Problem with used S&W 5906

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Gabes220

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Hey everyone!

I recently picked up a Smith and Wesson 5906 on consignment and am having problems with it.

While using a variety of ammunition (blazer brass, american eagle, pmc, all 115 gr) and several experienced shooters, we all agreed that the pistol was grouping low and to the left by about 4 inches at 21 feet.

What could be the cause of this and what can a gunsmith do to fix it?

Currently has stock novak fixed sights.

Also, it seems that the extractor tooth is chipped, but the cut out may be a design of the extractor. Anyone familiar with these extractors?

Thanks for the help
 
It happens.

Shift the rear sight to the right a bit, and try again. And get a lower front sight. This is a relatively inexpensive part, as you can get the proper part directly from S&W for practically nothing.

There are formulas on the internet that will tell you what height you should have for that front sight. Here's a link to an explanation of one of the formulas. http://www.marlinowners.com/forum/skinner-sights/32580-front-sight-calculator.html You'll find that there are a number of different sights that will work with this gun, and you probably have one that is too high. (I had roughly the same problem with a S&W 4506 I picked up recently; it now shoots to point of aim.)
 
Before you go changing settings, I'd suggest shooting it off a rest to remove as much of the human element as possible.

What size group are you shooting at 7 yards?
The 5906 should be capable of keeping it's shots inside 1.5" at that distance shooting offhand and keep it's shots on top of each other off a rest.

Remember that it isn't practical to adjust the sight a smaller amount than the group you can shoot.
 
While shooting from a rest is NEVER a bad idea, the fact that several experienced shooters were getting the same results suggests that it's NOT shooter error causing the LOW LEFT impacts.

Shoot from a rest and get precise info about how far from point of aim the rounds are hitting, and then measure the height of the front sight. (Take several measurements or have the gun handy when you talk with S&W.)

Remember that it isn't practical to adjust the sight a smaller amount than the group you can shoot.
Click to expand...

Yes and no. If the group is about 3" and the center of the group is consistently hitting 4" left, you CAN move the group to the right by adjusting the sight enough to center the group on the center of the target. Even if the group is larger, you can move it to the right.
 
No.

Think about it. Hold a gun up and point it at a target. Then shift the rear sight to the right. (Or just use a ruler and do the same thing.) Then realign on the target. You'll have to move the rear of the gun to the left to realign, which has the effect of moving the point of impact to the right, as the front of the gun is also slightly moving and now pointing MORE to the right.

With rear sight: move sight in the direction you want the point of impact to move to.

With a front sight: move the sight in the opposite direction of where you want the point of impact to move to.
 
Gabes220
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Join Date: November 23, 2011
Location: Orange County, California
Posts: 6
Problem with used S&W 5906
Hey everyone!

I recently picked up a Smith and Wesson 5906 on consignment and am having problems with it.

While using a variety of ammunition (blazer brass, american eagle, pmc, all 115 gr) and several experienced shooters, we all agreed that the pistol was grouping low and to the left by about 4 inches at 21 feet.

What could be the cause of this and what can a gunsmith do to fix it?

Currently has stock novak fixed sights.

Also, it seems that the extractor tooth is chipped, but the cut out may be a design of the extractor. Anyone familiar with these extractors?

Thanks for the help
Click to expand...

First, confirm that it is the sights being off and not your trigger control. Shoot it from a bench on sandbags or a ransom rest. If it is the sights, then the rear sights are adjustable with a set screw. Loosen the set screw and use a brass punch to drift it right if you are shooting left. Not a heck you can do with elevation, however. Odds are is that it is trigger control.

As for the extractor being chipped, I doubt it but take a pic and post it. The extractor does have a bevel shape to it.
 
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With a front sight: move the sight in the opposite direction of where you want the point of impact to move to.
Click to expand...

In other words, for a front sight, follow the point of impact. If the bullets are shooting left of point-of-aim, drift the front sight left. However, on a 59xx with Novak sights, it is best to just drift the rear in the opposite direction of impact.
 
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The gun makes a ragged hole at 21 feet down and to the left by 4 inches. The group was on target when holding over the bullseye up and to the right. Its definitely the gun... But shooting from a rest would help confirm and calculate what I need to do.

I'll get a pic of the extractor soon.

ThAnks for all the help
 
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Is the gun having a problem extracting rounds?

