I was at one of our most reputable gun stores today and was looking at all the used guns. Then I wandered over to the new gun section and there in the case was a 5906TSW being sold as a new gun. $695. I looked it over and the magazine follower was dirty from ammo and there was definitely "gunk" in the action. I told one of the workers (a very reputable guy/ maybe partial owner) that he had this in the wrong section and that it was used. I thought they just got them mixed up. He insisted that it was new from a distributor. We look it up in the blue book and the last 5906 TSW was made on 2004.
My gut tells me it's a used gun. He insisted it's factory fresh. Anyone know how I can verify that without completely insulting this guy. He seemed a little miffed that I thought it was used. They supply to all the LEO's in the area and do all the armory work for them.
If it truly is NIB I would be interested as a collector. If not I would be interested as a shooter but not at NIB prices.
Mike

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I bought what could be considered a new-old stock 5906 TSW for $279 a year ago. My range had 9 of them for sale. In the box with the test casing and al paperwork.

It was a 2004 model that was used in CCW classes to allow students to get the feel of a gun in their hand. It was for the demonstration classroom work - not the range work. One of the mags had snap caps inserted and ejected, but that was it. All nine had been fondled for years but never fired after they left the factory. It was not cleaned by the range personal before it was put out for sale. It was in no way gunked up or dirty from the factory either.

My wife's M&P 9C was new and not dirty. My 2" M64 Brinks Special was factory new and not dirty. My 3" M36 was factory new and not dirty.

I don't think Smith & Wesson is in the business of selling dirty guns.

S&W still makes the 3rd generation guns for LE orders so it could be new production. One way to check is have them pull the fired case from the box, it will have a test fired date on it. I got several 5946TSWs' last year new from the distributor, they had dated cases from early '09. Most guns I've received from S&W have been test fired, but 3-5 rounds shouldn't gunk the gun up. If they were salesmen samples or demo guns from S&W they should also have a "used" sticker on the end label of the box.

Thx for the info. I'll ask to see the case and casing. I thought maybe new old stock from 2004. But the casing will tell a different tale if it's a newer special order LE gun. His price seems to high either way. $695
Mike

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Well last retail on 3rd geration guns was right at grand, dealer would have been over $600.

Ok I went back for a closer look at this 5906TSW. The shell case was in fact fired in 2009. So it is a new gun. I checked it over inside and did see grease around the ejector ramp. I think I was seeing what I wanted to see yesterday... thinking it had to be a used gun. Also it came from Lou Horton Distributors. No LE logo on it. The salesman said that they got 3 in and this was the last one.
I think this is a great deal. He would do $695 OTD. Basically waived the 7% tax.
I love the 5906 and would like to own a TSW. I think this is a good deal as it is a post production run and Lou Horton is a reputable distributor. So I think I am in.. unless someone thinks I am making a mistake at that price... please speak up!
Mike

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Are you nuts? If you like it, buy it.

What else can you buy like this? Only a SIG or a 1911 or Browning Hi-Power. All over $700.

Beretta 92 FS, maybe close, although I like the 3rd gens better, and this is a TSW gun so it's way at the high end of the 5906 price range. If it's NIB or LNIB I think it's worth it.

Yes, some of us have found safe queens and LNIB guns for less, but that is sometimes lucky. I think these TSW guns, if LNIB or NIB are definitely worth $600-$700

Ok I have more questions than answers...
I see that Scotter620 bought one of these 2 years ago.
Product #150383: 5906 w/ integral rail *PICS UP*
His pics are gone.. I asked him in a PM to show me pics of his gun.. although he sold it.
I put a deposit on it because I think this is an unusual find. Plus I love 5906s.

Here is the box end with product code 150383. There were supposedly only 80 or so of these made.. Lew Horton is distributor.
This was mfg in sept 2009. Can anyone tell me more about it.. like what is different than a 5906TSW from 2000-2002? Scotters post talks about them possible being made fro the RCMP??
If no one knows anything I think I will call SW tomorrow to see what I can find out. Thx




Mike

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I call S&W this morning to see what was up with this special order 5906TSW made in 2009.
The Customer service Tech (Super Nice and helpful BTW) looked up product code and S/N. He said that Lew Horton just did a small run to sell. There is nothing different about them from a 5906TSW from say 2002. So I think I will pass on this. It's a great gun but from a functional standpoint But I have a great shooting 5906 now. Actually I have more 9mm pistols than one maybe should have So paying $700 for a new 5906TSW isn't really on my need to have list. If it had an integral rail or something that would be different. But I can buy one of these used for $450-$500..if and when I need one. Thanks for those who helped me.
If someone is really interested I can give your my dealers info. He has 2 of them. Also from my 1st post..I nor the dealer couldn't explain why the magazines of both of his guns were so filthy with gun residue. Probably nothing to it but..my gut says pass.
Mike

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Part of the thrill is the hunt, keep looking and you'll find the next one.

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I wanted to close this loop for others.. this 5906TSW I was looking at did have a test fired casing from Sept 2009.. so I thought they were mfg 4 years. Not SO
I am attaching the answer I got from Lew horton about what they know about the gun .... I found this most interesting:

From: Tara Alano [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Thursday, June 21, 2012 9:06 AM
To: Mike Bliss
Subject: Smith & Wesson serial #UBZ9496

Dear Mike,

The gun you are inquiring about was bought with a group of other metal frame guns from Smith & Wesson in March of 2010. These guns were from the vault at Smith & Wesson and one can only assume they were produced some time ago, as they were being stored there. So your knowledge regarding discontinue dates is probably correct. They were older inventory that Smith decided to sell off. It is our understanding that the fired cases are fired before actual shipping which would explain the later date compared to actual production date. We have no idea when the gun was actually produced as it came from the vault and was not specifically produced for us. To our knowledge the gun has no special features and did not come with any spec sheet.

Hope this helps you out.
Regards,

Tara Alano

Interesting...Mike

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