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  #1  
Old 09-06-2012, 03:14 PM
TrapperL TrapperL is offline
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Default NIB 5906

I bought a NIB 5906 that I have a few questions about. I've never owned a Smith semi auto and frankly know nothing about one. I've shot competition with the Colts, Wilson, and have numerous other brands of pistols but this Smith has me wondering. The slide spring is extremely heavy. The wife, who shoots 1911's, can't even begin to rack it to load it. It's an across the chest effort for me and I ain't no little guy. I also have issues with the gun in regards to max loads using 231 powder and 115gr HP and the slide doesn't stay open on the last round fired. I'm assuming it's the recoil spring. Is this pistol tuned for a specific weight bullet and powder burn rate? You think that maybe the recoil/slide spring is far too much? Accuracy with one load of 231 under a 100gr frangible was decent at 1 1/4" at 25 yds, but no hold open on the last shot. A near max load of HS6 under a 140gr match HP was horrible but the slide would at least stay open on the last shot. Is there a recommended place to start loading ammo for this thing? Any "isms" about the gun is appreciated.
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Old 09-06-2012, 03:49 PM
tomuchiron tomuchiron is offline
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Treat it like a 1911. Buy an assortment of slide springs. take your most favorite bullet and load that you already use the most. and dial the pistol into it.
If you start with a known accurate bullet loading. your allllllmost there.
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Old 09-06-2012, 04:22 PM
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"the slide doesn't stay open on the last round fired" - Have you tried more than one mag ?

"Is this pistol tuned for a specific weight bullet and powder burn rate?" - Have you tried factory ammo ? Maybe too fancy too soon. I think you'll be getting replies that it "eats anything".

Wolff says:
RECOIL SPRING
For Use in:
39, 439, 539 ,639, 3904, 3906, 3944, 3946, 9mm
59, 459, 559, 659, 5903, 5904, 5906, 9mm
5923, 5924, 5926, 5943, 5944, 5946, 9mm
659, 909, 910, 915, 9mm
Reduced Power...: 8, 10 & 12 Lb.
Factory Standard.: 14 Lb.
Extra Power........: 16, 17, 18, 20 & 22 Lb.

I also think you'll be getting replies that racking a 5906 should not be a problem at all. With pistol empty of course and mag out, cock the hammer (decocker in up / fire position) and then try racking - it should be easier since you are not fighting the hammer. If it is still "across the chest effort" and since you are experienced, I would begin to suspect your recoil spring may not be factory standard. Even then, I've not found much racking diff with 16# or 18# recoils.
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Old 09-06-2012, 07:40 PM
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tax-you might want to try another color for highlighting. Yellow is hard on the eyes and nearly invisible.
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Old 09-06-2012, 08:24 PM
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As the man said, racking a 5906 should be no problem at all. You said NIB, but when was it made and has it been oiled properly? Have you had a close look at the rails with the slide removed to check for rough spots, corrosion, or grime?
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Old 09-06-2012, 09:15 PM
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Default 5906 NIB

NIB being new this year or 20 years ago?
I own (2) 5906's and they will eat any ammo and are super tough/ hard to make "not work". I also have several 3rd gen's in 9mm 45 and 10mm that never have any issues. So I would check for something being wrong with that gun. It should work just fine out of the box all day long with any ammo.
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Old 09-06-2012, 09:42 PM
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Well, I got out my long forgotten recoil spring gauge, it only goes to 20lbs. The spring bottomed it out and hadn't compressed much. Meaning it's a lot more than 20 lbs. The gun was purchased from a State Commissioner that had the pistol for decades according to him. At the time he bought 4 of them new from S/W in a State deal. He still has 2 that he uses. So I guess I'm looking for a new spring. I appreciate the info on the spring rates. Makes it a lot easier when I place the order at Brownells.

I'll probably end up liking the gun. I'm prone to heavy guns and this is definitely a heavy weight. Considering I only paid 200 for it, I think I have room to put a little money in it to make it work like I want. Any "must haves" for this gun?
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Old 09-07-2012, 12:50 AM
catcus-jack catcus-jack is offline
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I may be wrong but I can't see it coming from the factory with a 20# + recoil spring.So maybe new in the box and fiddled with.But $200 dollars is a steal for it.
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Old 09-07-2012, 02:02 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by catcus-jack View Post
...maybe new in the box and fiddled with...
I like it! We have a new designation: NIBFW. New In Box but Fiddled With.
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Old 09-07-2012, 02:25 PM
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Trapper - $200 sounds like great price for a NIBFW.
I don't know price diff between Brownells and direct from Wollf.
Consider a recoil spring calibration pack eg. from Wolff since you need to find the right one:
Recoil Calibration Pak includes 1 each 14 pound factory recoil spring and 1 each of 16, 17, 18 and 20 pound extra power recoil springs. 3 extra power firing pin springs are also included.
I've got factory 14's plus 16,18 and 20. As I said prior, I don't find much racking diff between 16 and 18 in Model 39's. I haven't used the 20#.
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Old 09-07-2012, 03:56 PM
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I called the guy I got it from. He says it's unfired, new in the box, unfiddled with. The guns come to the State set up for their 147 gr ammo which he said is HOT. He emphasized hot several times. He's not aware of the spring rate but the guns are setup by Smith for this specific use. I looked at Wolff springs website and I think instead of buying the package deal I'm going to buy one of each. That way if I just want plinkers I have the spring for it. On the plus side, he said to come by the house and he's got 500 rounds of ammo that he guarantees will work the action. It's going to cost me a taco but maybe I can afford it. It's good to have friends in high places, sometimes.
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Old 09-07-2012, 08:34 PM
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Trapper - Wolff - one spring is $7.89 (you will probably get one firing pin spring with it).
Calibration pack is $31.49 and has 5 recoils (one of each #) and three firing pin springs.
Depending on what you mean by "buy one of each" - your break-even is 4.
Seeing that Wolff makes a 22# (not included in pack), maybe that is what you have. If so, and if you shoot a lot, wouldn't hurt to have a back-up.
If pistol was alloy frame, I would not recommend 14# recoil. Since your 5906 is SS frame, maybe you'll want a 14# along with whatever others you choose.
Run the shipping costs also - I bought 2 recoils - shipping was $3.99. It may be flat rate for such light items.
Either way, probably better to buy all you might want at same time.
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