What are your thoughts - 5906 or 659?
- Thread starter Dave Baird
- Start date
Ringerman69
Member
5906 Shorty 9 and 5906 PPC9, (still searching for the correct de-cocker hint hint.)
Yep I like the arched grips on, (some of,) my full size 3rd Gens or at least that option.
Jim
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Rock185
US Veteran
I think you'll find the 5903 to be a robust and reliable pistol. I actually like the factory S&W adjustable rear sight with the "wings". I've owned, probably more than my share, of 1st., 2nd., and 3rd. Gen S&Ws. I liked them all, but the absolutely most reliable have been the 3rd. Gen guns. To me, the the 3rd. Gen double stack guns are also much more ergonomic than the earlier 59s, 659s, etc. Still have a couple 5906s, two of the many 5906 variations mentioned.
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4T5GUY said:
Hint? PPC-9 has no decocker!
You are looking for a black single sided hammer block safety lever for a PC Limited pistol.
What's sad to me is that there certainly MUST be a box of these somewhere in Springfield but nobody that works there currently has half a clue where to look or what they are looking for.
You can say that again:
Is that what happens when you polish the slide too much?
JohnHL
Member
Hint? PPC-9 has no decocker!
You are looking for a black single sided hammer block safety lever for a PC Limited pistol.
What's sad to me is that there certainly MUST be a box of these somewhere in Springfield but nobody that works there currently has half a clue where to look or what they are looking for.
Why not just use a black single side manual safety body?
Why would there be a difference?
John?
No - it's what happens when you put an uncatalogued 5" slide, on a 5906 along with a S&W mag well and combat mag release..
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Green Frog
Member
Late to the conversation (I've been sick and moving slowly.) My preference is for the Gen 2 frame with backstrap rather than the wrap around grips of the Gen 3. One can choose whichever internal Gen 2 or 3 parts suit them and they'll likely fit.
Most recently my favorite S&W 9mm is a Mod 639 with a Mod 915 slide added. Best of both worlds for my use and I like the retro two tone look that results.
I've shown it here in a slightly earlier stage with a Model 439 upper that achieved the same "look".
Froggie
Most recently my favorite S&W 9mm is a Mod 639 with a Mod 915 slide added. Best of both worlds for my use and I like the retro two tone look that results.
I've shown it here in a slightly earlier stage with a Model 439 upper that achieved the same "look".
Froggie
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On the PC Limited pistols, the hammer block safety has a larger, flatter paddle. It's kind of like the one found on the 745 but just a tad smaller in size.
The one he has works, the one you suggest would work also, but he's looking for "as shipped" or original.
I've gifted all my black single side ones to members here. (I know not the best move but...)
As "Sevens" stated, I want to replace the ambi with the correct one.
Jim
I'm an optometrist. No, wait. I mean… I always try to think positively.
I've never seen this part available anywhere and I have never seen one installed anywhere outside of a Limited gun.
I think your best answer and possibly the only viable solution is going to be to find someone that really seeks an ambi (and has easy access to one) and is will to trade his left side PC lever to you.
Unfortunately I think it's a long shot that you find this part.
I've never seen this part available anywhere and I have never seen one installed anywhere outside of a Limited gun.
I think your best answer and possibly the only viable solution is going to be to find someone that really seeks an ambi (and has easy access to one) and is will to trade his left side PC lever to you.
Unfortunately I think it's a long shot that you find this part.
I wouldn't get too caught up with the MIM debate. MIM makes good sense for certain parts and the process has been figured out.
If QC is good, MIM parts can provide a long service life in the proper role.
S&W did a good job on QC during the 3rd Gen era, so I would not be too worried about it.
I would have to say 3rd Gen here.
5906 is ergonomically improved IMHO and the triggers are less...um...rough.
Not a big fan of the plastic grips, but they work and you have curved or straight back options.
Overall, really great pistols and they just go and go!
If QC is good, MIM parts can provide a long service life in the proper role.
S&W did a good job on QC during the 3rd Gen era, so I would not be too worried about it.
I would have to say 3rd Gen here.
5906 is ergonomically improved IMHO and the triggers are less...um...rough.
Not a big fan of the plastic grips, but they work and you have curved or straight back options.
Overall, really great pistols and they just go and go!
JohnHL
Member
OK.
After I asked my question, I wondered if the paddle was different.
Because I couldn't imagine why the manual safety body would be machined differently.
I would think finding the "unique" parts for PC models could be an exercise in frustration.
I dealt with Harley-Davidson for over 40 years.
They've had some really dedicated people working for them.
But after a few years, when a model/design has been replaced, service knowledge and spare parts can dwindle fast.
