Model 3906. Good things are produced in small numbers.

[Texas Star]

How do these things shoot, compared to a Browning MK III or a CZ-75B?

The sole S&W 9mm I've fired was, I think, a M-39-2. Accuracy was awful. Wasn't me; other guns fired that day shot normally, very good indeed.

 

[Tony S45]

The 3906/4 has great balance and artistic lines.

I haven't been able to find one to purchase.

I do have it's cousin, a S&W 909, which is the "value line" slim-jim carry version. Black, light weight frame, single sided safety. For kicks, I also have a complete upper from a 908 which interchanges perfectly on the 909 for a hybrid with a 3.5 slide/barrel.

Some folks dream of winning the lottery; my dream is to find a person with a giant safe full of extra 3rd Gen S&Ws. Not going to happen is it?

 

[586L-Frame]

Another fan. I purchased my 3906 in 2007 when a local ffl dealer was closing its doors. Purchased as a set with a 3913. Glad I did at the time. Both great shooters.
586L-Frame

DLC’s S&W 3906 with Hogue Handall Finger Groove Slip-on Grips

DLC’s S&W 3913

x

 

[calmex]

How do these things shoot, compared to a Browning MK III or a CZ-75B?

The sole S&W 9mm I've fired was, I think, a M-39-2. Accuracy was awful. Wasn't me; other guns fired that day shot normally, very good indeed.

Mine shoots great. However, I don't know if it's just mine, or maybe common but I find that if I size my cast bullets to .356 accuracy is so-so. Sizing them to .357, and then passing the loaded casings through the Lee Factory Crimp die to make sure there is no oversized rounds has GREATLY improved the accuracy.

My bullets are cast quite hard, using Mexican Wheelweights and some bar-solder, fluxed with Marvelux. A friend told me that my bullets are around 14.0 on his hardness tester. I mean, that's hard enough for under 1,150 fps.

Just something I noticed.

 

[hoek48]

I have both, the 3906 and the 3904. The 3904 carries a little easier. My 3906 has the adj. sights. I put night sights on the 3904. I still carry it occasionally. Both have the square trigger guard.

 

[Ross3914]

I had a 3906 long ago. It's one of the few guns that I've regretted selling. I'd buy another in a heartbeat. It was just an enjoyable gun. I suppose the single-stack feature is what killed sales at the time.

I really like the idea of the 909 with the 908 top-half. I've thought of that as well and it seems like just a cool set-up to have for fun if anything.

I do have a 3914, 3913, and pre-rail 3913TSW, but I'm still looking for a 3906.

 

[681ismyfavorite]

im still torn between that hot woman and that 686.....

what were you talking about again?

oh yeah, 3rd gen S&W semi-autos are the best.

 

[CALREB]

Love my 3904, wish it had a flat backstrap,but thats just me. Always wished they had made a P/C single stack 3904 or 3913. Bob

 

[GaryS]

They made a lot fewer 686s than hot women.

im still torn between that hot woman and that 686.....

what were you talking about again?

oh yeah, 3rd gen S&W semi-autos are the best.

 

[Badkarma 1]

Does it have to be only the 3906? I've been looking for a decent 639 for a few years now and can't find one! Nothing against the 3906, it's just those wood grips against a stainless chassis....now that's a sexy pistol! Dale

 

[jscott]

Need mag info from 3906 fans

I need 2 new S&W factory mgs for my 3906. S&W and Midway are back ordered and no way to tell when they will be available. Can anyone advise of a source?

 

[GaryS]

I need 2 new S&W factory mgs for my 3906. S&W and Midway are back ordered and no way to tell when they will be available. Can anyone advise of a source?

I bought a couple on line, maybe Ebay. I bought one here from a member. The magazines come in 8 round and 9 round versions. From what I've seen the 9 round are less common.

Check Gunbroker as well.

 

[jscott]

Thanks GaryS and 18DAI

 

[18DAI]

Very nice 3906's and 3904's fellas. I wonder why there are not any full size, 4" barrel single stack 9mm's produced today.

Aren't the Glock boys always clamoring for a single stack 9mm Glock? Maybe it is the caliber or the lack of a bazillion rounds in the mag.

