S&W 5900 series question

[wnycollector]

S&W started production of the 5900 series pistols in 1989. The NYS version of the AWB went into effect 9/94. That means that there are ~5 years of pre-ban 5900 series pistols out there. Does anyone know what is the serial # cut-off to tell if a pistol is pre-ban or post-ban?

 

[aquapong]

Probably a good questin for www.smith-wessonforum.com .

 

[Storm]

It can probably be figured out using the Standard Catalog to give you a serial number range. I'll take a look.

Just checked the Standard Catalog. It indicated for 1994 serial numbers started with VAMxxxx, with 1993 serial numbers listed as TZU and 1997 as UAMxxxx. That's the best that I can do, which ain't much.

 

[GrandmasterB]

Is there any difference in the pistol? I thought just the magazine capacity was restricted.

 

[wnycollector]

I thought just the magazine capacity was restricted.

Yep thats the problem. A pre-ban gun is the exact same gun as a post ban gun. When the federal AWB sun setted in 2004...ALL those ban era guns (9/94-9/04) got brand new hi-cap mags...or they were produced post-2004 brand new with high cap mags. The only way to get a NY FFL to transfer me the gun is for it to be sent to NY w/ a 10 round mag OR be able to somehow identify the gun as pre-1994 high cap!

When I bought my SIG P226, it was easy to identify it as pre-1994...it had "made in w. gremany" on the side of it!

 

[varoadking]

When I bought my SIG P226, it was easy to identify it as pre-1994...it had "made in w. gremany" on the side of it!

On the slide, right? Was the serial number matching and also stamped on the slide? Think about it...

 

[wnycollector]

On the slide, right? Was the serial number matching and also stamped on the slide? Think about it...

I have a dont ask, dont tell policy once in my possession

 

[ugaarguy]

Can you use pre ban hi caps in a new 59xx S&W?

 

[wnycollector]

Can you use pre ban hi caps in a new 59xx S&W?

Yes. With the huge amount of police trades out there, I may just call summitgunbrokers or coles distributing and see if they will ship me a 5906 w/o the hi-cap mag. I have a line on 5 pre-ban 14 round mags for $100 so life is good