Hello,which on is more disirable,I need to pick one,help
input would greatly apperiate thanks

I am not sure that one is more "desirable" than the other. It really comes down to what you want out of the gun. The 6906 will be lighter, more compact, and easier to carry. The 5906 will be heavy, large, and have a slight edge at the range in terms of accuracy. Frankly, both guns are very good, and it is tough to go wrong with either choice.

As JTA said, they are both great guns.

I carried a 6906 as a duty gun and loved it. I never had a FTF or an issue. It will shoot as well as 99% of the people shooting it can. It's small enough for CCW as well. I have my wife carrying one, that says it all. I will warn you, buy one and you will soon have 3. They are addictive. I've found them for as little as $275 on the web, there is nothing even close to that gun for that amount of money anywhere.

I got the 5906 as I wanted to add Crimson Trace Lasergrips to make it my bedside gun. Plan on adding a 6906 in the future.

Have a 5906 and looking for a 6906. Only cause that's what I found first, and I did not want one that had been used for a boat anchor.

I think whether or not you intend to CCW is the deciding factor.

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Is it safe?

The only issue I would have with the 6906 for concealed carry is the double stack design would be wider than say the single stack 3913. Still would be a viable gun for CCW.

The beautiful thing about the 3rd Gen's is that none of them are a bad choice.

Just that the OP was talking about those 2. A different question would have been to help him choose a CCW. I am ASSuming that he has temporary access to those 2 models and he better act before they are both gone.

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Is it safe?

Just get it over with and get both.

I bought one of each from CDNN when they were selling them out new. Then I saw their first sale of police trade ins and bought another pair. The second pair were damn near as new as the first! Both models are great shooters. I am even toying with the idea (heresy!) of replacing my BHP with one of them for work. I got some of the mag adapters that allow the 59 series mags to be used easily in the 69 series, and I think I have found the replacement 9mm. Switch to the shorter 69 mag and am ready to go off duty or PC. I cannot get much difference in accuracy between the 4 guns. In fact the most accurate (by a hair) is the used 6906.
Like all 3rd gen S&W semi autos you will die of old age before you wear one of them out. Both guns are getting to the "If I could have only one handgun" list..................

I agree with SMSgt if you're on the fence.....my 5906 is a great shooter at the range but I wouldn't want to carry it around all day.

I have 2 5946 (DAO 5906 without the safety) love em! But I'm new to these type of guns. Always just had polymer ones. So far two 5946 and one 1006 and while that's it so far I'll defiantly be adding more!

If you get both, you'll have the beginning of a nice collection of great pistols. The carry question is the only point that would make one a better choice (6906).

I carried a 669/6906 on duty for about 13 years until we transitioned to the .40 cal. Sig P226R. I recently bought a 6904, the blued version, because I miss the old Third Gen. I'm kinda pissed I got rid of all my old holsters, but I did have plenty of hi-cap mags left over.

400px-S&W6904compact.jpg

I trucked the 6904 out to the range at SWAT training one day last year and cleaned a course of fire with what the kids saw as a "relic." It was like driving your first car again...

Randall

Photo: IMFBD, mine looks the same.

This.

And this.

I don't expect to carry my 5906 concealed again, but I don't expect to sell it either. It's a very accurate hand gun.

The smaller, alloy framed 6906 is a better concealed carry piece and is almost as accurate.

If you are buying for concealed carry, the 6906 is the way to go. Then, when you have a chance, get a 5906 just because they are so beautifully made.

Was looking for a like new 5906 when I found a 6906 in that condition. Bought the 6906 and like the gun. Smaller and lighter than the 5906. So far no malfunctions with any ammo I have tried.

I own both. My 6906 is my every day carry weapon.

The 5906 is mostly a range pistol for me, though I usually keep it loaded, and out of the safe, when I'm home.

The 5906 is rather heavy, but it's very comfortable to shoot. Mine has the adjustable sights, and I like them.

I love both of these pistols. I have some Sigs, and HK's

The S&W is what I tend to actually use the most.

I had a 5906 that was basically new and loved it until I purchased a 3913 and 6906. Both compact pistols shot as well as the large 5906, so I traded the 5906 off.

The 6906 is a great all around gun. Just big enough to be a fun range gun, yet small enough to CCW. 13 rounds of modern 9MM defensive ammo is pretty good in a package like the 6906.

If I want to shoot a BIG 9MM I go for the CZ-75 or Browning High Power, a couple of outstanding full size service pistols.

Thank you,for all your inputs know I will start looking for the 6906! where should I start looking,The one I was looking at got was sold

CDNN Investments still has them in stock.

I use a 6906 with 5906 15 rnd. magazines, so it gives up nothing in terms of capacity. It is light, concealable, and accurate.

