5906 Decisions

[forindooruseonly]

I have a police trade-in 5906. I bought it a while ago because I felt I needed to have a 3rd gen. The only other S&Ws pistols I have are a 39-2 and a 52-1.

For various reasons, I haven't shot it much, maybe a couple hundred rounds. When I do shoot it I find that I don't shoot it well. It's not a DA thing, I shoot a CZ SP01 more than just about anything, so I'm used to the DA type of trigger. I think it is more about how square the front of the grip is and it doesn't fit my hand well.

So I'm trying to decide whether I should trade it off or sell it rather than hang on to it. As I see it, the reasons to keep it are as follows; it's well built, it's stupid reliable, it's not made anymore and they seem to be gaining in desirability, they are sort of iconic, and I would hate to regret selling one and then having to procure another at a higher price.

On the other side of the ledger, I don't shoot it particularly well, it is a police trade-in and not in collector condition, there are other handguns that I want to try that I could use this to help fund, and right now they are pretty available if I wanted to replace it at a later date.

What would ya'll do? I'm not really a collector - that tends to be too specialized. I accumulate stuff, I like a little of everything. I don't focus on function only, I have lots of things that are more just to have than to shoot regularly. Should I keep it, just keep it around for the sake of keeping a 3rd gen? Or should I turn it into something else? Option 3, keep shooting it and give it more time to decide. Just wondering what to do with a pistol I want to love, but haven't yet.

 

[Sevens]

I think that you have a couple of options where a grip is concerned — if you are interested to see if you have the ability to get past the “feel” that you have been able to nail down as not feeling great in your hands.

The 5906 was issued with a delrin curved back grip and then later models using the same frame size were offered with a straight back grip and they certainly do feel differently in your shooting hands. The extremely fat and gooey Hogue monogrip was also a quality item with a radically different feel. All three of these are fairly low priced and easy to find.

There were others that can be more of a wild goose chase to track down.

With all that said regarding grips — if that isn’t the answer or you are not interested enough to try (which I fully understand!) then I think you are holding a model that is absolutely ripe for to you move onward to greener pastures.

Great gun, sure, but old tech, never ever were they known for any manner of gilt-edged accuracy and they made many truckloads of these guns. For it to be worth holding on to EVEN WHEN you don’t particularly care for it, at least in my opinion, it would have to be dead mint or nearly so AND with original box and intact end label.

I don’t see a 5906 as an heirloom keeper.

However your 52-1 is another story entirely!

 

[Fastbolt]

I tend to agree with the comment about the straight backstrap factory grip (standard on the 4006's) changes the 'feel' in the hand. I replaced the original curved backstrap grip on my issued 5903 with a flat backstrap grip. (We got a bunch of them from the local CHP field office, as ... naturally ... some of their officers wanted to use the curved backstrap grips. The grass is always greener, it seems.

Anyway, while the curved backstrap grip never felt quite 'right' in my hand, especially with the squared edge profile of the frame frontstrap, going to to the flat backstrap grip made a significant difference for me.

Oddly enough, the curved backstrap grip of the shorter 6906/4013TSW felt fine in my hand. It seemed the slightly shorter height of the grip made the curve of the backstrap rest against my palm better. Go figure.

If you (OP) decide to try to replace the curved grip with the flat one, look at some older threads about how to replace the grips. One of the most common ways the sideplate was unintentionally damaged - (bending or breaking the lower prong/legs that secure the sear pin) - was replacing the grips and exerting improper pressure against the front of the sideplate, which put improper pressure on the bottom legs of the sideplate. Snagging the bottom edge of the front of the sideplate with the top/front left corner of the grip, during a moment's inattention, could sometimes tweak the sideplate and damage the legs that snapped over the headed sear pin.

There's a picture of the old factory instructions for replacing the grips somewhere around here

 

[kbm6893]

All of my full size 3rd Gen guns have straight backstraps. They feel way better to me. Here's a document showing how to change the grips. I'd keep the gun. They are only going up in value. The ones I've sold over the years went for far less than they would now.

I found a pair of straight grips for my 6946. Some aftermarket company makes them. They look identical to factory grips, just not with the S&W logo on them. I could hardly tell the difference between them and the curved. The shorter grip really does make a difference. On the full size, it is night and day.

 

[stansdds]

The curved back strap stocks were designed to provide better trigger control for the double action shot, at least that's my understanding. The downside is they make an already pretty large diameter grip even bigger. The straight back strap stocks do fit small to medium hands much better, so you might try swapping stocks and see if it helps.

 

[WR Moore]

I had the same problem with the curved version of the grips on the 5906. Oddly enough, the red gun (inert plastic retention/disarming training version) copy fit my hand just fine. Trying to remember if the 1006 had the same choices. Added: checked the parts list, it did and I chose the straight.

At any rate the 5906 got the straight stocks and a little dremel work on the sharp edges on the front strap near the magazine catch.

 

[forindooruseonly]

Thanks all for the replies - I do appreciate the time and knowledge put into the responses. Mine does have the curved backstrap, so I think I am going to try a straight setup instead. Makes sense, all my 1911s have flat mainspring housings for the same reason.

I've already put new springs in the gun and the original magazine, bought a couple of other new S&W mags, so I might as well try the backstrap as well. After that, I will reevaluate how much I care for it and either keep it or sell it then.

 

[scoobysnacker]

I would keep the 5906, get the flat backstrap grip (and keep the rounded one in the box).

Simple math- how much did you pay for the gun, to begin with?

