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05-30-2015, 05:54 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GaryS
Especially Austria, home of you know who!
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You talking about Steyr? I've always liked those guys.
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05-30-2015, 07:47 PM
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I decided the one I really wanted to chase was going to be a 2nd Gen 639 and I found one when it popped up locally. It's a terrific pistol, but the 3906 is better. They really improved the ergos on the 3rd Gens in subtle but very well executed ways.
Meanwhile, my buddy stumbles across a 3906 locally as well. He really didn't know a heap about these pistols and neither of us knew it was short-printed. It appears as though some agency of some manner had issued it, it's got a four-digit number on the frame on the right side. It's not mint but also doesn't look like anyone carried it for years in a holster, either.
I'm jealous as hell of that pistol. And he snagged it for a hundred less than I paid for my 639. At this point, I totally want one. But I am a shooter and that will be it's role. So I definitely won't pay a collectible price to get one and it sure doesn't need to be mint.
It is simply a fantastic pistol. But for anyone who was a shooter and gun guy through that era where the 3rd Gens arrived, it really isn't hard to see exactly WHY they didn't make many. An all steel AND single stack 9mm was the antithesis of what was popular in the mid to late 80s. Doesn't mean it wasn't always a phenomenal pistol... just wasn't what the market wanted in those days.
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05-30-2015, 08:03 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kaveman
Gotta ask,........Maple City Sports? I've been in that place twice in the last 30yrs only because of a 3906. There was a stainless single-stack on the shelf on my first visit but I didn't know enough at the time to seriously look at it. I went back a few weeks later specifically for that gun and it was gone. Haven't seen another since.
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Indeed I had just sold a car so had some extra money and the wife said it was ok to buy it. It was also the same place I bought my 4506-1. i too had seen the 4506-1 for a few months before it came home with me on my wife's B-day a week after we got married. The last time I was there was picking up my CZ85 I had transferred and he still had a 3913tsw which was probably 2 months ago. The price is a little high but if still there in a few yrs may pick it up to partner with my DOC 3913.
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05-30-2015, 09:34 PM
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Absent Comrade
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The San Jose CA police department issued the 3906 to all its officers. To date, it is the only LE agency I've heard of to use the pistol as an agency issued handgun. Regards 18DAI
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05-30-2015, 11:06 PM
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Interesting about the SJPD. I would think they marked it with an SJ of some manner? I would definitely be interested to know where my buddies gun was issued. It could have been some sort of security organization as much as a police department, I would imagine.
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07-14-2015, 05:22 PM
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I went through the academy with a 3904 (1989). Shortly afterwards I swapped it for a 3906 (I was in Florida at the time). Now I'm looking for either. I 'just missed' a nice 3906 at an LGS by 1 day.....
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07-14-2015, 09:52 PM
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I have the country cousin to the 3906....the value line 909. Best part about my 909, it is pre-beat up a bit. Therefore no heartburn for any nick or scratch I might add to it.
I do love me some single stack goodness. It actually is a sweet shooter and for me a nice complement to my 908s.
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07-14-2015, 10:04 PM
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I bought the 3906 way back when they first came out. I thought then and still do that the 5906 was fat & ugly. Mine is an early one with the round rear fixed sights.
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07-15-2015, 09:55 PM
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I have a 6906, a 3913, a 5903, and a 5906. I have always liked Sig 228 and 229s. I finally bought a 229. I generally carry the 5903 in the Winter, the 3913 in the Summer, the 5906 is a great bedside pistol and the 6906 is a great all around gun. I really liked the Sig 229 and I got interested in the 225/p6 single column, used pistols. I looked at buying one very hard for Summer carry. I finally found that Mas Ayoob said 225/P6s had a bad problem with the magazine lips spreading if left loaded. That ended any desire for one of those. So, I got interested in a 3904 for Summer carry. I wanted the aluminum frame for weight savings over a 3906. I found a great 95% 3904 about a year ago.
