Tactical Jackalope
New member
Hey now guys, come on...my old man loved his.
jimbob....LMAO your a jerk.
jimbob....LMAO your a jerk.
Anything bad about the S&W 5906?
- Thread starter TennJed
- Start date
jglsprings
New member
Oh, they are very habit forming... If you get a third gen S&W auto and you like it... There will be a plethora of others that will follow it home. 
P.S.
jimbob may be factually correct, but all his taste is in his mouth. LOL!
P.S.
jimbob may be factually correct, but all his taste is in his mouth. LOL!
Tactical Jackalope
New member
jimbob is a friggin riot 
Just picked one up myself. I've had my eye open for a 59 series for a while, I was open to most of the variations (caliber, alloy/ss frame, ect) but it had to be the DA/SA version. I've checked reviews a number of times and never heard anything bad about the 5906 (other than the weight) so when I stumbled across this one, had to buy it. Yea, wow, this thing is heavy!!! Chambered in 9mm though, I expect it to shoot very sweet. Holding this thing and checking out the design, I'm pretty sure it must be nearly indestructible. Higher capacities might be nice but 15rds is sufficient IMO (heck, it's only 2 rds short of my Beretta). Mines going to the range this weekend with lots of ammo. Ugly??? No way (IMO), love the look, especially the all SS with the black grip. Now I just have to convince the Berettas in the drawer to be nice to it (maybe it can chum up to the 22A - hehe).
Let me know how yours works out, I'll post my range report on Monday.
Let me know how yours works out, I'll post my range report on Monday.
I'm one of those folks who tend to feel the 3rd gen S&W traditional double action pistols are decently rugged, reliable and accurate.
Then again, I've carried one or another issued & personally-owned 3rd gen gun for more than 20 years, I've been through the 3rd gen pistol armorer class 4 times and have had the opportunity to help support, maintain and repair several hundreds of them over the years.
I own several 3rd gen S&W's based upon my experience with them as issued guns over the years, too.
The significant number of problems I've encountered with 3rd gen guns have been caused by the users. Most of them have involved either neglected guns, meaning those not cleaned and/or receiving insufficient lubrication or excessive use of solvents and lubrication.
Insufficient lubrication and uncleaned speaks to itself.
Excessive amounts of solvents and lubrication that can work their way into places where they shouldn't go and are probably best avoided. Some examples of problems that may occur when exposure to excessive amounts of solvents and lubricants are involved include:
Contaminated firing pin channels (light-strikes)
Contaminated extractor recesses (failures to extract or feed, depending where the accumulation ends up, at the front or the rear of the extractor)
Sluggish operation or movement of critical parts (bad fouling & accumulated sludge)
Magazines that are never cleaned and become contaminated (dirt, sand, grit, fouling, solvents, etc) can cause problems, too. So can those which are abused or damaged (which is why I prefer to buy new magazines).
The factory recommends armorers replace the magazine and recoil springs in duty guns either every 5 years or every 5,000 rounds fired. (Personally, when it comes to the compact or subcompact models - like the 3913, 6906, 4513TSW, 4040PD, CS9, CS45, etc - I prefer to err on the conservative side and replace the recoil springs more often.) No reason to subject the gun to unnecessary battering by not replacing the recoil spring st least as often as the factory recommends for duty guns.
The extractor and sear release lever (involved in decocking) are fitted parts, meaning they generally require some filing when being installed and should be done by someone who has the knowledge and tools. Fitting an extractor requires the use of a bar gauge (dimension check for Go/No-Go tolerance range) and a force dial gauge (extractor spring tension).
While it's not uncommon for the extractors in well-used guns to eventually become work-hardened and chip or break (we started seeing some small increase in them out at 12-15+ years of service), it can happen sooner if the gun is abused by improper loading. Improper loading means by dropping a live round into the barrel's chamber, instead of loading it into the chamber via the magazine, in the intended manner. Improperly loading a round directly into the chamber and dropping the slide forward causes stress on the extractor hook when it slams against the case rim and has to pivot out & around the rim from the rear. No reason to abuse the gun in that manner.
The company has made some continuing improvements and refinements in design, materials and manufacturing over the years since the initial introduction of the 3rd gen models.
