Can I join the club?

I picked up a 5906 last week and had the opportunity to get it out to the range this past weekend. I don't know why I waited so long to get one!!! A truly OUTSTANDING firearm! I enjoyed shooting it more than any other hand gun I've had the chance to fire. I thought long and hard about getting this gun and had some concern about parts availability. I'm glad I decided to go for it. If I wind up breaking something, this is piece will be well worth whatever effort it takes to find a replacement part.

The only minor complaint I have is the single action trigger pull. There is a bit more "first stage" travel than I would like and it's a little rough until the slack is gone. The short reset is fantastic. The double action trigger pull is as good as my 586.

I'm a happy guy!

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Welcome to the club, Joe! We'll just have to teach you the secret handshake, and tell you the code word, and you'll be an official Third Gen Fanatic like the rest of us.

Now that you've started out with a full-size model, you'll soon be eyeing the compacts, then the value series, and then on to the Second Gens. Don't even get me started on the Third Gen Performance Centers, or the 1911s.....

Most of us have found that it's rare for parts to break on these pistols; usually, just replacing springs is about all that's required. I doubt you'll have any trouble in the short run, and there were so many 5906s made, finding parts in the long run should not be too much of an issue either. Just enjoy that fine Third Gen, and welcome to the club!

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Ukraine -- now more than ever

You are in trouble now! That's how I started out and now I have 7 or 8. They just start multiplying like rabbits!

A 5906 was my first 3rd gen gun about 20 years ago. I still have it and still enjoy shooting it as much as I did then. I now have several more, including a 3914, two 3913's, a no rail 3913TSW, a 457, a CS9, and a 6906. I swear, I put two in my gun safe and they just multiplied!
Nah, my wife doesn't believe that story either.

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Can open, worms everywhere.

You should be warned that shooting the 3rd gen guns is addicting. It starts out innocently enough, then the next thing you know, you've got several different models. You'll probably want to try different size frames and calibers along with mixing in allow frames with all steel. Then there's the whole double stack and single stack thing. My latest weakness was related to SA vs DAO.
The fact that you can buy these gems at a fraction of the cost it would be for a similarly built new gun just makes it worse. I am planning on seeking help. However I think I'll get just one more before I do!

Hello, my name is Comrad and I am a third generation owner.

6906 round trigger guard.

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Back to back World War Champs.

Someone should warn the OP that when a member admits to a 3rd generation addiction here, we're not a support group. Rather, we are a rationalization and justification resource to help explain the purchase of yet another 3rd gen gun to a suspicious spouse.

Oh, and I forgot to mention that I have a 3904 in my other post. I can hear it weeping in my gun safe because I neglected it.

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Can open, worms everywhere.

when you can't remember how many you have.....it might be too many....like my 6 or 7

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witty signature goes here

I had to look but the official count is 8 with an average of 6.125 mags per. .
I think I need more mags!

She just knows that if a .45 and a 9mm got together in your safe, there'd be a .40 in there by now!

By the way, Joe: GaryS is your go-to guy about any magazine questions or issues. Take note!

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Ukraine -- now more than ever

No .40s for me. Between 9mm, .38, .45, and .380 I have enough hand gun calibers to support. That doesn't even count the .22LR pistols.

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Can open, worms everywhere.

I like to quote the late Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead when describing a 3rd Gen addiction. "Too much of anything is just enough"

Unacceptable, you need to own more. Now go out and there and get that done!

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Still carrying my S&W 642

Welcome to the addiction.
I have 3 right at this moment but----.
910

4043

1066

Welcome to the club!

Just so you know they will consume you, but it's SO worth it.

While I'll admit that I don't know the secret handshake...I think it's whipping out your credit card to pay for just about a 3rd gen you see!

Very nice 5906.

Rookie mistake, using a credit card. It's far easier to maintain plausible deniability if you use cash. "No honey, I've had that gun for a long time. I just cleaned it today so it looks new."

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Can open, worms everywhere.

I'm single, so I've not had that experience yet.

I'll file it away for future use though.

I'm like Bill O'Reilly in that I'm looking out for you!

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Can open, worms everywhere.