I have now put a stainless 5906 slide on it and I am hunting a few of the small stainless parts. (slide stop, mag catch, side plate and pins) I have already installed a 6906 flash chromed trigger and bobbed hammer. I think I will end up with with a great looking, useful pistol S&W should have built. Smith put blued slides on clear annodized aluminum frames. (SSV) It should have been stainless slides on blued aluminum frames with stainless/flash chromed pins and controls.
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07-16-2015, 12:06 PM
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My original M39-2 was lightly customized back in the day... A friend ran a metal finishing shop... had a bunch of military contracts... I handed him a box of my small parts & they came back with a copper/nickel/teflon coating. Oh, yes, the gun is switch barrel with a 9x21 Barstow fitted match barrel (back when Barstow did S&W's). I should have had a 9x19 barrel made too.
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11-10-2015, 01:24 AM
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Almost NIB 3906
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11-10-2015, 04:59 PM
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Holy cow, you stole that one! Very nice looking pistol. IMO, you got it at least $200 under the going value on these in that condition.
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11-10-2015, 05:06 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Slufstuff
Holy cow, you stole that one! Very nice looking pistol. IMO, you got it at least $200 under the going value on these in that condition.
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Thanks, I knew I was getting a decent deal on it but I couldn't find any others for sale to compare to.
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11-10-2015, 08:09 PM
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Screaming deal on that one. Very envious!
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11-10-2015, 08:12 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by twistedracer
Thanks, I knew I was getting a decent deal on it but I couldn't find any others for sale to compare to.
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That's easily a $625-$675 package all day long
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11-10-2015, 08:27 PM
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I'm really happy I stumbled upon it. Double stacks don't work well for me.
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11-14-2015, 09:19 PM
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OP, who manufactured that holster? It looks like a Milt Spark, but I can read the stamp.
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11-14-2015, 09:39 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tk13
OP, who manufactured that holster? It looks like a Milt Spark, but I can read the stamp.
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It's a Milt Sparks VM2 for a Sig P245. I was using it for my P220 Compact but it also fits my 3906 real nice. The 3906 also fits me Galco Summer Comfort for the P220 Sig even better. Nice not to have to buy new holsters.
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11-14-2015, 09:49 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by twistedracer
It's a Milt Sparks VM2 for a Sig P245. I was using it for my P220 Compact but it also fits my 3906 real nice. The 3906 also fits me Galco Summer Comfort for the P220 Sig even better. Nice not to have to buy new holsters.
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Thank for the info.
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04-12-2016, 10:32 AM
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I received a nice number of "likes" on the post in this thread about my Model 3904. I had another neat adventure here in Mexico with that pistol this past December, and for anyone interested it is posted under this thread:
Another 3904 adventure.
Cheers!
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12-21-2016, 08:38 PM
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model 3906
New to the forum.. was "googling" and found this site.. just acquired a 3906... actually, long story short, my father wanted to give it to my son for his "first pistol"... he's 13 and has no clue it's happening for Christmas this weekend. best i can tell, my dad bought it around 1991-ish.. it has never been shot. loaded, but never a trigger pull.... trying to find a protective holster for it.. my son is a great shot and has been taught proper gun safety by me since he was 4.... he has several rifles and shotguns... Looking for ideas on belt or paddle back holsters.....not finding much at the local gun stores... Thanks for the info, and nice to find this site!!!
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12-21-2016, 08:41 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pdlloyd975
New to the forum.. was "googling" and found this site.. just acquired a 3906... actually, long story short, my father wanted to give it to my son for his "first pistol"... he's 13 and has no clue it's happening for Christmas this weekend. best i can tell, my dad bought it around 1991-ish.. it has never been shot. loaded, but never a trigger pull.... trying to find a protective holster for it.. my son is a great shot and has been taught proper gun safety by me since he was 4.... he has several rifles and shotguns... Looking for ideas on belt or paddle back holsters.....not finding much at the local gun stores... Thanks for the info, and nice to find this site!!!
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What a great present. Mine fits in a leather holster for a Sig 220. Try one at the store if you don't want to have one custom made.
