Hello. I'm in a bit of a tug of war with myself. I wish to round out my collection of out-of-production S&W automatics. I have money for one of two pistols available to me. One is an excellent early 5906 with the square trigger guard, adjustable sights, factory grips, one original S&W stainless mag. The other is a 915 in extremely good shape but it has some undocumented gravitas; it was used by the Israeli Defense Forces and is a trade-in. The pistol is not marked but I asked the importer about them and they said they're former IDF pistols, they just have no markings and came with nothing to document their past. The 915 I'm specifically interested in looks excellent internally and has only a couple extremely minor exterior blemishes.

I have a number of S&W vintage automatics, but I have neither the 5906 nor the 915. Basically these are top shelf and bargain basement versions of the exact same pistol. The obvious choice is the 5906 with its better materials and finishing touches. But its not a duty weapon with some service history as the 915 nor certainty of issue and use by a nation under perpetual siege. From a purely collecting point of view, regardless of aesthetic and materials advantage of the 5906, which would you grab if you could only afford one?

Collecting or range fun- 5906.

Carry? 915.

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Because of the metric system?

My 2 cents.
The 915.

The correct answer, as always, is both. But maybe that doesn't help you in current circumstances.

I own both, although my 5906 is a round trigger guard model. If it were my choice, a lot would depend on condition and my desire for adjustable sights vs. fixed sights (whatever you happened to prefer). I do not regard the Model 915 as an inferior sibling of the Model 5906. Rather, I view it as a 5904 without a stepped frame and without an ambi-safety (plus it has a round trigger guard which I prefer). While the 915 is often lumped in with the Value Line guns, the truth is that it is better described as a pre-Value Line gun, generally considered to be a higher quality gun than the later Value Line Model 910.

Let me just say this: I paid a whole lot more for my Model 915 than I did for my Model 5906. Both are in similar top condition with factory box and spare magazines. I'd do it again in a heartbeat, mainly because I prefer the non-ambi-safety, lighter alloy frame, round trigger guard and fixed sights. And in pre-Value Line black, if in good condition, it is a pretty darn nice looking gun too.

Thank you for the feedback. I collect vintage and out of production metal framed firearms since they are of an era where the guns were hand-fitted at the factory by a gunsmith as opposed to the injection-molded, CNC-machined firearms that are assembled like so many happy meal toys today. The 5906 I see regularly on the gun-sales sites, but the 915 in good shape and reasonably priced seems to be the rare bird. I however love the 5906's aesthetics. Aside from a tiny few exceptions, full frame stainless steel "man-guns" are a thing of the past. 1911's and a few other classic makes still use steel or alloy, but almost everything new is polymer. Even AR lowers are going tupperware. I may get the 915 now and consider the 5906 later. I still have a bit of time to ponder.

I don't think either gun is going to fit the common definition or modern day understanding of a gunsmith's hand-fitted gun. For that, you'd need to find an S&W Performance Center gun and even then you might not be achieving that standard depending on your personal definition. Both of these guns (5906 & 915) are production guns. I would say that these two guns are of equal quality but some would argue that the 5906 falls closer to your definition or standard than the intentionally less expensive 915.

That is not to discourage you at all. There are fine all-metal handguns which I consider to be miles ahead of almost all modern day plastic offerings. Either will serve you well. Feature differences and gun condition... and how it or they might fit into your collection... are all that really matter here.

I concur they weren't given detail fitting like a performance center firearm would have, still, someone doing basic gunsmithing on the new parts, polishing, fitting, testing, and making sure of proper fit and function is head and shoulders above the polymer framed guns that are built on more the Henry Ford model of manufacturing. I have a 659 with the adjustable sight tower. The 5906 would be a contrast example of the differences between gen 2 and gen 3 but then again, the 915 would as well just not so comparatively. BTW, would the Sigmas be considered Gen 4?

The 3rd Gens first appeared in 1988. The Sigma pistols first appeared in 1994, mainly in response to the growing threat from Glock. The SW99 (Walther/S&W) pistols first appeared in 1999. The M&P pistols started appearing in late-2005.