And that dwindling is accelerated on the limited production models.
Don't get me wrong, I'll always appreciate that they sent me and my family to Hawaii for over a week, gratis.
(Of course, Kawasaki sent me twice!
)Limited edition stuff, (like PC pistols) can be a satisfying facet of collecting, but can be fraught with impediments to serviceability.
John
Well actually I've got one coming and it will be here by Friday. Problem is someone decided to polish it somewhat. Its better than the ambi I'm not happy with. I've been watching it for a long time but thought I'd find one with a better finish. It'll give me something to work with for now. I have other parts that I'd like to eventually have "re-blackened" anyway.
That will be a not too far away topic I'll post the question about.
Jim
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JohnHL
Member
Nice find, Jim!
Caswell Plating sells a solution for blackening stainless steel.
I have some, but I've been busy with other projects lately so I've not had a chance to try it.
John
Caswell Plating sells a solution for blackening stainless steel.
I have some, but I've been busy with other projects lately so I've not had a chance to try it.
John
Yes, it's only the contour of the paddle that is different than the 2/3rd Gen left side decock lever, the cylindrical part inside the cylinder is normal as you'd expect.
That picture makes it difficult to tell exactly what you have en route, but I'll be interested to see a picture of it in place.
If I were tasked with fabricating a replacement, I believe I would start with the 745 safety (if I could source one) and carefully cut it down to size.
That picture makes it difficult to tell exactly what you have en route, but I'll be interested to see a picture of it in place.
If I were tasked with fabricating a replacement, I believe I would start with the 745 safety (if I could source one) and carefully cut it down to size.
As to the original thread topic, I think the 5906 is the better choice and agree with those who suggest that later TSW variants are probably the best examples of 5906 - barring the Performance Center editions.
Congrats to the OP on selecting a 5903 (which IMO is superior to both other models). As a recent 5903 owner, I am very impressed with the accuracy, lightweight and smooth MIM trigger. The 5903 I have is a beater LE trade in, that I purchased to use at the range for training newbs. It excells at that purpose. But it is such a fine nine, that I find myself carrying it occasionally. Great pistol!
I have been around here for a minute or two
and recall Herb Belin posting that MIM defense. And I won't bother commenting on that again. But I will point out that I have experienced a broken S&W MIM part. A MIM mag catch on an LE Special order 4516. Snapped like the cheap pot metal it was. 
I replaced it with a forged 4566 mag catch and have not had any further trouble. I have posted here about it several times.
Anyways, yea, MIM if "done right" doesn't cause problems. Emphasis on "IF" And as my friend Fastbolt points out, a MIM trigger and hammer generally are a very smooth trigger pull, without any tweaking. But forged parts are 100% the strength of.......forged parts. Regards 18DAI
Congrats to the OP on selecting a 5903 (which IMO is superior to both other models). As a recent 5903 owner, I am very impressed with the accuracy, lightweight and smooth MIM trigger. The 5903 I have is a beater LE trade in, that I purchased to use at the range for training newbs. It excells at that purpose. But it is such a fine nine, that I find myself carrying it occasionally. Great pistol!
I have been around here for a minute or two
and recall Herb Belin posting that MIM defense. And I won't bother commenting on that again. But I will point out that I have experienced a broken S&W MIM part. A MIM mag catch on an LE Special order 4516. Snapped like the cheap pot metal it was. I replaced it with a forged 4566 mag catch and have not had any further trouble. I have posted here about it several times.Anyways, yea, MIM if "done right" doesn't cause problems. Emphasis on "IF"
And as my friend Fastbolt points out, a MIM trigger and hammer generally are a very smooth trigger pull, without any tweaking. But forged parts are 100% the strength of.......forged parts. Regards 18DAI
Miami_JBT
US Veteran
To me, the Model 5903/5904 is the best iteration of the S&W "duty size" 9mm 3rd Gen guns. It is everything just right with the gun. The aluminum frames are strong but light. I'd even say that the Model 915 is a good choice too except for the lack of Novak rear sight. But that can be fixed.
It is a good rival to what in my opinion is the best DA/SA 9mm out there, the Beretta 92FS. I have a pile of 'em and I love them. But the 5903 SSV and 6906 are better compact guns than what Beretta can produce and honestly, if I had a pile of 5903s before I had a pile of Berettas. I'd have never gotten the Berettas.
It is a good rival to what in my opinion is the best DA/SA 9mm out there, the Beretta 92FS. I have a pile of 'em and I love them. But the 5903 SSV and 6906 are better compact guns than what Beretta can produce and honestly, if I had a pile of 5903s before I had a pile of Berettas. I'd have never gotten the Berettas.