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12-21-2016, 09:28 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pdlloyd975
Looking for ideas on belt or paddle back holsters.....not finding much at the local gun stores.
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Paddle style holster for 3906
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12-22-2016, 07:15 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by calmex
I received a nice number of "likes" on the post in this thread about my Model 3904. I had another neat adventure here in Mexico with that pistol this past December, and for anyone interested it is posted under this thread:
Another 3904 adventure.
Cheers!
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CalMex,
It's a high of 31 here today, my female companionship is a grey cat, and I'm taking the Wrangler to Target for some Christmas shopping. Any chance we can swap lives for a week??? I'll let you borrow my 3913...
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12-25-2016, 01:44 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by petepeterson
CalMex,
It's a high of 31 here today, my female companionship is a grey cat, and I'm taking the Wrangler to Target for some Christmas shopping. Any chance we can swap lives for a week??? I'll let you borrow my 3913...
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Well, there is no doubt that the cold throws a chill on things. Still, remember that the grass is ALWAYS greener on the other side -- especially when you read about other people's lives over the Internet where NOBODY generally reports about the things that make everybody grimace.
Have a Merry Christmas! I am attempting to do the same and cannot stay on the Forum as much as I'd like tonight or things won't end up Merry. Cheers!
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04-26-2017, 08:33 PM
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3906
Just got a 3906 that is in pristine condition, have so say though I would love to trade it for a 1911, I carry a Shield and love it too. Just always wanted a 1911
Last edited by Dancer145; 04-27-2017 at 07:13 PM.
Reason: added thoughts
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05-02-2017, 07:13 AM
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3906
Love the new collectible 3906. Hope I do as well with it as I did with my Shield the first time I fired it.
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05-04-2017, 06:43 AM
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3906
I fell in love with this 3906 as soon as I put it in my hand
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05-08-2020, 04:56 PM
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A mini-history of the 3906 in SJPD
Sorry for the revival necro-post (vampire or zombie post?), but I came across this topic and wanted to expand on 18DAI's post (#54) and Sevens (#55) on the 3906 as it related to the San Jose (CA) Police Department.
Up until the mid-1980s, the Department issued sidearm was the Smith & Wesson model 66 with 4" barrel. Officers were allowed other revolver makes as long as they bought it themselves. A retired SGT recalled to me seeing a couple of Dan Wessons out in the wild. He himself went to a 6" Python after probation and eventually to a S&W 57 (yes, .41 Magnum).
Chief Joe McNamara [1976-1991] was adamantly opposed to the officers being issued semi-automatic pistols, whether the reasoning was a fear of spray-and-pray tactics or something else borne out of his anti-gun mentality. McNamara eventually conceded the officers should be allowed autoloaders. He made public appearances throughout the country speaking against handguns and semi-auto weapons saying how outgunned his officers were. The officers used that in contract negotiations and faced with his own words he had to cave on the issue. I have to believe part of the overall calculation was when Officers Gordon and Silva were killed in a downtown shootout in 1989.
Legend has it McNamara sent his admin SGT, a captain, and a deputy chief in plainclothes to Tri-City Sporting Goods in Fremont, CA. They were told to find a full frame, semi-auto pistol, NOT in .45, double-action, preferably American-made, and most importantly CARRIED THE FEWEST NUMBER OF ROUNDS.
Viola! The 3906 fit the bill and the decision was made.
“But it’s not what we wanted!” and the reply came back, “***? I am giving you 50% more bullets!”
Circa 2013, I was able to purchase a 3906, a 66, and a SIG Sauer P225 from the department before I left. A few 3906s may still exist in the armory. I doubt 66s do -- there were lines and horse trading and cash flowing for those guns when they went up for sale. The problem with the 3906s and P225s were the dearth of magazines. You really had to scrounge for those. Both my 3906 and P225 are marked "San Jose PD" on the right side dust cover; the markings appear to be die struck on the 3906 and deep laser on the P225.
