Why were these two 5906s worth $1000?

Elkins · Jul 11, 2026

I was searching completed auctions for 5906s and saw that these two seemingly ordinary specimens sold for slightly over $1k while the average was closer to maybe $650. The listings didn’t indicate there was anything especially notable or rare about either one. Are these just two examples of auction fever or is there something I’m not seeing?

toddimusnimski · Jul 11, 2026

Great guns but not exactly uncommon. I agree, I sure don't see 1k each.

Todd

38magnum · Jul 11, 2026

shill bidding... raise prices, so the next week it gets relisted with new photos, they can legitimately start the auction with a higher minimum bid

rwsmith · Jul 12, 2026

Sure they didn't have 'rare' in the description??

They look nice, but not that nice.

FZ1Tom · Jul 12, 2026

I don't dare find out who the bidders were.

Tom

stansdds · Jul 12, 2026

They appear to be NIB and some people will pay more for anything that is NIB. I expect most of us tend to think of 3rd gen S&W pistols as common law enforcement and defense weapons, but they have been out of production for about 27 years, so I'm thinking collectors are starting to look for NIB specimens.

Robbie C · Jul 12, 2026

My guess would be bidding frenzy or shills. I really doubt they're NIB based in what looks like wear on the grips and slides. "Lightly used" maybe, but not NIB.

GaryS · Jul 12, 2026

The guns are worth what they are worth. Unless they find a complete novice to 3rd Gens no one is going to bid more about $450.00 unless it's ANIB with paperwork and all accessories.

A few months ago I bought a 5906TSW with night sights and two magazines for $500.00 plus tax. That's what it was worth and those generally are at the higher end of the price spectrum.

38magnum said:
shill bidding... raise prices, so the next week it gets relisted with new photos, they can legitimately start the auction with a higher minimum bid

Elkins · Jul 12, 2026

GaryS said:
The guns are worth what they are worth. Unless they find a complete novice to 3rd Gens no one is going to bid more about $450.00 unless it's ANIB with paperwork and all accessories.

A few months ago I bought a 5906TSW with night sights and two magazines for $500.00 plus tax. That's what it was worth and those generally are at the higher end of the price spectrum.

The vast majority of the complete auctions are closer to $600 than $450.

GaryS · Jul 12, 2026

Auction prices tend to be higher than person to person or even FFL prices. Same dynamic as gun show prices I think.

Elkins said:
The vast majority of the complete auctions are closer to $600 than $450.

4506517 · Jul 12, 2026

Oh no!

Someone will be along to have a meltdown about how "shills rigged that auction"!

Who cares? They were worth it to someone.

pharmer · Jul 13, 2026

Earlier this year I sold a “NOS” 5906 with a total of 8 magazines for $900. They ain’t making them anymore. Joe.

Elkins · Jul 13, 2026

4506517 said:
They were worth it to someone.

I wish I could find one of those someones. I would happily let go of mine for that price.

Somewhat semi-related: about 10 years ago I put in a 'placeholder' bid on a surplussed 4043 from the Memphis Sheriff's Department and ended up winning it. Unlike most Smith DAO guns it has a trigger only a gorilla could love. Judging by the current interest in 40 S&W guns (especially DAO guns) I'll probably be buried with it LOL.

FZ1Tom · Jul 13, 2026

pharmer said:
Earlier this year I sold a “NOS” 5906 with a total of 8 magazines for $900. They ain’t making them anymore. Joe.

I think a reasonably clean 4566TSW with 6 magazines just went for 1100-ish last night. So there's just no rhyme or reason to it sometimes. FWIW I did get tempted and checked out the last two bidders. Nothing jumped out, so I think it was most likely just a case of the winner wanting a complete NIB package with the box, papers, etc more than anything else. And 1k, while a bit high, isn't hugely so. Now if it had been 2-3 grand that might have been a different story. FWIW I got one of those 5906's on layaway but its firmly within the average cost/average condition. I don't doubt there's always a few bad apples in the bunch, but doesn't that happen everywhere else too?

Tom

MattMurphy · Jul 20, 2026

I used to be on this forum, or something similar about 25 years ago and chatted with a guy named Wes Richardson. I think that was his name. Anyway, he said that he had formerly worked at the Performance Center and he liked to modify 3rd gen guns. I had a 5906 that I had carried on duty for 15 years and he said he had a 5" slide & barrel combo he could put on my gun and turn it into a target pistol. He added the slide & barrel, target sights and slicked up the trigger. It's a great shooter.

4T5GUY · Jul 20, 2026

MattMurphy said:
Wes Richardson. I think that was his name.

That is a really cool “5906.” I wonder if he worked with Tom Gordon, (who occasionally checks in here.)

Does the barrel have a bell at the muzzle or is it straight with the slide fitted with a Briley bushing? Interesting that the slide is shaped like the PPC9’s and TC’s but doesn’t have the PC reliefs.

New grips are still readily available and relatively inexpensive !!!

Jim

DUSTYDOGDAN · Jul 21, 2026

Clean NOS 3RD GENS are no longer $400 bucks.

MattMurphy · Jul 23, 2026

4T5GUY said:
That is a really cool “5906.” I wonder if he worked with Tom Gordon, (who occasionally checks in here.)

Does the barrel have a bell at the muzzle or is it straight with the slide fitted with a Briley bushing? Interesting that the slide is shaped like the PPC9’s and TC’s but doesn’t have the PC reliefs.

New grips are still readily available and relatively inexpensive !!!

Jim

Hey Jim. I'll get some more detailed photos to post. I think I still have Wes's business card he sent back with the gun so I can check on the name. Sounded like when he left S&W, he took some parts with him. I remember he said he had like 6 sets of 5" barrel & slide combos to modify 5906s. I'll post more pics tonight or tomorrow. Love this forum. LOL

Ska8erGirl · Jul 23, 2026

Sorted by sell price

Sorted by total number of bids

MattMurphy · Jul 23, 2026

4T5GUY said:
That is a really cool “5906.” I wonder if he worked with Tom Gordon, (who occasionally checks in here.)

Does the barrel have a bell at the muzzle or is it straight with the slide fitted with a Briley bushing? Interesting that the slide is shaped like the PPC9’s and TC’s but doesn’t have the PC reliefs.

New grips are still readily available and relatively inexpensive !!!

Jim

Here's a couple more photos of the 5" 5906. The barrel bushing is in the slide and it has a kinda gold looking finish. And the guys name is Wes Richardson at Pistol Dynamics in Florida. I also have a couple of those Performance Center Lew Horton 4006s w/5" barrel. One has a factory comp and the other one has the 5 1/4" barrel. Bought them over 20 years ago, used, and they've just sat in my safe.

Why were these two 5906s worth $1000?

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