I personally would purchase an updated 3906. Maybe a scandium frame and Melonite finish with Novak low mount night sights. Or a two tone like calmex has.

calmex - Beautiful 3904, and beautiful wife. You are a lucky man! Best regards, 18DAI

 

[GaryS]

Think the problem is that there isn't really a niche for a full sized semi auto with 9+1 or 8+1 capacity. If someone is going to carry a full sized auto, then they probably want higher capacity.

If the goal is to have something with 8+1 capacity then a 3913 or 3914 is a better size. Or the Shield for that matter.

I like the look and feel of my 3904, but it's likely to be a Safe Queen. I just have too many other 3rd generation options.

Just my thoughts on the subject.

Very nice 3906's and 3904's fellas. I wonder why there are not any full size, 4" barrel single stack 9mm's produced today.

Aren't the Glock boys always clamoring for a single stack 9mm Glock? Maybe it is the caliber or the lack of a bazillion rounds in the mag.

I personally would purchase an updated 3906. Maybe a scandium frame and Melonite finish with Novak low mount night sights. Or a two tone like calmex has.

calmex - Beautiful 3904, and beautiful wife. You are a lucky man! Best regards, 18DAI

 

[ugrey]

I need 2 new S&W factory mgs for my 3906. S&W and Midway are back ordered and no way to tell when they will be available. Can anyone advise of a source?

Midway says on their site they expect more in early in January and they are currently running a sale on them for about $30 each, for stainless 3900 series 9 rounders. I ordered 2. Go back and look at all the small print on the sales page for those mags and you will see the early January expected date.

 

[calmex]

Mine came with the factory 8-rounder and I bought 3 or 4 more Midway 9-rounders that I have been most happy with. I should buy more. This will probably become one of my New Year's Resolutions: get more mags for the 3904.

I have lots of mags for my Glock, which I do not personally care for all that much. The Glock has no "double-strike" capability, and down here, you takes what primers you gets. Often, even perfectly seated primers of crappy origin can cause the odd misfire on the first strike, especially using the Glock. I actually don't recall EVER having a misfire with the 3904. With the Glock, your goose could be cooked, never mind the 15 round magazine (or even 17, or more!).

To me, trapped in my "takes what you gets" World -- albiet with near-perfect weather and latina ladies being what you gets -- the S&W is just a much better handgun to have to stake your neck on. I wish it were the stainless model, but I'm very happy to just have it in any case.

 

[rasmith3442]

Just Snagged One

Just snagged a 3906 (Just like post #16) a few minutes ago on G.B. Got it for a nickel over five.

Will try to post pics when I get it. Is there a sticky that tells how to insert pics from my computer rather than having to put them on another server?

Is this disease curable????????

S/F,

RAS

 

[timn8er]

Just snagged a 3906 (Just like post #16) a few minutes ago on G.B. Got it for a nickel over five.

Will try to post pics when I get it. Is there a sticky that tells how to insert pics from my computer rather than having to put them on another server?

Is this disease curable????????

S/F,

RAS

No..........

 

[AlaskaDawg]

Stainless 3906 -Just fine

Some were questioning the role of a stainless 3906 in the grand scheme of things. Here is one. For new shooters it has an excellent size and angle grip. The stainless weight is not too much and yet perfectly tames a 9mm to sweetness. It has adjustable sights so it can easily be dialed in for the load selected. It feels serious enough and the confidence of good hits and no need for developing a flinch.

Even with limp wristing it still functions and returns to battery unlike some drastic plastic as the frame and slide have enough weight. New shooters, if needed, can start with it in single action for confidence building hits and then cycle up to the double action. For new shooters I actually like the magazine disconnect.
Everyone thinks they are Wyatt Earp after getting hits and enjoying shooting. The 3906 - a fine new shooter firearm.

And for all the reasons new shooters like it a veteran shooter may want to take a second look as the weight makes follow up shots much easier. It is still plenty slim for carry and yet enough grip for excellent control. More rounds? if you have not solved the problem with the first magazine means it is not likely to be solved with more rounds but a return to the fundamental point new shooters learn - get the hits and let speed take care of itself.

There are not many 3906, but this one mine. i will take care of it so that it will take care of me...