The 3906 still lives (at least on paper); the most recent MOA with the City allows officers who are currently issued a Smith & Wesson model 66, 3906 or 3913 as a primary weapon to continue carrying the weapon as an option (as opposed to the currently issued P226 or Glock 17/19). I have never seen either a 3906 nor 3913 carried by an officer. And I have never seen a 3913, period. I'm sure the 3913s exist, but like the P225, they were probably tucked away and forgotten (or squirreled away?) by the Range crew. I know of one officer that carried a P225 while in uniform. I came onto the PD when P226s were general issue.
Within the department the 3906 had a reputation as unreliable. Whether that stemmed from ammunition (I have no idea what the duty ammo was in the 90s), technique, or lack of maintainence is beyond my research to this point. If I take my 3906 as an indicative example, I don't think they were shot a lot. Mine was in excellent condition with light holster wear and some expected scuffing. Even the trigger play spring was intact. Not what I'd expect to see in a 30 year old issued police pistol. In contrast, my 66 was beat to hell (sights were trashed/bent, timing was unsafe, cylinder lock up was iffy -- just a general mess).
I've only fired 1000 rounds through the 3906 (so 1k in 7 years or approx. 142 rounds a year. Sad); a mix of Winchester Ranger 147gr and Federal HST 147gr. Zero failures to feed, fire, extract, or eject. Accuracy is totally fine (I shot a 260/300 [86%] on the FBI Bullseye course. I'm sure a better shooter would get 100% -- I was definitely the weak link). I'd be interested in trying to replicate any anecdotal firing failures with the period-appropriate duty ammunition.
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05-08-2020, 06:40 PM
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Thanks for the history lesson. I have a 3906, purcchased off this forum I believe, quit a while ago. It has Novak sights. It had been converted to decocking only and its squared trigger guard had been rounded.
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05-08-2020, 07:22 PM
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Being a M39 fan, bought a 3906 8 years ago, used LNIB, very few rounds fired. Carried it EDC for 7 years, AIWB in S Fla heat. Put approx 3000 rounds through it using the 10 factory mags I got from Midway. NEVER a glitch. Carried 124+ Ranger 9 as issued by Miami Dade PD, former dept. Recently put it away for LW 1911 in 9. That 3906 is a GREAT gun.
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05-08-2020, 10:39 PM
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Fantastic background cle3909! and we eat this kind of thing up on these pages. I hope you stick around and bring more of it!
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05-09-2020, 09:24 AM
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Thanks cle3909! Much appreciated!
To answer your question, in the years I owned and shot my 3906, I never experienced any malfunctions or problems. A woman I was dating took the 3906 with her when I traded up. I still miss, the gun. Regards 18DAI
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05-09-2020, 09:52 AM
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Another Coronavirus Zombie thread returns to life....... Love it
Never could understand the 390x guns when you could just have a 3931/14/NL.........if you wanted a single stack for Concealed Carry.
Heck a 69xx conceals just as well IMO and 30 years of experience.
Open/duty carry ........might as well be a double stack 59xx gun.
That said I've always found it hard to not have a 2nd Gen 39-2 in the safe!!!
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05-09-2020, 09:58 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 18DAI
A woman I was dating took the 3906 with her when I traded up. I still miss, the gun. Regards 18DAI
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Are you talking the gun or the woman?????????????????????????
;D
Last edited by BAM-BAM; 05-09-2020 at 10:00 AM.
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05-09-2020, 10:16 AM
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THE GUN BAM-BAM!
As this thread is a sticky, I don't think the necro posting applies. And I am glad to see any contributions and additions to the limited history and use of the 3906.
As to why a 3906 rather than a 3913, speaking for myself, as I owned and carried both at the same period in time, the added weight of the 3906 made it a lot easier to shoot fast and accurately. Especially one handed as one might have to in a close contact incident.
And the extra weight also gave the 3906 some value as an impact weapon too. Regards 18DAI
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05-09-2020, 10:33 AM
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Since we are necroposting, I'll chime in with my issues with the 3906.
