Anything bad about the S&W 5906?
- Thread starter TennJed
- Start date
Parts are easy MidwayUSA
http://www.midwayusa.com/Search/#S&W 5906____-_1-2-4_8-16-32
I get my parts for my Wife's and my 469 from them, so they should have all the parts you need.
http://www.midwayusa.com/Search/#S&W 5906____-_1-2-4_8-16-32
I get my parts for my Wife's and my 469 from them, so they should have all the parts you need.
Southern Rebel
New member
My 5906 is my favorite pistol for target shooting - and introducing newbies to a round more powerful that the .22. I have had mine for about five years and have had NO problems with it. The weight is certainly a drawback for CC, but I have other guns for that purpose. I do carry it occasionally when hiking and choose to carry OWB.
Single Six
New member
I'm a Ruger fan, but I have a soft spot for the S&W Third Gens. My agency issued us the 5906 back through the early '90s, and they were ALWAYS reliable, almost to the point of absurdity. The size and weight thing was a non-issue for me, but that's really a subjective matter; one shooter might think differently than yours truly on that. It is highly unlikely that you'll regret your purchase.
Spats McGee
Administrator
Never shot one, but I can't recall ever hearing anything bad about them.
Nico Testosteros
New member
I have a 5903 but I think the only drawback to a 5906 ( or 5903 or 5904) is that the grips can be a bit big for those with smaller hands.
Other than the size and weight (40 fat freakin' ounces empty? A 9mm? That's a disqualifier right there....
Lemme see...
- Craptastic DA trigger, check.
- Magazine disconnect, check.
- Fat grip, yet only holds 10 (or 15) rounds, check.
- Ergonomics that make a Glock look pointable, check.
If it was black, it would rival a Glock for ugly.....
SouthpawShootr
New member
So many were made, I suspect parts will be around at least 50 years longer than you will be. Don't worry about it. I'm sure there are quite a few small departments that still issue them.
Only bad thing about them, having had three, is they are heavy and almost seem to multiply.
I like mine. They make excellent range guns. They can be carried but there are better options.
As far as the grips go, many people don't realize there are two types available for this gun from the factory. Standard factory equipped has an arched backstrap and is somewhat hand filling. The other grip is what was standard on the 4006 guns. It has a flat backstrap and is a little more amenable to smaller hand. Nevertheless, they're still a bit blocky. I've got big hands, so I care not.
Only bad thing about them, having had three, is they are heavy and almost seem to multiply.
I like mine. They make excellent range guns. They can be carried but there are better options.
As far as the grips go, many people don't realize there are two types available for this gun from the factory. Standard factory equipped has an arched backstrap and is somewhat hand filling. The other grip is what was standard on the 4006 guns. It has a flat backstrap and is a little more amenable to smaller hand. Nevertheless, they're still a bit blocky. I've got big hands, so I care not.
Thanks for the info. the size and weight is not an issue. I will use this strictly for fun and range use. Will not be carried As a matter of fact I bought a PF9 the same day.
I had sold all my other 9mm and wanted to get something. Couldn't decide so I went for large and small 
I had sold all my other 9mm and wanted to get something. Couldn't decide so I went for large and small 
Onward Allusion
New member
The 5906 and the S&W 59 series in general are great pistols. Parts are abundant if you ever need them, and I stress IF. Aside from the springs, ejector, extractor, & firing pin, you will likely never need to replace any parts. The TSW series are as accurate as a custom pistol. Even the 1st generation 59 are decent guns despite the lack of a firing pin block. They are probably the best values around if you're into all steel pistols.
It might be a bit heavy for everyday CC'ing but as a house gun you can't beat it. If you run out of ammo, you can use it as a club and crack the BG's skull with it. It's also a great range pistol.
It might be a bit heavy for everyday CC'ing but as a house gun you can't beat it. If you run out of ammo, you can use it as a club and crack the BG's skull with it. It's also a great range pistol.
oldandslow
New member
TJ, 4/15/11
I have a number of 3rd gen. SW's including a 5906. I got the 5906 as a police trade-in about six years ago with a few surface scratches but good barrel. I have put in just over 8000 rounds of standard pressure 124 grain FMJ ammo through the pistol. Just recently it started to have hammer follow issues. When doing a detail strip there were through and through cracks in the frame (on both sides) between the sear pin and hammer pin which allowed the distance between the two pins to lengthen and pull the sear off the hammer hooks during slide movement forward. I am looking for a tig welder who can possibly re-weld the frame. It was an excellent pistol but I had expected more rounds to go through it before it died. I still have a number of others that I enjoy and trust with my life (4516, 4566tsw, 3914, 6904). Good luck.
best wishes- oldandslow
I have a number of 3rd gen. SW's including a 5906. I got the 5906 as a police trade-in about six years ago with a few surface scratches but good barrel. I have put in just over 8000 rounds of standard pressure 124 grain FMJ ammo through the pistol. Just recently it started to have hammer follow issues. When doing a detail strip there were through and through cracks in the frame (on both sides) between the sear pin and hammer pin which allowed the distance between the two pins to lengthen and pull the sear off the hammer hooks during slide movement forward. I am looking for a tig welder who can possibly re-weld the frame. It was an excellent pistol but I had expected more rounds to go through it before it died. I still have a number of others that I enjoy and trust with my life (4516, 4566tsw, 3914, 6904). Good luck.
best wishes- oldandslow
JMOfartO:
I believe all 3rd Gen Smiths too be undervalued, under appreciated, and absolutely "under the radar" of the majority of the pistol buying public these days.
