ligonierbill
New member
Opinions and experience with these pistols? I know the Smith has been out of production for some time, but they're readily available.
S&W 5906 vs Sig P226
- Thread starter ligonierbill
- Start date
noonesshowmonkey
New member
There was a time when the 59XX series was readily available at bargain busting prices. They are tanks. Awful triggers.
Between the two, there is no contest: the P226 is easily the better firearm.
Unless you are issued a 59XX, or were issued one and wish to own one for nostalgic purposes, I'd just get a CPO P226.
Between the two, there is no contest: the P226 is easily the better firearm.
Unless you are issued a 59XX, or were issued one and wish to own one for nostalgic purposes, I'd just get a CPO P226.
carguychris
New member
It's relatively easy to remove for someone with very basic gunsmithing skills, so I wouldn't let that be the sole critical factor.Eazyeach said:
Both guns have ergonomic quirks some don't like: the slide-mounted decocker/safety levers on the Smith, and the thumb-decocking lever and resultant rearward-mounted slide stop on the SIG. The decocker/safety levers on the Smith are awkward to reach (less of a problem if you don't actually use them as safeties), and they get in the way during rapid slide manipulation. OTOH the controls on the SIG can be awkward for lefties, and some people have problems with riding the slide stop, which can cause the slide to fail to lock back. That said, I'd say that the advantage goes to the SIG, as the controls are less obtrusive. YMMV.
The SIG is easier to field-strip because the slide stop doesn't have to be removed (and potentially lost), the frame and slide don't have to be precisely lined up against recoil spring pressure to remove and reinsert the slide stop, and it lacks the fiddly little frame levers that have to be pushed down on the Smith. That said, IMHO the Smith is not genuinely difficult to field-strip.
FWIW the Model 5906 is a significantly heavier pistol than the P226 because the M5906 frame is stainless steel rather than aluminum alloy. The alloy-frame Model 5903 is a closer match.
On a similar topic, the M5906 was offered in a "Me-Too" thumb-decocker version: the Model 5926. However, this pistol isn't nearly as common as the M5906, although prices seem to be very close in less-than-LNIB condition. (S&W collectors are like Colt collectors and will pay top dollar for LNIB examples of rare models even if those models were not well-liked; of course, they're often rare BECAUSE they weren't well-liked.
) A thumb-decocker alloy-frame Smith would have been the closest possible match, and this pistol would have been called the Model 5923, but AFAIK this is one of the 3rd-gen Smith model combinations that is believed not to have been produced.
ligonierbill
New member
Thanks. I was thinking about what might be called a classic 9x19. Luger and P-38, of course, But it seems like 32s and 380s were the defensive autos of the 20th century, at least for civilians. Don't know if the Smiths qualify, but they were some of the early "Wonder 9s". What would you call a classic. BHP I guess.
carguychris
New member
My favorite 9mm Smiths from the "classic" standpoint are the 1st- and 2nd-gen single-stacks: the M39, M39-2, M439, M539, and M639. They're more svelte than the blocky and generally heavy double-stacks, and the classy wood grip panels just rub me the right way. 
Also, the 1st-gen triggers are less creepy in SA mode because there's no trigger-actuated firing pin block.
Also, the 1st-gen triggers are less creepy in SA mode because there's no trigger-actuated firing pin block.One has been out of production for over 10 years and the other is very much still in (U.S.) production. If I saw a LNIB S&W 5903 or 5906 with extra mags sitting in a used gun case next to a U.S. made P226, I'd take the Smith, but if that P226 was German made I'd take the P226.
ligonierbill
New member
From what I'm seeing on the market, the 59s are no longer bargain priced. Of course, neither are the Sigs, but I'm going for a P226. Thanks to all for the input. As usual, I learned something.
carguychris
New member
Prices have gone up now that the well of LE surplus is running dry.ligonierbill said:
Most of the $300± M5906s that CDNN and so forth were selling a few years ago weren't in very good cosmetic shape, but their presence tended to depress prices on used examples in general. No more.
That said, as I write this, Cole Distributing (cdisales on GB) still has a bunch of cheap metal-frame DA/SA Smiths. Most are 910s or 6906s but there are a handful of 5903s and 5904s mixed in.
SauerGrapes
New member
You guys are forgetting, the Smith doubles as a very effective club. 
I have 4 3rd gen Smiths. Took the mag disconnect out of all of them. I still carry the 3904. The 4006 is my HD\door stop....lol.
I have 4 3rd gen Smiths. Took the mag disconnect out of all of them. I still carry the 3904. The 4006 is my HD\door stop....lol.
If I remember reading the story correctly the Sig was picked over the 3rd Gen by the Navy Seals and Police Departments replaced 3rd Gens with the P226. 5906 was my first hand gun bought three years ago recommended by a good Guy at the LGS $380 It's in very good condition and shoots great , only problem was crud underneath the Mag release button
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I've never owned a Sig gun before, but I've shot a friend's 226 9mm several times and I prefer, slightly, my trade in 5906. The trigger isn't as good, to be sure, but it shoots anything, stuff so bad I couldn't have expected it to eat it, but it did. The Sig didn't like it much.
I recently bought a trade in Sig P220 trade in. It hasn't shipped yet, but it looked great in the pics I got from the seller.
I recently bought a trade in Sig P220 trade in. It hasn't shipped yet, but it looked great in the pics I got from the seller.
The 5906 might not seem quite as refined and ergonomic as the sig, but it's an absolute workhorse. Great pistols that just keep eating up the ammo and spitting out the empties. I don't currently own one, but do still have a 226 that I've been shooting for probably 25 years or so. They are both great pistols and I wouldn't hesitate to put my faith in a 5906.
carguychris
New member
^^^ With the exception of a few rare models that Smith collectors covet, the DAO Smiths tend to be real bargains.
FWIW the trigger mechanism of a DAO S&W is partially pre-set by the slide, similar to a Kahr; this yields a lighter and shorter trigger pull than the DA stage of a standard DA/SA Smith. However, one potential downside is that they lack second-strike capability.
FWIW the trigger mechanism of a DAO S&W is partially pre-set by the slide, similar to a Kahr; this yields a lighter and shorter trigger pull than the DA stage of a standard DA/SA Smith. However, one potential downside is that they lack second-strike capability.
QUOTE: The Sigs made in the states in the early to mid 90's were just as good if not better than most of the ones made in Germany.
I absolutely agree. And, regarding the "S&W vs Sig P226", question, I own both and would be hard put to choose one over the other. That said, I agree with those who have pointed out that because discontinued Third Generation Smiths are going to get harder and harder to find at anywhere near the prices they're going for now, get one of them now and the Sig later.
I absolutely agree. And, regarding the "S&W vs Sig P226", question, I own both and would be hard put to choose one over the other. That said, I agree with those who have pointed out that because discontinued Third Generation Smiths are going to get harder and harder to find at anywhere near the prices they're going for now, get one of them now and the Sig later.