My LGS has a like new S&W 5904, adjustable sights, for sale for the equivalent of about 300 $ since two years now ?! No info about box or papers. I think it’s a gun someone had in a drawer for some time and then had to sell due to law changes. Is this a good deal ? It might have stayed there because over here you are old fashioned if you do not buy plastic, and spray your shots all over the place in 3 seconds, not even hitting the target (I love being old fashioned for this). Also, we have no concealed carry at all, so it’s a shooter only, and I would like to use lead round nose moderate home loads through it (still have loads of those).

Other question, this is a 5904. I read about 5906, 5903, 3913, … The only thing I seem to know about it is that 59xx have double row magazines and the 39xx single. What is this 5904’s specifications (material used, number of shots, weight, size (compact, full, …) ? It’s a black version, so I guess it’s not SS. It has a round trigger guard. Can that give a range of manufacturing years ?

Thanks – B686

1. It would be a good deal here but I'm not sure about there.
2. Shooting lead is okay. The barrel isn't chrome plated nor does it have polygonal rifling. So, lead is safe to shoot.
3. The frame is alloy. It holds 15-shots in the magazine. It's a full-size pistol. We will need the serial prefix at least to give the year of manufacture.

I hope this helps.

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N.R.A. BENEFACTOR Member

I'll second the good deal comment by Palmetto. Also, some folks like the balance of the alloy framed 9mm's. I have a 5903TSW and it is alloy and I like the way it handles better than my 5906 (full stainless). Good luck.

5904 is alloy-frame, carbon steel slide full-size 9mm. All the full-size double stack mags (14, 15, 17, 20, etc., the 12s are too short) will work. Lead bullets are no problem. Made approx. 1988-1998, I'm not sure if you can narrow that down based on the triggerguard as both round and square were offered.

Rounded trigger guards were offered on the later series 59xx guns (newer) models.

5906 - full size DA/SA double stack all stainless
5903 - full size DA/SA double stack alloy frame/stainless slide
5904 - full size DA/SA double stack alloy frame with
carbon steel slide (I think, it may be SS) and blackened
/blued type finish

This is an awesome gun, easily superior to almost all of the newer polymer framed weapons. I've had 2 - 5906's (still own one) and have a 4014 waiting for me at my local FFL.

$300 is a very good price for one LNIB. It will last indefinitely. I shoot all types of ammo through mine from cheap range ammo through various +P's, and load Gold Dot HP's for "home defense" and carry purposes.

So far, over about 10 years of shooting, never any FTF's with commercial loads, and very accurate with all type of ammo. Also, a very easy gun to keep on target, and fires smoothly both in DA mode and very smoothly in SA mode.

Congrats if you get it, and welcome to the world of 3rd generation S&W's!

I would buy it in a heartbeat.

Your in Belgium? Is it a 9x19mm or a 9x21mm?

Blued carbon steel slide, anodized alloy frame (not SS).
14rd (black follower), 15rd (orange follower)
I think it’s 29 oz.
7.5” long, 5.5” tall, 1.25” wide
That trigger guard first appeared in 1991 and the 5904 was discontinued in 1998 so; 1991~1998.

I would buy it too. How rare is a 5904 in Europe?

I sure like my 5904 - it's my favorite double-stack 9mm. Good Luck with your decision,

Jerry

Ok, I do not longer resist ... I'll buy it. The next 10-12 months are going to be long - that's the time it takes for a licence for a new gun in Belgium.

MLK18 - I have no idea how many 5904 made there way over. Now that I hope to have one, I'll probably better notice the differences between the different 59xx models . Half of the S&W autos we see in Europe are model 39, other half all the other models together. Which is not that much compared to Browning HP (made in Belgium, and LOADS of police trade-in), CZ75, ..., not to talk about the plastic crowd. Quite a few Colt .45 ACP (including me). Very recently, our national police adopted the S&W M&P 9mm, so they will start showing up soon.

SNW19_357 - Fortunately, we can have 9x19, unlike in Italy. We hardly see one 9x21 every 2 or 3 years or so, and they seem not to sell. 9x19 ammo is the first centerfire caliber around, with accordingly attractive prices, for the ammo and the guns.

Thanks to all for your responses - plenty of first class info. I'll post pictures when I get it. - B686

Belgian686:

congratulations on your 5904! You will love it. Sorry about your wait. I keep getting a "delayed" status on my own firearms purchases here in the U.S. - but no where near as bad as you. (I'm currently waiting to pick up a S&W 4014 and was under the FBI's "researching" status, now the "delayed status", which happened on my last handgun purchase, but not a shotgun purchase prior to that)

My mom's side of the family is from Belgium, they are "Rousseaux's". They were some of the first glass-blowers that settled in West Virginia I believe.

