590? - Help Identifying A Model

[MilwGuitarist]

here's the story - i use to own a full size 9mm in the early 90's and i'd like to TRY and find out what it was and if possible find one to buy - i just bought a bunch of old catalogs (1990 on up) that i'm going to go through and see if it triggers a memory - here's what i remember about it:


like i said it was a full size 9mm that came with 2 15 round mags - it was black but i think they called it blued? i'm almost positive it was a 590 something - it had the shorter sights - i bought it in 1991 or 1992 - i'm leaning more towards 1992



i've been searching the internet to try and find a pic of what i remember and i was hoping that some of you might be able to post pics of what you think i might be talking about - i know it's a long shot but i'm determined to try and find it - it was the first nice gun i ever owned and it would be an awesome addition to my collection - once those catalogs arrive i'll go through them and see what i come up with - thanks

 

[geo57]

5904 ?

FWIW,

Here is my 5904 if that helps. It was made in 1989 according to S&W.

 

[MilwGuitarist]

you're trigger guard looks more familiar than on the one i posted a link for - what year is it and thanks for the reply

 

[geo57]

you're trigger guard looks more familiar than on the one i posted a link for - what year is it and thanks for the reply

You're welcome. As I stated above S&W told me it was made in 1989. The later made 5904 pistols had a rounded trigger guard and a Novak style rear sight. I wish you good luck with yours.

 

[MilwGuitarist]

wow unless someone throws something else out there that changes my mind i think the 5904 was what i had - just like this one


Smith & Wesson Model 5904 9 mm

 

[murphydog]

A model 915 would have also been very similar.

 

[MilwGuitarist]

i looked at one online and it said they started in 1993 - is that true? if it is it would not have been the one i had -

 

[skjos]

Search for the following models and see if any trigger your memory:

915 - this would have an alloy frame and a few other tweaks
5904 - this would have an alloy frame
5905 - this would be all steel
5924 - this would have an alloy frame with a frame decocker
5944 - this would have an alloy frame and be DAO

 

[ACEd]

5904, 5905, 5944 most likely candidates blued with 14 or later 15 round magazines. 5904 Aluminum frame, 5905 much less common - same as 5904 but steel frame, 5944 like 5904 but Double Action Only (no safety). Variations include 3 different sight options, adjustable, early (short) fixed, or late (Novak) (longer) fixed. Early D or later curved trigger guard.

 

[ACEd]

i looked at one online and it said they started in 1993 - is that true? if it is it would not have been the one i had -

915 formally introduced in 1993 but based on other models history, it could have been available in late 1992. But looks pretty much same as 5904

 

[4T5GUY]

wow unless someone throws something else out there that changes my mind i think the 5904 was what i had - just like this one

Looks like you have it figured out. I was going to ask you what sights yours had but I was at “work.” My smart phone is too stupid to be any good to post easily.

I’m probably wrong once again but I believe the Novak rear sights were later. Just going by price and not condition, years ago I got a 3904 first, soon followed by a 5904. Both were at a somewhat local shop to me and no one was interested in them. I was and I like things the same plus the price was low for each.

Jim

 

[MilwGuitarist]

is the 5904 SA/DA or DA only? i remember it having a safety

 

[MilwGuitarist]

are those both 5904's?

 

[Sevens]

I will guess based on when and the sheer ridiculous VOLUME of them they made, you most likely owned the S&W 915.

Did you have a right side decock (safety) lever or was the right side smooth? 915 had only the left side lever, 5904 had both sides.

 

[MilwGuitarist]

pretty sure it was both sides

 

[geo57]

is the 5904 SA/DA or DA only? i remember it having a safety

A 5904 is SA/DA

 

[MilwGuitarist]

i'm pretty sure the 5904 is what i had - now i have to find one to buy

 

[GerSan69]

Well, I don't think you'd be far off if you bought a 915 or a 5904, or even the easier-to-find 5906. Good luck, the search can be as much fun as the find!

 

[rwsmith]

Guide to S&W semi auto pistols....

The website 'lucky gunner' has a chart showing features.

 

[ACEd]

Blued & Safety both sides 14/15 round = 5904 or 5905.

Extended Trigger Guard ("D" shape) 1988-90
Curved Trigger Guard 1991-up
Original Fixed Sight 1988-89
Novak Fixed Sight 1990-up
Adjustable Sight - 1989-1993
One other variation - Curved or Straight Grips

5905 very rare steel frame blued - most likely you had 5904 as I think you have concluded.

 

[ACEd]

Variations illustrate evolution of 5904 - sights and trigger guard

 

[ACEd]

Catalog References Pistols - 1989-92

 

[MilwGuitarist]

yes i'm quite positive it was a 1990 5904 - i just want to thank all of you for your help - now the quest of finding one!

 

[ACEd]

Gunbroker has 4 5904 right now - all but one look kinda rough but set up a search and email results - they are out there. 5903 is same aluminum frame but silver, 5906 is same but silver with stainless frame. Personally I would stay away from beat up looking 5903/5904 as Aluminum frame is more susceptible to wear issues than the 5906.

 

[MilwGuitarist]

yes i've seen those on there - there is a 5906 on another site listed as new old stock - thinking about snagging that one - i'd still keep my eyes open for a 5904 but that 5906 looks almost new and you can never to many amiright? haha

 

[MilwGuitarist]

ended pulling the trigger on a 5906 - probably paid too much but i don't care because i didn't just want it, i NEEDED it! haha i'll post pics when i get it

 

[ACEd]

If you are still looking for a 5904, one just popped up on Gunbroker with adjustable sights that looks pretty nice. Not mine.

 

[MilwGuitarist]

yeah i saw them - thanks for the heads up - i just picked up a 5906 in NOS condition - i'm looking for a very specific 5904 and i may or may not find it but now that i got the 5906 i'm not going to settle for a 5904 that isn't exactly what i'm looking for

 

[ACEd]

yeah i saw them - thanks for the heads up - i just picked up a 5906 in NOS condition - i'm looking for a very specific 5904 and i may or may not find it but now that i got the 5906 i'm not going to settle for a 5904 that isn't exactly what i'm looking for

The 2 "good" ones in my opinion at least are a TCJ s/n with D shaped trigger guard and adjustable sights - most likely a 1989 vintage early production and another with a difficult to read s/n probably starting with a V with curved trigger guard and Novak fixed sights probably dating from 1992-1994 but may be later. The Adjustable sights were available thru 1993 and the 5904 with fixed Novak sights were made thru 1998. If you are looking for a specific configuration or date, and you have a s/n you can get manufacture date from S&W customer support. Good luck. Ed

 

[rosewood]

I am partial to the stainless steel slides. You will like the 5906. However, the 5903 will be the same weight as your 5904 and stainless to boot. That 5906 is a little heavier than your 5904.

Rosewood