5906 vs 64 for first gun on a budget?

5906 or 64 trade-in for first gun?

  • 5906

    Votes: 22 44.9%

  • 64

    Votes: 21 42.9%

  • Other

    Votes: 6 12.2%
  • Total voters
    49
  • Poll closed .
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Shrinkmd

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A friend is about to purchase their first handgun, and is trying to stick to a budget. Rather than buy a new, but lesser quality handgun, we've been talking about a police trade in 5906 or 64 that are currently out there. I've seen plenty of both from Robertsons Trading Post on GunsAmerica.

Given its a used (but hopefully well maintained and little used) gun, which would you recommend for a new shooter, considering likely need for repairs, available parts, chance for problems, and long term reliability? My friend is taking a class soon, so the revolver vs semi question for a new shooter will hopefully be lessened. Still, this will be a HD gun as well, so it must be reliable. Of course, 15+1 would be nicer than 6, assuming no problems!

Or would you just not get a used trade in and go for new or a lesser brand?
 
I can't speak for the 64, as I've never fired one, but I can tell you my first cartridge-firing gun was a 5906, and I'll never ever sell it. I shoot it just about every time I go shooting, and at this point I've put somewhere around 5000 rounds through it myself. Only time it failed to fire, I ended up finding a piece of debris jammed in the firing-pin hole, which i don't blame the gun for, that part of the design is something all semi-autos share. It fires just as well now as when I first got it, it's built like a tank, eats ammo like a champ, and the weight really helps counter the felt recoil. I really love it and won't part with it until I'm too old to shoot it!

edit: another plus with the 5906, is after that one failure to fire with the debris, thanks to THR and youtube I discovered that the gun's design makes it easy to pull the firing pin out and clean it and the channel it rides in.
 
I've got a 4046, which is the DAO .40 S&W version of the 5906. Let me tell you, the quality on these things are excellent. They are accurate, have a decent trigger, and recoil on all of them is null because of the weight (all stainless steel construction). The best part about them though is that they are dirt cheap right now because of all the police trade-ins. Can't beat one of the best handguns ever made for $300!

Another aspect is that the shooter is new to handguns. 9mm is dirt cheap and everywhere, which would allow for more training than with a .38. Yea, I know .38 isn't that much more expensive, but when your new you can use as much practice as you can afford.

The last area is parts. In all honesty, you won't have problems with either. The 5906 has a big following and parts aren't likely to disappear any time soon. As for the 64, it's pretty much the same deal.
 
I'll post the same advice that I give new shooters, ask yourself or in this case him how often the shooter plans on shooting his pistol? are you going to shoot it enough to be proficient at clearing jams and hangups when they happen with an auto? ( and they will at some point if you shoot enough, I don't care what brand you have...)

Or are you going to shoot a couple of boxes a year and that it? If the former and you like the auto by all means get it. Either of those guns are reliable good shooting guns and ammo for either is usually available. If the latter then get the revolver. It will shoot and shoot and if for some reason it doesn't go bang pull the trigger and unless the firing pin breaks it should go off. Doesn't take as much training just because they do rarely hang up or jam.

For what it's worth about Robertson I have dealt with them several times and been very happy with them. their place is about an hour and half from here, they are real nice folks.
 
Unless you're going to use it as range toy whole lot I would look for third generation S&W
with alloy frame that way you're not stock with steel brick. There is bewildering number of models out there just like cereals or cold remedies in supermarket isle. In practical terms when caliber is eliminated there are only combo of four guns: DAO, DAO/SA with either single or double stack magazines. There is little point in considering Model 64 as it is six shot steel brick chambered for the .38 cartridge. Might as well carry .357 steel brick.
 
Both are great guns. If he likes revolver buy the revolver and so on. I'm a revolver guy so I would buy the M64. If the gun is for concealed carry I would choose other, a S&W J frame.
 
I've got a 469, one gen older than the 5906. I can't say enough about this gun. Durable, reliable, accurate, fun to shoot, decent mag size, and inexpensive. The S&W 1,2 & 3 gen auto loaders are under rated and are well worth their asking price. $300 for a 5906 that will outlast your kids is a steal.
 
