So I'm not buying the Sigma, what about the 5906

[shotcalla]

I'm still thinking of placing an order with CDNN, If the Sigma's are a POS what about the 5906, I need a full size 9 and that seems to fit the bill. Does it have a safety or is that just a decocker letter.

Thanks for your input.

 

[PO2Hammer]

If it has a lever on the slide, it's a safety/decocker. IMO, they are the slowest to use and the easiest to forget. One thing I can never forget is the video of a jewelry store owner who was being robbed at gunpoint and drew his S&W auto and tried to fire, but forgot the safety, and the robber shot him three times in the belly with a revolver. Obviously the store owner didn't practice enough to make the safety instinctive. I like a pistol that the safety falls under the thumb naturally (1911/HK), or no safety at all (Glock, DAO). Just one thing to consider, not a flame at S&W/Beretta.

 

[stans]

The 5906 has a hammer dropping safety lever mounted on the slide. Down is safe, up is fire. The 5906 is a time tested and proven design. They are generally 100% reliable with quality ammo and are usually accurate.

 

[SouthpawShootr]

I have 3 5900 series guns (5906, 5943TSW, 5946). I like all three. As far as I can remember, there have been no malfunctions of any type with any of my 3. My 5946 was a police turn-in. Fair amount of holster wear, but it shoots like a dream. Upon receipt, I immediately replaced the recoil spring. My best friend is a S&W armorer, so he checked it over just to be sure and pronounced it in better shape than his own duty 5946. My 5946TSW and 5906 were both purchased brand new. All are untouched my any gunsmith, with the only modification being that all three wear Hogue rubber grips (the best aftermarket accessory you can buy for these guns). The all steel guns are a bit heavy for concealed carry, but they do their job admirably. BTW, are these guns CDNN has new or turn-ins and how much are they running?

Also, if you fancy decock only, S&W can modify your gun to do this. For some of the older guns, this involves a bit of gunsmithing. For the newer ones, I believe it is a minor parts switch-out.

 

[Badger Arms]

My 5904 has never skipped a beat... EVER. It is a police trade-in and the trigger pull is smooth and light. I'd bet my life on this pistol any day. As for the safety/decocker: When you carry the gun loaded chamber, hammer down, safety off, you are essentially carrying a revolver for the first shot. I don't trust safeties. My trigger finger acts as my safety. When I carry single actions, I either carry hammer down on a loaded chamber or hammer back, safety off with an empty chamber.

 

[hansolo]

"&" 5900 series

I bought a S&W 910s "Value Line" last year: it has the aluminum frame. It's basically a 5906 with a squared-off top to the slide and w/o frontstrap checkering....I haven't experienced ONE malfunction; it eats any ammo. I have made cocktail mags with JHP, handloads, FMJ.....bang, bang, bang, etc. Assuming the 5900 series is any better, you couldn't ask for a more reliable semiauto. BTW, I have a CZ 75B with an "up" for safe lever...I have no problem switching over to the S&W "down" for decock, flick lever up and carry with one in pipe and DA, like revolver(as another post-er stated).

 

[George Hill]

Go for it. Poor ergonomics, but you can get used to them. Other than that, they are just fine.

 

[Hkmp5sd]

I have both the 59 and 5906 and both are excellent handguns. Totally reliable. The only unfavorable characteristic of the 5906 to me is that it is a bit too heavy for a CCW gun. Well, that and the magazine disconnect, which I don't like. The only time I use the safety/decocker is to drop the hammer. At all other times, it is ready to fire.

I also have a Sigma .40 S&W and I must have gotten an oddball because it is also reliable. There are many polymer full size 9's on the market that combine the high capacity of a full size 9 with a lighter weight handgun. My preference for a full size 9mm CCW is the Glock 17.

 

[Alan Fud]

... I like a pistol that the safety falls under the thumb naturally (1911/HK), or no safety at all (Glock, DAO). Just one thing to consider, not a flame at S&W/Beretta ...

Different strokes for different folks. I prefer the S&W/Beretta safety system. Maybe it's because I've been shooting them for over two decades but for me, they seem natural and the 5906 fits my hand like a glove ...

... I would DEFINITELY recommend it if you are looking for a full-size 9mm.

