Looking at buying one. Besides the difference in caliber is either model more desirable? The 5906 has the spur hammer so if you decock it can you cock the hammer for single action? or does it have to be DA first shot? The 4006 has some type partial hammer and could be cocked but a little hard.
4006 or 5906
- Thread starter tecumseh
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Dot_mdb
Member
Everything depends on what you like and what you are going to use the gun for. I don't like spur hammers on carry guns. Also, I like larger calibers for heavier guns. Both of those guns are heavy, about 38 ounces, so for me the 4006 would be my choice if I had intentions of carrying it.
I own a 4046 that I only occasionally carry. For range purposes the 5906 might be more desirable because of lower ammo costs and the ability to easily cock the hammer.
Bill
I own a 4046 that I only occasionally carry. For range purposes the 5906 might be more desirable because of lower ammo costs and the ability to easily cock the hammer.
Bill
Good point...mostly for carry but range to...the 4006 may be the way to go....for $359.00 hard to pass on.
That's a good price for the 4006.
And since the 4006 & 5906 are built on the same platform, there is no real advantage of one of the other in design features... it really comes down to a difference (if any) of the "creature comforts" present on the two... fixed versus adjustable sights, bobbed versus spur hammer, curved versus straight grips (just to name a few of the variations) and price difference.
With a spur hammer the 4006 will operate identically to the 5906, which is cock the hammer for SA, and pull the trigger with the hammer down for DA.
I have 2 4006's and a 2nd Gen 559 (9mm)... the 40's have a bit of a snappier recoil, but it's tempered by the weight of the pistol.
One of my 4006's came with a bobbed hammer, it was easy for me to swap it out with a spur hammer. You can find relatively inexpensive "parts kits", of just a hammer assembly, on GunBroker to find a spur hammer with the main spring strut attached...then it's a "plug & play" kind of swap if you've done any work in these pistols before.
9mm ammo is slightly cheaper, and you have the advantage of milsurp being available, where .40 S&W is limited to commercial (no milsurp).
I'm chicken... I didn't want to have to make a decision, so I got pistols in both calibers
And since the 4006 & 5906 are built on the same platform, there is no real advantage of one of the other in design features... it really comes down to a difference (if any) of the "creature comforts" present on the two... fixed versus adjustable sights, bobbed versus spur hammer, curved versus straight grips (just to name a few of the variations) and price difference.
With a spur hammer the 4006 will operate identically to the 5906, which is cock the hammer for SA, and pull the trigger with the hammer down for DA.
I have 2 4006's and a 2nd Gen 559 (9mm)... the 40's have a bit of a snappier recoil, but it's tempered by the weight of the pistol.
One of my 4006's came with a bobbed hammer, it was easy for me to swap it out with a spur hammer. You can find relatively inexpensive "parts kits", of just a hammer assembly, on GunBroker to find a spur hammer with the main spring strut attached...then it's a "plug & play" kind of swap if you've done any work in these pistols before.
9mm ammo is slightly cheaper, and you have the advantage of milsurp being available, where .40 S&W is limited to commercial (no milsurp).
I'm chicken... I didn't want to have to make a decision, so I got pistols in both calibers
That's a good price for the 4006.
And since the 4006 & 5906 are built on the same platform, there is no real advantage of one of the other in design features... it really comes down to a difference (if any) of the "creature comforts" present on the two... fixed versus adjustable sights, bobbed versus spur hammer, curved versus straight grips (just to name a few of the variations) and price difference.
With a spur hammer the 4006 will operate identically to the 5906, which is cock the hammer for SA, and pull the trigger with the hammer down for DA.
I have 2 4006's and a 2nd Gen 559 (9mm)... the 40's have a bit of a snappier recoil, but it's tempered by the weight of the pistol.
One of my 4006's came with a bobbed hammer, it was easy for me to swap it out with a spur hammer. You can find relatively inexpensive "parts kits", of just a hammer assembly, on GunBroker to find a spur hammer with the main spring strut attached...then it's a "plug & play" kind of swap if you've done any work in these pistols before.
9mm ammo is slightly cheaper, and you have the advantage of milsurp being available, where .40 S&W is limited to commercial (no milsurp).
I'm chicken... I didn't want to have to make a decision, so I got pistols in both calibers
I was wondering if you could swap hammers.....thats good to know.