I guess on that basis, one might consider the Sigmas to be 4th Generation S&W pistols.

You, as always, eloquently explained my preference for the 915. May I copy and save this for future pasting on similar threads?

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Because of the metric system?

First IMHO buy the gun not the story! Unless it can be documented.

I have Models 5906,915 and several Performance Center autos from the early/mid 90s

FWIW.......Most IDF guns I've seen pictures of are pretty finished worn by the time they are returned home.........................and the gun if a re-import should be stamped with the importers name/address.... IMO killing most of its collectors value

Finding a really nice 915 might be harder than finding a nice 5904. The 915 was only made for 2 years (92-94) before the 1994 AWB. Most were bought to use and carry by Cops, security guards, armored car drivers,etc.

Wayne Novak used the 915 as the basis for several custom builds.

I'm not a fan of the square trigger guards or adj sights on the early 3rd Gen guns..............I prefer the later "improved" fixed sighted versions w/o and "Tactical" billboard.

The 5906 is a great gun ...... to shoot because of it's weight....... not so much to carry. A 915 is my 9mm hi-cap carry gun!!!! Why? See Pete quoting TTSH for the answer!!

Anytime Pete. I grant you full permission. No royalties required.

TTSH .... Effective May1st (AKA May Day/ World Workers Day) your State's AG has banned the paying of royalties on any gun related product or publication............ in fact.....

I hear she will soon be banning and prosecuting as "hate speech" any use of the words..... gun,firearm, bullet, shoot, magazine,clip, hi-cap, pistol, grip, revolver,rifle,.... even "lock,stock and barrel" ................ well the list goes on and on........ within the Commonwealth of Mass. Also any use of the words on broadcast media or films must be bleeped..... and images of any firearm or bul### must be blurred.

News media will only be allowed to use the image of a Pop-tart chewed into the shape of a ##### as visual for ######## that occurred overnight in the Back Bay!

Further the use of or depiction of######################### or################################### even ###### or##### will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law!!!!!

Even the famous "Minute Man" statue will be dis#### ...... and given broom in place of his ######!






The above was not intended as political comment ........ rather just one more attempt to poke fun at "poor old" TTSH and kick him in the #### while he's down!

Okay for you Bam! Indeed, we have a bad situation here and reason to believe that it will only get worse unless SCOTUS eventually steps in and decides to save us. As we speak, my hands are tied yet again on one of my few remaining "bucket list" acquisitions before my "good years" run out... just because Massachusetts.

I have always had a soft spot in my heart for the 915. If the choice was between a 5903 (alloy frame) and 915, I would suggest the 5903. However, as between a very, very common (albeit not necessarily cheap) 5906 and the 915, I suggest the 915. It was the first attempt by S&W to produce an Economy 3rd Gen auto. However, it was very much superior to the later Value-Line 910. I had the opportunity to field strip a 910 and 915 for a side by side comparison. I'm not trying to denigrate the 910 as a pistol, but frankly, I don't consider the 910 a true 3rd Gen, but that's just me (many plastic and MIM parts and a real lack of machining). On the other hand, the 915 is a true 3rd Gen minus a few little luxuries.

All that said, the other poster who said buy the pistol and NOT the story is absolutely correct.

Good Luck.

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1st Signal Brigade, RVN '70

I bought a 915 recently that was a re-import poorly engraved with C.A.I. GEORGIA VT on the slide. The frame was Cerecoted in desert tan, further degrading it's collectibility.

Then I bought another 915 with low mount adjustable sights and swapped the slides to make both a range and a carry gun.



I'm not a fan of the adjustable sights with the "ears" or the squared trigger guards so I don't buy them.

The 5906 I bought about 25 years ago had the standard adjustable sights of the time (with the "ears") and I added a shorter slide, making it a DIY short slide variant.



digiroc

That may well be the best description of modern polymer framed guns that has ever been written. It is a thing of beauty, that I'd like you permission to quote.

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Can open, worms everywhere.