Can I join? I have a 908 on the way as we speak. I'm hoping it will work well for me as a carry gun. I read about all the high praise for these 3rd Gen Smiths and just had to jump aboard!

Darn I better get it together. I have only 2 5906 and a 4006 And 6 mags for each.

John

I have read some concern lately about parts for the 5900 series because the guns are getting snapped up. I ordered a spring and I'm going to order some of the more breakable parts soon.

"Can I join the club?" Joe F.

Joe as far as I'm concerned...you're in. Just promise me one thing:under no circumstances, for any reason, under threat of death, never, ever, refer to your 3rd Gen as a gen 3! Block talk is fine under appropriate circumstances, but not when you're referring to one of the finest series of pistols S&W ever made(& at this point, its looking like they ever will make!). That is like chewing tin foil or fingernails on a chalkboard to a few people, including me! Those who don't know me may think I'm joking...

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Lounge Lizard Extraordinaire

Thanks for the warm welcome! The 5906 was really a great choice for me. It combines all of the features I like from wheel guns and auto's into one great package. As you can probably tell from the pictures, the gun was an LE trade-in. It's nice to know that a quick trip to the bead blaster will make it like new again. Odds are I won't ever blast it, but I like knowing that I can.

Don't worry about me calling it a Gen 3. I've never had much interest in Brand X. I know they're good guns, but there are so many of them out there now that they've become "run of the mill" and they just don't interest me that much.

As a business strategy, I find S&W's position on theses guns somewhat curious. I know the plastic guns are in vogue and that they probably have nice margins, but they are a "me too" offering in a sea of polymer. Not counting 1911's, the only company that I know that offers a decent all metal auto is Beretta. You'd think that there would be some market share to go after there.

I have a weakness for them as well. And earlier models well.

Welcome to the club!!

In addition to Beretta, Sig is still making some VERY nice metal framed hammer fired pistols. The Sig P227 is calling to me in a big way. Hammer fired 45 goodness. Whats not to like? If I had longer to go until retirement I think a P227 would find its way into my holster.

The current company calling itself S&W no longer produces handguns I would purchase. Thankfully they made a whole bunch of 3rd gen guns! Regards 18DAI

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7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

So far I've resisted the urge to go and look at a Sig P239, but it's been a close thing.

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Can open, worms everywhere.

OK, I reckon I'll never be able to locate parts for my 1st Gen Model 39-2.

Good thing I don't get it out much!!!

GaryS if the 39XX series didn't exist, I'd own a Sig P239. In 9mm too.

When I compared the Sig and the 3913, back in the day, the 239 was just a little thicker and heavier than the 3913. The 3913 had the better trigger of the two guns I examined as well.

These days, since there are no 3913's being produced, the 239 is the only game in town - in a current production handgun. Regards 18DAI

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7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

Good points on the Sig 239. Well made pistol as far as I'm concerned. The price is north of $800 though and the 3913's can still be had for about half that. I'll take my chances with the Smith.

My 1st Gen 3. Had it for around 2 months. A normal every day 5906. It is in very good shape. I took Hogue grips that it came with off, and secured a factory grip. (works better for me) I enjoy shooting this thing! Bob

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I really don't remember and to be honest I'd be afraid to count........because I might ask myself why???

But I'm blessed ...... the wife has never asked my ....."Why?"


I think she just assumes I'm just a "little off".....LOL

I got addicted when a 4506-1 came home with me 2 years ago. Since then I owned a 5906 which I regret trading, had a 5946 I kinda wished i kept, own a 3913 I traded a guy an LC9 for, and own a 669.

I think I'm up to four 3rd Gens - a police trade-in early 5903, 3913, 1086, and a 4013tsw I just got from Gunbroker.

I just got started this month and I am already up to three 3rd Gens and actively shopping for a 4th!!! Somebody help me!!! Please!!! Quickly before I go broke!!!

Went to the club this morning and put 100 rounds through my 5903, I never get tired of shooting it! I shoot several different handguns when I go but the 3rd. Generation S&W always makes the trip. Congratulations!!

Sorry, there is no cure.