Hello,

If you're simply looking to buy a handgun for self defense around your home, the 5906 is the best choice. If you're looking at a CCW piece, the 6906 is the better choice, but as good as the 6906 is, climate, comfort and consistency trumps all in that regard. The 6906 is a fine sidearm, but there are other choices that are still lighter, easier to conceal and therefore more likely to be carried, day in and day out for the average CCW user.

I have a 5906. It is the most reliable sidearm I have ever owned or fired. 4,000+ rounds and not a single malfunction of any kind. Accuracy is on par or better than most current offerings from other manufacturers.

Best,

Heekma

As most here have said you can't go wrong with any of these. I have a 908 and a 6906 and love them both. Carry the 908 as love the single stack thinness but the 6906 will carry very well too. Both are exceptional shooters and have never hiccupped on any sort of ammo.

Don't know how you will carry, but I have a Galls leather OWB holster for my 5906 and I barely feel it when I carry Nothing like having 17 rounds on your side.

My personal preference would be the S&W 6906...

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Mike...ConquestN98858

You beat me to it! I also sometimes carry my 5906. I use a Galco OWB ("Cop Model") and a really good holster belt. The belt makes a big differnce. All day comfort, no problem.

Most of the time though, I like to carry IWB. Then its's an alloy framed, single stack 4014 or 3913 in a TT Gunleather IWB. Absolute concealed carry perfection!

Get both but be careful as they are addictive. If you want a double stack that is a little slimmer there is the 6946 double action only. The 3953 is a DAO single stack that is very nice to carry.

I've been training in holster draw (among othre tactical kinds of stuff) recently using my Makarov, the wife's Mdl 39-2 and just last night my new-to-me Mdl 6906. All OWB holsters.

I found that my shooting improved vastly with the 6906, and - surprisingly - I noticed little difference in the concealability of it compared top the 39-2.

The extra four rounds is a very definite improvement.

Where on the web did you find a 6906 for $275?

If you are having trouble finding a 6906 you might consider the its 2nd gen relative the 469. They are very inexpensive online and have all the wonderful traits of the 6906. I have had two 6906s and two 469s. Never any issues with any of them. All were good, reliable and accurate shooters. As for the weight of the 5906, you might think about the much harder to find but considerably lighter 5903.

The 6906 is lighter due mostly to the alloy frame.

The two guns are not that much different in size.

The 6906 barrel and handle are each about 1/2" shorter than the 5906.

With factory grips on the 5906 rather than Hogues the percieved difference is more about the weight rather than the size.

Crimson Trace grips are available for the 5906. They are not available for the 6906.

.....best answer is get one of each.

I own both....6906. smaller, shoots great, lighter.

Centerfire Systems has about 16 as of right now on their website for 299.00 Choice of 5906 or 6906 police trade ins.

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Go Big Blue

i have both and the 6906 is definately easier to carry. as far as width my 6906 is exactly the same width as my single stack sig 239 and 6906 is lighter also.

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MP15/22,22A,6906,659,908

Get them Both to be on the safe side..

I have a 6906. Its a great carry gun.

I can't speak to the 6906, but I bought a 5906 in 1992. Carried it with me in the military overseas and it survived the elements. I put (on average) 50 rounds a month through it, and it's still as accurate, reliable and comfortable as the day I got it. I don't use it as a CCW, it's primarily a practice/range piece.

I've never owned a 5906 but i had a 6906 and liked it alot.

Missed that sale on 6906 at centerfire,still looking

Ready to purchase my first 9mm automatic. Looking at either 5906 or 6906 for personal protection at home and on the road. Not planning to carry as a CCW, but do plan to get license. What would be your recommendation?

My wife shoot my 469 and yesterday she traded her XDM 9mm for a 6906. Great little compacts..

I realize I am a couple months behind. I just found this forum. My first ever pistol was a 6906. I got it as a gift when I joined the Army from a former LEO (and Soldier) that is a close family friend. I now own several other guns, but this 6906 is still my favorite!! I love shooting it at the range and it carries well for its size.

I wish I could find a 3913 to carry also...

I would go with the 5906... but I normally go with bigger guns anyway for carrying.

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Don't look, reload and shoot!

I've owned a few of each and if you had to pick only one, I'd go 6906 for all of the reasons mentioned. A great gun.

I bought my 5906 shortly after shooting my friend's, to attest to the impact it had on me.

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"Shut up and take my money!"

I have 2 6906's and love them both. One was $275 from Gunbroker. Finish was terrible but I bad it Cerokoted two tone, OD Green on the frame and black on the slide. John from Texas here on the forum, modified the 5906 CT grips to fit the 6906. I got a set from him and love them!!!!!!

Thank you for the kind words, but they are not enough to excuse the lack of pictures. <G>

Glad you like the CT's.