SIGforum
Finally got a 3rd gen Smith
November 24, 2019, 08:26 PM
LincolnSixEchoFinally got a 3rd gen Smith
I have wanted a 9mm 3rd gen Smith and Wesson for a long time now, but I could never find one online that wasn’t beat to hell, and don’t run into them much at my LGS in the used counter. I was going back and forth between a few models, mainly the 3913 or the 6906, but yesterday at the local gun show I picked up a 5906 and immediately loved the feel. It is much more comfortable than I suspected and points very well. In my opinion the beaver tail and slight undercut of the trigger guard, coupled with the wrap around thin grip all really make it melt in the hand. Trigger seems decent, but dang that reset! It has to be still one of the shortest resets out there even today!
After looking it over, it has some scuffs, but it’s very clean and has been pretty well taken care of over the last 20-30 years. I’m not sure if the sights are factory original, as they are MMC and not the standard large winged adjustable or lower profile Novak styles found on these models. Funny I found this rear sight is usually found on the 45 cal variant so maybe someone switched it out? I don’t know. They are night sights, dead of course, but the sight picture is still pretty good. I’ve been told there is decent aftermarket sight support for these 5906 models as they were pretty standard issue for LEOs in the 90’s.
Anyway I’m stoked, picked it up for a good price and now I just need to find another mag or two.
Anyone have a 5906? Do you like it?
November 24, 2019, 08:44 PM
elberettasVery nice!
November 24, 2019, 09:11 PM
warbird1Good find. I'm a fan of the 3rd gens also.
If I want it... I need it !
November 24, 2019, 11:28 PM
SigFanGood things come to those who wait! And look for a long time... nice score!
Regards From Sunny Tucson,
SigFan
NRA Life - IDPA - USCCA - GOA - JPFO - ACLDN - SAF - AZCDL - ASA
"Faith isn't believing that God can; it's knowing that He will." (From a sign on a church in Nicholasville, Kentucky)
November 24, 2019, 11:41 PM
colt_saaCongratulations on a nice find
The MMC sight is not factory original. That pistol left Smith & Wesson with fixed sights.
That was the entire reason for the MMC sight, it fit into the fixed sight dovetail
I have always been a fan of the MMC sight, I thought it was much more graceful look than the big Elephant Ears that Smith & Wesson put around their adjustable sights
My 559 has had the yellow insert added to the front sight and was wearing these carved Ivory grips for a little while.
------------------------------------------------------------------
NRA Benefactor . . . Certified Instructor . . . Certified RSO
SWCA
356TSW.com
45talk.com
RacingPlanetUSA.Com
November 25, 2019, 02:16 AM
1lowlifeI've been eyeballing 3rd gen Smith and Wessons for many years.
Several years ago, I bought a 4013 TSW (back when I had a waiting period).
When I went to pick it up from the LGS, a nickel 40cal P229 caught my eye and I ended up swapping them before I left.
But ever since, I've still wanted a Gen 3 S&W, prefer a DAO.
November 25, 2019, 05:08 AM
gearhoundsIf owned only one S&W auto, it should be a 3rd gen, and you can hardly do better than the 5906. I love mine.
“Remember to get vaccinated or a vaccinated person might get sick from a virus they got vaccinated against because you’re not vaccinated.” - author unknown November 25, 2019, 08:43 AM
18DAICongrats!
I carry a 3rd gen everyday. And have for many years. Today it is my 4513TSW. Great pistols! Enjoy yours! Regards 18DAI
7+1 Rounds of hope and change
November 25, 2019, 08:48 AM
randymanI have the 5906TSW and the CHP 4006TSW. The triggers are great and the reset is fantastic. I continue to check the auction sites for a 539 and 639. Great addition to your collection.
November 25, 2019, 09:25 AM
FN in MTStill have my old MT Hwy Patrol issue 5903. We carried them for several years before the SIG 229's showed up.
They were rock solid pistols. I was one of the Armorers....we did VERY little repair.
November 25, 2019, 09:34 AM
HayesGreenerI carried S&W 669/6906, and CS9 for duty for about 16 years. They are a fine dependable and very accurate pistol. They were eventually replaced with SIG P226's, but I still would stake my life on a Gen 3 S&W in a pinch
CMSGT USAF (Retired)
Chief of Police (Retired)
November 25, 2019, 09:47 AM
LincolnSixEchoThanks for the comments guys, it is clear these have a following that’s for sure. I figured about the sights. I’ll keep the MMC in there for now probably. That model above with the Ivory grips is beautiful!
