[engineer151515]

My 6906 was my first compact pistol. I never saw any reason to get rid of it, even though I have guns that are more compact. The gun handles very nicely: it is a good shooter and it's accurate. When I used to train with it, I would practice the double action pull over and over. It's just too easy to fire a gun like this singe action only and never practice for that double action first shot.

I still have the precursor 469 In a limited run satin nickel finish. Was my first pistol purchase. For many years was the travel carry/house gun.

 

[cciman]

My first handgun was a 5906. I unfortunately sold it (pristine piece) after I owned more guns for a low cost that makes me want to slap myself (tho at the time it was hard to sell it even at that price). It was a nice gun, very visually appealing.

Here are the cons:
backward slide mounted safety: flip up to fire
loooong trigger travel for taking up the slack in both double and single action
mag disconnect
high price for a used, beat to crap, LE retired pieces
pricey mags, even today- at least $29 a pop
fewer holster chioices
fewer aftermarket and parts supply
fewer sight choices

Since then, I have wanted another 5906, but the prices for crappy used LE pieces were more than what I can buy more modern guns for. I discovered that LIONHEART Industries basically makes a 5906 clone for the S. Korean military as their standard sidearm for the past 30 years. If you wait for black friday, they usually have a sale on their guns that time of year.

The Lionheart also is a better designed (proper down to fire, frame mounted) thumb safety, no mag safety, nitrided slide and barrel, and a special 1.5 action trigger.

If you are looking to get a 5906 -- a Lionheart is a better gun, improved design on the original.

 

[willieH]

Deleted.

 

[gatorboy]

I like all stainless. If it's just for carry maybe the 6 but for a shooter and a pistol you'll keep, all steel. There is definitely a difference when you pick up an all steel pistol. IMO, it just feels more solid, more expensive and more old school. Gen 3's are excellent in really every way but lets face it, they are not the newest tactical jackal out there. Steel FTW!

 

[gatorboy]

I had a 659 and a 5906. Good duty weapons but not great. They went away in a divorce. Never considered getting replacements.

Well, that a short but sad story. Bet it was worth it though!

 

[UNIT 6639]

My first pistol on my 21st berfday was a 5906, I wish I would have kept it, never had an issue with it, I think they are great guns!

 

[Ftttu]

My first duty weapon was a 5906, and I carried it for a while. I loved it in the academy, but I got bored with it, especially when all the talk was about the new funny sounding name Tupaware pistols from Europe during those first years.

Other than just always wanting something new, my other complaints were was that it was heavy and the slide and the frame had a loose fit - it would rattle flipping it side to side. I don't know if mine was just a poor unit, but I sold it to a fellow officer whose 5906 was stolen during a burglary of his residence.

Additionally, our policy finally changed to allow those funny sounding named Tupaware pistols from Europe, so my first Glock became the 2nd in my line of 9 duty pistols during my time.

I stopped that fellow officer not too long before I retired, and he had been long gone from out agency for years by then. I offered to purchase my 5906 back from him if he still had it, but he told me he had already sold years before. I wanted it for my retirement shadow box which would have contained by first and last duty pistols. Too bad it wasn't meant to be.

All of that blather above all says that there is a following of those Smiths, but my personal experience with mine was mostly neutral.

 

[fastbolt]

Well, as a long time S&W 3rd gen user/owner, and a S&W trained armorer for them, I'd ask myself a couple of questions.

First, was it primarily going to be a range gun? The all-steel 5906 is a real "kitty" cat to shoot, and a pretty robust and durable "tank" of a full-size 9mm pistol.

A belt gun for lawful carry? You want a heavy weight or light weight hanging on your side? Does the extra half an inch in length and grip height of the 4" 5906 bother you, carried in a holster, compared to the 3 1/2" 6906?

I carried the aluminum-framed 5903 for many years as an issued duty weapon. When I moved to a plainclothes assignment I compared the 5903 to our optional issued "detective" 6906, and discovered the slightly shorter 6906 was more comfortable when sitting in a car for many hours at a time. I was pleasantly surprised by how much difference I could feel by carrying the half inch shorter 6906.

Now, if it were me, I'd preferably look for either a 5906 or a 6906 made after they changed over to MIM hammers, triggers and sears, and wide barrel tabs (rear of the barrel hood). These more noticeable changes occurred alongside a number of other improvements in machining and general manufacturing of the 3rd gens.

I still regret not ever ordering a late production 6906 before they were dropped from the catalog. I really liked my issued early production ('89/'90) 6906's (I carried a couple of them, at one time or another).

If I really wanted a 5906, I'd instead consider looking to find a 5906TSW. The TSW models benefited from some significant revisions and improvements, and were generally considered to be even more durable (and accurate) than the "standard" 590X guns. More pricey, though.

As it is, I still own several 3rd gen's, just not a 5906 or a 6906.

 

[ZX14R]

I was lucky to find a DPA version of the 5906 and have been extremely pleased with the gun's performance. In addition to trigger action work the Performance Center installed a Briley barrel bushing insert to improve accuracy. The mag disconnect safety is easy to remove. The all stainless steel pistol is a soft shooter and operates well with all types of ammo.

Very nice PC 5906, one that I've always wanted. That's a keeper!!! 3rd Gen's were extremely reliable, PC guns probably more so, if that's possible. I have four, all steel Smith semi autos, and would not part with any of them. I would bet, you've never had a malfuction with your PC 5906. Oustanding guns for many shooters!