1. S&W did not make enough of them.
2. S&W never made a 3903, which would have been a stainless slide on a silver-gray anodized aluminum receiver.
3. I don't have one, gotta settle for my Model 439.
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05-09-2020, 10:34 AM
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Hummmmmm.......see your points......... but in a single stack I think I'd opt for a 4566
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05-09-2020, 12:35 PM
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Can't believe I've owned my 3906 for almost 6yrs n based off my 1st post in this thread.
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05-09-2020, 12:42 PM
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The 3906 is one of my favorite 3rd gens. I bought mine on a whim. I wasn't looking for it.
Yes, the 3914 series is smaller and the 5906 series holds more rounds, but...i guess it's the Goldilocks thing. The 3906 just feels right.
I don't know if I got lucky but mine shoots very well. Maybe it's that the ergonomics work for me. Maybe it's because whoever put it together had a good day at the office, but the dang thing shoots better than it ought to.
The only negative I have about it is it has more sharp edges than a ginsu
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05-09-2020, 01:17 PM
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During the mid 90s we were pushing about 600-700 recruits at a time through the academy. Beretta 92fs was the issue weapon, the guns had a dull finish,lacked the final polishing , which allowed them to have night sights installed for the same price as a standard contract Beretta.
We trained hundreds of smaller stature officers to shoot the 92FS with great success, very few firearms failures, and most graduated with some sort of shooting medal. Still someone complained to someone high up and we had to come up with a program to TRY an alternate smaller grip frame pistol.
I think mostly because of cost , and the fact that it was already on the departments approved weapons list, the 3906 Novak night sight model was chosen. We issued 16 ? or so of them to all the female officers in one recruit class. They were issued with quad mag holders so had close to the same amount of ammo availability as an officer with a 92fs.
Since these guns were not being made at that time, S/W put together the guns from what was in stock, and whatever spare parts were around. I thought some of these guns came 2-tone , but Im running from memory. The guns worked great , recruits all passed and went out to the field.
We kept track of these shooters, within 1 year, all but 1 had purchased their own 92fs and qualified with it, using it as their primary duty weapon.
Several of these guns came back to the armory, for one reason or another. 8 or 10 of these guns were eventually sold to a local distributor, so they are out there somewhere. I know a couple armorers who bought a few, I am not one of them. I had a 3904.
It should be noted that with the exception of 1 single (law suit) issuance(3913) these were the only 3rd gen Smith and Wesson Semi Autos ever issued to regular Police Officers by the L.A.P.D. . Other than S.I.S who had their issue 4506/4566s. But no other SWs were issued until the M&Ps in 2015 or so. All the other thousands of 3913/4, 4506/66,5906,6906 so many models I cant cover here are ALL private purchase guns.
Last edited by CALREB; 02-20-2022 at 03:10 AM.
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05-09-2020, 01:55 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CALREB
During the mid 90s we were pushing about 600-700 recruits at a time through the academy. Beretta 92fs was the issue weapon, the guns had a dull finish,lacked the final polishing , which allowed them to have night sights installed for the same price as a standard contract Beretta.
Even though we had trained hundreds of smaller stature officers.With great success, very few firearms failures and most graduated with some sort of shooting medal. Someone complained to someone high up and we had to come up with a program to TRY an alternate smaller grip frame pistol.
I think mostly because of cost , and the fact that it was already on the departments approved weapons list, the 3906 standard nightsight model was chosen. We issued 16 ? or so of them to all the female officers in one recruit class.They were issued with quad mag holders so had close to the same amount of ammo availability as an officer with a 92fs.
Since these guns were not being made at that time, S/W put together these guns from what was in stock, and whatever spare parts were around. I thought some of these guns came 2-tone , but Im running from memory. The guns worked great , recruits all passed and went out to the field.
We kept track of these shooters, within 1 year, all but 1 had purchased their own 92fs and qualified with it, using it as their primary duty weapon.
Several of these guns came back to the armory, for one reason or another. 8 or 10 of these guns were eventually sold to a local distributor, so they are out there somewhere. I know a couple armorers who bought a few, I am not one of them. I had a 3904.
