3rd gen frame question.

[i8tokyo]

As I understand the model numbers on 3rd gen pistols the first two numbers reflect the caliber the third number the style and the forth the frame make up. Such as in the 5906. The 59 means it's a 9mm, the 0 means standard pistol and the 6 means it has a stainless frame. Why did the 6906 difer from this number code since it has an alloy frame? Any ideas?

 

[scwv67]

By my reckoning, the 6906 should have been a 6913 since it was a compact model.

ETA:Saw this was your 1st post, Welcome to the Forum!

 

[tomuchiron]

6904

Not trying to high jack your thread.
but Smith's Numbers never seem to match what I'm holding.
I found an 6904 today. What does the 4 stand for.? It had an alloy frame. and black slide. Was the slide black stainless? Since all 3rd gens were supposed to have a SS slide.
Mike

 

[i8tokyo]

By my reckoning, the 6906 should have been a 6913 since it was a compact model.

ETA:Saw this was your 1st post, Welcome to the Forum!

My thoughts exactly and thank you for the welcome!

The 6904 actually follows the numbering system sorta. The 69 stands for 9mm and the 4 would mean alloy frame carbon (blued) slide. Now the 0 as I understood it means standard size where the compact size pistol should have been represented by a 1. Go figure...

 

[handgunner356]

The numbering system does not always hold true, especially as new models came along. 59-full size double stack, 39-full size single stack and 69-compact double stack started out OK, but as more options came out it got cluttered real quick. The third digit usually was reseved for operation, 0-TDA, 4-DAO, 2-3-7-Sig style decocker on various frame sizes. But then there is the 6 & 9 which had to do with slide/barrel length and the 1 which makes for both a compact slide and frame. The 6906 is oddball though, I would have called it a 6903 myself.

 

[GaryS]

I've joked before that the 6906 was designed as a companion to the 5906. The intended market being chiefs and detectives. Someone in marketing rejected the 6903 model designation because it would confuse the chiefs. Other people disagree and insist that the 6906 should have been the 6913.

The numbering system does not always hold true, especially as new models came along. 59-full size double stack, 39-full size single stack and 69-compact double stack started out OK, but as more options came out it got cluttered real quick. The third digit usually was reseved for operation, 0-TDA, 4-DAO, 2-3-7-Sig style decocker on various frame sizes. But then there is the 6 & 9 which had to do with slide/barrel length and the 1 which makes for both a compact slide and frame. The 6906 is oddball though, I would have called it a 6903 myself.

 

[firescout]

The 'parent' gun for the 6904/6906 was the 469, correct?

 

[S&Wman]

The numbering system info is in the Sticky Notable Thread Index:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-.../152078-s-w-semi-auto-model-designations.html