Model 5906 Question

[Ctgrizzly2hunt]

Hi
I'm new here and a first time pistol shooter. I'm looking to purchase a Model 5906, With the orginal plastic hardcase Feature 15SH-FS, with two mag. from a friend. My question is "Is this a good gun to start with? What would be the bluebook value on the model? My friend tells me that he only shot about 500 times and It's has very little wear and tear on this pistol next to mint condition. Can you tell when this model was made by the serial#?

Thank you
CTGrizzly2hunt

 

[44Hunter]

That gun could be 20 to 30 yrs old but they are great pieces and I have owned a few. I would guess it could be worth $500 or more if it is as mint as you say. They are extremely reliable, durable and comfortable to shoot. But they are very heavy (all steel.) Unless you are getting it for a great price like $250, I think you have no choice but to also consider a new (modern) Glock or M&P for close to $500 too and go from there. Good luck. Check out Gunbroker.com for similar pricing.

 

[guitarguy423]

Although 44hunter makes a good point about $500 for a newer pistol like Glock or M&P, what stands out to me is the fact that you have an opportunity to buy a 5906 that sounds like it's in near mint condition with very low round count, from a friend. Hopefully this is a good friend of yours, and you can get a 'good friend' price, and the piece of mind knowing this friend will not be ripping you off or hiding anything about the gun. New guns like the M&P can be bought easily, new, from many reputable dealers, while 5906's can't. So I guess to me, it depends on the final price, what you're going to pay for it. If it is say $500, you're getting a great gun, but it's definitely not a steal or "you lucky *******" price. Plus it is old in age, relatively speaking. Then again I have friends and family with 30+ year old guns that still enjoy shooting them. I guess it depends on what you want out of the gun as well.

FYI, I recently bought a very nice 5906 with original box and magazines, that looks like it wasn't shot much, for $400 OTD. Try seeing if he'll take $350, and start from there. If he does want say $500, I think you can do better, but it's also nice to buy from a reputable source, such as your friend.

$500 (and less) does get you a new M&P with Lifetime Warranty, so consider that too.

Good luck!

PS - If you find out the three letters at beginning of serial number, and google search S&W + serial + XXX (your three letters), you should get results from others' past inquiries.

 

[Ctgrizzly2hunt]

Thank you both for the reply. I did search the serial # but nothing came up, The close I got was VECXXXX, which had a date of 92-94 The one I'm looking at has VDCXXXX, I would want to say put it 89-91 time frame. I did check Gunbroker.com and have acouple at the $375.00 range and the guns are in worst condition than the one my friend has. I'll throw him a $350 price to see what happen.

 

[fiasconva]

Welcome to the forum! If you can get that 5906 for around $400 or less you will be getting a good deal. It is a great firearm to start with and if you take care of it you'll be able to leave it to your grandchildren. It is one of S&W's best.

 

[guitarguy423]

Thank you both for the reply. I did search the serial # but nothing came up, The close I got was VECXXXX, which had a date of 92-94 The one I'm looking at has VDCXXXX, I would want to say put it 89-91 time frame. I did check Gunbroker.com and have acouple at the $375.00 range and the guns are in worst condition than the one my friend has. I'll throw him a $350 price to see what happen.

Please keep us posted! If you buy it, pics please.

 

[mbliss57]

I agree with Guitar Guy. If you are looking for a CCW weapon then a lighter, polymer 9mm is a very good choice. But for range shooting or open carry the 5906 may be among the finest high capacity 9mm pistols S&W ever made. (IMO) You can get a new one with lifetime warranty, lighter polymer frame...and it will work splendidly. But the all metal pistols were not phased out because they were inferior to polymer. They became too expensive too make. If you take a look at all the 1911's and competition pistols they are all metal. I have a 5906 that is older than the one you are looking at. It's my favorite and most reliable 9mm. I hope I haven't confused you. And whatever you purchase please let us know and post pics. There is no wrong decision. If you don't like what you buy..just sell it and try again..or just keep it and buy more... Enjoy!

 

[Fliplip]

Consider this reality about just judging on price....

Long after you forget exactly how much you paid for the gun, you will remember the quality of the gun you purchased. Eventually you will forget exactly how much you paid for the gun.
A $50 or $100 difference, over 20 years, is peanuts.
My method is to buy quality not price. Find the quality you will accept or desire, then buy the gun mostly regardless of price. Example: 12 years ago I bought a Registered Lightning Link, which turns a SP-1 AR-15 for $2500. All my knowledgeable gun buddies said "you're nuts, $2500 for a piece of metal". Well, today they sell for $16,500. Don't buy on price. Buy the highest quality you can find. Sellers don't spend a lot of time comparing quality, they are trying to set a price that it will sell. Your mission, if you accept it, is to research, research and search more for quality. Discard the low price **** as you'll regret not spending a bit more for the best.
Flip

 

[Silversmok3]

TAKE IT!!!!!

