Hello Everyone! I'm John311 and brand new here. I just purchased my 1st handgun, the Model 659. I bought it used in excellent condition, after reading great reviews time and time again. It seems the only thing some people dislike about it is it's weight, which is one of the things I like about it. It's a tank of a pistol. You guys are far more experienced than I, so I was wondering if anyone who owns a 659 has any advice, pointers, opinions, anything that I can learn from? I'm also doing a lot of research on what would be a good Self Defense round for a 659, and from what I'm reading, Hornady Critical Defense 115 JHP's seem the way to go. Does anyone have any advice? I really appreciate anything you guys can offer! Thanks for reading!

With the added weight and strength your Model 659 has I would recommend a full power 147 grain 9mm HP round. You could shoot that all day long with no problems.

Thank you! I will definitely look into the higher grain rounds. Do you have any recommendations for a particular brand name, or is everything I've read about Hornady being the best JHP correct?

I pack the Hornady Critical Defence rounds in all of my 9's. Back when I was on the Sheriff's Department I carried a 659 loaded with Winchester Silver Tips but that was in the 80's and the Hornady's were not available.

Hornady is the best in the heavier weight HP 9MM. That is what we carried on duty at work when we first changed from revolvers to 9MM auto loaders.

Thank you much for your input!

Thank you much for the input!

Federal 9BPLE 115gr +p+ - an older but proven round. Unfortunately, they are not easy to find these days.

AMM-406 - Ammo 9mm Federal JHP 115 Grain +P+ 50 Round Box Recommended for Law Enforcement Classic Hi-Shok

The 659 like the 5906 was built like the proverbial tank. They swallow anything you feed them. In an emergency (read out of ammo) you can wack the intruder unconcious and still have a serviceable firearm.

Roger that. As soon as I held it, the weight of it was both intimidating and comforting.

Thank you! Great price on these. I'll pick up a few boxes, for sure

My own choice for a carry load in my 9mm pistols is the Speer 124gr Gold Dot +P, the Federal 147gr. HST, or the Remington 147gr. Glden Saber. For practice whatever ball load is on sale, just be wary of the NATO stuff some of it is HOT! Dale

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"Long live the S&W 3rd. Gen.!"

Thanks, Dale. I will be very aware of the NATO rounds now. I heard a lot about the Gold Dots, Have you compared them to the Hornady CD's?

I carry the Hornady Critical Defense 115gr in my 6906 and my Kel-Tec PF9. I've read lots of good stuff on them, and I like them because the feed well in both guns and I've yet to have an issue with them.

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"I'm your huckleberry."

my 9mm carry round is what my old police dept issued.the pmc starfire 124gr.I still have several boxes of it.

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God save the SOUTH

Sorry to drag up an old thread but I just received a trade for my sigma 40. Did I do well? No box or paperwork but 2 mags and 300 rounds of 147 grain round nose.

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I don't know anything about the Sigma, but I do own a 659. Great gun, built like a tank and quite accurate. The extra ammo is a bonus.

macktheknife... what model sigma did you get?

The early SW40F Sigma had some issues, there's a harmonic vibration dampener that looks like a piece of pipe cleaner stuffed inside of the coiled trigger return spring. If that gets wet with gun/bore cleaner, it no longer works as a dampener and the spring breaks.

S&W still employs that in the M&P's.... they must of changes its makeup as I haven't heard of the spring breakage issue on newer guns.

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Conrad
SWCA #1830 SWHF #222

I honestly don't know what model sigma it was. I traded for the sigma with an older h&r 20 gauge that was taking up room in my safe. I took the sigma to the range and shot it and hated the trigger on it. So I looked around for something else and traded a co worker for his truck gun. Which upon further inspection is actually a 469 not what I originally thought. I need to post a different thread. But nonetheless I like this pistol quite a bit as well. Did I make a fair trade?

IMHO, the Sigma's are a budget polymer gun built to a price point for the consumer market whereas the 1st-3rd gen guns were built to be a quality duty/service weapon. An even trade such as yours is in your favor.

I do want different grips. Not a fan of the wrap around grips. I can't seem to find any in Google search. Any secret places for grips y'all know about?

That's what I like to hear thanks for the info. Did some of these come in stainless? I'm sure it's the alloy frame but the slide is stainless or maybe just polished out blue. If that's the case I will need to have it re finished.

In the 2nd gen guns, the first number represents the frame material. 4 is aluminum frame, 5 is steel frame, and 6 is stainless steel frame. The slide on the 4 and 5 is steel with the 6 having a stainless slide. The 469 could be had with a nickle finish, so if yours is not blued, then that's what you have.