6906 revived

[easymoney72]

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.

I will admit that especially in the last year the parts are more difficult to find and when I do find them, often cost much more. For that reason when I got my 6906 a year ago, I purchased one of those "kits" that has everything except the frame and magazine, just so I have spare parts on hand. Many of the parts I will probably never need but I'm looking towards the future and knowing that maybe soon I won't be able to find some of the parts that I need. I got a really good deal on the parts kit. The barrel and slide are like new. The downside is if you are looking specifically for a single sided safety, when you find a 6906 slide, it will have an ambi safety. I think that if I was to look around online for a while, I could find a single sided safety for cheaper than $85, but the only reason that I might buy the one that I posted, is because it is the really good low profile one that is even harder to find than the regular ones.

 

[rosewood]

If Smith and Wesson was to make new 6906's today, what would it cost them to make? What would the price tag be?

Similar to the CSX I imagine.

 

[easymoney72]

Similar to the CSX I imagine.

I should have stated, not the 6906 that S&W would make today with plastic parts, but remake the 6906 as it was in the 90's.

 

[rosewood]

I should have stated, not the 6906 that S&W would make today with plastic parts, but remake the 6906 as it was in the 90's.

Isn't the CSX metal? Aluminum frame? I would imagine machining those parts would be similar.

 

[easymoney72]

Isn't the CSX metal? Aluminum frame? I would imagine machining those parts would be similar.

I was just pointing out that if they were to make it today, it would probably have plastic parts instead of the 90's 6906. Towards the end of 3rd gen production they were known to use more things like plastic sights, and one of the reasons there are so many polymer guns today is because they are cheaper to make.

 

[GaryS]

S&W had no choice in order to compete with Glock for LE contracts. It didn't really work which lead S&W to develop their own versions of Polymer frame semi autos.

Arguably, with CNC machining it's a lot easier to make metal frame guns than during the height of 3rd Gen production. One issue would likely be machine capacity as all of the slides still have to be machined along with 1911 style frames, and of course AR lower receivers. Uppers as well, of course.

Personally, I'd love to see a 6906 released, but I don't think that's going to happen. Actually, I'd much rather see an updated 3913 and 4513 introduced, but alas that is also unlikely.

I was just pointing out that if they were to make it today, it would probably have plastic parts instead of the 90's 6906. Towards the end of 3rd gen production they were known to use more things like plastic sights, and one of the reasons there are so many polymer guns today is because they are cheaper to make.

 

[Smith391]

If Smith and Wesson was to make new 6906's today, what would it cost them to make? What would the price tag be?

Based on other manufacturers who are still producing all-metal, machined, semi-auto pistols, you better be prepared to fork over $1K plus for a "new" 6906 (were they to go back into production) ... but don't hold your breath.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Single sided safety, swap out a 915 upper and you have a two tone 6915 with a 4" barrel/slide

 

[gunbarrel]

https://www.guns.com/news/2025/08/17/smith-wesson-keeps-hinting-on-bringing-back-stainless-wondernines

 

[WolvesFan]

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

I just put the Hogue grips on all my 69XX as they fit my hands so much better. Plus, the plastic grips, as noted, have a tenancy to break.

 

[WolvesFan]

https://www.guns.com/news/2025/08/17/smith-wesson-keeps-hinting-on-bringing-back-stainless-wondernines

I tweet at S&W monthly about bringing back some 3rd Gen guns. Never a response, but I have seen the two tweets noted in this article.

 

[GaryS]

6906 would be a better option I think. For full size carry a 5903 would be better than the 5906.

 

[Engine49guy]

Interesting ,
The one Id be interested in if brought back would be the SS 9mm version of the Model 52 aka the PC 952, those had the old style wood grip panels too like the Model 39/439/539/639

 

[rosewood]

I was just pointing out that if they were to make it today, it would probably have plastic parts instead of the 90's 6906. Towards the end of 3rd gen production they were known to use more things like plastic sights, and one of the reasons there are so many polymer guns today is because they are cheaper to make.

I hadn't seen any 3rd gens with plastic sights except for the value series. What other models did they put them on? They did go to MIM parts for hammer, trigger and some internals. But depending on who you ask MIM is either better or a mistake.

Now they did switch the disconnector to plastic I think. But I haven't heard of any of them failing (doesn't mean they didn't).

Rosewood

 

[-dW]

As long as they keep the dovetail cuts the same and open the door for some new sights options, we've all won..

But I wouldn't say no to 17 round factory mags

 

[rosewood]

As long as they keep the dovetail cuts the same and open the door for some new sights options, we've all won..

But I wouldn't say no to 17 round factory mags

I am hoping they keep the original 3rd Gen sights and Tru-Glo will start making TFOs for them. I love TFO, but can't find any that I can make fit my 3rd Gens.

Rosewood