1991 S&W 5906 - Factory Refinish and CS Experience

[raygixxer89]

Several years back I bought a used S&W 5906. It’s a 1991 model, with the flash-chromed hammer and trigger, rounded trigger guard, and Novak-style sights. It has always been one of my favorite guns.

It was fairly clean inside, but the finish - particularly on the slide - was scratched and worn from use when I acquired it. I had it for several years in such condition before I ultimately decided it needed a makeover. In October of 2023, I sent it to S&W for a bead-blast factory refinish.

Dealing with the wait time, payment, and ultimately the return shipping with S&W was a headache and a half; their customer service department gave conflicting timelines and answers, failed to charge my card when I provided it to them, and only communicated with me if I called to request a status update. In fact, my gun sat ready to be returned for nearly a month as my card had never been charged the first time they received the info. Once I learned this (via snail mail) and called back to charge my card again for the work, they actually sent the charge through. My gun then sat for almost another full month (and nearly a dozen calls to their customer service department) before they finally shipped it back to me. My experience was a poor one overall and I caution you if you must do any kind of PC work on any of your guns. It will take a very long time, you will be left in the dark every step of the way, and the customer service team will not be helpful.

Fast forward to last week: I finally got the gun shipped back after forwarding my dissatisfaction to management. For as much of a pain as the entire experience was, the gun looks brand new! Not a scratch or ding in sight and you’d think it was fresh out of its blue cardboard box. I’m excited to cause new marks of my own over the years!

But as one final middle finger to me - S&W reinstalled the magazine disconnect safety, which I remove from all of my 3rd Gens. I did not request that they to do this, I did not tell them it was absent, and I am quite displeased that they took it upon themselves to do so when it was sent to them purely for a refinish job…but I’m sure I’d get some excuse regarding liability if I called to complain. Had I known that would even be noticed, I’d have specifically stated I didn’t want it re-installed.

To wrap things up: it’s a 50/50 experience! My 5906 has definitely been restored to its original glory and it remains one of my favorite autos. The whole event was quite the fiasco though. If you have 6-9 months of patience, a calm demeanor for your many phone calls, and about $175 saved up, give your 3rd Gen a makeover!

Wow! That came out looking beautiful!

 

[Clayguy]

You did better than I. I sent in a 4566 a few month ago. I never did get the “quote letter” they said I’d get in 4 weeks. Long story short, they sent my pistol back after doing NOTHING!

I still like my old Smiths. But I despise the present day S&W.

Six months is very poor service. Inexcusable. 25 years ago, I sent a revolver back to have it bead blasted. I sent it off on a Monday, I got it back on Wednesday. Honest.

I just sent a new Ruger to factory for warranty service. 72 hours later it was sent back to me. Did a re-blue, replaced pawl and cylinder. Re-blue job was absolutely breath taking!

 

[Clayguy]

You did better than I. I sent in a 4566 a few month ago. I never did get the “quote letter” they said I’d get in 4 weeks. Long story short, they sent my pistol back after doing NOTHING!

I still like my old Smiths. But I despise the present day S&W.

Six months is very poor service. Inexcusable. 25 years ago, I sent a revolver back to have it bead blasted. I sent it off on a Monday, I got it back on Wednesday. Honest.

A bit off subject, but called Smith yesterday to see about a factory re-blue on my 1957 K38 Masterpiece. No go. Too old. They did provide names of gun shops that did superior blueing.

 

[stansdds]

A bit off subject, but called Smith yesterday to see about a factory re-blue on my 1957 K38 Masterpiece. No go. Too old. They did provide names of gun shops that did superior blueing.

Don't feel bad. S&W's current blueing is much more of a black finish that the Carbonia Oil blue finish on your K38. To get a blue finish that will actually look correct, expect to pay some big bucks.

 

[cobblefield]

5906

I have that same gun with similar issues you described. I have to say that after the refinish you have one impressive looking pistol. It is beautiful!

 

[beretta09]

I have a near perfect 6906, which IMHO is the best edc option. Takes 5906 mags if you need more fire power than 12. 600 + rounds and owned for over 20 years. What do you think?

 

[Big Dave in WNC]

***War story alert----

Man! That thing does look like it fell out of a 1991 time machine!

When I see a nice 5906 my first thought is this:

Catawba County (NC) Sheriff's Office adopted these not long after they came out. They were carried in locally made duty holsters (Cookesville Saddle Shop) that I was not crazy about but they were very popular in the area. I worked in LE in that county but not for the SO, although we were on their radio channel. Many of the deputies were understandably bitter about this as they loved and trusted their .357 magnum wheel guns.

Once nightshift (early in the morning around 4:00 AM) we overheard deputies getting dispatched to a particularly bad and violent home invasion in the northern part of the county. The suspects were able to get away despite numerous officers responding from several different directions. Only one suspect was identified well enough to identify later and they stole the victim's car (in my spotty memory of 32-33 years ago, I *think* it was a Nissan Maxima, but not 100% certain). In spite of the car and suspect descriptions, and practically every officer in the county being on the lookout, nothing was found for about 4 days.