It should be noted that with the exception of 1 single (law suit) issuance(3913) these were the only Smith and Wesson Semi Autos ever issued to regular Police Officers by the L.A.P.D. Other than S.I.S who had there issue 4506/4566s. But no other SWs were issued until the M&Ps in he 2015 or so. All the other thousands of 3913/4, 4506/66,5906, 6906 so many models I cant cover here are ALL private purchase guns.
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Back in the mid-90s Beretta had/offered a single stack 92 Compact Type-M to fill a couple of local Law Enforcement contracts. With Farrer Rubber grips
they were as slim as a 39 grip......they were parts guns as the frames were the old style round trigger guard milled to FS).
IIRC the single stacks were for Lt.'s and up and Detectives/plain cloth officers. The rest of the Dept were issued the 13 round Compacts.
I was friends with the local Police Supply House and got two over about 10 years ( same batch) ....... and a bunch of mags. Got the first one in 93 as a hedge against the 94 AWB.
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05-09-2020, 03:18 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BAM-BAM
Back in the mid-90s Beretta had/offered a single stack 92 Compact Type-M to fill a couple of local Law Enforcement contracts. With Farrer Rubber grips
they were as slim as a 39 grip......they were parts guns as the frames were the old style round trigger guard milled to FS).
IIRC the single stacks were for Lt.'s and up and Detectives/plain cloth officers. The rest of the Dept were issued the 13 round Compacts.
I was friends with the local Police Supply House and got two over about 10 years ( same batch) ....... and a bunch of mags. Got the first one in 93 as a hedge against the 94 AWB.
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Interesting. Never knew there was a single stack 92 variant.
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5903TSW 5904 5906 6906 4006
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05-09-2020, 03:45 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Craig19
Interesting. Never knew there was a single stack 92 variant.
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Ya..... all the way back to the 92S or SB in the early 80s...... Beretta also made a single action, single stack, back into the 1950s Model 951.
951 was widely used by the Israelites... in the 50s-70s
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05-13-2020, 10:08 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BAM-BAM
Ya..... all the way back to the 92S or SB in the early 80s...... Beretta also made a single action, single stack, back into the 1950s Model 951.
951 was widely used by the Israelites... in the 50s-70s
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I had a 951, called a Brigadier commercially and also a Helwan clone made in Egypt. IMHO, one of the best handling 9s ever made, even better for me than the S&W 39-2. I especially liked the crossbolt safety. It was positive and very quick to take off. Setting was another story!
I had a M70 New Puma in .32 with the same safety, before they went to the 1911 style.
FWIW, Mark at Summitgunbroker lists 3906 mags for sale.
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05-15-2020, 08:00 AM
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Since the 3906 is way too heavy for a single stack pistol chambered for a round that won't stop an angry hamster, you can all send your useless 3906s to me for proper disposal.
My shipping address is.........
I badly wanted a 3906 when they came out.
By the time I was old enough to buy one, and could actually afford one, they were (sadly) long gone.
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01-07-2021, 11:37 AM
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3906 in Distress
Up until becoming a member of the S&W forum, I was beginning to think I was only a handful of owners of a 3906. I bought it new in 1990 and it has been a wonderful gun. I still even have the original receipt.
A couple of years ago one side of the casing extractor broke causing spent shell casings to get hung up in the slide. Because this gun is so rare I have not been able to located parts. I want to get the gun fixed if possible. Any suggestions?
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01-07-2021, 12:52 PM
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The extractor from a 5906 will work. Same part. Try Numrichs gun parts. Hope this helps! Regards 18DAI
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01-07-2021, 02:55 PM
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...that is your answer.
Meanwhile hahaha
The whole damn top end from a 5906 or most any 3rd Gen 9mm works or can be made to work!
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01-07-2021, 07:14 PM
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12 months ago, my 3906 extractor broke. Off to SW and was repaired quickly. Cannot remember the cost, if any, but it was not unreasonable. The only question is do they still have the part? Only a phone call to SW can answer that.
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Last edited by jscott; 01-07-2021 at 07:38 PM.
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