5906fan
Member
the 5906 has an advantage in more rounds in the mag. haveing shot the .40 into wet stacked cardboard for crude testing I don't see any advantage over the 9mm. this is jhp's.
Palmetto Sharpshooter
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I prefer the 5906 over the 4006. My 5906s are much more enjoyable to shoot over my 4006s.
SgtSam
Member
I had a 5906 and it was a great weapon. Never had a moments trouble with it. Put several thousand rounds through it before I sold it to my son-in-law.
I never did fit very well with the gun. It was a little to large for my hand. But, I liked it well enough until I bought my first Browning Hi-Power. Then I never touched it again. When I added a second Hi-Power, it was time to sell it. My son-in-law liked it and I made him an offer he couldn't refuse. He still has it and still loves it. And, it's still holding up with no problems.
The Illinois State Police used to use those and many of the officers really liked them. A lot were not all that happy when the switch was made to .40 S&W. A lot still aren't.
The gun was originally designed as a 9mm. Don't know what changes they made to make it a .40. Good luck on whatever choice you make.
SgtSam
I never did fit very well with the gun. It was a little to large for my hand. But, I liked it well enough until I bought my first Browning Hi-Power. Then I never touched it again. When I added a second Hi-Power, it was time to sell it. My son-in-law liked it and I made him an offer he couldn't refuse. He still has it and still loves it. And, it's still holding up with no problems.
The Illinois State Police used to use those and many of the officers really liked them. A lot were not all that happy when the switch was made to .40 S&W. A lot still aren't.
The gun was originally designed as a 9mm. Don't know what changes they made to make it a .40. Good luck on whatever choice you make.
SgtSam
you can get 17 rd flush fit beautiful quality Mec-Gar mags for the 5906. Nothing but the 11 rounders for the 4006 as far as I know, and I just asked this here early this week.
With some of the ultra powerful 9mm +P or +P+ rounds that an all steel 5906 can handle, they rival or surpass most .40 S&W rounds.
With some of the ultra powerful 9mm +P or +P+ rounds that an all steel 5906 can handle, they rival or surpass most .40 S&W rounds.
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calynn
Member
How would those fit in a 4006?
calynn
Member
It was really more of a question... it was categorized on Midway USA under magazines for the 4006. Guess it will not fit a 4006, I wouldn't know as I don't have one. Just a suggestion.
Scotter260
Member
Used 11-round excellent condition 4006 mags can be had here for $7.97 a piece:
MAG-644 - Mag S&W Factory M4006, 11 Round Stainless .40 S&W Used Excellent Condition
Now you have no reason not to have plenty o' mags!
MAG-644 - Mag S&W Factory M4006, 11 Round Stainless .40 S&W Used Excellent Condition
Now you have no reason not to have plenty o' mags!
goldenlight
Member
I've owned both. I still have my 5906.
Even though I reload, as hard as I tried, I could never get the accuracy I expected, and wanted, from my 4006.
Groups with jacketed bullets in my 4006 were about twice the size of groups I could get using cast lead bullets in my 5906, at the same distance.
Even though I reload, as hard as I tried, I could never get the accuracy I expected, and wanted, from my 4006.
Groups with jacketed bullets in my 4006 were about twice the size of groups I could get using cast lead bullets in my 5906, at the same distance.
Knightrider03m
Member
I would go with the 5906. As most know, I hate .40 rounds as much as I hate paying bills.
$2Ray
Member
Unless you don't want to go .45 cal., you may also want to include the 4516 in your search. It's all stainless, has a bobbed hammer & built like a tank.
I just picked one up LNIB on Gunbroker, so nice ones are still out there.
Can't go wrong with any 3rd Generation Smiths.....good luck.
I own both and love both,they have their place,my 5906 is just a range gun and my 4006 is going into my carry rotation soon.I'm one of those people that doesn't care for a 9mm.Mind you I love them and have carried them,but i will always come back to my 357 for all my real needs.This is the semi-auto forum and my choice is the 4006 every time.They in a sense are the same gun,both are about 40 oz's,both have 4 inch barrel,both have the same triggur pull on first shot,heck the only difference is the caliber.BTW if you are looking for a deal on a 4006 check this site out they have them on sale for 315.00 www.summitgunbroker.com
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