New to the forum 5903

[its_Dale]

How's it going guys? I just purchased a 5903 from a friend for $300. I've always been in love with these SW style guns, just from the looks alone. The only other S&W I own is the MP Sport 2 rifle and a .38 revolver. I'm currently waiting the 10 day hold (California) and don't have the gun on me at the moment. I have a couple of questions:

How can I tell what generation this gun is, or build date? The serial is TEC####
Why is the trigger guard different from other 5903's ive seen?
I would love to add a hogue rubber grip. How will the grip size compare to my Glock 21SF?

Thanks!

[AlHunt]

Third generation and a later one at that. Earlier production had the large, ugly square trigger guard and enormous Dumbo ears protecting the rear sight.

You have the better one.

ETA: Whoops. You have the ugly trigger guard but not the horrible rear sight. Look before you type, huh?

Originally Posted by its_Dale

How's it going guys, I just purchased a 5903 from a friend for $300. I've always been in love with these SW style guns, just from the looks alone. The only other S&W I own is the MP Sport 2 rifle and a .38 revolver. Does anyone know what generation this gun is? I'm currently waiting the 10 day hold (California) and don't have the gun on me at the moment. I've notice the trigger guard is different from other pictures I've seen of other 5903's.

[its_Dale]

Originally Posted by AlHunt

Third generation and a later one at that. Earlier production had the large, ugly square trigger guard and enormous Dumbo ears protecting the rear sight.

You have the better one.

ETA: Whoops. You have the ugly trigger guard but not the horrible rear sight. Look before you type, huh?

haha thanks for the info!

[pharmer]

SCSW 4th: 1989 TCW,TED,TEE,TEH.
1990 TBZ,TDH,TEF,TEP,TFA,TFE,TFH,TFN,THA,THB.

Somewhere in thereabouts I'd imagine. Joe

[jsbethel]

Very nice! Early 5903 grips were subject to a recall. If your grips have no dimple on the bottom, S&W owes you an updated grip if they have them in stock (possibly a moot point if you're replacing them with Hogues). The pistol also appears to have Trijicon night sights which can be re-lamped if dead - much better than the early factory sights.

[its_Dale]

Originally Posted by jsbethel

Very nice! Early 5903 grips were subject to a recall. If your grips have no dimple on the bottom, S&W owes you an updated grip if they have them in stock (possibly a moot point if you're replacing them with Hogues). The pistol also appears to have Trijicon night sights which can be re-lamped if dead - much better than the early factory sights.

Thanks for that. I'll be sure to look out for the dimple or lack there of. And you are correct, they are Trijicon night sites

[jsbethel]

You might want to consider searching for Uncle Mike's grips - they are thinner than Hogue grips -
Uncle Mike's "Craig Spegel" Designed 3rd Generation Grips

[1775usmarine]

Nice score. My 5903 with square trigger and adjustable sights is a TEH made 5/29/1990.

[TTSH]

Very nice gun (one of my favorites - I tend to favor the lighter aluminum-framed 3rd Gens) ... and quite a bargain at $300. Congratulations!

Originally Posted by its_Dale

Why is the trigger guard different from other 5903's I've seen?

It's one of the earliest 3rd Gens. I have that hooked trigger guard on my early-production Model 4506. It went out of style fairly quickly and S&W went back to round trigger guards as God had always intended.

[damienph]

Welcome to the forum! I prefer the round trigger guard but I find the square ones far from ugly. I have a 439 with the round and a 669 with the square. My son has a 39-2 and 59, both round.. We oth really like the all metal Smith semi-autos.

Like others have said, you got a heck of a deal on that 5903.

[jhnttrpp]

Originally Posted by AlHunt

Third generation and a later one at that. Earlier production had the large, ugly square trigger guard and enormous Dumbo ears protecting the rear sight.

You have the better one.

ETA: Whoops. You have the ugly trigger guard but not the horrible rear sight. Look before you type, huh?

Wait, Wait, Mr Hunt did you just say that my child has big ugly ears and a Jimmy Durante nose. Well I never. She looks just like her mother and I would never say anything bad about her. By the way we call her 659 in honor of the first pistol I ever bought way back in 1988. All of our other children are much prettier but we love her just the same.

[daddio202]

seems everybody got caught up in the ears and trigger guard asthetics part of your question. fairly easy to tell generations apart but gets a little complicated after that. 1st gens=2 digit i.e. 39,59 etc. 2nd generation =3 digits i.e. 539,639 etc. and 3 rd. generation=4 digits i.e. 5903

[primersp]

I have a glock 21sf and a, 5906 for me the grips are the same

[BAM-BAM]

Nice score at a really good price.................some refer to the early guns as "transitional" ........as they had the old style rear sight/not Novak's and the square trigger guard.