My wife and I have been to Brussels a few times, I'd like to be able one day to spend some more time touring the countryside.

I went to my LGS this morning to get the 5904 aside, as my very first S&W auto, and it seems it was sold some time ago, but they forgot to update the website. Then the guy said 'I think we have something similar'. He goes to the backshop, and comes back with a ... 5906, two magazines, splendid shape. As much as I was set on the 5904, I melted away for this 5906. Feels heavy and good, as I like for range shooting, and plain stainless for easy maintenance. Selling price was 350 in stead of the 300 for the 5904, so I couldn't say quickly enough : Ok, that's mine ! The trigger feels very different from my SA Colt & Browning HP, but I think I just have to get used to this. As this is the LSG associated with my shooting range, I am allowed to pick it up to take it to the range and immediately back after, so that will help me for the wait. By the way, serial number is TCE46xx.

VTHokiesDuckHunter : Very nice to hear we often share our roots. You should indeed spend some time around, like in Bruges or so. I have been a few times in the US too, and had some great times (including an invitation on an outdoor range in Virginia). We should create a 'S&W fan Travel Agency' and organize shooting 'exchanges' everywhere.

Best to all - B686

You stll got a good deal on a 5906. All of the 59 series are great pistols. I would estimate that your 5906 was made around 1989. I am also guessing that your new pistol still has the squared off trigger guard. At least you will be able to shoot your new gun, even if it doesn't get to go home with you afterwards for a little while. Enjoy your 5906.

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J.D. Roy

Yep, congrats on the 5906! You'll enjoy it for sure. Let's see some pics once you get it. As FirebirdV8 said, guessing it is the squared off trigger guard version, which I think is really cool looking.

Belgium:

you hit the jackpot! The 5906 is my all time favorite gun. I sold one about 5 years ago for $500 (U.S.) and regretted it immediately.

After looking for a long time I found another one, exactly like the one I sold (same year of manufacture even) for $375 (U.S.), LNIB with 3 magazines, original box and all papers.

The 5906 is one of the best handling, most reliable, best shooting guns of all time.

Photos of mine attached.

Congratulations-

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	Tim's 5906 with Galco OWB 042011.jpg (66.9 KB, 85 views)
	Tim's 5906 photo 2.jpg (78.6 KB, 83 views)
	New 5906 S&W.jpg (97.6 KB, 113 views)

B686:

I should have added that if you ever get back over here in the U.S. look me up- I will be glad to take you pistol shooting and skeet shooting at my club.

While I'm currently living in Cleveland, we have our roots in WV and Virginia. Our son is currently living in Virginia in college (Va Tech- where I went years ago!) and also every other semester as a co-op with DuPont.

I know some places to shoot in Virginia as well. I like your idea about an international S&W shooters club- I'm wondering if one may already exist? Maybe someone on this forum will know.

Ok, I do not longer resist ... I'll buy it. The next 10-12 months are going to be long - that's the time it takes for a licence for a new gun in Belgium.

That's a lot longer to get a pistol than when my father was in Belgium but that was in 1944 so a lot has changed since then.

My 5906 is indeed one with square trigger guard, and has adjustable sights.

VTHokiesDuckHunter : Thanks for the invitation - I surely hope to be there again in the future. I used to come twice a month for a former employer, but right now, I am not travelling often anymore.

mook012 : If your father is still amongst us, please let him know people still remember these young Americans who were prepared to sacrifice everything for the sake of our freedom, and we have a very deep respect and gratitude for them. When wandering though the Ardennes, we have many monuments and museums to never forget. Remember, it's June 6 today - the longest day.

Your soldiers also left us a nice pistol I would love to try out, but they didn't let me so far. I could only have a picture of it :-)

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Char Bastogne.jpg (51.6 KB, 54 views)

Belgian 686;
My father passed on in 1989 and I think of him every day and try to remember everything he told me of the
time in France, Belgium and Germany. He had many nice things to say about the people of Belgium and how well the G.I.'s were treated. He always said he would like to have gone back and visited under different circumstances. I think he did not go back was it would bring back the terrible memories of the war. However, in the not to distant future his sons may come to the places he was at in France and Belgium and even Germany.
He was always a calm,reserved man but like others have said here about other G.I.'s - his face turned to anger when the subject of the concentration camps came up. He always said he didn't want to remember it because it made him too angry.He could not understand how one human being could do that to another.

However, Thank you and I'm sure if he were here he would be greatful for your thoughts. By the way - that's a nice little pistol you have there!

Guaranteed, The wait will be worth it. The S&W 5906 is one of the best.Maybe you can go visit it while your waiting