Several days after the incident, we heard one of the deputies (who ironically was known for always finding or rolling up on trouble, but a GREAT guy, AND one of the most vocal opponents in the department of the shift from .357 Magnum to 9mm) came on the radio one Friday night about 9:00 PM obviously in a state of alert and quickly asked (yelled?) dispatch to confirm the color and tag on the Nissan suspect vehicle. They gave it to him and he stated that he was turning on it and going to initiate a vehicle stop. We knew from the sound of his voice that he was already hyper-vigilant.

Just a few seconds later he came on the radio screaming "SHOTS FIRED SHOTS FIRED" and said he was now in pursuit of the car, but he lost the car in downtown traffic on a Friday night. He told us later that he attempted a modified high risk stop and lit the car up with takedowns and spotlights and had just got out and the driver made a quick dynamic furtive movement that he was convinced was turning toward him with a handgun, so he fired a shot from the brand new 5906, but the suspect sped off.

They found the car abandoned later that night, and it was of course the victims car. The deputy's 9mm round had went through the rear glass, rear seat headrest, and CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP in the dead center of the driver's headrest.

Talk about one bitter deputy from then on, about switching to 9mm from .357. Of course no disrespect to the handgun or S&W, but caliber wise.

 

[roundels]

Don't be too hard on S&W about the shipping just yet. Fedex sets the bar for suck service. I've had packages sit for days in a warehouse 20 miles away and had them pass my town, land in another state and then pass me again on the way back to the place that they deliver from. If this annoys you, then it sucks to be you because you can forget about getting any customer service from them. If S&W says they took a week to pick up your gun believe them and consider yourself lucky.

 

[Taj]

Several years back I bought a used S&W 5906. It’s a 1991 model, with the flash-chromed hammer and trigger, rounded trigger guard, and Novak-style sights. It has always been one of my favorite guns.

It was fairly clean inside, but the finish - particularly on the slide - was scratched and worn from use when I acquired it. I had it for several years in such condition before I ultimately decided it needed a makeover. In October of 2023, I sent it to S&W for a bead-blast factory refinish.

Dealing with the wait time, payment, and ultimately the return shipping with S&W was a headache and a half; their customer service department gave conflicting timelines and answers, failed to charge my card when I provided it to them, and only communicated with me if I called to request a status update. In fact, my gun sat ready to be returned for nearly a month as my card had never been charged the first time they received the info. Once I learned this (via snail mail) and called back to charge my card again for the work, they actually sent the charge through. My gun then sat for almost another full month (and nearly a dozen calls to their customer service department) before they finally shipped it back to me. My experience was a poor one overall and I caution you if you must do any kind of PC work on any of your guns. It will take a very long time, you will be left in the dark every step of the way, and the customer service team will not be helpful.

Fast forward to last week: I finally got the gun shipped back after forwarding my dissatisfaction to management. For as much of a pain as the entire experience was, the gun looks brand new! Not a scratch or ding in sight and you’d think it was fresh out of its blue cardboard box. I’m excited to cause new marks of my own over the years!

But as one final middle finger to me - S&W reinstalled the magazine disconnect safety, which I remove from all of my 3rd Gens. I did not request that they to do this, I did not tell them it was absent, and I am quite displeased that they took it upon themselves to do so when it was sent to them purely for a refinish job…but I’m sure I’d get some excuse regarding liability if I called to complain. Had I known that would even be noticed, I’d have specifically stated I didn’t want it re-installed.

To wrap things up: it’s a 50/50 experience! My 5906 has definitely been restored to its original glory and it remains one of my favorite autos. The whole event was quite the fiasco though. If you have 6-9 months of patience, a calm demeanor for your many phone calls, and about $175 saved up, give your 3rd Gen a makeover!

Unfortunately, it's a policy when it comes to any safety device/mechanism on the gun. It's going to get shipped back to you the way it originally shipped from the factory.

 

[JMD999]

That it is. The only thing I have to compliment was the way it turned out!

And above all else, thats what you wanted. Patience is tough for us all.
Plus you know S&W went thru the whole gun before they returned it. That means a lot to me

 

[JMD999]

Glad you got it back safe and sound. I'm afraid we're stuck with these kinds of scenarios and reports until the company commits to fully funding and professionally staffing their repair/service facilities. My fear is that if this current situation prevails, shooters will begin to look elsewhere when considering a new firearm.

The good news about stainless steel is that it is a piece of cake to re-hab without the risk of shipping. and without all the aggravation and expense. Disassembly, soaking, cleaning and re-finishing is not a chore, and can be done without expensive tools and equipment.

Here's an old 5906 that was born March 6, 1992. A victim of an abusive PD and it's environment, it looked horrible when I got it. Heavy oxidation on the sights and under the grip, covered in horrible scratches and dings, full of gummy lubricants and shooting debris.

