9mm for fun: S&W 639, S&W 5906 or Sig p6/225

[JW in Ohio]

Looking at several 9mm pistols for general plinking, range work, and fun at the farm. Not concerned with concealment, high capacity, lazers, etc. Just a fun gun to have and shoot. Narrowed down to three:

S&W 639-don't know much about this 2nd generation Smith, but it gets good reviews and those who have one like it. Just not very common. Local retailer advertising police trades for $239 which seems like a smoking deal.
S&W 5906- 3rd generation, does that really mean it is any better than 2nd gen? Those that have them, like them. Usually available as Police trades for $300.
Sig P6/225-available from Aim and others from $260-$300 which includes holster and extra mags. Blue, not stainless like the Smiths, but Sigs seem to have a great reputation.

At first I was just debating between the P6 and the 5906, but the Smith 639 for $239 seems good too.

I just want an accurate, reliable 9mm that has a pleasant firing cycle and is fun to own and shoot. Any suggestions or first hand comparisons would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[mavracer]

the sig seams to have a little better rep for accuracy.but i wouldent let that sway my decision much.any of the three will do what you want and very well.
I own a 1076 and wife has a 226 both are well made and great shooters and 100% reliable.
sorry I'm not more help

 

[Princi]

Of what you listed, all I have is the P6. However, if they still have them, I'd go for a Walther P5. I think I got mine from CDNN last year. It is a fantistic gun, and I like it much better than the P5, as has everyone else that has shot it. I think I'm going to have it re-blued.

 

[gc70]

You would never have to worry about wearing the finish off of either of the S&Ws.

Seriously, all three guns are high-quality products. The 639 and 225 are single-stacks and the 5906 is a double-stack, so your comfort with grip girth could come into play. Hold (and shoot, if possible) all three and pick the one you like best. It would be hard to go wrong with any of the three.

 

[DougDubya]

$239 for a 639? That pretty much puts the other two out of the running, especially since the 639 has what is considered the finest single stack handle. Ever.

 

[Ala Dan]

Nothing wrong with the Smith's; but the SIG P225 wins hands down~!

 

[RON in PA]

Get the 5906. The 3rd gen Smiths are better than earlier models, evolutionary product improvement. The 5906 will last for a long time, maybe several generations.

The SIG is a good gun, but I don't think it has the guts of the 5906.

 

[bannockburn]

JW in Ohio

I would choose the S&W 639. Good ergonomic grip that fits well in your hand, quality construction in the stainless steel, and just a nice single stack design that would make for a great plinker.

 

[Aahzz]

The 5906 is my absolute favorite "fun" 9mm. Mine's a tack driver.

 

[strat81]

5906 is a very nice gun, but it's a bit chunky in the grip. If you don't need hi-capacity, one of the single stacks you mentioned might be a good choice.

 

[JW in Ohio]

Well, I bought the...

Thanks for the replies to my inquiry. The thing I like is that the responses were so varied. That tells me that all three are good choices. Its like the old guy said "There is only one best dog in the world...and every school boy owns him." That goes for pistols too I guess.

I bought the S&W 639. They had 6 or so to choose from and I got one with minimal wear marks. Looks very clean inside and out, and I'm pleased with it for $239. I'll be replacing the rubber Pach grips with original wood panels soon. Very solid pistol.

Well, OK...here's a few pics.

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[Deputy25]

That is a nice 639 for 239.00. I've always been a fan of the 2nd and 3rd gen. Smiths.

 

[SimpleIsGood229]

2nd Gen S&W autos are actually more kaBOOM!-prone than any Glock. They also jam like crazy and are horrendously inaccurate.
You should immediately ship it to me for safe disposal!

Seriously, though, enjoy that S&W!

 

[Moonclip]

That was a good deal. At those prices though I'd of bought two maybe as well as a 5906 and a P6!

 

[Confederate]

The second and third generations are about equal, all things considered. Smith was able to cut a few corners and make some small improvements in the process, but nothing to worry about either way.

I love the 5906 and the 659. The sights are better on the former and both guns are more fun than the Sig. Dry firing a Sig shoots pain through my trigger finger because the mechanism is the kind that builds up, then releases—and those are the toughest to shoot. Dropping the hammer down on the Sig often catches the fleshy part of my thumb, causing me to blaspheme the weapon. I just don't like 'em.

The 639 is one I wish I had, but alas, it is rare.

 

[chris in va]

Good grief that's a good deal. Enjoy.

 

[Robin D]

My old Girl

I have a 5906, I've had her for 3yrs,
I shoot in competition with the local Guadia civil and the police local, She has had a lot of use in the past and i still enjoy shooting her, very reliable,easy to handle and just sits in my palm just right, Last year i was privileged to be invited to Madrid to try the new Beretta PX4 Storm and the 90two very nice, my friend purchased a Storm. When we shoot we all have a try with each others arms, Glock's, sig's, S.T.I's by the bucket full, Beretta's galore, But my old Smith still holds it for me.

Some pic's of The Old Girl, Me with a Storm.

Best Regards

 

[ShelbyV8]

I have never heard of S&W kaboom and have used them for over 20 years. The 639 is a good looking weapon. Here is mine.

 

[Janos Dracwlya]

I own both a 5906 and a Sig P-225. The Sig is my regular carry gun (and on the back of my right hip as I type). They are both great guns, accurate and reliable. You won't go wrong with either of those. I've also owned a 915 (budget 5900) and a Sig P-226, both of which were great as well.

 

[Mortech]

Well if you ever get tired of owning it (and if you do , you need your head examined) , drop me a line and I'll give it a loving home with the rest of my S&Ws

 

[SwampWolf]

I have never heard of S&W kaboom and have used them for over 20 years

I think (hope!) SimpleIsGood229 was just joshing about Third Generation Smiths being ka-boom prone.

 

[m14nut]

I found a nice 639....

...in a small gunshop near my NH house. It belonged to a local Police department [3 members in this police dept.] in Jackson, NH. It is a smith model 639, the stainless version of the famous model 39. It's got holster scratches, but is as tight as the day made, and shows very little use. Ambi safeties and two mags, and the dealer ultrasonically cleaned it for me too.

9mm.



The dealer, a local to the area, told me it was used as their 'undercover' gun....LOL The Jackson police have traded up, so I was able to pick this up for a song. I've called smith, to see if they can smooth out the notorious 'grit' from the trigger of this beauty, which they say that they can for a small amount.



It shoots well, and while it is difficult for my eyes to find the stainless colored front sight, I believe a touch of modelers blaze orange paint should fix that fine.

I have a complete set of springs on the way, as well as two mag springs.



have a gander...

 

[10-Ring]

If the grip on the Smith fits, it can make for a really nice pistol. Tough choice in this case but I think I'd lean towards the SIG

 

[Storm]

What a difficult choice! I have the P6 and 5906, and a 659 rather than 639, and I would really, really have a hard time deciding from your choices. I think the $239 for the 639 would be too hard to resist.

I agree that the quality and evolutionary differences between a 2nd and 3rd Gen Smith are minimal. I know many folks who prefer the 2nd Gen. I'm pretty split on the issue and love both, and own and shoot several of both generations. Also, while I know that some folks prefer Pachmayrs and Hogues on the Smiths, as it is a nice narrow single stack you may want to consider getting some factory grips, or Uncle Mike's, which can still be found.

Since you now have the Smith I'd encourage you to try and get the P6 as well. It's a great gun and prices are already starting to go up.

 

[rbernie]

I have the P6 and 5906, and of the two the P6 wins in every category other than magazine cost/availability.