 

[shotcalla]

Well I did it I bought a 5906 today along with 3 hicaps from CDNN, they were out of the 299 but they had a NIB for 399 with adjustable sights. So for ~465 I have a NIB full size 9 with 3 stainless hicaps. I think I got a good deal. I hear everyones thoughts on the safety, I also have a G-19 with night sights that is my "go-to" gun for a number of reasons. The 5906 will be a range/back-up gun. I will let everyone know what I think when I get it.

 

[MrMurphy]

I had a 5946 DAO with a SWEET (odd, isn't it?) DAO trigger, very surprisingly. The price was right, and I wanted a 9mm for range work and cheap practice, so I got it. I could still annoy targets at 100 yards offhand with some aiming-off for bullet drop. Never hiccuped in the 400 or so rounds I put through it before I traded it. The Third Gen Smiths never fit me right, but that one wasn't as bad as the others. Worth the price.

 

[LynnMassGuy]

Congrats on a fine pistol shotcalla!!

 

[mlk18]

I have owned and own several Smith & Wesson 9mm's, to include several 3rd generation autos. They are as capable as ANY sidearm on the market and will serve you well. I really like the 3953/6946/5946 with their unbelievably smooth DAO triggers. But the5906 is a fine weapon in its own right. PLUS S&W autos are an incredible bargain price wise, accessories are everywhere and 15 round magazines are cheap! But Shhhhhhhh don't tell anyone, my collection isn't complete yet.

 

[shotcalla]

I have not even gotten the gun yet, but do any 5900 owners know of any cheap night sights or fiber optic sights they can recomend for me.

Isn't waiting for a new gun the hardest thing!

 

[Hkmp5sd]

FYI, there was a recall on the early 5906 handguns. When you get yours, check to see if you need to get the replacement part.

RECALL: Smith & Wesson has shipped over 300,000 Third generation Pistols. We have had a very small number or reports where a dropped pistol resulted in a broken grip resulting in a failure to fire by releasing mainspring tension. Resultant testing and review have shown that a pistol dropped at a specific angle can cause a fracture of the grip.

As a result of these occurrences and our testing, we have made a change in the grip material to a thermoplastic alloy of increased durability. This new material, which is now being used on all current production models, can be identified by a dimple on the bottom of the grip, next to the large opening. Additionally, the blue product box has a green dot sticker on the label end.

We believe it unlikely that you will experience any problem with your original grips. However, in order to safeguard our customers from the possibility of such a malfunction, we will make available, free of charge, an easily installed replacement grip. Please inspect your pistol and if you have a model listed below that does not have a small dimple next to the large opening, please write us including your model and serial number or call 800-338-2466. If you prefer, you can send your pistol to a Smith & Wesson Warranty Station where we will replace the grip for you.

Firearm Recalls/Warnings Index

 

[shotcalla]

Well here she is. She came just about NIB from CDNN and looks like a later model due to the black trigger, I'd estimate less than a mag of ammo has been through the gun, probably test fired by a PD and then they changed guns before issuance. I really like the way it feels in my hand and the fit and finish is great. I also really like the DA trigger, it is a lot like my S&W revos (surprise). I'm taking her out tomorrow and can't wait.
I did not think I would like the rear sight with the "ears", they don't look good but they have no impact on my sight picture, has anyone ever added night sights to these or can you recomend anywhere I can find them, most places only seem to have them for the grooved, non adj. sights.

Thanks for everyones input on steering me away from the sigma, I paid a little more but I feel I got a lot more gun. Getting a new fullsize nine with 3 std. caps for less than 5 bills is great.

 

[SouthpawShootr]

I doubt very much your gun was a police turn-in. Typically, PDs don't bother with adjustable sights on duty guns. Just one more thing to break. My dad has one in this configuration; it's just one of the old square triggerguard models. More likely the gun was either a demo that was handled/shown a bit, maybe fired at little. I walked into a similar deal several years ago about 3 months after S&W introduced the 4046. My dealer said it was a S&W sales rep sample. The gun looked to have never been fired. Got it for $100 under what he was selling the new ones for. I think I paid $480 for it. It's been a real champ and I still enjoy shooting it. Looks like you got a real winner. It should last you damn near forever. Enjoy.