Smith Wesson 5900 and 6900

A CS45 is my EDC more often than not...
just picked up a Star Firestar M45 to put into the rotation,
as its essentially the same dang thing with a 3.8" barrel ;)

Love steel & alloy pistols, as they have the potential to be around for centuries,
unlike the Fantastic Plastic, which does have a shelf life...
 
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One of the other local match guys only uses one of these beasts in .45.
He does very well with it.
He let me try it out.
I was impressed with how strong and sturdy it was.
As compared to my trusty 1911, though, it seemed, how you say - oh yes,
Clunky.
Sorry.
But if one ever popped up at a bargain price, I'd buy it, just 'cause it's like a shooting iron version of a muscle car.
 
I have a 5906 that I love. Regular carry not too much though .... it is heavy. I always bring it camping though, love the all SS design. It's my indestructible gun.

I should mention, the 6900's with their alloy frames would probably be a good carry gun, I like the weight of my Cougar for carry.
 
Love steel & alloy pistols, as they have the potential to be around for centuries,
unlike the Fantastic Plastic, which does have a shelf life...
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I feel like this needs to be addressed. These guns (metal, alloy, and plastic) will all likely outlive the individual person. However, keep in mind that modern polymer like used in Glocks and SW don't rust nor are they as prone to breaking as alloy, so I'm told.

Sure, any of them can fail, but the polymer last as long or possibly longer than metal, all things considered. If you buried a Glock and a SW metal pistol in the ground for 1000 years, and allowed it to be exposed to elements like water and such, the polyer frame would likely be least damaged.
 
I've got a Bicentennial Nylon 66...one of the older plastic firearms in existance...
ever seen what happens when someone uses the wrong cleaner on one??
Examples are all over the 'net for melted Nylon 66's, XD's and Glocks...

How about UV light & heat?? Also killers of plastic...best to avoid leaving one unattended in a car...
or avoid storing one near a window where it would receive direct sunlight...
like in a glass-front gun cabinet...

Will it last long enough to be handed down to my kids?? Hopefully.
My care for it is meticulous...no cleaners, only soap & water for the plastic body...
gloved dissassembly & reassembly, one drop of oil applied with a Qtip on all metal parts,
which are then wiped down with a cloth & air-dried prior to reassembly...
Its 41 years old now, less than half of its 10,729 contemporaries remain...
will it last another 39?? Only if kept out of the sun & well-maintained ;)

How about my Star M205 Ultrastar? And my Glock 20sf??
Same thing there, if you want it to last, you have to be very specific about maintenance & care.

Of course, you have to do the same with metal guns, be specific about their maintenance and care...
that's why there's a fully working 1927 Marlin 37 in my safe...
she aint the prettiest girl at the dance, but she'll outshoot most newer .22lr's :)

I have no illusions about a plastic firearm making it to 100 years...it'd be a dang miracle.
 
There is also evidence that S&W is still making some 3rd Gens
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As of about 3 years ago this was true, can't say they will still do it. Our local city PD bought 5906's 20-25 years ago. They were great guns, but getting old and in need of replacement. A good friend of mine was on the selection team. The chief REALLY, REALLY, wanted to stay with S&W. They tested the M&P and it never met their standards. Multiple problems, and they rejected the idea.

S&W offered to make a special run of 5906 pistols for them. But it was a limited special run and cost was going to be WAY over budget. They ended up with G-17's pretty much by default. It was the only gun that passed their tests and was within budget. The Chief didn't like that, but most of the officers seem happy enough.
 
I've been a big fan of Smith Third Generation pistols ever since they were introduced. I carried a Model 6906 for le duties for many years and still rely on it as a pistol carried concealed since my retirement. Uber reliable, well-made pistols that are plenty accurate and still affordable (though availability is dwindling and I suspect that the prices will climb as they become harder to find).
 
I'm a fan of the 3rd Gen 10mm's, but just never warmed up to the others, and have a had a few on and off.

Not sure what it is about them.

Currently, aside from the 10mm's, have a 6906 that I just can't seem to like, so it'll be finding a new home soon.
 
If you're looking for a 3rd gen S&W consider one of the budget-minded 915/910 (9mm) or 411/410 (.40) pistols. They're every bit the quality gun of the more expensive models, but with a more utilitarian finish and a few production expediencies like less milling of the slide and frame. They can often be found for around $300 or even less. I regret selling the 910 I had, but at least I still have a 915.
 
The 915 is the gem -- it was the the "value line" before S&W got serious about cutting costs. The 910/410/411 all are the true value guns with the ugly, blocky slides and the plastic parts, the 915 is hardly cheapened down at all. It doesn't have the great Novak rear sight and has only the single-sided thumb safety/decock lever, and a spartan flat-black finish, but it's full 3rd Gen otherwise.
 
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