There is just something about steel.
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Schwing
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I have a couple of polymer guns but the majority of my collection are steel. I have no problem with polymer guns but the look and feel is just so much better with a solid steel firearm.
Steel often cracks, usually after extended use, tho. Aluminum cracks much more often (and much worse) Plastic frames normally dont crack, but they can become battered, if not well made/designed for high volume shooting. The entire point of stainless or Tennifer type finishes is that you don't have to waste $100 per year refinishing them, as you do a blued gun, if you carry it much. 
Riomouse911
Member
I was issued a 5906 between 1991-1993. It wasn't a bad design (a tad heavy after a long day) my only not-so-fond memory was a bit of a mushy trigger. Other than that, I think it was a good, durable gun.
I bought a 4013 when they came out, and still have it. That one has a bit of a flip when fired because of the single-stack alloy frame/steel slide.
I bought a 4013 when they came out, and still have it. That one has a bit of a flip when fired because of the single-stack alloy frame/steel slide.
RussB
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What steel 9mm pistols were those?
Nom de Forum
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Only one out of the four you listed is "Same or lighter than 32 oz." and that is only if you are referring to empty weight. Not that anyone cares about empty weight when carrying.
Sources: Jane's, Small Arms of the World, etc.,etc.
Nom de Forum
Member
Beautiful gun. Would not look or feel right in anything other than steel. It is what it is supposed to be. Most of my guns are steel. Never could warm-up to a Commander when I was a 1911 fanatic. Steel is a great material but after reading some very debatable statements about steel as a material for guns in this thread
; I think you ought to expect some comments about steel that are more than about aesthetic qualities. But no more from me. Enjoy your beautiful 5906. I got some of my numbers off:
Beretta 92FS 33.3 oz.
Sig P226 34 oz.
FN HP-DA 32 oz.
HK P9S 32.6 oz.
Sig P210 35.6 oz.
The alloy pistols were even heavier than I thought, and I was wrong on the P210 (bad source). I don't have the GB anymore to confirm.
Point being, steel framed full sized pistols can easily weigh less full size alloy framed guns.
Sources this time: Beretta.com, SigSauer.com, my digital scale
Beretta 92FS 33.3 oz.
Sig P226 34 oz.
FN HP-DA 32 oz.
HK P9S 32.6 oz.
Sig P210 35.6 oz.
The alloy pistols were even heavier than I thought, and I was wrong on the P210 (bad source). I don't have the GB anymore to confirm.
Point being, steel framed full sized pistols can easily weigh less full size alloy framed guns.
Sources this time: Beretta.com, SigSauer.com, my digital scale
Wreck-n-Crew
Member
I found a nice 5906 a few month's back and a great deal at the pawn shop. I had one 13 years ago and let someone talk me into selling it to them, needless to say that will never happen again.
I am more accurate with it than any polymer gun I have ever owned/shot when shooting fast. Now I can't slow down! So much fun, low recoil and reliable (eats all my reloads). The 3rd gen S&W were some of the best guns
I also bought a 5903 that I just refinished. love those 3rd gens.
I am more accurate with it than any polymer gun I have ever owned/shot when shooting fast. Now I can't slow down! So much fun, low recoil and reliable (eats all my reloads). The 3rd gen S&W were some of the best guns
I also bought a 5903 that I just refinished. love those 3rd gens.
horsemen61
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nice gun
Wreck-n-Crew
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Before:
Frame finished, starting assembly:
complete:
Wreck-n-Crew
Member
How do I make the images smaller other than a link?
ratt_finkel
Member
I prefer all metal guns as well. But I'm not a fan of the shooting characteristics of the third gen Smith's. Though they are nice to look at.
hemiram
Member
I prefer steel over anything else, there's just something about the weight and feel of it.
Until recently, I only owned two polymer guns, a S&W 15-22 pistol, and a Kel-Tec SUB2000. I disliked polymer in general, but those two were only available that way, and they shot fine. A friend of mine had a Taurus 809, and it felt great, and it ran fine, so I bought one, brand new, and it's been a disaster. It's back at Taurus now, and I have little hope they will fix it. I passed up buying one of the Canik CZ-75 clones to buy it and I feel it was a huge mistake. If the 809 comes back and is still a dud, off it goes, and it will probably be the last polymer gun forever, or at least a long time.
Until recently, I only owned two polymer guns, a S&W 15-22 pistol, and a Kel-Tec SUB2000. I disliked polymer in general, but those two were only available that way, and they shot fine. A friend of mine had a Taurus 809, and it felt great, and it ran fine, so I bought one, brand new, and it's been a disaster. It's back at Taurus now, and I have little hope they will fix it. I passed up buying one of the Canik CZ-75 clones to buy it and I feel it was a huge mistake. If the 809 comes back and is still a dud, off it goes, and it will probably be the last polymer gun forever, or at least a long time.
bannockburn
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My favorite all steel gun would have to be the Colt Combat Commander. For it's just the right size and weight, with great balance and handling characteristics.
Nom de Forum
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The Combat Commander was the first modern pistol I bought myself on my 21st birthday. Unfortunately it was also the pistol that taught me what Hoppes #9 does to satin nickel. Back then in the Triassic era I just could not warm up to a Commander because the alloy frame just didn't seem right and still doesn't. It will always be my favorite too because it was my first.
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