Several years ago (2008) when CDNN was selling off the remaining stock of new 3rd Gen Smiths I bought a NIB 5906/6906/3913LS from them, and a new CS9, and slightly used CS45 elsewhere.
All have been excellent.
I use the 5906 as my "nightstand" pistol choice.. I have added the excellent Crimson Trace Laser(grips), and, my my needs I think it's as good a 9MM pistol for that duty as you can buy.
ABSOLUTELY reliable.... All of em', all the time...
The 5906 IS heavy, but that makes it "soft" to shoot... My bride (67 years old/5' tall) loves to shoot it, and is very good with it.
All 3rd Gen Smiths came with a lifetime warranty to the original owner, but I've "heard" where they will often provide free warranty repair to subsequent owners IF the problem is factory related problem.
Another 3rd Gen Smith I am high on is the 6906... IF weight and size of the 5906 concerns you then you can get the same performance in a smaller, lighter, package in the 6906. Using the S&W mag adapter you can use the 15rd mags of the 5906 and they work perfectly, and "look" factory..
If you want RELIABLE, (and I do) you need look no further than a 3rd Gen Smith pistol, no matter the model. Reliability is a given in these excellent pistols.
Best Wishes,
Jesse
I believe all 3rd Gen Smiths too be undervalued, under appreciated, and absolutely "under the radar" of the majority of the pistol buying public these days.
Several years ago (2008) when CDNN was selling off the remaining stock of new 3rd Gen Smiths I bought a NIB 5906/6906/3913LS from them, and a new CS9, and slightly used CS45 elsewhere.
All have been excellent.
I use the 5906 as my "nightstand" pistol choice.. I have added the excellent Crimson Trace Laser(grips), and, my my needs I think it's as good a 9MM pistol for that duty as you can buy.
ABSOLUTELY reliable.... All of em', all the time...
The 5906 IS heavy, but that makes it "soft" to shoot... My bride (67 years old/5' tall) loves to shoot it, and is very good with it.
All 3rd Gen Smiths came with a lifetime warranty to the original owner, but I've "heard" where they will often provide free warranty repair to subsequent owners IF the problem is factory related problem.
Another 3rd Gen Smith I am high on is the 6906... IF weight and size of the 5906 concerns you then you can get the same performance in a smaller, lighter, package in the 6906. Using the S&W mag adapter you can use the 15rd mags of the 5906 and they work perfectly, and "look" factory..
If you want RELIABLE, (and I do) you need look no further than a 3rd Gen Smith pistol, no matter the model. Reliability is a given in these excellent pistols.
Best Wishes,
Jesse
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SauerGrapes
New member
I'm a new fan of the 3rd gen S&W pistols. [5906 and 4506]
If you don't want to learn to shoot a DA\SA pistol, don't buy one.
If you don't like large grips, don't buy one.
If you don't like all steel guns, I'm sure someone makes a very nice petite little 25acp for you......
I guess beauty is a subjective thing. Looks won't stop me from buying a quality gun.
If you don't want to learn to shoot a DA\SA pistol, don't buy one.
If you don't like large grips, don't buy one.
If you don't like all steel guns, I'm sure someone makes a very nice petite little 25acp for you......
I guess beauty is a subjective thing. Looks won't stop me from buying a quality gun.
The 5906 sales out there make it to me - the best deal out there for a pistol.
For $300.00 plus an FFL - you have a pistol that is rock solid. I frankly love mine [paid $300 which included shipping] over some of my other "new" tupperware pistols [and I have several glock, M&P, Kahr composite pistols].
To each his own.
Biggest negative? It's heavier than plastic.
For $300.00 plus an FFL - you have a pistol that is rock solid. I frankly love mine [paid $300 which included shipping] over some of my other "new" tupperware pistols [and I have several glock, M&P, Kahr composite pistols].
To each his own.
Biggest negative? It's heavier than plastic.
Before retiring, I carried a Model 6906 on the job for over a decade following our belated transition from revolvers to semi-autos and, during this period of time, it endured thousands of rounds (mostly while using cheap agency reloads loaded with hp bullets) during qualification and practice sessions without ever malfunctioning. Fellow officers reported having much the same positive experiences with these pistols.
Third generation Smith pistols are as reliable as the sun rising in the east and I will never be without at least a few of them in my firearm inventory. The little Model 6906 is still my primary handgun for carrying concealed as a "civilian".
Third generation Smith pistols are as reliable as the sun rising in the east and I will never be without at least a few of them in my firearm inventory. The little Model 6906 is still my primary handgun for carrying concealed as a "civilian".