Found an interesting deal over at Slickguns.
Never heard of Lionheart, but found their history with the 5906 interesting.
"The photo below shows the Lionheart LH9 compared to two Smith & Wesson pistols: an all-steel Gen-3 (Model 5906) and an aluminum-framed Performance Center version of the Gen 3 Model 6906, known as the “Recon 9.” The family genetics should be fairly obvious from the photo, particularly in regards to the 5906. The Lionheart LH9 features a more rounded palm swell, a feature originally found on the Walther P-38. I find the shape of the LH9’s grip feels very similar to modern SIG-Sauers and Walthers."
"The genesis of the Lionheart LH9 ultimately stems from the Browning Hi-Power, a gun that was based on John Moses Browning’s last pistol design. Engineers at Fabrique Nationale Herstal finished the design of the Hi-Power after Mr. Browning’s death in 1926. Released in 1935, the Browning Hi-Power took the world by storm, and became the most widely used 9mm in the world over the next 60 years. In my extensive travels around the world (over 70 countries), I can confirm that there were few places I visited where Hi-Powers were not represented in the arsenals of the police and military. Even today, the Browning Hi-Power is still one of the widely issued side arms for police and militaries around the world. They show up everywhere.
After WWII, the U.S. Army toyed with the idea of moving to a 9mm to replace the 1911. Smith & Wesson was anxious to score a big government contract and developed the X-46 in response to Army solicitations. Inspired by the Browning Hi-Power and the Walther P-38, the X-46 attempted to take the best features of both designs and incorporate them into one pistol. The Army ultimately dropped the project, however. Nonetheless, Smith and Wesson continued development of the X-46 into the Model 39, in an effort to attract law enforcement sales.
The Model 39 utilized the tilt-barrel locking cam system of the Hi-Power and combined it with the double action and decocker features of the P-38. The Model 39 eventually evolved into a number of different generations of Smith and Wesson handguns, including some with aluminum alloy frames (e.g., Model 59, Model 459, Model 5903, Model 6906, etc.).
The Daewoo K5, which is the standard issue sidearm of the South Korean defense forces, is based on the S&W 39/59 series of pistols. The Korean Ministry of Defense and Daewoo Precision Industries designed and tested the K5 over the course of four years starting in around 1985. It’s a combat-proven sidearm currently being carried by South Korean soldiers in places such as Afghanistan, Somalia and Lebanon.
Daewoo Precision Industries is a turnkey Colt factory, built by Colt in the 1970s as the South Korean Arsenal. Daewoo has produced millions of licensed M16s, as well as M203s, M60s and other American Mil-Spec weapon systems. They eventually developed their own designs, which are widely regarded as improvements to the host guns on which they’re based. Much of the machinery that’s used to manufacture the LH series, such as the drop forge, is Colt’s original tooling.
The K5 was imported into the U.S. in the 1990s under the name “DP-51.” Importation stopped when the Daewoo conglomerate was dismantled by the Korean Government in 1999. The weapon proved to be light, highly ergonomic, and well balanced. The DP-51s had a well-earned reputation for reliability and accuracy. The only common complaint that you hear about them today is the lack of parts and magazines. However, that’s been addressed by Lionheart Industries. Also, you can use S&W 59 series mags."
Have not got to shoot it yet, but it looks very nice. Fit and finish is very good, and the included extras are over the top.
What do you guys think? At $432 (free shipping) it was hard to pass up. I'll report back after the range. -Jim
My NEW 2013 5906 (aka Lionheart LH9)
Linear Mode
