I stopped by a local pawn shop to see if they had any used S&W revolvers and saw this like new 5904 in the case. It came with 5 original (orange follower) S&W factory 15 rd mags as well as the original factory paperwork in a badly damaged box .

I wasn't looking for another 9mm, but when I considered the extra mags (compatible with my 5906) I thought $300.00 was a good price so I bought it. My 5906 has been one of my favorites and can only imagine this 5904 will be even better due to the lighter weight alloy frame. I may even actually carry this one.

A quick look at GB and I was surprised to see how cheap these are (or not) selling for. I paid almost $100.00 more for my polymer 9mm Shield than this all metal, classic beauty.

Am I missing something? Why are they so cheap?

How much did these cost when they were new?

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That is pretty much the non-"Value Line" version of the 915. That has an ambi-decocker and higher quality sights than the 915 has. I can only guess at original MSRP and I'll bet someone can get a closer figure but it was very likely nearing $600 I would bet.

Fantastic pistol but a huge flood of these and 915's and similar 3rd Gens from the early 90's have kind of flooded the market lately, and a lot of them are re-imported former duty/service issued guns.

Frankly at $300 and with 5 mags, you really got a fantastic deal. I don't need one and I don't care for alloy frames but absolutely no way I wouldn't buy that package at $300.

I don't think you hit the jackpot with a future collectible, but at $300, yes, an absolute must-buy. Well done.

Great catch.................I'm a 915 and 5906 fan myself....

Would have been all over that for $300....... and I have no need for another hi-cap 9mm.

Have you ever tried a straight backstrap???

That's a nice gun. I had an earlier version (square trigger guard) for a few years until I decided to sell it on. I kept my 5906 which I bought ANIB from a co worker in the early 1990s. If he ever shot it, it sure didn't show.

I think I paid $370.00 all in with two magazines about five years ago. That was a bargain at that time, so you did really well. If nothing else, you can probably sell it for about what you paid for it and keep 3 magazines.

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They thought that they had a 915 and still undervalued it by 75 bucks


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I need to stay out of places that sell used guns. I almost always find something interesting and have to convince myself not to buy. I almost walked out, but those darn extra mags are what pushed me over the edge this time!

And, yes. My 5906 has a straight backstrap. I haven't fired the 5904 yet, but I think I like the feel of the curved better.

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Interesting 5906......2nd generation round trigger guard w/ early transition rear sight?????

Use to feel the same way about the curved grips ...... but over the years all my 915/59xx have ended up with straight grips......

That's a nice 5904 but your 5906 is very interesting. The combination of early blade rear sight, flash chromed hammer and trigger with a rounded trigger guard (not to mention the early serial number) would seem to indicate that the frame has been replaced sometime in the pistol's past. Are you aware of it's history?

I've had it for about 10 years. I bought it from my brother who originally bought it from one of his friends who I believe bought it new.

Here's a view of the other side:

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I think that's a steal at that price, moreso with the mags.

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Because of the metric system?

I was just attempting to remove the curved grips to inspect and clean under and they fell apart. I had a set of Houge grips for my "straight back" 5906 and they fit perfectly.

Boy, do I feel stupid. I always thought the different grip backstraps was a "frame" issue and you had to order a curved or straight "frame" from the factory as you would with a revolver.

I learn something new every day!

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You did great. I have a 915 and 5903, both with alloy frames. Frankly, I have always believed that the 5906 was overkill for the 9mm round. At one time I had both a 5906 and 5903, and shot them both together at the range. For me, considering weight and balance, the 5903 is the superior of the two . . . in 9mm. I would very much like to find a 5904 for the price you paid. The thing about black alloy frame S&W autos is that they show every little ding. Yours looks really nice.

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Wow, you got a great deal there. I thought I did good with my 915, got it on Gunbroker for $240, 2 mags, + s/h and FFL transfer... I think I ended up paying $285 or so. For $15 and tax more, you got the original box (tattered or not) and 3 more mags... congrats!

Regarding the dings and scratches on the auminum frame, I had a pretty big scratch on the underside of my dustcover. Wiped it down with Birchwood Casey Aluminum Black, and it disappeared. I've used that stuff on my Beretta frame too, and it does great.

$300....= smoking deal with the mags.

Let's get back on that EXTREMELY odd 5906!

I have a theory that sounds far fetched but hear me out...
From just the photo evidence, I would suggest that it was an earlier 5906 that developed some very rare problem in the frame, was sent back to S&W and was replaced under warranty.

That serial number is early but that frame is NOT, not when the SN and model AND "SPFLD, MA USA" in the black letter style, that kind of etching is very late in the production run!

I even want to say it has the original guts from around 88-1990 inside that MUCH newer frame.

To me, it really looks like S&W took a new frame and stamped the original number on it and migrated all the original parts including the entire top end.

This is a very cool pistol!

Thank you! Now I'm curious.

The complete serial number is TCU8981 and as far as I know, it's all original. The only part I replaced is the rear site, but it was an exact replacement for the original which had minor damage.

I sent it to S&W for service a few years ago and they installed a new extractor, but that's it's only visit to the mother-ship that I am aware of.

I couldn't find any numbers on the slide or barrel. Would any additional photos help?

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I don't think more photos would tell us the answer...

