S&W Model 6904 and 6906 Trigger Guard Variations

[Bedfordtec]

I have both a 6904 and 6906 with the square trigger guard (like a Glock or Beretta) with finger serations. There appears to be three versions of 6904/06 with different triggerr guards. The first is the round one and the second has a slightly squared trigger guard with finger serations. The third is the pronounced supporting hand finger grip. Have researched the 6904/06 and cannot find out the production sequence and if there are any other differences among the three models. Please let me know if you know the sequence. Which model do you prefer. The gun is great. Thanks

 

[Beck]

I can't help much with details of the sequence, but the 6900 Series basically followed the changes in the full size 5900 Series. I was a big fan of 3rd Generation S&W Semi-auto pistols from the beginning... and still am. I do know the squared trigger guard came first... a carryover from S&W 2nd generation pistols.

The 5904/06, which begin production in 1989 had the pronounced "Finger step contoured serrated trigger guard" resembling the Beretta 92 on the older models. S&W changed that to the rounded front trigger guard with serrations to reduce production costs, but I don't know exactly which year they finalized that change.

Likewise the 6904/06, which began production in 1989, first had the very pronounced squared front trigger guard with serrations. And like the 5904/06 S&W began producing models with the round trigger guard with serrations at a later time.

The squared off trigger guard with the hook at the bottom were made at least from 1989 to 1991. The first rounded trigger guard I saw on a 3rd Generation S&W was on a 1992 5904, which was the duty sidearm of an Illinois State Police friend of mine. I don't know if the 6904/06 changed to the rounded trigger guard in 1992 or not. I wasn't very familiar with them at the time.

I have an early production model 915, which at the time was introduced as a "Budget" 5904. The 915 (1992 - 1995) always had the rounded trigger guard. I put Novak sights on it. At this point it's barely distinguishable from the later production 5904. They both fetch about the same price used on Gunbroker and other auction sites. I actually prefer the 915. Its a bit lighter and I don't need the ambidextrous safety of the 5904. I've handled 5904s with the squared trigger guard and I like those as well.

genitron.com shows only 2 variations of the 6904/06. Variant-1 with the trigger guard that has the squared off front, and Variant-2 with the rounded front trigger guard. But they could be wrong. There could be a third if you've seen it. There's a lot of conflicting info on the web. It's hard to find a definitive answer about some details. Smith & Wesson did quite a bit of custom work and experimentation with the 3rd Generation autos.

https://www.genitron.com/Handgun/Smith-Wesson/Pistol/6904/9-mm/Variant-1

https://www.genitron.com/Handgun/Smith-Wesson/Pistol/6904/9-mm/Variant-2

 

[Homerboy]

I’m a huge 3rd Gen fan. I have 7 of them now but have owned well over 2 dozen over the years. Only had two with the squared trigger guard, a 6906 and a 5906. I much prefer the rounded trigger guard. It’s funny because on the Beretta 92, I hate the round trigger guard.

 

[Bedfordtec]

Thanks, Good scoop!

 

[Riomouse911]

My first issued duty gun in mid-1991 was a 5906 with the huge adjustable rear sight and that squared trigger guard. (That gun had very bad ju-ju, I got rid of it as soon as that agency let me swap it back for my personal SIG 226.)

My 1993-era 4013 has the rounded trigger guard. I like this gun, it packs some decent power for SD in a manageable package.

Stay safe.

 

[lysanderxiii]

I have both a 6904 and 6906 with the square trigger guard (like a Glock or Beretta) with finger serations. There appears to be three versions of 6904/06 with different triggerr guards. The first is the round one and the second has a slightly squared trigger guard with finger serations. The third is the pronounced supporting hand finger grip. Have researched the 6904/06 and cannot find out the production sequence and if there are any other differences among the three models. Please let me know if you know the sequence. Which model do you prefer. The gun is great. Thanks

The older S&W 469 starts the square trigger guard, the first 690X series maintained the style.

 

[hemiram]

I have a 5906 with the round one, but I had an older one a few years back that appears to have been ground down to make it round from the square guard. The guy I bought it from said it came (Used) that way and the gun store he bought it from assured him they had sold it new that way. It had zero issues, and I only sold it because I needed money. My present 6906 has the round guard, which I prefer on S&W guns. On Tanfoglios though, as seen to the left, I like the square guard better.