[QUOTE=TTSH;138003021]I just got started this month and I am already up to three 3rd Gens and actively shopping for a 4th!!! Somebody help me!!! Please!!! Quickly before I go broke!!! [/


There is no help to be had...its been said many times on this Forum that most of us are a bunch of enablers. So, we're more likely to egg you on than to try & reason with you. When I first came here, I had a 686-2, a SW40VE, & a Browning Hipower. I had just purchased a 40C & I was looking for some info on it. I saw a picture of Rags' 4013TSW & I was lost! I then knew what the term "grail gun" meant. One led to another...

I don't try & fight it anymore. The only reasons I haven't bought any lately is a severe lack of funding & the fact that I have "most" of the ones I want. There's still three left on the grail gun list!

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Lounge Lizard Extraordinaire

the best answer for "why?" is................................."why not?"

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witty signature goes here

Well, as of today in 3rd Gen, I've got a 9mm (6906), a .40 S&W (4046) and a .45 ACP (4516-1)... two DA/SA and one DAO. The 4046 is intact and sound but in need of a serious cosmetic makeover as it was someone's long-time holstered carry gun. The other two are in great shape!

And after all that in a mere two weeks (albeit with a lot of expert advice & pre-planning), I am still looking hard for a 4506-1 in really nice shape. It's near impossible to import them into the People's Republic of Taxachusetts because of our "lists" and laws... so this last search could be a rather long one. Perhaps that will break the pattern that could easily bankrupt me?

Then there is always the 1006. OhMyGawd. I am beyond help, aren't I?

Signed,
The Addict

Yes, it is very much so true that the 3rd Gens are addictive and once you get one in your hands and find that you like it, that you begin to get more and they populate like rabbits...

I'm not sure as to why, but I find it to be true, even with myself. Once I got one, I found that I loved the 3rd gens far better than any others, even the current popular M&P series.

I myself have a wive mix of the 3rd gens, but I currently feel that the 6946 is my most favorite, especially to carry, closly followed by the 5649 when I can carry a fullsize and then the CS9/3913 when I need a little slim to carry.

I like the feel of metal in my hand, as compared to the poly frame guns. Plus I am a HUGE fan of the stainless, period!

Personally, I bet that if S&W began to again produce and offer the popular 3rd gen models, that they would surge again in popularity...or maybe it's just a "fan club" kinda thing, that we find ourselves here admitting to their love (addiction).

Well, I'm a late-comer to ownership of the 3rd Gen but, I now too, have one. It's a model 4006. Got it a month or so ago and it is absolutely beautiful. Looks to be brand new. It was as clean a gun as I have ever seen. Little to no previous firing and spotless everywhere. But listed as a used gun at $350, believe it or not.... Has the plastic case, paperwork, two 10 rounder mags. Much better trigger than I remember being on the 3rd Gen guns. Novak rear sight, three dot type, stainless except for hammer and sights. Just wonderful. Was looking for a 40 to have beside the G-22 I have. Now to get some more magazines, which seem to be found within reasonable costs...

Now, I'm leaving the web site because you all are enablers and I was in big enough
trouble buyin this shootin iron by myself. I don't need help getting into trouble buying old Smith and Wesson's.......!

Is my S&W Model 411 a 3rd gen gun?

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Not in Kansas anymore, Toto.

I believe that your 411 is a 3rd generation gun. It is one of the "value line" autos based on the 3rd Generation models. It is a "no frills" model, meaning it has basic components, i.e. right hand controls, plain finish fixed sights etc. However, it is NOT a bad gun, just a plain vanilla package. They are reliable, accurate service sidearms and serve their purpose extremely well.

How many of you own 4506-1's? Seems the 45 isn't that popular or most keep it a secret.

shhhhhh....don't tell anyone

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witty signature goes here

That sure is a beaut. I have no more regrets. I re-acquired a 5906 in trade. The shop I went to has only been in business for less than 2 months but the service was great. He let me test fire it before trading as the one I had before shot all over the place even with new springs. I think the sight was messed up as it was too far right and when I had a smith center it it made it worse. Any who I called S&W yesterday to find the year of manufacture and they told me it was 1992 the same as my 4506-1. I guess this was just meant to be.

I'm a proud "new" owner of a mint condition 3913. Can someone date this gun for me, please? The prefix is VAC####. Thanks.

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