feel cheap with lousy triggers.

Size wise they conceal great. Like a 1911 commander type. My 3rd gen carry is a 915 and its fine. A little lighter than the 5906 but nothing major. I would prefer the 915 to have a steel frame but it is what it is (I got a nice deal on it).

Yup, agree that things on the list are bought without question; I'd snag it, work on it later or trade/sell if you find a better example.

I LOVE my 5946, only stopped carrying when I broke a part, realized they had entirely discontinued the line. Now, need WML and RDS also for EDC so it's one of the M&Ps, but nice gun to look at and take out to play occasionally.

There is a difference between the way the guns were made I say. Others disagree but I think finish is: issue > commercial > custom. Esp with the wear, you may have a police trade in so "issue."

I have clicked a (newish, they changed their mind after a year) police trade 59xx and a few NIB 59xx commercial models side by side. MUCH slicker on the commercial models.

Obviously actual Performance Center guns are best, but I did what I later found was a special order on that 5946 and am assured by half the S&W experts (the other disagree a lot!) that these are 50% PC guns; cataloged but rare things they had in the 90s the PC people do in their spare time to avoid messing up the assembly line. Mine is crazy smooth and has a bead blasted finish that is just a whole level nicer than any other factory gun. Seen a few others like that as well.

The upside for you being: the guns can be made awesome with careful fitting and stoning (and refinishing if you want). You can get rid of all the grit by working on the fire control parts, or sending it to a suitable smith as the base guns are well designed, and built like tanks. Even the aluminum ones never actually break or wear out that I've ever heard of. I have seen, back in the late 90s, people upgrade their 915/910 guns with gunsmith trigger jobs, etc. so even the discount line can do it because they were all well made guns.

All used guns get new recoil springs. Do NOT shoot used guns without new springs.

Not a bad price. If it's on your list, grab it!

I had one about in that condition, that I paid $250 for maybe 10 years ago. I sold it a couple years ago for $350 or so, if I remember, with a half dozen mags. I like the platform with the exception of the DA/SA trigger system. I sold my 4506 for the same reason. I would have rather had a DAO version, as the DA triggers are really nice.

They are good range guns and are fun to shoot, accurate and low recoil due to the weight. I just never had an application where I could see using it beyond that, due to other guns in my inventory.

Am sorry, but a M1 is your number 3?



Should be #1

Judging by the price tags, it's at a Scheels. I've never walked through one of their stores and thought, man that's over priced.

I do both. All "needs" have been met except for long range. For handguns, I target specific guns and usually order them.

I bought a new 5906TSW around 2000. Liked the look, didn't like the trigger and could never shoot it well. Sold it a couple years later.

I have a list in my head of guns to buy but it's always changing. When I come across a deal or something I can't live without, I buy it.

#1 on the list has been there a long time- other guns keep popping up and taking the saved money away. A .30-30 and a 4" Trooper, among others, have forestalled the acquisition of the Wilson Supergrade for a couple years. I should have bought it four years ago- Bill keeps raising the price on it!

d31tc

If the gun checks out okay and is on your "want list", at that price I would say go for it.

eddiememphis said:

I bought a new 5906TSW around 2000. Liked the look, didn't like the trigger and could never shoot it well. Sold it a couple years later.

I have a list in my head of guns to buy but it's always changing. When I come across a deal or something I can't live without, I buy it.

#1 on the list has been there a long time- other guns keep popping up and taking the saved money away. A .30-30 and a 4" Trooper, among others, have forestalled the acquisition of the Wilson Supergrade for a couple years. I should have bought it four years ago- Bill keeps raising the price on it!

Click to expand...

My want list wont fit on the internet unfortunately.

#1 for me right now is the re-release of the Sanford designed Automag 44AMP. I just cant bring myself to drop that much money in times like these. Hopefully sooner rather than later though. I just buy cheaper stuff for now and rework them to my satisfaction.

You're not going to run into another one in person at a good price for a long time, so take your opportunity.

A revolver and a 22 handgun are "important", but you can find those anytime.

Just let my 5906 go to a Forever Home but it was truly one I knew I could count on. It went to a new handgun owner mainly because I was absolutely confident that it would be utterly reliable for at least the next century or three.



That's a great price for a great gun and one I quite often carried IWB.

The modern S&W Shields are so close in every dimension to the Wonder Nines that I can even carry my 469 in the same kydex holster that was made for a S&W Shield 45.

When was the last time you saw one in that condition locally? Being able to actually see and hold a gun is important.

Nowadays, that price for just about any gun is reasonable.

If you like it, I'd give a firm buy recommendation.

d31tc said:

Do you buy guns after prioritizing needs and wants and then searching patiently; or do you buy as opportunities present themselves?

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If I want something I buy it.

Great guns. Only problem I find is the mag disconnect. If that’s not a problem for you I would say go for it.