Recently I have started collecting 3rd gen S&W's including a 645, 4586 and, of course, a 6904. I was not looking for a 9mm at the time but it was in great shape, like new, and the price was right,$350. I know you are supposed to do your research before you buy but, what the heck. Anyway, I thought this would be the place to ask questions as to what you thought about this gun. Also, do I have to worry about the aluminum frame getting beat up from shooting?

The 6904 is essentially the same gun as the 59xx series, only a compact version. 12 rounds in the mag, as opposed to 15. It is a 3rd generation, which means that it has all of the improvements over earlier models. Very reliable, very accurate (in my experience). The 6904 is the blued version - the 6906 is the stainless version (though still with an alloy frame). IMO, one of the best all 'round.

My 6904 is a beat up, ugly duckling, former RCMP issue police gun. No idea how many rounds fired before it came to me. Lots of external wear.....but a GREAT shooter. I just cleaned it up and replaced most of the springs. It has been perfect - I have about 600 rounds through it now. It has become my EDC - I think that highly of it.

As for the alloy frame....you have nothing to worry about. Just clean and maintain the pistol properly and add a little lube to the frame rails (I use a very small amount of a high quality grease).....and it will be fine. My frame rails show absolutely NO recognizable wear, neither does any other part of the gun (except the exterior, as I stated above).

Take care of it - and you'll be able to pass it on to your grand children.

I'll second the motion to use some grease, rather than oil, on the frame rails. I also use it on the unlocking lugs, since that steel barrel slams into them with a lot of force.

I have a 6906, and it's my concealed carry pistol about 99% of the time. I like the safety of the first shot being double action.

It seems like EVERY time I read about somebody shooting themselves, or having a negligent discharge, it's always a Glock.

Very rarely, it's another striker fired pistol with no manual safety. In my mind, carrying one of those makes about as much sense as carrying a revolver with the hammer cocked. Yes, it won't fire unless you pull the trigger, but damn: that's a stupid way to carry a firearm.

Your 6904 is an excellent semiautomatic pistol. Smaller than the full sized, or 'service' size pistols, yet not so small that you can only get 2 fingers on the grip. It's a perfect size for concealed carry.

They are quite accurate pistols, with the very nice and highly visible Novak 3 dot sights.

The 6904 will handle +P 9mm ammunition, but I would recommend that you do most of your shooting using standard pressure 9mm ammunition, to save on wear and tear on the frame. After all: S&W isn't making them anymore.

I feel that the 69xxs are a bit underrated. I like mine more than my 3913 . Great gun you pick up. Here's the show off pictures of my 2. I agree also if it moves grease it.

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