I would get the 64. As far as getting the 65 in .357 goes, 99% of what you are gonna shoot in a K-Frame is .38s, and you don't have to mess with scrubbing the fouling rings out of the cylinders like you do shooting .38s out of .357s.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr
 
If there are any gun shows in your area, try to have your friend at least hold each, both pistols should be good performers, after that it is a matter of personal preference. He's gotta like it to find it useful!
 
micdude said:
Ive owned two s&w 5906's and they are jam-O-matic's.
Click to expand...
Then no offense, but something is wrong with them or the ammo is no good.


3rd generation Smiths have a well known reputation for being reliable when they shouldn't be. I read a story where his 4006's extractor broke in two or something like that and the gun just kept on going.

A big thing folks forget when they buy these guns is 99% of the police trade in guns need a new recoil spring. Recoil springs for the 3rd Gen Smiths last about 5000 rounds, and most of them are never changed out since leaving the factory. Do yourself a favor and buy 2 Wolf recoil springs. Change them out when required and the gun functions fine.
 
I'd say it really comes down to preference of a revolver vs an autopistol. I have no experience with a 64 but my buddy's 5906 has performed very well.
 
I personally think that one of each would make fine sense, rather than purchasing one new firearm. For a non-reloader, I think the 64 (well, a used 686 would be great but no flood of LE trade ins on those around) a 5906 and a new 617 revolver would be a great start. Of course the 617 would cost more than the other two put together, but the ammo savings for more frequent practice and learning how to shoot well would make it worthwhile. And you can't dry fire the 617.

For reloaders, I really like someone else's comment that all you need is a 22lr and a 44 magnum. Although I enjoy the 38 specials and 357 magnums, if I could only choose one sixgun, I think I would keep my 44.
 
Ranger30-06 said:
Then no offense, but something is wrong with them or the ammo is no good.


3rd generation Smiths have a well known reputation for being reliable when they shouldn't be. I read a story where his 4006's extractor broke in two or something like that and the gun just kept on going.

A big thing folks forget when they buy these guns is 99% of the police trade in guns need a new recoil spring. Recoil springs for the 3rd Gen Smiths last about 5000 rounds, and most of them are never changed out since leaving the factory. Do yourself a favor and buy 2 Wolf recoil springs. Change them out when required and the gun functions fine.
Click to expand...
New magazine springs couldn't hurt, either.
 
micdude said:
Ive owned two s&w 5906's and they are jam-O-matic's.
Click to expand...
Get your gun fixed. {no offense} I've put a couple thousand rounds through my 5906 with no malfucntions.

Sorry, didn't see "owned", I guess they're gone. Oh well.
 
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You guys are probably right about the springs but it was one my first pistol I bought and a little bit of know how would of helped I guess, so I sold it but ended up with another one a few years ago and it did same thing a bunch of FTE so I traded it. I also had a friend pick one up last year same problem when we went out shooting. I don't know if all three guns could have bad springs and Im sure there are some good ones out there but I'm dune with those.I really wanted to like them because they felt great and solid.
 
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If there are any gun shows in your area, try to have your friend at least hold each, both pistols should be good performers, after that it is a matter of personal preference. He's gotta like it to find it useful!
Click to expand...

I agree. Both are excellent choices, but he should try to handle both (or at least similar models) and choose the one that feels best to him. May as well also consider quality budget minded choices as well, such as the Ruger P95 almherdfan mentions, or something like a .38 or .357 Ruger Police Service Six.
 
Have him at least try both an autoloader or a revolver and see what he likes. Most of it will really come down to that.

Even with that decided though, keep in mind that the 5906 is a bit heavy compared to most modern polyer framed autoloaders. The S&W 64 is still just fine as most revolvers still have such frames. My personal recommendation would be to stick with the 64 if he wants a revolver, but if not he might look at some of the police surplus Gen 2 Glock 22's that are on the market for just over $300.

FWIW, despite owning a S&W 64 that I love to take to the range - for an actual working gun I'd always take the autoloader. The extra rounds are much like the gun itself - better to have them and not need them than to need them and not have them.
 
I have a M64/3"/1980 that's a tack driver out to 60 meters, more so than some of the semi autos I have.

In the end it boils down to platform preference and how each model checks out. While I prefer the 9mm over 38 Special, the bonded 135gr JHPs from Speer and Winchester are good performers and both were designed at the request of LEAs.

The M64 conceals nicely and speedloaders cost less than magazines.
 
I own an ex service 5904 and I will never sell it! It goes to the range with me every time and has never malfunctioned once. I will be getting a 5906 probably this weekend at our gun show since I know someone who will take $250 for his.
 
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