November 25, 2019, 09:58 AM
Southflorida-lawSweet gun, I really like both my 659 and 459.
November 25, 2019, 10:36 AM
cxmSummit Gun Broker has police trade in 59xx series magazines in stock at pretty reasonable prices.
www.summitgunbroker.com Mec-Gar also makes a 59xx series magazine which is top quality but only in blue.
You can get good prices on Mec-Gar from
http://gregcotellc.com/ Gun Mag Warehouse
https://gunmagwarehouse.com/ also has good prices on Mec-Gar mags.
I think S&W also still offers the mags new...
FWIW
CHuck
quote:
Originally posted by LincolnSixEcho:
I have wanted a 9mm 3rd gen Smith and Wesson for a long time now, but I could never find one online that wasn’t beat to hell, and don’t run into them much at my LGS in the used counter. I was going back and forth between a few models, mainly the 3913 or the 6906, but yesterday at the local gun show I picked up a 5906 and immediately loved the feel. It is much more comfortable than I suspected and points very well. In my opinion the beaver tail and slight undercut of the trigger guard, coupled with the wrap around thin grip all really make it melt in the hand. Trigger seems decent, but dang that reset! It has to be still one of the shortest resets out there even today!
After looking it over, it has some scuffs, but it’s very clean and has been pretty well taken care of over the last 20-30 years. I’m not sure if the sights are factory original, as they are MMC and not the standard large winged adjustable or lower profile Novak styles found on these models. Funny I found this rear sight is usually found on the 45 cal variant so maybe someone switched it out? I don’t know. They are night sights, dead of course, but the sight picture is still pretty good. I’ve been told there is decent aftermarket sight support for these 5906 models as they were pretty standard issue for LEOs in the 90’s.
Anyway I’m stoked, picked it up for a good price and now I just need to find another mag or two.
Anyone have a 5906? Do you like it?
Hoist on High the Bonny Blue Flag that Bears the Single Star!!!
Certified SIG Armorer
Certified Glock Armorer
November 25, 2019, 02:28 PM
PCWyomingI currently have two. A 2nd Gen 659 and a 3rd Gen 4054 (only 154 made).
PC
November 25, 2019, 06:26 PM
DirectDriveCongrats on finding a nice 3rd gen.
I think they are the pinnacle of the series.
And the best-looking of the bunch.
I recently acquired a nice 5906 as well.
It has the rounded trigger guard and the OEM Novak sights.
I was able to get my Search-Foo all jacked up and found :
Warren Tactical fiber optic front sight
5 additional OEM mags
Extra mag base plates
NOS barrel
NOS straight grip
NOS palm swell grip
November 25, 2019, 09:04 PM
LincolnSixEchoPicked it up today at my FFL. It even came with a holster, made by smith and Wesson.
November 25, 2019, 10:20 PM
rock185That is a nice 5906. From the MIM trigger and hammer, and serial number, I would guess yours is late '90s production. I would view the MMC adjustables as a plus, since using your preferred ammo, you can actually zero your pistol to the POA/POI you prefer. My 5906s have been boringly reliable.
BTW, Is that a small "U" stamped above the magazine release? I had a couple S&Ws with a small U stamped on them somewhere. I called S&W customer service about them. S&W advised that the U indicted the gun may have been a salesman's sample, used in the armorers school etc.They also said that such guns met full commercial standards.
NRA Life
November 26, 2019, 07:05 AM
LincolnSixEchoquote:
Originally posted by rock185:
That is a nice 5906. From the MIM trigger and hammer, and serial number, I would guess yours is late '90s production. I would view the MMC adjustables as a plus, since using your preferred ammo, you can actually zero your pistol to the POA/POI you prefer. My 5906s have been boringly reliable.
BTW, Is that a small "U" stamped above the magazine release? I had a couple S&Ws with a small U stamped on them somewhere. I called S&W customer service about them. S&W advised that the U indicted the gun may have been a salesman's sample, used in the armorers school etc.They also said that such guns met full commercial standards.
Yeah it’s a U stamp. Not sure the history on it other than I was told a cop carried it for a while before he traded it. Does the U make it less desirable? Not sure if I’d want a dealer sample or one that has been dry fired and taken apart completely many times.
