5906 refurb

armorer951 · #1 09-29-2012, 03:00 AM

Recently purchased "retired" (and abused) 5906 pistol. Pretty banged up with some surface oxidation, etc. Fortunately it already had the stainless hammer and trigger. Rehab included a thorough cleaning, and bead blasting of the exterior. Also installed new OEM springs. Replaced the worn out grips with a new original set, and the rear sight with a new Novak low mount. Overall, turned out better than I expected. S&W advised the mfg date was 03-06-1992. Shoots very well.

wproct · #2 09-29-2012, 09:38 AM

From the photos it appears to be very nice! 5906 pistols are great.

dreamer65 · #3 09-29-2012, 11:02 AM

Nice gun, I also have one love it feel I like a real gun in your hand , not a plastic "toy" lol
did you do the bead blast

grif684 · #4 09-29-2012, 01:20 PM

Excellent job! Looks great!

S&W5906 · #5 09-29-2012, 01:34 PM

Looks good. Need to do that to mine too. Maybe it will hide the stamped in police property control number some.

dave holl · #6 09-30-2012, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by armorer951

Recently purchased "retired" (and abused) 5906 pistol. Pretty banged up with some surface oxidation, etc. Fortunately it already had the stainless hammer and trigger. Rehab included a thorough cleaning, and bead blasting of the exterior. Also installed new OEM springs. Replaced the worn out grips with a new original set, and the rear sight with a new Novak low mount. Overall, turned out better than I expected. S&W advised the mfg date was 03-06-1992. Shoots very well.

Could you tell me a little more about the process of bead blasting? My recently purchased police trade-in 6906 is in a similar condition. Did you do the rehab yourself? Does Midway carry OEM grips and springs? Does bead blasting round off any lettering edges? Shoots well with original sights but maybe will change those later.

Good job on your 5906. Thanks for your help.

Dave

smith10 · #7 09-30-2012, 12:45 PM

nice job, looks like new. I love that these third gens clean up so well.

Chippp · #8 09-30-2012, 01:39 PM

Nice job!!!
I hope you don't mind me asking.
What is the 3rd prefix of your S/N? I cant make it out.
The reason I ask is I just acquired a 5906 with a TVK S/N and that is not called out very well in the book I have with S/N ranges. My best guess was 1992.

Thanks in advance
Chip

clum50 · #9 09-30-2012, 03:05 PM

Thank You. Any time a S & W can be rescued is a good thing. Especially a 5906. I've carried a 5906 most of my LEO career, and its a fine 9mm. It gets the job done and you've done a great job bringing new life. Congrats!

armorer951 · #10 09-30-2012, 06:54 PM

Chipp......the prefix is "TVW"

armorer951 · #11 09-30-2012, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave holl

Could you tell me a little more about the process of bead blasting? My recently purchased police trade-in 6906 is in a similar condition. Did you do the rehab yourself? Does Midway carry OEM grips and springs? Does bead blasting round off any lettering edges? Shoots well with original sights but maybe will change those later.

Good job on your 5906. Thanks for your help.

Dave

Dave......
I have a small cabinet I use for blasting parts to prep for plating or refreshing stainless finishes. Blasting with beads or silica is easy on the finish if you're careful. Can be used to remove oxidation, pitting and scratches. Like any form of polishing, attention to detail is important. Actually requires less
time and expertise than buffing IMO.
I still have a pretty good supply of S&W OEM parts from my 20+ years of police armorer service on these pistols and S&W revolvers. Thought it would be better to use factory parts if possible. Also replaced the hammer, which had some pretty severe cosmetic damage on the spur. Numrich and other sites including E-Bay may have some of the springs and other OEM parts if you need them. Some of the internal springs in this gun.....the extractor spring, lever springs and the springs in the manual safety lever showed signs of oxidation so they were replaced. Hope you're rehab goes well. Let me know if you need more info

Poohgyrr · #12 10-01-2012, 12:19 AM

Good looking 5906. Congrats!

Chippp · #13 10-02-2012, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by armorer951

Chipp......the prefix is "TVW"

Thanks .I guess that would put mine late 91 or early 92

Broker50 · #14 10-02-2012, 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave holl

Could you tell me a little more about the process of bead blasting? My recently purchased police trade-in 6906 is in a similar condition. Did you do the rehab yourself? Does Midway carry OEM grips and springs? Does bead blasting round off any lettering edges? Shoots well with original sights but maybe will change those later.

Good job on your 5906. Thanks for your help.

Dave

Just in case you don't know, a 6906 has an anodized alloy frame. Blasting would remove the finish, requiring a refinish of the frame.

Kilibreaux · #15 10-03-2012, 01:32 AM

I used to have a 6906 and I thought pistols couldn't get any better!
Congratulations!
For anyone contemplating bead blasting or otherwise, as the previous poster stated, blasting an Anodized Aluminum surface is NOT a good idea. Anodized Aluminum won't corrode and does not need "refurbishing." Only where the thick, anodized surface is "cut through" might one find corrosion in the form of....oxidation, which is really only a less intense version of anodizing!
"Naturally aged" aluminum will form a hard outer shell.

skjos · #16 10-04-2012, 12:23 AM

Any before pictures?