2nd Gen 669 vs 3rd Gen 6906: which one?

[tomshilling]

Been looking at picking up a 6906 for some time, and recently added the 2nd Gen 669 to the list for consideration. They appear to be identical, but I know the 669 has the squared trigger guard and the 3-piece backstrap...

As they are selling for almost exactly the same money, and they share the same magazines, is there anything else I should consider when making a choice between the two? Mag capacity is the same, sights appear to be the same, size appears to be the same...only the numbering system seems to be different (apart from the trigger guard and backstrap.)

What am I missing? I have heard the squared trigger-guard is more difficult to match up holsters to, but I have not confirmed that.

thanks

 

[Grog]

By default, the 6906 is an upgrade from the 669 (3rd gen vs 2nd). I would say to get the 6906 even if it cost a little bit more.

 

[sgt.207]

I carried both as a duty weapon in the 80's. I would give the edge to the 6906 due to the upgrades and grip, even though the 669 was good too.

 

[s3dcor]

AFAIK the difference is cosmetic on these two models. The 669 has a white outline rear and red ramp while the 6906 has 2 white dots and a post front. Also the 669 has either a phillips head screw or a allen screw on the safety/decocker. Some of the early 6906's also had the square trigger guard. SCSW shows the 6906 to be worth a little more money but in reality it seems to be the other way around. I would buy either one depending on the condition and price. These are great trouble free and compact pistols.

I bought a 669 at a pawn shop last week for $300. It was the dirtiest S&W I ever bought. I completely disassembled and cleaned it to find an excellent pistol under the filth that now looks as good as a new one. Lots of small parts by the way, especially by the hammer.

 

[mlk18]

I agree with the sentiment thus far, both are great guns but I would probably go for the 6906. There is little difference between the two but I prefer the look, round trigger guard and delrin grips of the 6906.

 

[novalty]

What mlk18 said.

 

[Firespec35]

As a 669 owner (and I love my gun) and all other things being equal, I say get the 6906. The round triggerguard will be a lot easier to match to a holster.

 

[tomshilling]

I tend to agree and would prefer the 6906, but the 669's are keeping pace or surpassing the selling prices of the 6906's... and neither one is cheap. On most auctions, both tend to reach $400 - $450 on a regular basis. Even the blued 6904's are pushing $350. sigh
Darn you, Smith&Wesson, and your high retail values! oh wait...that's a good thing

 

[4864]

I am kind of in the same boat. Local Big Box store has a very nice and clean 669. They have it marked down to a good price. Have been looking for a 6906 for some time. The round trigger guard I like more so then square but it is just cosmetics. I keep thinking I 'need' the 669 due to the fact I have no 2nd Generation guns nor 1st Generation guns. May wait it out and see if they mark it down more.

 

[BHPFan]

Both are good pistols, but I like the 6906 better because it offers better ergonomic handling for me besides having Novak sights (which I like better). The 469/669 grip felt a little boxy to me.

Also, one thing that I like the 6906 (and 3rd Gen pistols in general) is that shooting DA, it is one long smooth pull instead of the two-stage pull that 2nd Gen pistols have.

I got my 6906 at a really good price (less than $300) that included two mags and Novak Night Sights.

Good luck in your search, either one is fine.

 

[rockhammer]

I had a 6906 that I bought in 2009 for $250 or so, I couldn't pass on a deal like that. It was extremely dirty, like it hadn't been cleaned after it was shot maybe 5 years ago, but once I took it apart and really cleaned it looked really nice.

I liked it for what it was: a fairly well designed, compact 9mm pistol, but since I don't carry or collect it wasn't really what I was looking for. I wasn't impressed with the trigger pull, which was long and heavy in DA and also quite heavy in SA as well with about 3/8" of take up. I sold it to a friend for what I paid and he's pretty happy about it and bought a nice scoped .22 rifle which I am happy about.

Since all the reviews of the 6906 seem to be rave I thought I would play devil's advocate and share my experience. I hope you enjoy whichever one you do chose.

 

[Fastbolt]

I owned a 469 for a while when I was younger (and before I was an instructor and armorer). I traded it off for some reason.

I carried one or another issued 6906 from the early production of the 3rd gens for several years. I fired what I estimated was upwards of 45+K rounds through one of them. Decent guns.

I've always had it in the back of my mind that some day I'd like to find a LNIB late production 6906 to add to my collection of 'working guns'.

Why from the late production period? Because I'd like to have the rounded trigger guard, MIM parts, newer ejector & extractor, wide barrel tab and straight-cut breech face and the slide machined for the Novak Low Mount rights. Also, they incorporated some machining improvements throughout the 90's.

If I came across a 469/669 for an incredibly low price, and it was in good shape, I'd probably not be adverse to picking it up and going through it, replacing some of the older parts with appropriate 3rd gen parts.

I still have a bunch of extra magazines packed away from the time I carried the 6906.

 

[unclekirk]

I purchased a pair of Model 669's from a Texas pawn shop last week for just over $500 tax included & I'm thrilled with them both. I've yet to fire a round through either waiting on my holster to be completed. I have large enough hands to handle the less than perfect design of the 669. It's good to read the comments from those who appreciate USA manufactured quality.
I've not visited this site enough yet to know whether I should check the "Post Quick Reply" box or the "Go Advanced" box below but Thanks anyway.

 

[max]

I have had a 669 for a number of years and have had no problems. It was what I carried out of state until a year ago and now I carry it every day.

 

[Jaymo]

My 6906 has the square TG and was a police trade in.
I was amazed at the condition, especially considering the age.
It was a detective's gun and was a lot cleaner than the patrolman's 5906 I bought from the same lot.

Did S&W have a recall on the 3rd gen grips?
If so, is it still in effect?
My 5906 and 6906 both have the grip without the dimple on the bottom.

My 5946 is a later, MIM gun (but still has the longer frame and slide) and it has the dimple.

Just wondering if I could get free grips for my 5906 and 6906 from the mother ship.

 

[ChuteFar]

669 caterpillar to 6906 butterfly, for free

I bought a 669 new in the mid-80s. It cycled very reliably with whatever ammo was on sale but was insanely inaccurate, like 4 foot groups at 25 yards. I put it away for several years, then sent it to Smith; it was way out of warranty. But four weeks later, at no charge, they sent me a gun with the same sn, but with the round tg, the grips (with dimple), the trigger, the safety lever, etc., of a 6906. It was just as reliable, but more comfortable to shoot, and very accurate. I still have it, still enjoy it.
The best mags for it were stainless Ramline. They held 15 rounds, because they used a "constant force" spring. Easy to load, utterly reliable. I wish I could find those for other guns, but it seems Ram-line is no more, for anything but .22.