A couple of hours of hand labor, a silica shower, and approx $50 in replacement parts, including new grips, and voila, it's good as new.


Carter

2 1/2 pounds of stainless S&W magic, wonder what these would cost today- MSRP?

 

[stansdds]

2 1/2 pounds of stainless S&W magic, wonder what these would cost today- MSRP?

MSRP, adjusted for inflation, would be somewhere around $1400.

 

[Bourbonieer]

Several years back I bought a used S&W 5906. It’s a 1991 model, with the flash-chromed hammer and trigger, rounded trigger guard, and Novak-style sights. It has always been one of my favorite guns.

It was fairly clean inside, but the finish - particularly on the slide - was scratched and worn from use when I acquired it. I had it for several years in such condition before I ultimately decided it needed a makeover. In October of 2023, I sent it to S&W for a bead-blast factory refinish.

Dealing with the wait time, payment, and ultimately the return shipping with S&W was a headache and a half; their customer service department gave conflicting timelines and answers, failed to charge my card when I provided it to them, and only communicated with me if I called to request a status update. In fact, my gun sat ready to be returned for nearly a month as my card had never been charged the first time they received the info. Once I learned this (via snail mail) and called back to charge my card again for the work, they actually sent the charge through. My gun then sat for almost another full month (and nearly a dozen calls to their customer service department) before they finally shipped it back to me. My experience was a poor one overall and I caution you if you must do any kind of PC work on any of your guns. It will take a very long time, you will be left in the dark every step of the way, and the customer service team will not be helpful.

Fast forward to last week: I finally got the gun shipped back after forwarding my dissatisfaction to management. For as much of a pain as the entire experience was, the gun looks brand new! Not a scratch or ding in sight and you’d think it was fresh out of its blue cardboard box. I’m excited to cause new marks of my own over the years!

But as one final middle finger to me - S&W reinstalled the magazine disconnect safety, which I remove from all of my 3rd Gens. I did not request that they to do this, I did not tell them it was absent, and I am quite displeased that they took it upon themselves to do so when it was sent to them purely for a refinish job…but I’m sure I’d get some excuse regarding liability if I called to complain. Had I known that would even be noticed, I’d have specifically stated I didn’t want it re-installed.

To wrap things up: it’s a 50/50 experience! My 5906 has definitely been restored to its original glory and it remains one of my favorite autos. The whole event was quite the fiasco though. If you have 6-9 months of patience, a calm demeanor for your many phone calls, and about $175 saved up, give your 3rd Gen a makeover!

I picked up a new-old stock, brand spankin new, still in the box 5906 in 2020 from Buds, manufactured in October, 1994. I babied it, but recently decided it was meant for being used, not sitting in the safe to show my friends once every 12 months. Your experience with S&W gives me confidence they can restore whatever abuse I put it through, and trust me, I will abuse it....

 

[Bourbonieer]

MSRP, adjusted for inflation, would be somewhere around $1400.

Take my money... I think S&W is missing a huge opportunity here. I've heard they don't have the tooling anymore, but with the retro/vintage is new push they'd sell 5906s, 1006s, 1066s, and 4566s like hot cakes. I bet a run of 3913s would sell out quickly. Ahh, too bad.

 

[veeklog1]

Take my money... I think S&W is missing a huge opportunity here. I've heard they don't have the tooling anymore, but with the retro/vintage is new push they'd sell 5906s, 1006s, 1066s, and 4566s like hot cakes. I bet a run of 3913s would sell out quickly. Ahh, too bad.

I was able to score a 4006 and a 5946 TSW. The 4006 wasn’t in bad shape, but the 5946 TSW has some oxidation, the most being on the front of the trigger guard, top of the slide, and magazine. I stripped it down, soaked it in Evapo-Rust, and after I cleaned it off residue and oils it down, looked like the 4006. I will be sending both guns to Guzzi Taco in the next month for refinishing, action job, Alaska cuts, converting the 5946 TSW to DA/SA, and decocker only conversion for both.

I honestly wish S&W would reintroduced the 3rd Generation guns as 4th Generation guns

 

[K-22]

Ruger

I mean…not really. Just because I understand what their excuse would be doesn’t mean I approve of the unwarranted and unwanted modification.

Ruger, is well known for returning all guns to factory specs when performing any, work on a customers gun.
People in the know, remove any aftermarket parts before returning the gun for work.

Best,
Gary

 

[rosewood]

The ejector on my 4516-1 I picked up a little while back broke and I sent it in for replacement. It had the fat guide rod and single spring setup when I got it. I had a buddy make a bushing and had added a small guide rod and nested spring. The guide rod is nitrided instead of stainless finish. After I sent it in, I was concerned they might change it back to single spring since it left the factory that way. But that was also a upgrade they were doing to some guns. They didn't mess with it and it came back with the guide rod/spring the same as it came to them. I was relieved. The ejector was replaced and returned to me at no cost. I think it was about 3 weeks turnaround.

Rosewood