My neice and nephew will tell you they are experienced shooters, but when I took them shooting last week, they were hitting 2 feet low and left at 17 yards with my 1911. When I shot it it hit the target dead center. I have seen people flinch consistently, only revealed to them with a ball and dummy drill.

If the gun is off, try different ammo like 124 grain, or Winchester 115, or S&B.

JMHO YMMV
 
It looks minimally chipped or scratched. Run a dental or a paper clip pick over it to determine depth.

Is it causing extraction problems? Is this a SD weapon or a range toy? An extractor will run you $10 for the part & maybe $25 installed.
 
I may not be an expert but i definitely think that i'm experienced enough to get a decent grouping at 21 feet... and the gun was grouping really well at that distance just the group was low and to the left.

I read somewhere that these guns prefer 124gr bullets since they were originally designed as LE guns. Can anyone verify this? If thats the case i still think that i'd get it adjusted because i'd most likely be shooting a healthy dose of 115gr loads out of it during its life.

Its definitely a range toy, but like all firearms, has a definite role in SD. I'd also like to compete with it in idpa and uspsa eventually once i work these kinks out.

I'll probably take it to a gunsmith to get the extractor replaced. While shooting it recently i did not have a single malfunction... so maybe its not a big deal. However, before i take it to a gunsmith i want to get my sights sorted out at the same time. Should i try to do this myself or would a gunsmith be able to help better?

Happy thanksgiving everyone.
 
The extractor is chipped. It came from placing a round in the chamber and closing the slide; letting the extractor slam over the round. When a round is fed from the magazine ( the right way) it slides up , behind the claw of the extractor. Jp
 
Lulz. Leave it to a 5906 to function perfectly with a messed up extractor.

I'll never understand why smith discontinued this line. The 5906 is as fine an all steel duty pistol as has ever been made.
 
Does this gun need to have rounds cycled from the magazine? Strange... I'll keep that in mind.

so I looks like I need a new extractor and get replacement sights... Never buying a used gun again. Well at least I got a good deal On it...
 
Gabes220 said:
the gun was grouping really well at that distance just the group was low and to the left.
Click to expand...
How well?
Shots on top of each other?
Inside 1"?

A 5906 should be fully capable of shooting inside 1.5" at that distance, a 3906 will shoot a bit tighter

Does this gun need to have rounds cycled from the magazine? Strange... I'll keep that in mind.
Click to expand...
It isn't as critical as it is with the 1911, but this is a design from the 50s
 
The 5906 is a great gun and the sights could be the problem. The extractor can be replaced by S&W if you need to. They have great CS. I shoot my FIL's 5906 and it is a real shooter even at 15 yds. We shoot my loads in all our guns so I doubt it is an ammo problem. There could also be debris in the action or barrel lug that can cause a problem too so I would call S&W and talk to them about the problem. Good folks to deal with.
 
If you will use a 130 Gr it will let it shot a little higher. I have found out they need a heaver bullets to do a good job. Good Luck
 
man-o-man, don't be disappointed with shooting like that - with that good a group, be thankful, move your rear sight a tad, and shoot it the rest of your life - great gun.
 
alright everyone i did a bit of shooting with the 5906 and several others this weekend and have the results of my grouping.

5906Grouping.gif

This is at around 7 yards on a stand... granted on a very good stand but i think much can be gleaned from this picture.

The group is just shy of an inch and is 2 inches low and one inch to the left. (The hole at the top of the picture is from another target on the same sheet).

Once again, not a single malfunction from the 5906... I think i'll wait to get the extractor replaced for the time being. At least until brownells gets the part back in stock.

Comments? Suggestions? Anything is appreciated.
 
Does this gun need to have rounds cycled from the magazine? Strange...
Click to expand...
Not strange at all.
Very few handguns don't feed that way.

German Luger's and Russian MAK's are the first two that come to mind that were designed to snap over the case rim every shot.

If you think about it, a pistol based loosely on the John Browning design, which is most pistols today, employ a "controlled round feed", in which the round slides up the breach face and under the extractor hook on it's way to the chamber.

They just don't magically jump up out of the magazine and into the chamber all by their lonesome.

rc
 
I am cross eye dominant, right handed and left eye dominant by a lot.
Im not the thread starter, but can you elaborate what this does to your shot?

I often shoot rifle left handed because my left eye is better, but never thought to shoot pistol left handed. I just shoot righty and use my left eye. Some days at the range are disappointing for me.
 
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