I know this information has been discussed before so I hope nobody is annoyed with a re-hash but I have either somewhat conflicting information or inaccurate information.

On the earliest 3rd Gen pistols, the most obvious difference at first glance is arguably the non-Novak fixed rear sight. And I have "heard" that the reason for early 3rd Gens not having a Novak is because the licensing deal wasn't complete and was holding up the manufacture or production of pistols?

It seems hard to wrap my head around the idea that Wayne Novak would be a key part of the 3rd Gen design crew... but then "hold up" the issuance of the guns with his flagship (fantastic) rear sight.

So exactly what was the story there?

I think most of us agree that for how terrific all of the pistols are, the 3rd Gen is absolutely the pinnacle of an already fantastic design. In my opinion, the easiest way to show this to any one who might care is to put my 659 in their hands -- and then swap it out for my 5906. Oh don't get me wrong, I love my 659 but the 5906 is just so ergonomically superior to it that it's hard to imagine that they are kind of the "same" thing.

Folks, are the early 3rd Gen pistols with a fixed rear non-Novak sight as such because the licensing deal was not approved when the first guns were ready to ship?

Or did Novak not yet have the finishing touches on his rear sight "perfect" for the Smith & Wesson pistol?

Or did Wayne Novak not have nearly as much input on the upgrades to the 2nd Generation of pistols as I had been led to believe?

Maybe they just wanted to use up the earlier slides?
It's said that S&W doesn't waste anything.

John?

Jeez, that actually does (very much) sound like the most likely answer.

I've never tried sticking a 2nd Gen slide on one of my 3rd Gens but you might be on to the answer. The early 3rd Gens with the pre-Novak rear sight does have the new, upgraded dovetail front sight, so that doesn't exactly fit the argument. Hmmm.

2nd and 3rd gen slides do interchange.

John

That seems hard to imagine given that the barrels certainly will not interchange between the 2nd and 3rd Gen slides, but never having tried it, I sure wouldn't say you are mistaken.

Maybe I'll try my 5906 slide on my 639. If that works, there is really no telling how silly I might get in gun and gun parts buying...