The most easily noticed changes were back when MIM hammers, sears & triggers were introduced. Introduction of MIM hammers resulted in better triggers for the most part. When it came to the older machined hammers you never knew whether a particular hammer was going to be smooth on the surface where the sear nose rubbed during the initial DA stroke, or rough as a shale outcropping due to a dulling cutter. Other spots could vary, too. The MIM hammers are more consistent. Ditto then sear noses and trigger "ears" (prongs which engaged in the drawbar head's V-notch).
The slides were also changed to eliminate the rounded breech face shoulders (going to the straight cut breech face) and to accept a wider barrel tab (rear of hood).
Ever notice the somewhat "shiny" line surrounding the edges of the feedramp and barrel chamber mouth in a newer production 3rd gen gun? This was done because the barrels received an electro-chemical "polish" during production, with the barrels placed in a fixture and the rear of the barrel dipped into a solution.
Lots of little changes were introduced at various times, too. Things like longer ejectors (faster ejection & less potential for stress risers/broken tips due to a change in design), plastic disconnectors (smoother movement and better tolerances - no more 'long tail disconnector' issues, etc), improved extractors (hooks, bevels, tolerances, etc), improved drawbars ... and machining changes inside where it's not normally seen by regular owners & users.
The TSW models introduced still more features and subtle manufacturing & design changes over the years of their production. Things like delayed unlocking (reduced felt recoil with more pressure drop before the barrel unlocked from the slide), larger/thicker box-type frame & slide rails instead of the older stepped rails, and rails on the frame's dustcover (better accuracy), some continuing production changes when it came to major components and even smaller parts, the loaded chamber inspection port in the barrel tab. And other things.
It's a shame that the age of plastic service guns has caused a trend of moving away from the metal-framed guns, which are understandably more expensive to produce. While S&W will still produce the 3rd gen guns for established LE customers (who they can't persuade to buy the new plastic model line ), the days of production strictly for commercial sales are probably gone for the foreseeable future. (The 3rd gen production was moved to their Houlton, Maine plant within the last couple of years, where the .22's, Walther PPK's and SW1911's are made.)
The all-steel models are a bit heavy to carry around for 8-18 hour days (meaning the 5906, 4566TSW, etc). The aluminum alloy framed guns are lighter to carry, although the felt recoil is a bit more noticeable in the lighter guns. Just depends where the individual wants to draw their own line in the compromise of carry weight versus recoil dampening weight.
Overall, the S&W 3rd gen guns are among those I enjoy owning and shooting, and I still trust them as retirement weapons.
Just my thoughts. I could go on talking about them for hours. (And they aren't the only platform for which I've been trained as an armorer, either.)
Then again, I've carried one or another issued & personally-owned 3rd gen gun for more than 20 years, I've been through the 3rd gen pistol armorer class 4 times and have had the opportunity to help support, maintain and repair several hundreds of them over the years.
I own several 3rd gen S&W's based upon my experience with them as issued guns over the years, too.
The significant number of problems I've encountered with 3rd gen guns have been caused by the users. Most of them have involved either neglected guns, meaning those not cleaned and/or receiving insufficient lubrication or excessive use of solvents and lubrication.
Insufficient lubrication and uncleaned speaks to itself.
Excessive amounts of solvents and lubrication that can work their way into places where they shouldn't go and are probably best avoided. Some examples of problems that may occur when exposure to excessive amounts of solvents and lubricants are involved include:
Contaminated firing pin channels (light-strikes)
Contaminated extractor recesses (failures to extract or feed, depending where the accumulation ends up, at the front or the rear of the extractor)
Sluggish operation or movement of critical parts (bad fouling & accumulated sludge)
Magazines that are never cleaned and become contaminated (dirt, sand, grit, fouling, solvents, etc) can cause problems, too. So can those which are abused or damaged (which is why I prefer to buy new magazines).
The factory recommends armorers replace the magazine and recoil springs in duty guns either every 5 years or every 5,000 rounds fired. (Personally, when it comes to the compact or subcompact models - like the 3913, 6906, 4513TSW, 4040PD, CS9, CS45, etc - I prefer to err on the conservative side and replace the recoil springs more often.) No reason to subject the gun to unnecessary battering by not replacing the recoil spring st least as often as the factory recommends for duty guns.
The extractor and sear release lever (involved in decocking) are fitted parts, meaning they generally require some filing when being installed and should be done by someone who has the knowledge and tools. Fitting an extractor requires the use of a bar gauge (dimension check for Go/No-Go tolerance range) and a force dial gauge (extractor spring tension).