On the picture posted of the right side of the pistol -- an older period-correct frame would have the classic round S&W logo over the slide stop hole. We can see that it does not. (Your 915 shows us)

This newer frame would not have one because the classic round S&W logo on a newer pistol is laser etched on the left hand side of the pistol, prominently on the slide. It's beautiful, actually, and makes the newer pistols quite attractive.

A factory letter would tell you, but that would take time and money. I honestly believe it might be worth a phone call to S&W with a simple question if they have record of having replaced the frame.

This kind of stuff is fun, it's like looking for an easter egg!

I've nominated this for the "Understatement of The Year" trophy. You should clear space on the mantle for it.

Okay. This is getting very odd.

I called S&W this morning about the 5906. CS rep said it was born 1/12/05. I thought they stopped making them around 1998!

Said it was original and no records of a frame swap. Also mentioned that they would not re-serial number a frame to an already (prior) designated serial number.

His only explanation is that S&W had a few "special" runs of 5906's possibly as late as 2006. He was also confused about the very early serial number and wanted to dig a little deeper and get back to me.

I did a little research myself and don't see another like it anywhere with the same markings and configuration. I am more than a little curious now as I am pretty sure I've had this for at least 10 years or possibly longer.

I will update when I hear back from S&W.

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I have an extremely hard time believing that S&W made a 5906 "new in 2005" with a non-Novak rear fixed sight, basically a 2nd Gen rear sight!

I know S&W is famous for "using up any/all parts!" and pinching a penny when they can... but a slide assembly from like 1989 on a frame birthed after the year 2000 but not using MIM trigger and hammer but rather using internal parts all from circa-1989? Really?

Call me skeptical...!

I know what you're saying and I completely agree, but this is what S&W is telling me. I am even more confused.

If S&W gets back to me and doesn't shed any "sensible" light on this firearm, I just may have to get it lettered and hope for a plausible explanation.

In any case, thank you for noticing and bringing this to my attention. It's always fun when you find out you may have something a bit out of the ordinary!

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Figured you guys would have it all figured out by now.................


Grips fell apart????

Still a mystery. Looking for answers on the 5906 and only coming up with more questions!

And yes. The grips on the 5904 were very brittle and as I was trying to remove them, they broke into pieces. Probably from a solvent cleaner penetrating them somewhere along the line.

It wound up turning into an epiphany for me as I learned that it was only the grips that were different and not the frame on the straight vs curved backs. I found a set of NOS straight backs on ebay and they were the least expensive I could find. Until the original factory replacements arrive on Monday, I installed a set of Hogues I had for my 5906.

I think that one of the greatest things about S&W is the interchangeability of magazines and parts for so many similar models!

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Now I truly wish to say this in a manner that comes out as intended:

In NO POSSIBLE WAY would I even begin to suggest that I am an authority on these things and in 5 minutes I could search our forum and find 25 guys that I would bow in honor to, way way above whatever knowledge I may have gathered in 2.5 decades of playing in the S&W game. So please know that I mean that when I say it.

With that said:
The people who answer phones (and answer some questions) at S&W are sometimes... ummm... well... I would like to be nice about this, but sometimes you can get a person on the phone who knows less about some older S&W guns than maybe your 9-year old nephew does. I have personally talked with a paid, travelling company representative at a "meet the manufacturer day!" and this guy not only had never heard of a S&W 1006... I left the conversation nearly sure that he wasn't aware of the 10mm cartridge. This man was older than 30 years of age and wearing the logo on his shirt and showing the world the newest array of S&W tupperware.

I say all that to merely say... calling S&W is totally the right idea (quick and low in cost! haha) but some of what you MIGHT hear from them won't even get you a free coffee at a state-sponsored rest area along the expressway. In my opinion of course.

Sorry. Hope that reads like I intend.

Brownells still has grips fairly cheap. Those Ebay prices can get crazy.

Grip, Straight : GRIP, STRAIGHT | Brownells

It does and I do understand completely.

I've asked a question (about a ported 60-10) to 2 different S&W CS reps within minutes of each other (because I didn't believe the first) and got completely different answers.

S&W CS has always been friendly and is trying to be helpful, but I'm not sure how detailed and/or accessible their record resources are. I'm honestly not holding my breath for their answer and realize that I will probably need to get a letter if I want solid information.

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I know pre-recall grips were prone to brittleness and cracking but post-recall grips (as that pistol should have had) should be more robust.
Did the old grips have a dimple on the bottom as pictured indicating post-recall?

Attached Images

5904BUTTa.jpg (6.0 KB, 26 views)

I didn't look and already trashed them, but they did break way too easily. The 5904 build date was 6/97 according to S&W, so if this was prior to the recall, it would make sense. I've also seen plastic get brittle from sunlight or solvents, but would assume S&W formulates its plastic to be UV and chemical resistant.

My 5906 grip has the dimple and they've been on and off several times with no issues.

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Interesting - the recall period was prior to mid 1990.

Somewhere else on here there's a 6906 someone called and got a 2006 build date on. I think it was a run for the California DOC. I have a same s/n prefix 6906.

I believe S&W does occasional contract runs of otherwise out of production firearms for law enforcement types of things.

Not that any of that explains your early s/n with late features.