I saw a S&W 5906 at a local gunshop for about $450 the gun is "used" but looks brand new.
Does the price sound about right?
Can anybody comment on the accuracy, reliablity of a 5906?
The gun appears to be about late 90's production. It has Novak low profile 3 dot sights, rounded trigger guard, black trigger and hammer. It feels great in my hand and I am really considering buying it.
Any comments greatly appreciated.

CDNN has them in their latest catalog for $399. brand new with 1 mag. My FFL charges me $25 and shipping was $12.50. I got one in Jan. and it is something that will last several generations,mags and accessories are cheap, and everybody in my family can shoot it well. 9mm ammo is still the cheapest to shoot also.Too heavy to CCW in my opinion but a GREAT range gun.

$450 is a fair retail price for a 5906 in like new condition, particularly if it comes with more than one magazine (good used factory magazines run around $20). Yes, you can buy them cheaper through places like CDNN, but for a retail gun store $450 isn't too bad.

The 5906 is the flagship of the S&W 3d Generation pistol line. Accurate, rugged and reliable to a fault, and they have what many consider to be the best ergonomics of the 3d Generation line. Police departments liked them because they were safe, accurate and never wore out. I've seen them abused to the point where they shouldn't fire (lack of cleaning), but they do.

The 5906 will serve you well. And your children and grandchildren.

I picked one up recently for $300 at a local pawn shop. It had a little holster wear but was basically in good shape (with original box and two mags).

It is HEAVY, which makes it a good range gun, but not not so good for carrying. Mine shot well and fed everything I showed it.

I say "shot" because I've already traded it off (on a nice Swedish Mauser). I guess I decided it wasn't a "must-have." Especially not since there seems to be a lot of ex-police guns floating around for pretty cheap prices. Summit Gun Brokers had them recently for less than $300.

The 5906 is a great gun to be sure. They will feed anything and are built tough...which lends to their all steel weight. You could hold out for 5903 which is the same gun, with and alloy frame. I see them from time to time locally and on line fairly often. Weighs much less and still gives you the reliability and shoot-ability as it's all steel brother. With the 9mm...the weight shouldn't really be an issue as to controlling recoil..so save the weight and get a much more easy to carry smith.

If the 5906 you are looking at has the box, papers, and two mags, I would say $450 is in the park, but if it were me, I would offer $375 and negotiate from there to maybe end up at $400 or so. Who knows, they might even sell it for $375 which would be a good deal IMO.

I'll say the price is high.

I've bought three, all in like new - very good to excellent condition. (from retail gun shops)

$245 w/ adjustible night sights, 1-mag
$259 w/ box, 2-mags
$275 w/ 2-mags

As for holster wear, that's nothing a green Scotch-Brite pad can't fix.

Price is a bit high, but that can vary by region of country.

I give the 5906 an A++ rating as a range and HD gun, a bit big and heavy for CC.

In my experience the gun has been 100% reliable with all types of ammo I've tried.

quote:

Originally posted by 10mm Sonny:
I'll say the price is high.

I've bought three, all in like new - very good to excellent condition. (from retail gun shops)

$245 w/ adjustible night sights, 1-mag
$259 w/ box, 2-mags
$275 w/ 2-mags

As for holster wear, that's nothing a green Scotch-Brite pad can't fix.

I would say there is a lot of regional difference in pricing. The prices you mention above are not seen in any retail gun stores in SC. I have not seen an adjustable night sight like new 5906 for $245, ever. And I hit the area gun shops two or three times a month, every month, for the past 20 years. So it is not like I do not get a good sample of the local market. The only one you have that would even be close in price here, is the $275 example, and even then it would likely have a lot of holster wear and only one mag. I need to go shopping in Denver!

Thanks for all your information and input guys. I'm going to go for it and try and negotiate a better price.

I really love this forum!

I just bought a like NIB with adjustable sights at a recent gun show. It had two high capacity magazines, box, and all the paper work. The gun had been fired and not cleaned, but the exterior finish was 100%. His price was $450 out the door, and I knew that was a little high, but like new ones are hard to come by around here, and he wouldn't budge, so the temptation was too great and I took it. I haven't shot it yet, but have no fear but what it will be a great shooter, especially since I have adjustable sights. I have had two in the past that I let go as trading stock to fund other purchases, and vow I'll never do that again. I just have too much respect for the 5906, and like new ones are going to be harder and harder to find. Hope you enjoy yours when you get it!

My only complaint is having to tell someone that no, is isn't for sale whenever I take it to the range.

As others have pointed out, $450 is a bit high.

If you don't want to go the CDNN route and get a new 5906, Summit Gun Broker has good condition police trade-in 5906s. They come with one full capacity (15 round) mag, and run $275-$345, depending on condition and type of sights (night sights, Novak sights, and adjustable sights are available).

They also have 5903s (the alloy framed 5906) for $335 with two full capacity mags and night sights, or 5903TSWs for $365 with two full capacity mags and night sights.