Now, go look at other brands... and keep the brand level equal (a S&W is a respected American brand, it's more desirable than a Turkish or Filipino import, for example). Look at, say, Sig, Beretta, CZ, Colt.

Go out and price one, with a stainless steel slide and frame. Then, decide if you want to get rid of what you already have.

 

[BAM-BAM]

I tend to agree with the comment about the straight backstrap factory grip (standard on the 4006's) changes the 'feel' in the hand. I replaced the original curved backstrap grip on my issued 5903 with a flat backstrap grip. (We got a bunch of them from the local CHP field office, as ... naturally ... some of their officers wanted to use the curved backstrap grips. The grass is always greener, it seems.

Anyway, while the curved backstrap grip never felt quite 'right' in my hand, especially with the squared edge profile of the frame frontstrap. Going to to the flat backstrap grip made a significant difference for me.

Oddly enough, the curved backstrap grip of the shorter 6906/4013TSW felt fine in my hand. It seemed the slightly shorter height of the grip made the curve of the backstrap rest against my palm better. Go figure.

If you (OP) decide to try to replace the curved grip with the flat one, look at some older threads about how to replace the grips. One of the most common ways the sideplate was unintentionally damaged - (bending or breaking the lower prong/legs that secure the sear pin) - was replacing the grips and exerting improper pressure against the front of the sideplate, which put improper pressure on the bottom legs of the sideplate. Snagging the bottom edge of the front of the sideplate with the top/front left corner of the grip, during a moment's inattention, could sometimes tweak the sideplate and damage the legs that snapped over the headed sear pin.

There's a picture of the old factory instructions for replacing the grips somewhere around here

Have to agree with my friend here... all my full size 3rd Gen guns wear the straight back grip from the 915. Most are also stippled for better grip retention.

 

[toddimusnimski]

Midwayusa has the straight factory grips with logo for 19.29 plus shipping (Product #: 852351). I've seen them on ebay too. A great option to try before sending it down the road.

Todd

 

[quikdraw67]

My take -

The 5906 and 4006TSW I have are straight back grips. Works great for me.

The 5946 and 4043 I have have the rounded grips. Works great for me.

Something about the trigger pull. The DA/SA guns are better to me with the flat grips, where the DAO do better with the rounded grips.

JMHO YMMV

 

[Syspila]

Wherre did the backstrap discussion come from? It was not mentioed in the guys 1st comment/question?

 

[Sevens]

OP said:

For various reasons, I haven't shot it much, maybe a couple hundred rounds. When I do shoot it I find that I don't shoot it well. It's not a DA thing, I shoot a CZ SP01 more than just about anything, so I'm used to the DA type of trigger. I think it is more about how square the front of the grip is and it doesn't fit my hand well.

And that’s why we made the suggestion that it wouldn’t cost much, doesn’t take much time and isn’t a difficult install to perhaps try the other style grip.

 

[kbm6893]

Wherre did the backstrap discussion come from? It was not mentioed in the guys 1st comment/question?

Not shooting a gun well can frequently be remedied by a grip change. I shoot far better with the straight grips over the curved. On a revolver, I take the factory wood grips off them all. They look pretty but I don’t shoot the gun nearly as well, especially with the magna grips. But I put a set of Pachmayr Gripper’s on there, and the gun shoots like a laser beam.

You don’t agree that the way the gun fits in your hand has something to do with how you shoot it?

 

[LVSteve]

You guys are making me think I should take my 5906 Tactical down to the range again.

 

[forindooruseonly]

Wherre did the backstrap discussion come from? It was not mentioed in the guys 1st comment/question?

I complained about the grip, which I felt was one reason I wasn't shooting it well. Others commented on how changing the backstrap might alleviate that complaint.

It was in there, just not directly.

I've put a straight backstrap on it now, and am about to head to the range. I'll know soon enough, but I will say it does feel better to my hand now. I'll update later.

 

[kbm6893]

I complained about the grip, which I felt was one reason I wasn't shooting it well. Others commented on how changing the backstrap might alleviate that complaint.

It was in there, just not directly.

I've put a straight backstrap on it now, and am about to head to the range. I'll know soon enough, but I will say it does feel better to my hand now. I'll update later.

I predict a marked improvement in grouping and a more pleasant shooting experience. If a gun doesn’t feel good in the hand it never will shoot as well. Good luck.

 

[scoobysnacker]

I predict a marked improvement in grouping and a more pleasant shooting experience. If a gun doesn’t feel good in the hand it never will shoot as well. Good luck.

While I generally find that true, and it probably is in this case, it makes me chuckle just a bit... about a different, non S&W gun.

Zastava CZ 99. I have one, have heard the complaints that it feels like a clumsy 2x4. It does. Hickok45 said the same thing. And just like him, I have found that gun with the thick bulky grip and mushy trigger, to shoot remarkably well. He expressed a little humble amazement, practically apologized for picking on it, and said the gun you shoot best may not be the one you like best.

 

[forindooruseonly]

Update time...

I put about 50 rounds through it before the heat got the better of me. It was over 100 degrees before lunch yesterday and the heat is sucking all the fun out of everything.

I do shoot the pistol better with a straight grip, decent groups at the distance I normally shoot, between 20 and 25 yards. Still not great, but good enough to be confident in shooting it. The sights need to be adjusted slightly and I didn't have the hex needed to drift the sight, so that will be the next range day fix.

While it is much better, I'm still undecided.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Remember these were never intended to be "target pistols" at 25 yds.

Figure all inside the 9 ring on a B-27 target.... is GTG. In real life you want to hit around the upper "9"

Good reliable duty gun.