Like you, I prefer the left side only safety, but I do understand why most of the 3rd Gens came with the ambi safety. It's funny (odd) that replacing the ambi with a left side only safety on my pre rail 3913TSW seems to make it a lot easier to carry. Maybe it's psychological.

It's the same with the 908, IMHO. I don't own one, but I wouldn't be embarrassed to say so if I did.

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Can open, worms everywhere.

If you're of a mind to do so, frankly, I'm surprised my genre' of collecting hasn't taken off more or perhaps I'm not noticing it. Big metal frame firearms collecting, because its cool and polymer has no soul.

The 915 is a cool gun but it almost seems like a little levity is in order. There are a few things that a 915 is simply not, no matter how much we totally love these guns.

The 915 is not as good a gun as the 5906, not in features for sure and simply put, not in durability. I truly have no idea how many rounds that it takes to "wear out" a 3rd Gen, but nothing would support any idea that an alloy frame pistol of basically the same design could ever possibly handle the same volume as well as the heavy, all-steel stainless frame of the 5906. Will not ever happen.

Not saying the 915 is cheap. And I totally agree that the 915 is a good looking pistol... but it's black finish is the textbook definition of cheap. It's not any manner of durable. The pictured 915 with the target posted up above? That's what we would all dream the 915 to look like always. I wish the finish were up to the task. (it is not)

The 915 is also no manner of rare whatsoever. Yes, it was only produced for a couple of years, absolutely true. And yes, there are certainly fewer 915's than 5906's. But rare, scarce, "getting harder to find" or any derivative of those... no way. A NIB/mint, all original 915? Sure, I will call that "scarce."

The single sides thumb decocker on the 915 -- totally agree that it's slick. I changed both my 639 and 659 to a single left side only because I also totally prefer them. But as neat and clean as the non-ambi safety is... awww, that rear sight is chump. I mean, it certainly isn't the worst rear sight ever (I'll give that every 2nd/3rd Gen OEM adjustable sight) but it's ultra-cheap and when compared to the slick Novak of the 5906? It's a shame.

I could almost (well not really... but ALMOST) get on board with the suggestion that a 915 can hang with a 5906... if it just had that Novak rear sight.

915? Good gun and for the price they bring (pocket lint!) there aren't many better deals in all of used gundom. And yeah, for darn sure, they are far better than the 910 that replaced them.

But yes, the 915 is less of a gun than the 5906 or even the 5903. There is love for a gun, but we can't lose sight of reality.

Oh, forgot to add...

"4th Gen" you say?! Goodness NO. No Sigma, SDVE, SW99, SW1911, M&P, Bodyguard or Shield or -any- of those could, would, should, or might ever be termed a 4th Gen.

It's not about love for the 3rd Gen/hate for the others, it's not about emotion in any way.

It's a "Generational" thing. The 39/59 and 52 were a basic outline, a frame style, a fire control system and even magazine commonality. They grew in generations when the original models went out of production, enough significant changes were made to introduce new model numbers, and the guns were marketed around a whole laundry list of upgrades while still keeping the original design.

If we really wanted to make suggestions for a 4th Gen (or a 5th, even...) then you could plead a case for the TSW series of pistols perhaps being a 4th Gen, you could argue that the PC shorties and 5" Limited guns might be a 4th or 5th Gen, and you could also argue that the 945 at least makes somewhat of a case to be considered as similar in DNA.

All the other guns are no manner of a 1-2-3rd Gen. Just like a Model 41, the 422/622/2206, the old 61's, that .35cal pistol that was forgettable, the 22-A pistols... this new *gulp* "Victory"... none of these were 1-2-3rd Gens, and nobody would argue for any of them to be a 4th Gen.

They have nothing in common with a Smith & Wesson Model 39, 59 or 52.

Sometimes less is more Sevens. In my opinion the alloy framed "Value" guns are superior to the all steel varients I have, besides the shortened 5906 pictured above, a rather primo 5905 all steel, in factory black finish that is rather rare. (Thanks to Ozark Marine for the tip!)



If you consider that handguns are tools to be carried, the 915 is a far superior weapon in every way. It weighs less loaded with 18 rounds than the 5905 does empty.