In answer to the OP, the 5906 would be my choice!

 

[ZX14R]

Well, as a long time S&W 3rd gen user/owner, and a S&W trained armorer for them, I'd ask myself a couple of questions.

First, was it primarily going to be a range gun? The all-steel 5906 is a real "kitty" cat to shoot, and a pretty robust and durable "tank" of a full-size 9mm pistol.

A belt gun for lawful carry? You want a heavy weight or light weight hanging on your side? Does the extra half an inch in length and grip height of the 4" 5906 bother you, carried in a holster, compared to the 3 1/2" 6906?

I carried the aluminum-framed 5903 for many years as an issued duty weapon. When I moved to a plainclothes assignment I compared the 5903 to our optional issued "detective" 6906, and discovered the slightly shorter 6906 was more comfortable when sitting in a car for many hours at a time. I was pleasantly surprised by how much difference I could feel by carrying the half inch shorter 6906.

Now, if it were me, I'd preferably look for either a 5906 or a 6906 made after they changed over to MIM hammers, triggers and sears, and wide barrel tabs (rear of the barrel hood). These more noticeable changes occurred alongside a number of other improvements in machining and general manufacturing of the 3rd gens.

I still regret not ever ordering a late production 6906 before they were dropped from the catalog. I really liked my issued early production ('89/'90) 6906's (I carried a couple of them, at one time or another).

If I really wanted a 5906, I'd instead consider looking to find a 5906TSW. The TSW models benefited from some significant revisions and improvements, and were generally considered to be even more durable (and accurate) than the "standard" 590X guns. More pricey, though.

As it is, I still own several 3rd gen's, just not a 5906 or a 6906.

A 5906TSW as fastbolt mentioned, would be excellent choice!!

 

[Da Rocket]

I had both a 469 and a 669 (the Flintstones versions of the later guns) and I'm still kicking myself for selling them. Buy the 6906! Buy, buy, buy!

 

[Major Mark]

Carried a Smith and Wesson 5906 for years before my department switched to Glocks. Heavy, solid, built to last and never had problems with them. Since that time I have had several but never seem to keep them, but still have a half-dozen 5906 mags and several holsters so I might have to find another. I prefer the all steel 5906 or even the alloy frame 5903. I never liked the 6906 as it had a weird short blocky feeling to it. There is a large following of the 3rd generation autos including the 4506 and 1006 variants. Not too many productions handguns nicer than the 4506. Go to the Smith and Wesson Forum:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-semi-auto-pistols/

You can usually find several conversations about the 3rd Gen Autos (although you will find no arguments there about the 3rd Gen finger grooves since there was none).

 

[bea175]

some of the best pistols ever turned out by Smith & Wesson

 

[ottomatic]

I had a 669 and stupidly sold it

 

[ZX14R]

Carried a Smith and Wesson 5906 for years before my department switched to Glocks. Heavy, solid, built to last and never had problems with them. Since that time I have had several but never seem to keep them, but still have a half-dozen 5906 mags and several holsters so I might have to find another. I prefer the all steel 5906 or even the alloy frame 5903. I never liked the 6906 as it had a weird short blocky feeling to it. There is a large following of the 3rd generation autos including the 4506 and 1006 variants. Not too many productions handguns nicer than the 4506. Go to the Smith and Wesson Forum:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-semi-auto-pistols/

You can usually find several conversations about the 3rd Gen Autos (although you will find no arguments there about the 3rd Gen finger grooves since there was none).

Your right about the 4506, had one, sold it, stupid. Found a 4505 with adjustabe sights,
new in the box, keeper. For those who haven't heard of this model, same as 4506, except
blued carbon steel. Only 1200 made, adjustable sights and fixed sight variants. About 200 made with adjustable sights.

Slightly off topic. Again, to the OP, either a 5906 or 5906TSW would be a great choice.

 

[DrewBone]

I was lucky to find a DPA version of the 5906 and have been extremely pleased with the gun's performance. In addition to trigger action work the Performance Center installed a Briley barrel bushing insert to improve accuracy. The mag disconnect safety is easy to remove. The all stainless steel pistol is a soft shooter and operates well with all types of ammo.

That. Sure. Is. Sweet.

Do you prefer the straight backstrap grip? Reportedly either you love or hate them, and I'm on my way towards finding out as I have a straight set w/o the decocker cutouts for my 5946 inbound from Numrich expected tomorrow 9/5 to replace the "well used" original curved grips that came on the pistol; the curved style grips were out of stock. I've seen the straight grips for the 5900 series but never without the decocker cutout, so it should be interesting...

 

[SRT Shaft]

I've owned a 6906 and it's a great gun. Regret ever selling it.

I had a 5906 and I feel the same.

 

[SRT Shaft]

I love the 5906, I'm looking for another one.

 

[willieH]

Deleted.

 

[mrmike7189]

I had a 3913 , sold it because I hated the decocker safety levers on both sides of the gun. It was bothering me when I racked the slide, and I would hit it accidentlily. Boy was a I a fool. They were good guns. They were the all metal single stack 9 before everyone else made them popular.! I might buy a Shield 9 now that the single stack 9mm is calling me again.$75 rebate is tempting!