How great is this pistol? I saw one at the pawn shop for a good price and thought about getting it. Condition is fair - functionally it appears to be fine, although there are some light scratches on the stainless finish, which can probably be buffed out.

It's pretty much the gold standard in full size, metal framed service pistols. Usually digests anything you throw at it without a hiccup.

That said, there were scads and scads of them made so do your research on price because they can be had for very reasonable prices.

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Just Say No - To Social Media

Nothing not to like..........................

Built like a tank................. heavy by today's poly-gun standards.....generally good shooters.

Congratulations!5906 one of my first pistols, don't be too aggressive buffing and take the matte finish off. Recoil, mag and spring kits available from Wolff if needed.

Scratches don't impede function.

Typically a good gun but parts are hard to come by unless you like searching and waiting

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Yes, there are lots of them out there and they are heavy. And yes replacement parts may be difficult to find. BUT, they are all steel, beautiful, accurate and reliable. If I didn't already have one I'd be out lookin'.

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I'm gonna grow fins.

Fantastic gun for the money. The Florida Department of Corrections phased in the 5906 semi autos from the S&W Model 15 when they were first introduced by S&W. They are still carried by many of the public with concealed weapons license for their every day carry. I have one that is a safe queen and polish it every year and it brings back memories of the countless trips escorting inmates to various medical and institutions in Florida. If the gun, you are contemplating on purchasing, functions properly and the price is good, then by all means you have a good purchase. There are many out there but nice ones still hold their value.

Nick

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NRA Instructor\GCA Gunsmith

mine was scratched up as well when I got it

I do have a bead blaster , took it apart and now it looks new
I used very fine glass beads

Parts are hard to find? Didn't think they needed any parts..........yeah, they are that good!

Randy

I've had very good luck on my 3rd gen "bead blasted" finish, using small squares of green scotch brite pads GENTLY buffing in light circular patterns. Most of the handling marks are shiny spots which can be blended. Of course, a full breakdown and bead blast would be ideal, but for shooter fun-guns that you want to look their best without full resto...can do wonders.

Yea they do unless you shoot 2 boxes a year

Here's a reply from a police department
]I hate to be the voice of decent, but here goes:

I work for an agency of about 1,100 officers, depending on the year and the economy. My first issued gun was a S&W 5906. The gun was ok, but not so much in the accuracy department. Bench rest at 25 yds, 4.5" was about as good as it got. The newer guns issued out when S&W started using MIM parts were more accurate. These were easily identified as the MIM hammers were black.

The extractors sucked. We would buy spare extractors by the gross. I had this gun about 5 years. Went through two extractors. Broke one while shooting a dog that had bitten me once and wanted seconds.

We transitioned to the 5946. This was a more accurate gun than my pre-MIM 5906. This gun was also made just prior to a period where S&W upgraded and replaced a lot of their machinery with new CNC machinery. The DAO trigger took some getting used to though. In time it smoothed up to where it wasn't bad, for a DAO trigger. (Side note, I hate DAO triggers)

This gun uses the same extractor as the 5906. It still sucks. It's too thin. The 9mm guns we saw that were made in the custom shop used a larger extractor, either the 40 cal or the 45 cal, not sure, but it was explained to me by the LE sales rep carrying a custom shop pistol.

I had the 5946 for about 8-9 years when the agency started seeing issues with the guns. The armors just kept a box of parts on the firing line so as to not disrupt training. Parts needing replaced were guide rods and/or barrels. The issue was the little notch where the guide rod rests in the barrel.

Our last year with the 5946/6946, we estimate about $80k worth of parts were used to keep the guns up and running. We estimated the round count before a pattern of issues showing up to be around 30K for the 5946 and about 20K for the 6946.

When we transitioned away, officers are permitted to buy their issued gun for what the trade in value would be. I declined.

When looking for our new gun, the agency received the first 3 9mm M&P's to leave the factory. Some minor changes later and the production guns started shipping.

Now after almost seven years of carrying the M&P, I can honestly say I don't miss my 5946 at all.

I do own one 3rd gen Smith auto though, my favorite 3rd gen gun they ever made. A 3913.

Like I always say... depends on how much you shoot. 2500 rounds is 3 months +/- for me. Shooting 20k rounds is not abuse...it's simply use. Just like driving a car

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Well, they are the Sherman tanks of the S&W 3rd gen 9mm's that's for sure. This thing was nasty. A police department castaway, it was infected with rust, especially around and under the grip area. After a bath, a dose of 60 mesh silica, a new rear sight, grip, and springs.....a brand new lease on life. Shoots like a dream. Seems they only get better with age.

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Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

They are amazing guns...very durable and so reliable it’s almost boring. Accuracy is battle grade, more than good enough to get the job done but your target pistol doesn’t need to be on edge.

Parts are not hard to find at all if you’re okay shopping around on the internet. Not something you’ll find in stock at your local gun shop, though.

These are pistols from a bygone era. They will not accept or be able to be modified to accept a lot of new additions or upgrades, at least not easily (unless you get the newer TSW version). A lot of gun shops don’t know how to work on these anymore, so you’ll need to be very familiar with its operation. Grip choices are limited, fortunately holsters are not for the moment, again if you’re willing to shop around.

That being said, the full size 9mm third gen is my preferred carry. Old or not, they are among the best designed service issue automatic handguns ever made, in my opinion only of course.

If the price and condition are right, get it. I’m constantly on the verge of adopting third gens like they are stray dogs on the street.




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-Dan-

Not a lot to add but my early 5906 is so accurate...I have a 4006, I like it except the kick...accurate too! I have never one plastic...these guns are too good!

I’ve bought 3 or 4 5906’s LNIB.

Phenomenal pistols. Can’t go wrong with a good clean one.

5906 for a full size, high-capacity, steel frme, S&W 9mm, is as good as it gets. It is the culmination of 25 years of innovation in the S&W 9mm line.

I'm not stating it is "the" best 9mm in the world (that there is none better) but it is a very good, solid, well made, user friendly, pistol.

It has everything except stealth. It is BIG and HEAVY.

But, if you were dropped in the desert being chased by Rommel, you'd want one with you.

Choose who you believe on this forum by the experience level and credibility.

Some guys couldn't say anything good about their own Grandmother no less a S&W.

Some guys just blow hot air. You choose who is who.

Me, you cannot go wrong with a 5906 as long as you're OK with the size and weight of it.

With Target sights at 15 yards, I can group them in the 9-10 ring all day long with an occasional flyer that is likely my fault.

In a Ransom Rest, even tighter and more consistent.

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ANTIQUESMITHS
LM1300 SWHF425

Excellent. At my normal rate of shooting and gun rotation, that should get me through to the year 2098, give or take a decade.

And it sounds like a spare barrel, guide rod, and springs should let me make it last well into the 22nd century!

OP - I've had several 5906es over the years, but am currently EDCing the 5946.* "Built like (and heavy as) a tank" has been mentioned, correctly, along with reliability and accuracy. If you're going to be shooting hundreds of thousands of rounds, then yes, you might want to stock up on some spare parts.

It's never going to fit my hand quite as well as a 39XX series gun (or a CZ or BHP), but it's also reliable, accurate, and perfectly satisfactory for all my general-duty carry needs.

Enjoy the thing - you've got a winner!




*though I wouldn't mind swapping it out for a 3906. And I *really* wish S&W had made a 3946....

I wish you lived closer to me.