I have always wanted a 3rd Gen SSV, but have never wanted to pay the price when I have found them available. Next best option, make my own. I was just fortunate enough to purchase 2 complete DAO part sets (everything but the frames) and intend to make my 5943 a multi-slide gun. Then maybe I can trade the other set for a 6904/6906 slide & barrel. Not sure what I am going to do yet as far as finish, sights, etc. but thought maybe I/we could use a thread about the SSV's for inspiration. I am hoping some of you have the SSV and are able to post some pics.



This pic is for reference only and is the property of Gunsamerica.

I have a 5906 and a 6906 and swap the slides often. Confuses people to see a long slide compact.

I've got a homemade 5906 SSV. I took in an old 5906 with hooked trigger guard in trade some years back.

At a gunshow I came across a complete 6904 upper, complete with Novak sights. I put that 6904 upper on the 5906. Made for a very nice handling, and good looking 9mm. Regards 18DAI.

There were two SSVs on GB last week.

One was NIB and started at $800 and the other was LNIB and started $395 with no reserve!! I'm not sure if the second guy knew exactly what he had.

I like your idea though, getting the experience without paying full price.

I have one. A 5943 with night sights. I picked it up in very, very lightly used condition, probably 99% condition. It's a two toned and the shop had no idea what it was. This type of trigger doesn't sell well at that shop so I paid $275 or $295 for it, I forget which. To be honest, at the time I had no idea what it was, but something seemed "unique" about it so I jumped on it. I'm still not sure what the advantage is to having a short slide and a full frame other than weight savings with full capacity, but it's most definitely a keeper.

Wow, that was a find! Very nice.

I took a mint 5903SSV off of a 17 year old a few years back. Nice gun, wish I could have gotten hold of it after the trial. I hope the owner got it back.

Thanks. I was very happy with it.

Just for reference, here are both sides of the gun:

Yep, you convinced me. I am going to take my spare 6946 slide and have it refinished in some type of satin black, add new sights and throw it on my 5943 frame. It won't be a true SSV but it will be a close approximation.

I checked the SCSW last night, and only saw 5903, and 5943 SSV variants. Is that the only 59XX series SSV's made by the factory? Thanks! Regards 18DAI.

There was the Lew Horton special earlier the 5967, square guard 5906 frame with a 6904 upper. It kind of went along with the 4567 two-tone.

Thanks handgunner356!

I like the......"shootability" of the steel frames over the lighter carry weight of the aluminum framed guns.

I'll have to seek out one of those 5967's.....to replace my homemade one!! Regards 18DAI.

Just to get you drooling 18DAI. They may be rare, but they're out there!



Image property of GunsAmerica

Thanks mlk18!!

Looks just like my home-made version! Only difference, my safety/decocker is black rather than stainless.

Great thread! I may just take my two tone 5906 out to the range this weekend. Been some time since I shot my Frankengun. Regards 18DAI.

mlk18 - It's nice and mean of you to post pictures like that for 18DAI. Good looking pistols.

Back in 99, on the first department for which I worked, one of the part-timers carried a 5943 SSV. I thought it was an odd-duck but knew even less about Smith's than I do now. If I recall though it was pretty rough..hmm, I wonder if he still has it.

I hate to admit it but I have had my 5943 for more than a year and haven't shot it yet. I think that I'll be correcting that oversight very soon.

I tried that, and while the 5906 slide worked fine in the 6906 frame, the 6906 slide absolutely will NOT work on the 5906 frame.

It 'feels' like the unlocking lugs aren't engaging the barrel properly: there is a VERY heavy 'catch' trying to cycle the slide. As in at first I couldn't get the slide to move more than about 1/4th of an inch! I thought it was on for good!

It was all I could do to pull the slide back, so I could get the slide stop out!

I remember doing this with a 669 and a 659, and firing them at the range.

I don't understand why this won't work my 3rd gen S&W's

Any idea, guys?

Could someone address goldenlight's question? Does the 69xx slide fit on a 59xx frame? S&W third gen fans in other forums seem to think so...seriously thinking of making a homemade SSV if it works (specifically, the 6906 slide on the 5903 frame to make a high capacity but lighter S&W third gen auto in 9mm).

I want the opposite...I'd love to have a 5906 slide on my 6906 frame.