For me night sights are de-rigor on any carry gun so a set of trigicon's make up for any failings of the 915's factory sights. The profile of the 915's rear sight allows the weapon to be cycled off a shoe or belt if the off hand is disabled or otherwise occupied, Novak's not so much.

As far as fit and finish neither the 915 or the 5905 comes close to the shiney blued finish on my model 59. I don't want any "shiney" on a gun I carry, I'll take flat black over the flash of a nickel or even stainless steel gun when presented in a self defense encounter.

I don't mind some holster wear on my carry guns, it just gives them character that safe queens don't have.

I also prefer 411's and 457's and the alloy frames on these more powerful calibers seem to have held up well. Keeping the recoil springs fresh will have them performing without issues for many more thousands of rounds than I am likely to put through them.

digiroc

I also prefer the 915s straight backstap grip................... IMHO it makes the 3rd Gen Smiths feel more like a Browning HP.............my all time favorite grip on a double stack 9mm.


I've change all my full size 3rd Gen Smith to the straight backstrap.......

That's correct, but I've always felt that the 5906 is overkill for the 9mm cartridge. I had one and I thought it was heavy and didn't handle smoothly. On the other hand, it also had very little recoil and was accurate. For me the 5903 and 915 with their alloy frames are just right for the caliber. Now, if someone is going to shoot the heck out of the pistol, well the 5906 might be the answer. I have 49 handguns, and shoot them all, so no particular one gets the heck shot out of it. To each his own.

First of all thanks for the compliment on my "dream" 915. If it were all dinged up, I wouldn't have purchased it, the condition is what caught my eye 9 years ago. (By the way, it still looks that way now.) I don't think that the black finish on the 915 is any less durable than that on other alloy frame 3rd Gens like the 3914 and 4014. In fact, that's why I feel a black alloy 3rd Gen in over 95% condition is somewhat rare and worth a premium.


I'm pretty proud of my 6904 and 4014 and their lack of dings, too.

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1st Signal Brigade, RVN '70

I love the way both you gentlemen plead your case -- and obviously, the way TTSH did above. I completely agree with the "less is more" concept when considering the role of the handgun... I know that the 3rd Gen DAO fans certainly feel that way and maybe even take it to another level.

I suppose my thoughts are more directed at lining up the models in some manner of an orderly fashion, giving nod to the 5906 as perhaps "more gun."

What I continue to find interesting is that in other discussion circles... S&W 3rd Gen pistols just don't get all that much love here in the modern day. Sure, there is often a voice that says "hey, they don't make those 3rd Gens anymore, but I sure like them!" but by and large, the public seems to have moved on, well past our 'antiquated' favorites.

I'm fine with that.

Please help keep our little secret. 3rd Gen prices are going up way too fast around here.

Shhhhhh!

I have 3 models of blue 3rd Gen autos..... the 3914, 6904 and 915.

Two of them a 6904 and 915 were acquired used. The 6904 was a former "Police officers" gun (got it from a Police Supply House when the Dept switched to G####) and the 915's story was a former 'Security Guard" gun.......when I got them, both showed signs of years of open carry in belt holsters w/ exposed butts and grips.

Both had less than prefect finish on their frames/grips had bumps and dings..... from car doors,seat belts and rings.......the blued slides were in great shape..... Neither would have passed "TTSH's smell test" and would have remained with their former owners in Mass!......but both were going for a great price (at the time) and showed almost no internal wear...guns that were carried a lot and shot a little...... prefect for hard use "Truck Guns"............

I've got a 3914 that I've carried concealed since the mid/late 90s in colder weather ...... "Concealed" meaning always with a covering/protecting garment (or two).
While showing some signs of wear on high spots/edges. After 20 years it's in great shape (95%+) with not a ding or scratch on it's hogue wood grips..

IMO the anodizing on blue/black 3rd Gen Smiths is not a great durable protective finish........ which is why IMO it can be hard to find a really "nice" 915s.

BINGO! And there it is . . .

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1st Signal Brigade, RVN '70