Here's why I post that in caps. In certain parts of the country...like western South Dakota, 5906's and company are very hard to find in stores. I can't walk ten feet into a Scheels or Cabelas without bumping into ten Glocks,but I have yet to see a 5906 in a store for sale around here. If I want a 3rd Gen S&W, I have to order it with the attending fees and whatnot. Even in that regard I'm lucky-some places in America either outlaw internet transactions or have dealers with Mafia-level transfer fees. You do NOT want to pass this up and end up getting the yen for one after moving somewhere where the only FFL dealer wants $110 to do a Gunbroker transfer.

 

[mycobrars]

Thank you both for the reply. I did search the serial # but nothing came up, The close I got was VECXXXX, which had a date of 92-94 The one I'm looking at has VDCXXXX, I would want to say put it 89-91 time frame. I did check Gunbroker.com and have acouple at the $375.00 range and the guns are in worst condition than the one my friend has. I'll throw him a $350 price to see what happen.

According to The Standard Catalog Of Smith & Wesson your gun was made between 1994 VAMxxxx and 1997 UAMxxxx. It's not any more specific then that. Btw I just pickup a 5906 2 weeks ago and bought the standard catalog just too find out when my gun was made.

 

[Lost Lake]

..... There is no wrong decision. If you don't like what you buy..just sell it and try again..or just keep it and buy more... Enjoy!

This is great advice, as long as you aren't being taken on the price, which is what you are learning right now.

I have many guns that I can easily sell for more than I paid for them, but I don't sell guns. If the price is reasonable, go ahead and get it with the secure knowledge that if you want to sell it later you won't take a bath on it.

 

[serpentine]

I can't comment on the value, but I can tell you that my first pistol experience was with a 5906 and I take it to the range every time I go. It was handed down to me in mint condition and it is awesome. I almost sold it, but was talked out of it, and I am glad I never did.

 

[gboling]

You didn't say what state you are in and that can make a difference. In gun unfriendly states, like California, you would not be permitted to buy the original 15 round magazines from your friend. You would have to buy the gun, only, and then buy 10 round magazines. Also, the 5906 is still being marketed to police departments that have standardized on them and a new one will cost in excess of $900.00.

 

[primersp]

here this pistols are pretty scarces ,i have buy one with box and paper
for 450 € ,the owner have shoot less than 250 rounds there are no marks on the barrel and hood from firing .
very accurate with lead bullet ,the only reproach is the long and heavy trigger ,but after 500 rounds the thing go better ,mine is an 92 version with round trigger and protective rear sight.
new is 1300€

 

[Ctgrizzly2hunt]

Model 5906

Here's the pictures,
,,,

I'm in CT and the mag holds 10.

 

[Arik]

Nice gun. Did you buy it? I have 2 5946s. They are the hammerless double action version of your 5906. They are great guns! My only complaint is the price tag. $500? A little too much imo. However i know it varies state by state. Around here (SE Pa) i see them and other 3d gen S&W steel autos usually under $400 if its a plain 9mm like a 69xx or a 59xx. My last 5946 cost me $250 with box and 2 mags.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

 

[guitarguy423]

Nice gun. Did you buy it? I have 2 5946s. They are the hammerless double action version of your 5906. They are great guns! My only complaint is the price tag. $500? A little too much imo. However i know it varies state by state. Around here (SE Pa) i see them and other 3d gen S&W steel autos usually under $400 if its a plain 9mm like a 69xx or a 59xx. My last 5946 cost me $250 with box and 2 mags.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

Just out of curiosity... how long ago was that $250 price tag?

 

[guitarguy423]

Here's the pictures,
View attachment 78942,View attachment 78943,View attachment 78944,View attachment 78945

I'm in CT and the mag holds 10.

Are those pics of YOUR newly acquired 5906?

 

[rogo123]

I have a police trade in 5906 that I have probably $400 invested in to get it to me.
It will shoot +p+ and Nato ammo as it' s all steel. I also have the plasto-matics but the 3rd gen S&W's are my favorite 9mms.

I would offfer $400-$450, but I wouldn't let a dispute over $50 keep me from getting what I wanted. Please keep in mind nobody make guns like these any more.

 

[mbliss57]

You didn't say what state you are in and that can make a difference. In gun unfriendly states, like California, you would not be permitted to buy the original 15 round magazines from your friend. You would have to buy the gun, only, and then buy 10 round magazines. Also, the 5906 is still being marketed to police departments that have standardized on them and a new one will cost in excess of $900.00.

Just a small bit of 5906 trivia..the 1st 5906 mags that came out were 14 shot mags in 1989. I own one of those guns. SN TDK41xx. I haven't factory lettered the gun but it was a 1st year production gun. They were 14 shot with a larger square trigger guard from 1989 to sometime in late 1991 to early 1992. Then in 1992 the 5906 went to a more rounded trigger guard with 15 round mags. Prod code 108170, if you still have the box. Boxes with Product codes lower than that product code # should be all 14 round mags. Of course the 15 and 10 round mags all fit all 5906's.
Here is a pic of an old 5906 with square trigger guard.. By the way I shot this at the range today and pt 14 rounds in a 2" circle at 25' combat range. It's a real tack driver.
The 2nd pic shows the 14 round mags. There is no 15th round on the other side