6906 revived

[greenwellg]

My early A series 659 has the MarGar 17 round mags so 18 with one in the pipe and a spare mag so 35 rounds in two mags. Got it at an auction for a $410 bid with no mags. Story was the wife collected the mags and put them in a bucket so looked unfired. Functions perfectly so time to sight it in.

 

[xfarfuldog]

This thread makes me want to buy my 6906 back. Respectfully the right side safety boondoggle is much ado about nothing. Reminds me of the Princess and the pea. As always YMMV.

 

[CALREB]

Carried this one for over 20 years. Was my uniform gun as an armorer and EDC. Changed the front night sight to a F/O when I retired. Gun is so accurate I shot it in the off duty gun match at nationals for years, never won but placed second and third. My fault not the guns. I have several P/C autos but this small gun always amazed me. Couldn't stand the hump backed grips so I draw filed and sanded it straight, worked fine but had to be careful not to go to far, so it took some time.

Shot my brothers Hellcat and decided it was plenty good for me these days and a bit smaller than my 6906. Also, didn't want to ever lose it to some evidence room or something. So I retired it. Still goes to the range. Looks a bit beat up but still has guys shaking their head or asking how to get one. I never tell that I have another ANIB sitting in the safe. Was for a backup, but never needed it.

 

[Smith391]

Only complaint about my 6906 is it's hideous right side safety lever that sticks out excessively on the right side

Now, my Model 669 (2nd Gen) doesn't have the ambi-safety lever either...

 

[CALREB]

Well, being left-handed I put an ambi safety on mine. I don't understand why it's such an issue for right handers since the left side/with the decocker, is against your body already, the other lever isn't rubbing again your body or anything. I understand personal preference, but if you ever have to run the gun left-handed you might wish it was there. I did put the earlier flatter levers on mine, but a more pronounced slidestop especially since for me it's on the outside.

 

[DirtyShirt]

The only one that they turned me away on was the 3904. It was the pre-recall grip and they didn't have any to send me. Found one on Midway and went ahead and ordered it. I had previously had them send me a replacement grip for my 4013TSW that was a pre-recall. It wasn't broken either. Just thought it best to get one before it became a problem and they ran out of stock.

The 410 grip was cracked in 3 places and fell apart when I took it off.

Rosewood

How do you know if you have the upgraded grip?

 

[stansdds]

How do you know if you have the upgraded grip?

Look at the bottom of the grip, if you see a small dimple in the plastic, you have the newer grip.

 

[rosewood]

How do you know if you have the upgraded grip?

Thought I had a pic on my phone, but can't find it. Will have to take pics later, unless someone else has one to upload.

 

[Mark IV]

The only one that they turned me away on was the 3904. It was the pre-recall grip and they didn't have any to send me.........

S&W customer service has hooked me up several times over the years ( i love those folks!!) , but I recently called them hoping to get a set of original Model 59 grips, but unfortunately, was told their stash has finally dried up.

 

[rosewood]

S&W customer service has hooked me up several times over the years ( i love those folks!!) , but I recently called them hoping to get a set of original Model 59 grips, but unfortunately, was told their stash has finally dried up.

Yeah, the 59 has been out of print for decades. It may be they are still supporting some LEOs that are still carrying certain 3rd Gen guns. But who knows.

 

[DirtyShirt]

Look at the bottom of the grip, if you see a small dimple in the plastic, you have the newer grip.

I have the upgraded one. Thank you

 

[easymoney72]

Only complaint about my 6906 is it's hideous right side safety lever that sticks out excessively on the right side ,
On a side note if you wanto carry 2 more rounds in a spare mag the longer 14 rd model 59 459 659 etc magazines will lock in but stick out the bottom a little.

I bought a black single side safety online and polished the black off. You have check the safety timing after it's installed.

 

[GaryS]

I must have forgot that they painted over the steel. Are they actually stainless or some other "shiny" metal? I have a couple of the black ones and might rework them.

 

[easymoney72]

I must have forgot that they painted over the steel. Are they actually stainless or some other "shiny" metal? I have a couple of the black ones and might rework them.

Stainless steel

 

[rosewood]

Stainless steel

I bead blasted one thinking I could cold blue it. Wrong. Stainless won't take cold blue.

Could they be Nitrided stainless?

 

[easymoney72]

I bead blasted one thinking I could cold blue it. Wrong. Stainless won't take cold blue.

Could they be Nitrided stainless?

I don't know

 

[Engine49guy]

At this point Id take a pink one, A black safety looks fine with the black trigger and black sights IMO.

 

[easymoney72]

At this point Id take a pink one, A black safety looks fine with the black trigger and black sights IMO.

You can't find one? Go to Numrich and type into the search "smith and wesson 469" then scroll down. They are in stock for $85. If you want to find one cheaper, look around for one, they are out there. People been saying there are no parts for these guns for 20 years. I can still find anything I am looking for.

 

[Engine49guy]

The 6906 is relegated to occasional plinker status now , dropping close to $100 with tax and shipping when the ambi safety works fine and it mostly sits in the safe is hard to justify.