Was at the local gun shop getting my CZ52 7.62x25, when he put it out in the case. It had just come in an hour before. Condition is about 98+%. The notable thing is that it appears to be a transitional model with the 6906 frame with smaller, rounded trigger guard and 6906 one piece grips. In fact, IIRC, the front sight is also dovetailed in like the 6906. It has the 469/669 rear sight, however. Also hammer is blued, not stainless, as is trigger.

What year did they start the 6906? When I "get it out of jail" I'll post pics. I plan on using it as my primary carry piece. Though I am in California, I still have 6 of the "legally possessed by me in California prior to 2000" 12 round mags from back in the day when I had a 469.

I have a long love affair with S&W 9mms. I remember at the Gilroy, CA Police Academy in 1975. The Salinas PD boys showed up with 59s, and they were the buzz of the Academy. Everyone wanted to try them. Once I did, I couldn't wait to get one, and bought one in 1976. I carried it as an off-duty until 1979 when I moved to Washington state and worked a couple years on a small PD in the Vancouver area until I got a job at a larger city PD in the Seattle area.

The chief of the small PD was a dyed in the wool IPSC shooter and loved his wheel gun. The first qualification there, I brought out the 59 to the range. I challenged the chief to a "mano y mano" shoot off. I put 46 rounds into the 10 and X before he did his 18, with speed loaders. He asked "Where can I get me one of those?" He allowed me to carry it, and bought a nickel 59 for himself.

Later in 81 to 88, at the larger PD we carried 59s as duty weapons, until 87ish we switched to 439 for the women with smaller hands. Kinda like making everyone wear small underwear so small people don't feel left out.... I had kept my personal 59 until 1981 when I was issued a 59 by the department.

In 1982, I became a rangemaster for the department. Since we were one of the few major departments that carried Smith 9s (Illinois State Police being another), the S&W LE rep brought by a toolroom pre-production sample of the new 469 compact for us to evaluate. We all loved it. I bought one as soon as they were released to use as my off-duty piece. I carried it as my off duty until about the mid 1990s when I switched to a Glock 19 on a different department. Through the years, I have always gone back to Smiths, though. My last 469 I sold about 3 years ago to fund another gun purchase. I did pick up a 1974 production Model 59 that I still use.

Oh, I forgot the best part. It was only $400 out the door! I gave $475 for my last 469 5 or 6 years ago, which was only 80%. He said no one wants the "old stuff" they just want "Shields" for carry pieces. He was happy to have me get it!

Sounds like a frame replacement - a transitional model would have a squared trigger guard.

Could be. I will post close up pictures when I get it out of jail on the 21st.

OK, it's after midnight, and officially the 21st. After 10AM, I can get my sweet, new 669 "out of jail" at the local gun shop. It's going to be a long night shift... I feel like Ralphie in "A Christmas Story" waiting for his new Daisy Red Ryder BB gun. It just isn't dignified for a 63 year old to get this excited about a new pistol!!!! I never got this excited about a Glock or 1911.

Alright, I picked it up this morning. Serial number is: TAE6314. It is a post 1993 6906 replacement frame, and I believe the "innards" are all upgraded, too. The hammer is black, very smooth, and does not have a half cock, nor does it have serrations on the top of the hammer. It also has the one-piece 6906 grip.

The trigger pull is light years ahead of my Model 59 in both single and double action pulls. It is a much lighter and shorter double action pull than the older 469 I sold a couple years ago. VERY SWEET! The safety is left side only, and stainless, but the trigger and hammer are blued.

I put a Wolff 17pound extra power recoil spring, and Wolff +5% springs in all magazines. I shoot some rounds tomorrow of various loads to check reliability.

Well, I tried a Wolff 17 pound extra power spring... Nope, didn't work. With standard 115 Federal FMJ, it did not reliably feed, and did not lock open on the last round, probably due to short cycling. Even standard velocity Federal Hydroshock bobbled a couple times. +P 124 Gold dots cycled OK, but still just felt "iffy." I reverted to the stock 15 pound spring for now.

I may try a 16 pound spring like I had on my last 469, or I may stick with stock 15 from Wolff. I went with the 17 pound because I am going to carry 9BPLE +P+ in it. Considering most shooting will be standard velocity stuff, though, the 17 isn't a good idea. When I get the 9BPLE ammo, I'll try a box with the 17, but have a feeling I will go stock.

Doing my first annual HR218 (retired LEO) range qualification with it today. Put the stock spring in for the terrible reload ammo they give us. I may try the 17 pound Wolff again with some 9BPLE +P+ ammo, if I have a chance today.

Sounds like the magazine springs are the problem, not the recoil spring.

Nice pistol! My LGS has a 469, about 96% for $ 400.
So far Im resisting. My 5903 is still serving me well, but you never know.
Good luck with your Smith 9.
Jim

The mag springs are all brand new Wolff ones. With the factory recoil spring, it functions 100% with any ammo, including locking open after the last round.

With the 17 pound Wolff recoil spring, it short stroked (FTF 50% and fail to lock open last round 100%) with everything except Gold Dot 124 +P stuff. My last 469 I had a 16 pound Wolff which worked perfect..

Outstanding performance! It shot much better than my Glock 19 or Model 59 S&W. I even outshot the other 7 guys on the line in the 50 round, 7 to 25 yard course. One guy looked at my target and asked how often I practice. I said, seldom, but that in the last 40 years, I have probably the better part of 75,000 to 100,000 rounds through S&W 9mms, including 8 years on a PD where we carried them, and I was a rangemaster and training officer. This little beauty is a SHOOTER!

The ones off to the right were mandatory right hand, one-handed shooting and the ones to the left were left hand, one handed. The head was 6 shots rapid fire at 7 yards. She shoots dead on, point of aim for me.

Looks like a keeper to me. Great shooting!!

__________________
I reckon so

I forgot to mention I shot 4 mags of 9BPLE 115 +P+ with the 17 pound Wolff spring. It functioned perfect. All rounds fed flawlessly, and it locked open after the last rounds. The 17 pounder just needed th extra umph of the +P+s.