While it's not uncommon for the extractors in well-used guns to eventually become work-hardened and chip or break (we started seeing some small increase in them out at 12-15+ years of service), it can happen sooner if the gun is abused by improper loading. Improper loading means by dropping a live round into the barrel's chamber, instead of loading it into the chamber via the magazine, in the intended manner. Improperly loading a round directly into the chamber and dropping the slide forward causes stress on the extractor hook when it slams against the case rim and has to pivot out & around the rim from the rear. No reason to abuse the gun in that manner.
The company has made some continuing improvements and refinements in design, materials and manufacturing over the years since the initial introduction of the 3rd gen models.
The most easily noticed changes were back when MIM hammers, sears & triggers were introduced. Introduction of MIM hammers resulted in better triggers for the most part. When it came to the older machined hammers you never knew whether a particular hammer was going to be smooth on the surface where the sear nose rubbed during the initial DA stroke, or rough as a shale outcropping due to a dulling cutter. Other spots could vary, too. The MIM hammers are more consistent. Ditto then sear noses and trigger "ears" (prongs which engaged in the drawbar head's V-notch).
The slides were also changed to eliminate the rounded breech face shoulders (going to the straight cut breech face) and to accept a wider barrel tab (rear of hood).
Ever notice the somewhat "shiny" line surrounding the edges of the feedramp and barrel chamber mouth in a newer production 3rd gen gun? This was done because the barrels received an electro-chemical "polish" during production, with the barrels placed in a fixture and the rear of the barrel dipped into a solution.
Lots of little changes were introduced at various times, too. Things like longer ejectors (faster ejection & less potential for stress risers/broken tips due to a change in design), plastic disconnectors (smoother movement and better tolerances - no more 'long tail disconnector' issues, etc), improved extractors (hooks, bevels, tolerances, etc), improved drawbars ... and machining changes inside where it's not normally seen by regular owners & users.
The TSW models introduced still more features and subtle manufacturing & design changes over the years of their production. Things like delayed unlocking (reduced felt recoil with more pressure drop before the barrel unlocked from the slide), larger/thicker box-type frame & slide rails instead of the older stepped rails, and rails on the frame's dustcover (better accuracy), some continuing production changes when it came to major components and even smaller parts, the loaded chamber inspection port in the barrel tab. And other things.
It's a shame that the age of plastic service guns has caused a trend of moving away from the metal-framed guns, which are understandably more expensive to produce. While S&W will still produce the 3rd gen guns for established LE customers (who they can't persuade to buy the new plastic model line
), the days of production strictly for commercial sales are probably gone for the foreseeable future. (The 3rd gen production was moved to their Houlton, Maine plant within the last couple of years, where the .22's, Walther PPK's and SW1911's are made.)The all-steel models are a bit heavy to carry around for 8-18 hour days (meaning the 5906, 4566TSW, etc). The aluminum alloy framed guns are lighter to carry, although the felt recoil is a bit more noticeable in the lighter guns. Just depends where the individual wants to draw their own line in the compromise of carry weight versus recoil dampening weight.
Overall, the S&W 3rd gen guns are among those I enjoy owning and shooting, and I still trust them as retirement weapons.
Just my thoughts. I could go on talking about them for hours. (And they aren't the only platform for which I've been trained as an armorer, either.)
silentargus
New member
<-- Owner of a 908S and hopefully soon-to-be owner of a 3906... I can see the value in a double-stack gun, but I'm a big fan of third-gen S&W autos. Can't imagine why Smith discontinued them.
Glockfan35
New member
I love the old-fashioned Smiths!
The 5906 is one of my dream handguns. Someday, it will be mine! My Dad has promised I will one day inherit his 4006 TSW...I'm holding him to it!lol! There's just something about classic pieces of American machinery that always make me smile...even when I'm simply handling, or looking at them! I'll always have my Glocks and other such "Tupperware" for ccw and self-defense. But, to not own such a fine example of American ingenuity is almost a crime in and of itself. However, YMMV!
The 5906 is one of my dream handguns. Someday, it will be mine! My Dad has promised I will one day inherit his 4006 TSW...I'm holding him to it!lol! There's just something about classic pieces of American machinery that always make me smile...even when I'm simply handling, or looking at them!
I'll always have my Glocks and other such "Tupperware" for ccw and self-defense. But, to not own such a fine example of American ingenuity is almost a crime in and of itself. However, YMMV!10 MickeyMouse
New member
Simple economics. The last were the alloy framed economy models, like the 915, 457, etc. They're just too expensive to produce and be competitive in this age of plasic fantastics.
