When we switched from revolvers to semi autos, my first semi auto was a 5903. Unbelievably reliable. Never once had a malfunction.

A search - admittedly a quick and non-comprehensive one - doesn't turn up magazines for the 39 series (single-stack 8 or 9-round). This would be important if I wanted to buy another 3913. Several makers/vendors have the 59 series.

Given the Robertson's Trading Post site that Rogue provided, I looked too. They are out of stock there. Could be worth monitoring the site, though.
They are in TN also, perhaps you could check with them by phone for a status.

One day I went on Ebay out of curiosity, and Robertson's was showing as the main commercial vendor for these magazines

ETA: Eureka! Pro-Mag may be a source for the 39 series magazines. Quite a few sources for the 59 types, as mentioned.

https://promagindustries.com/s...nickel-plated-steel/

https://promagindustries.com/s...9mm-8-rd-blue-steel/

This message has been edited. Last edited by: rat2306,

The more I think on it, this series of pistols sure seems to be ripe for resurrection. I know, polymer is king now, but just look at this thread.
I suspect we'd still buy them if they were wacko expensive now.

I can't speak for others, apprentice but if S&W were to begin production again, and the prices were similar to CZ's 75 series (stainless steel frames would be higher, of course), I'd have my credit card out and bring my own pen to fill out the forms for one or two new ones. Their M&P metal offerings aren't as pleasing to the eye as many of the Third Gen models.

quote:

Originally posted by rat2306:
I can't speak for others, apprentice but if S&W were to begin production again, and the prices were similar to CZ's 75 series (stainless steel frames would be higher, of course), I'd have my credit card out and bring my own pen to fill out the forms for one or two new ones. Their M&P metal offerings aren't as pleasing to the eye as many of the Third Gen models.

I’ll second this, I’d love to have a new 3rd Gen S&W. To me, it’s not even a matter of the M&P metal guns being less pleasing to the eye, I literally prefer having more hammer fired guns and I don’t think I’m alone. Striker fired pistols offer some advantages but I don’t think that progress dictates that all new pistol designs should be striker fired. I think they can do perfectly well as parallel systems. Maybe S&W would make a test run of new 3rd gen guns with some premium features at a premium price point, other manufacturers are doing it. Even better would be if they could make a deal with MecGar to mass produce magazines again.

I carried an agency issued 1076 (worked over by S&W Performance Center) and a 3913 as my off-duty. I loved them both. I carried one of the last 1076s in the field with my agency and would have kept it longer, but it was eventually pried from my holster and replaced with a Sig P228 (another fine pistol, to be sure).

True confession; I may name my S&W third gen models. It can happen; it's not just a Glock thing.

quote:

Originally posted by apprentice:
The more I think on it, this series of pistols sure seems to be ripe for resurrection. I know, polymer is king now, but just look at this thread.
I suspect we'd still buy them if they were wacko expensive now.

Smith & Wesson created a post across their social media platforms back in May of this year to name one gun you'd resurrect, and it was interesting that they mentioned the 5906.


https://x.com/Smith_WessonInc/.../1920539607671714159

Interesting indeed. The one I shot back in the day was a 6904 as I recall. Compact double stack in black anyway. The local PD was issuing them at the time.

Would still be a good pick for AIWB as far as I'm concerned.

My Israeli Police 3914.

I'll play. They should do a refresh on their 5900 series similar to what SIG has done with the P226. I love all things not 9MM but that is what sells, so be it. Refine and slightly modernize, but don't add fish gills and holes everywhere please Then offer it with two barrels, 9MM and 356 TSW.

I did the poll on X (had to sign up first though, I'm not a social media type person); voted 6906. Some interesting submissions were noted.

Just remembered; several years ago, we got a post regarding brand new 5900 series models available through Cabela's. I want to say they were the DAO model and were production over-run for a police order to replace/augment legacy ones. Perhaps that's why S&W threw in the 5906 as their vote to get things going; they still have the tools, etc.? IIRC, those were made in the Houlton, ME plant.

ETA; I found that thread. It was from 2017.

https://sigforum.com/eve/forum...140046624#6140046624

I have previously owned three of the 3rd Generation S & W pistols. They are all gone now.

5906
1076
1006

I sold the 1076 for considerably more than twice what I had into it.
The 5906 and 1006 got transferred & shipped out to my Brother in another state.
With the annual round count he shoots, he won't wear them out.

They were nice pistols. When service/repair parts availability became a problem, I decided to move them all out.
Even if S & W decided to start making brand new 5906 pistols again, I would not buy one. I prefer the all stainless steel P226's and P220's.
I don't like the grips on the 3rd Gen guns as they come from the factory.
They feel OK in the hand, I guess it's the one piece grips also providing the mainspring spring seat feature.
It's a pain in the ass to remove/reinstall the one piece grips for routine maintenance, especially on the 1076 with the frame mounted decocker.
I much prefer the four screws for grips attachment on the P226/P220.
It's also difficult today to find many people willing to work on the 3rd Gen guns.

When my Mother was still alive, I would go and visit her in Connecticut.
I would stop and look at the Gun Library in the Cabela's store in Hartford.
On one trip there, they had an essentially unfired 5906 for $400 in the case. Not one scratch, ding, or dent on it.
That one got bought & shipped to my local FFL.

Hands down fell in love with these, have been carrying a 6906 for over a year, its everything I want in a handgun. Thinking of selling some other stuff to collect different models. I have a really good local dealer that deals in department trade ins. Mine was a Puerto Rico PD gun. Managed to get extra mags to go with it.

Love my 3rd gen Smith 5906 and 6906. They just melt into your hands and are so well built. Mine have very little wear, which was surprising being as how they are trade-in guns.

A newly-issued 5906 would be great, but they would screw it up with a rail and mangling the top of the slide for electronic tumors.

If they produced the pistol in its classic form, that would sell like hotcakes.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
A newly-issued 5906 would be great, but they would screw it up with a rail and mangling the top of the slide for electronic tumors.

If they produced the pistol in its classic form, that would sell like hotcakes.

I was actually thinking how much I’d want a 5906TSW with the integrally machined pic rail like S&W did for the last round of 4006 pistols they made for CHP. Can we compromise and have both styles?

Ask S&W's accountants

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
A newly-issued 5906 would be great, but they would screw it up with a rail and mangling the top of the slide for electronic tumors.

If they produced the pistol in its classic form, that would sell like hotcakes.

Yep.