Please tell me about this Mod. 5906 & grips

[olivehead1]

I know there is some issue relative the grips on early 5906s, and that a "good" grip would have a dimple on the bottom. That's about all I know. This 5906 came as you see it with Hogue 2-piece rubber grips. From the serial number starting with TDB and the square-ish trigger guard, I'm thinking it has to be from 1989 or 1990.

What was the issue relative to the grips, and was it strictly related to the grip itself, such that if I pick up a factory plastic grip for it that has the dimple on the bottom, I'd be good to go?

Thanks for any info.

[Skoll]

From what I was told, the original factory grips were prone to breakage and that was it. Nothing else really wrong with the gun.

[olivehead1]

Originally Posted by Skoll

From what I was told, the original factory grips were prone to breakage and that was it. Nothing else really wrong with the gun.

Thanks. I think I may have confirmed this by exercising a little Google Fu. Seems that if dropped at the right angle, the original grips could crack or otherwise break and release mainspring tension so that the gun wouldn't fire. The recall and later grips were just made of a different material that wouldn't crack under the same circumstances. No mention of any other function issues.

So in theory it seems that any factory one-piece grip would fit and function properly, even if made pre-recall, just as long as I don't drop the gun.

[TTSH]

OP, your understanding is correct. Here is the recall notice itself (about 1/3 down the web page): Firearm Recalls and Safety Warnings- FirearmsID.com

[olivehead1]

Originally Posted by TTSH

Here is the recall notice itself (about 1/3 down the web page): Firearm Recalls and Safety Warnings- FirearmsID.com

Great, thank you. This looks like the recall notice I came across, but in a different format. That is a helpful page to save to "favorites."

[jsbethel]

Midway has both curved and straight grips in stock. The original grip pin is used in the Hogue installation.

[Sevens]

You're absolutely correct, you have nothing to worry about (function-wise) if your pistol isn't wearing the original, first run production 3rd Gen grips.

The Hogue is (in my opinion of course) both good and bad. Good as the grippy surface is incredibly grabby and all of the S&W original delrin grips (both pre and post recall) are incredibly slippery.

On the bad side... the Hogue grip is really FAT, and even more so when it's installed on an already-thick double stack such as the 5906.

Old Hogue grips also break down, dry out and chip off in pieces. If you like the look and feel of that big Hogue, it's very easy to find a replacement.

[Skoll]

Are there really only two sources for decent wood grips? I've heard the Hogue wood grips are really bad quality.

[Sevens]

I don't think the Hogue wood is bad quality, but it's just as gargantuan as the Hogue rubber. There are two other sources for wood grips... one is Nill amd that Nill grip would cost nearly as much as the pistol itself and might require modification to the pistol to install.

The other option are the new ones out of Turkey.

[Skoll]

My friend has told me every pair of Hogue wood grips he ever ordered has cracked. I'm looking at the Nill grips page and don't see any prices.


EDIT : Nevermind, have to click on their store link. *******, those are expensive...

[Sevens]

SMITH & WESSON - KSD GRIPS
KSD grips is the one whose name I couldn't recall.