Look at the MSRP of the thrid gens even 15 years ago. The prices we pay today do not reflect how expensive they were to buy new.
Fastbolt, thanks for the great write up. Being new to this platform I really appreciate the info!
I was hoping I made the right choice when I bought it. I was looking for something smaller to carry than the Cougar I use now (for summer) but when I saw the 5906 in the case, well it just pushed the others aside. Was kind of one of those "I just have to have that one for the collection" moments. Looks like I'll have to use the Cougar for carry a little longer.
I notice some 5906's have black hammers & triggers vs SS, are the black components the MIM ones?
I was hoping I made the right choice when I bought it. I was looking for something smaller to carry than the Cougar I use now (for summer) but when I saw the 5906 in the case, well it just pushed the others aside. Was kind of one of those "I just have to have that one for the collection" moments. Looks like I'll have to use the Cougar for carry a little longer.
I notice some 5906's have black hammers & triggers vs SS, are the black components the MIM ones?
Sturmgewehre
New member
I love the 5906. I view it as one of the best 9mm's ever made, and probably one of the most under rated 9mm pistols. It seems like other wonder 9's of the era passed it by, but I've owned one for many-many years and will never part with it.
10 MickeyMouse
New member
AFAIK, only the stainless triggers/hammers are MIM.
Doesn't really matter, though. They're plenty strong.
Well made it to the range this weekend with the 'New' 5906. I think one word sums it up pretty well ... Sweeeeet! My sons helped me blow through a few boxes of 9mm. Every one liked this gun a lot. Being heavy (ok, really heavy!), the recoil was very light. In fact, I couldn't tell the soft loads from the heavier ones. Performance was 100% with absolutely no issues and the accuracy of the iron sights were right on the money (we were shooting at 50 and 75ft and pop cans rued the day). So OK, this guys a winner, sure am glad I picked it up! To heavy to carry but it sure is a fun range gun and it would be great for home defense. Funny thing, when holding it, I thought the grip was going to be a little large (I was pricing out the straight grips), but when shooting it, the grip actually felt really good. Think I may keep the same grips now. Best 400 bucks I've spent this year.
My sons helped me blow through a few boxes of 9mm. Every one liked this gun a lot. Being heavy (ok, really heavy!), the recoil was very light. In fact, I couldn't tell the soft loads from the heavier ones. Performance was 100% with absolutely no issues and the accuracy of the iron sights were right on the money (we were shooting at 50 and 75ft and pop cans rued the day). So OK, this guys a winner, sure am glad I picked it up! To heavy to carry but it sure is a fun range gun and it would be great for home defense. Funny thing, when holding it, I thought the grip was going to be a little large (I was pricing out the straight grips), but when shooting it, the grip actually felt really good. Think I may keep the same grips now. Best 400 bucks I've spent this year.I had one years ago.
To the good: Built like a tank, I don't think you can wear one out.
Good shooter and very accurate.
Will feed most hollow points
Problems: use only S&W mags; aftermarket may not work.
Heavy, good at the range but a pain to carry.
Parts (like a new barrel) can be expensive.
To the good: Built like a tank, I don't think you can wear one out.
Good shooter and very accurate.
Will feed most hollow points
Problems: use only S&W mags; aftermarket may not work.
Heavy, good at the range but a pain to carry.
Parts (like a new barrel) can be expensive.
Lost River
New member
The 5906 and 4506 were/are great guns, and are rather under rated in the age of the polymer auto (this is coming from a Glock and 1911 fan).
I currently have a nice 5906, and a very nice 645 (which was S&W's very first semi auto 45 ACP) but would LOVE to find a clean 4506-1 at a good price. I just never see them locally.
I might even be convinced to part with one of my other wheelguns or a 1911, or something else for the right gun.
Other than on GB, I just don't see them.
I currently have a nice 5906, and a very nice 645 (which was S&W's very first semi auto 45 ACP) but would LOVE to find a clean 4506-1 at a good price. I just never see them locally.
I might even be convinced to part with one of my other wheelguns or a 1911, or something else for the right gun.
Other than on GB, I just don't see them.
reynolds357
New member
I loved my 5906 until the Chief issued my a performance center 5906TSW. Then I realized how bad the old one was. But seriously, the 5906 is a good pistol.