I second all of the above. Makes an excellent range/house gun. I've CCW'd mine a little, but there are better (lighter) options.
S&W Model 5906 9mm Pistol
- Thread starter jimmyj
- Start date
JohnHL
SWCA Member
Jimmie, I've got a couple of round trigger guard 5906 pistols.
One I converted to "S&W DAO" (just because).
I've also got a couple of compact uppers for them when I get the urge to go "short slide" (which isn't very often).
As others have unerringly related, they are heavy for the cartridge.
I remember back in the '80s, when my handgun experience had been limited to a Ruger stainless Target pistol, a Ruger stainless Security Six (.357), and a S&W 629-1.
I had yet to fire any 9mm pistol.
A friend had just acquired the new model 659, which became the 5906, and he let me try it.
With old "2X4" grip and a fully loaded magazine, it felt bigger and heavier than my 629!!
I touched off a few of the 9mm rounds and immediately commented, "This thing shoots like a 22!"
To this day, I still appreciate the ability of the full size, double stack S&W pistols to soak up the recoil.
As to the carry weight, a few years back I was able to pick up a couple of the stiff leather Davis Co. belt holsters that were used by the instructors at the S&W Academy.
IIRC, Numrich had them for about $12.00 each.
With a stiff but not uncomfortable belt, I can forget that I've got an all steel, full size pistol hanging off of me.
That is, until I bang that rig into something.
Probably S&W's biggest seller, every S&W aficionado ought to have one.
John
One I converted to "S&W DAO" (just because).
I've also got a couple of compact uppers for them when I get the urge to go "short slide" (which isn't very often).
As others have unerringly related, they are heavy for the cartridge.
I remember back in the '80s, when my handgun experience had been limited to a Ruger stainless Target pistol, a Ruger stainless Security Six (.357), and a S&W 629-1.
I had yet to fire any 9mm pistol.
A friend had just acquired the new model 659, which became the 5906, and he let me try it.
With old "2X4" grip and a fully loaded magazine, it felt bigger and heavier than my 629!!
I touched off a few of the 9mm rounds and immediately commented, "This thing shoots like a 22!"
To this day, I still appreciate the ability of the full size, double stack S&W pistols to soak up the recoil.
As to the carry weight, a few years back I was able to pick up a couple of the stiff leather Davis Co. belt holsters that were used by the instructors at the S&W Academy.
IIRC, Numrich had them for about $12.00 each.
With a stiff but not uncomfortable belt, I can forget that I've got an all steel, full size pistol hanging off of me.
That is, until I bang that rig into something.
Probably S&W's biggest seller, every S&W aficionado ought to have one.
John
It only feels heavy to carry when you do not have a 6906 on the opposite hip to balance out.
With cheap ammo, mag dumps are a blast of fun!
With cheap ammo, mag dumps are a blast of fun!
The 5906 is a nice piece of field artillery. 
Shoots like a 22!
Set up some watermelons on a rack.
Put a kiddie pool underneath to catch the slop.
After three 15 round mags you can drink the remains as a smoothie!
Set up some watermelons on a rack.
Put a kiddie pool underneath to catch the slop.
After three 15 round mags you can drink the remains as a smoothie!
jbltwin1
Member
- Joined
- Jul 8, 2011
- Messages
- 22
- Reaction score
- 5
Not actually a 5906 but I carry a 915 as a full time ccw in the winter and a 669 with a full hammer (I installed it) in the summer since it's stainless slide and alloy frame. 915 shoots better than me and they are ultimately dependable. THAT is the most important thing to me. They are more accurate than I am anyway!
SGT ROCK 11B
Member
Jimmy, I did when I was on the job. I usually carried my on-duty pistol off-duty too. Not a problem to carry for a young man.
The 5906 was my favorite S&W autoloader but I eventually sold them all. Today a Glock 19 (9mm) would be a better choice for a 9mm. Sarge
Last edited:
- Joined
- May 3, 2025
- Messages
- 1
- Reaction score
- 0
I carry a 5946 I smoothed up the trigger and dropped the hammer spring 2 pounds, I like these guns bexusse they are beefy enough to go the distance with +p+ ammo, recoil like nothing, and accuracy potential is much higher then you would think.
Parts Re
Available, night sights are available,
Same
Dovetail as the s&w1911, and i
This gun will likely
Outlast your children.
Parts Re
Available, night sights are available,
Same
Dovetail as the s&w1911, and i
This gun will likely
Outlast your children.
Ky6906fan
Member
I think it is also easier to carry the 6906 and you still have 12 rounds.
hudson69
Member
- Joined
- Nov 16, 2020
- Messages
- 55
- Reaction score
- 32
I had to carry 5906 and later a 5906TSW. They stayed at home when not in uniform. Good shooting but heavy.
I might carry my 6906 if I could mount a light on it, like my 4013TSW.
For now I EDC either a Reflex MRD, G43x MOS or a LCP.
I might carry my 6906 if I could mount a light on it, like my 4013TSW.
For now I EDC either a Reflex MRD, G43x MOS or a LCP.
My first gun. Bought in 1990. Still have it. Carried it in my flight gear (USN) in combat.
As others have said, heavy, but accurate, and well built.
A great shooter.
Bought a second 5906 just to have around. I keep it with me when I am down in my shop, particularly when working late.
A full size stainless steel service pistol is a lot to carry daily. But it is no worse than a 1911.
As others have said, heavy, but accurate, and well built.
A great shooter.
Bought a second 5906 just to have around. I keep it with me when I am down in my shop, particularly when working late.
A full size stainless steel service pistol is a lot to carry daily. But it is no worse than a 1911.