__________________
"I'm your huckleberry."

I have this exact project on-deck, as soon as I get my 4003 finished. I have a 5904 (pictured) which I used Brownells Gunkote to refinish the frame. I have the original 5904 slide back on there now, because I want to do the 6904 in Gunkote as well. The frame color is brushed SS, the slide color will be matte black. I purchased the 6904 slide, barrel and recoil spring/guide here on the forum for $125 I think. The Gunkote is expensive but works on aluminum, carbon and stainless steel. I think I also want to go spurless on the hammer, a non-ambi-safety, and a flattened slide catch. Finish it off with some Trijicons and it will be sweet. The fun never ends with the 3rd Gen Smiths.

Attached Images

My 5904.jpg (68.7 KB, 112 views)

When I had a 469, and a 659, the slides interchanged, and both 'swaps' fired fine, but I only fired a few rounds with the slides swapped.

I was afraid something bad COULD happen.

Now that I know a lot more, that seems unlikely.

I liked the two tone look, and the different feel of both of the hybrids.

I wish I had been a little more adventurous.

I really liked the 559 slide, with adjustable sights, on the 669 frame.

How about this one;
Oh Boy,
Took the 4013 slide with the converted 10 m.m. barrel in it and put it on top of the 1066 and
now have a "1066 Short Slide Variation".
I have to say that the 4013/10 m.m. is much lighter.
1066 SSV, This barrel conversion thing is getting a little wild

Regards,
BM1

[QUOTE=anonimoose] Could someone address goldenlight's question? Does the 69xx slide fit on a 59xx frame? S&W third gen fans in other forums seem to think so... [QUOTE]

I have done this in the past with a 6946 and 5946. It worked fine and both guns ran like a top.

My swap fit fine, but I never cycled it at the range with ammo, just by hand.

I put the 6904 slide, barrel, recoil guide and spring on my 5904 and fired 50 rounds through it before I took the slide back off for refinishing. No problems. I do think it may be a case by case basis, but in theory there should not be any problems. Maybe try to cycle, test safety and fire it with dummy rounds first, then take it from there. There are several other members on here doing these swaps and I have not heard of any problems yet. But always lean toward safety. If you are not sure about it, have a gunsmith take a look.

i own a 5903 ssv , i dont know how to post pictures . i haved had it for several years and its great. i bought it off aNOTHER OFFICER AND IT WAS HIS OPFF DUTY WEAPON. sorry bout the caps, but it works great

Thanks all for your responses.

This sounds crazy -- but maybe we can start a discussion offline about 1. purchasing a 59xx and a 69xx and then 2. you get the 59xx slide and 69xx frame and 3. I get the 69xx slide and the 59xx frame.

If you like, please send me a private message.

I was thinking of buying a 3914 upper and putting it on my 5903 frame, but then I stumbled upon a 5903SSV, and that kind of derailed the project. When I swap on the slide off my 3914, it's identical to the SSV except for the spurred hammer and the "Ladysmith" on the 3914 slide. I haven't fired it that way, but it hand cycles well enough.

The 5900 slide on a 6900 frame is the cat's pajamas. I prefer this to almost any other combination for all round carry/shooting.
The only thing I found I like better is the 4566 slide on a 4516 frame.
I am still looking for a 4516 to do this with.

To post a picture you want to make a photobucket account, its free. This is where you will upload your pictures. After you upload some pictures, you want to take the image code abbreviated IMG Code and it should look like an URL surrounded by . Copy and paste this code into message field and that should work. I think you also need at least 10 other forum posts to post pictures...

In regards to the thread, i have thought about this a lot and cannot wait to see how some of these turn out. I love the 10mm frankengun.

I have a 6904 top on a 5904 bottom. Runs perfect. I have approx. 2000 rds. down the tube. Safety works smooth. Love it!

__________________
S&WCA # 2045

Old thread, but always interesting.....Has anyone gone on with these project guns? Zebulon

I think I should put the Frankenguns back together and maybe post video. I do know with 3rd gen tops and bottoms "should work" is the operative phrase. Individual combos may/may not work depending on tolerances for that specific combo.

I bought A very nice 5903 SSV on Gun Broker 2 weeks ago. Total price with shipping and transfer fee was under $500. It's one of my most favorite 3rd Gens now. There is another on Gun Broker but not as cheap as the one I got.