5906 vs 915

carbon summit · Feb 21, 2023

Does anyone own both the 5906 and the 915 that could give me a first hand account of the differences?

I'm honestly not sure why you'd own both, but it never hurts to ask. I've been looking for a 5906 and found a 915 on an online estate auction in my area. I have not had a chance to go preview it in person yet.

I've Googled 5906 vs 915 and get the basic idea that the 5906 has a little nicer finish and ami safety which I don't care about since I'm a righty.

I did notice the backstrap has more of a curve to it on pics of 5906s I've seen but Google has also given me the impression that if the straighter backstrap of the 915 bugs me I could put 5906 grips on it? Same frame, different grips I'm guessing? I'd probably find some old Pachmayr grips if it really bothered me.

So final question, what should the price difference be between the two? I know the 5906 MSRP was around $200 more, so percentage wise a big jump when new, but the 915 was only made for a couple years, so maybe a little more scarce?

petepeterson · Feb 21, 2023

5906 is heavier, and stainless finish.
Both great pistols.

Amp · Feb 21, 2023

915 was lower entry price. I had a race gun built from one for steel matches and it worked great. Unfortunately my shooting skill could have been better.

mdf9183 · Feb 21, 2023

I did own a 915 but it burned up when my house burned. I do own a 5906 now but there is not a lot of difference shooting them, but 5906 looks better because of the stainless frame.

LVSteve · Feb 21, 2023

The 5906 is SHINEY!!!

Sevens · Feb 21, 2023

The 5906 is a "better" gun, costs more, "worth" more. The 915 might arguably be better suited to carry as it has a lighter alloy frame that would feel lighter on the belt. The 5906 will stand up to more punishment and a higher, harsher round count. The 5906's stainless finish is more durable than the low cost black matte finish on the 915.

The 5906 was offered with two different sight options... the adjustable rear sight with protective wings or the Novak low-mount fixed rear sight. The 915 had only a fixed rear, low cost old-school sight, no options.

The 915 has a smooth, redesigned frame that is a bit more svelte, the 5906 has the original stepped frame.

The 5906 was made for MANY years... debuting in 1988 and was made up to the very bitter end of the 3rd Gen run, nearly 20 years? The 915 was only made for about two years, from 1992 to 1993. There are more 5906's in circulation, but the 915 was made in huge volume in it's short run.

If the price and condition is similar, the 5906 is likely the better purchase UNLESS you need an all-day, every day carry/duty gun, at which point the 915 might be a better choice for some folks.

jbtrucker · Feb 21, 2023

I had a 5906 and 915 both straight and curved grips fit , the 5906 was rarely fired with smooth action the 915 was rattle trap.

rosewood · Feb 21, 2023

915 is basically a 5904 with a single sided safety.

Not to be confused with the 910 which was the value line with different sights and more plastic parts.

I owned a 915 for about a day. Got a super deal on it, then ended up trading it to a pawn shop for a 6904 before I even shot it. Probably only gun I ever owned and never shot.

Rosewood

Sevens · Feb 21, 2023

rosewood said:
915 is basically a 5904 with a single sided safety.

5904 has the stepped frame, has a much more durable finish and has either Novak sights or the protected adjustable rear sight.

915 and 5904 are certainly much more close than 915/5906, but the 5904 is a better handgun than the 915, no question.

I had forgot about the single sided decocker though, good call!

carbon summit · Feb 21, 2023

rosewood said:
915 is basically a 5904 with a single sided safety.

Not to be confused with the 910 which was the value line with different sights and more plastic parts.

I owned a 915 for about a day. Got a super deal on it, then ended up trading it to a pawn shop for a 6904 before I even shot it. Probably only gun I ever owned and never shot.

Rosewood

I know of a guy who has a 6906 that says his has only had 36 rounds through it, like new in the box with everything it came with from the factory.

That one temps me but I like the 4" barrel better and my P365 weights a half pound lighter than the 6909 so I doubt I'd ever carry it.

I'd be thrilled with a 5" barrel but it sounds like those are pretty rare to find

carbon summit · Feb 21, 2023

jbtrucker said:
I had a 5906 and 915 both straight and curved grips fit , the 5906 was rarely fired with smooth action the 915 was rattle trap.

I've heard the 910 felt cheap, this is the first time I've head the 915 was way different than the 5900 series. I know they are different alloys but you'd think the tolerances would be about the same?

carbon summit · Feb 21, 2023

This auction has a Model 59, 659 and a 915 all on it. Neat to see them all together.

BAM-BAM · Feb 21, 2023

I have both.....

The 915 or my FrankenSmith 6915 (6906 frame matted to a 915 slide) are my choice for EDC guns...... the 5906 is a tank and serves as a "home"/office/bedside gun!!!!

Racer X · Feb 21, 2023

In a pinch, if the 5906 is out of ammo, you can beat a rhino to death with it.

jsbethel · Feb 21, 2023

The only issue I have with the 915 is the pre-Novak style blank rear sight. I have the Trijicon SA04 sights on mine for a much better sight picture.

toddimusnimski · Feb 21, 2023

jsbethel said:
The only issue I have with the 915 is the pre-Novak style blank rear sight. I have the Trijicon SA04 sights on mine for a much better sight picture.

Good point. Some of the earlier 5906 models with the hooked trigger guard had that style rear sight too.

Todd

rosewood · Feb 21, 2023

915 next to 5903. The 915 has the pre-novak S&w sights. At this sample did.

cololab · Feb 22, 2023

I have both; only because I got a great deal on the pair many years ago. If, for whatever reasons, I had to pick one it would be the 5906. It is a durable, well built pistol.

HOUSTON RICK · Feb 22, 2023

The 5906 is heavier and more durable designed for LEO use, but there is nothing wrong with the under rated 915 under reasonable use and care it will give the same service. I am fond of both. Originally the 915 was made with some cheaper parts, but now it is an old classic that is no longer made. After market parts are not common but still available for both.

ACEd · Feb 25, 2023

915 - think economy version of 5904. Should weigh almost same as 5904 (blue) or 5903 (silver) - somewhat less weight than 5905 (blue steel frame) or 5906 (stainless frame). Functionally good, but finish arguably lower quality than blued 59xx series. Cheaper sights and possibly cheaper internals which may not be completely interchangeable (cant recall specifically but possibly different barrel). Grips should interchange - either straight or curved will fit.

5906 vs 915

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