5906 questions

[Benello]

So I have a Smith 5906 that I haven’t shot in a while, and I noticed a couple things that I was curious about that I had forgotten about or maybe never knew.

First off, when taking the slide off the frame for disassembly, I noticed that the hammer will fall. I assume this is normal? Is it something that will cause any damage to the frame letting the hammer fall while taking the slide off? I know in a 1911 were really any double action and single action pistol you don’t want the hammer to fall when the slide is removed.

Secondly, the recoil guide rod spring appears that it is reversible, and I hope so because when I took the guide rod out to clean it, I did not remember the orientation of the spring. Both ends are identical and it slides in either way, so does it matter?

 

[stansdds]

The hammer falling as you remove the slide is normal. I recommend slowly removing the slide or controlling the hammer with your thumb so that the shank of the hammer does not whack the receiver. S&W recoil springs do not have a closed end, so they are reversible.

 

[Benello]

Okay so normal on both counts I thought so, but it’s nice to know for sure thanks.

 

[Sevens]

Maybe a little late for your pistol if you have had it for a long time, but still good info and on topic for others is that during reassembly, take care when putting the slide back on, especially when you bring it back over all the levers.

Ham-fisting things here WILL ding the levers in to the rear of the slide and leave telltale marks on the rearmost back end of the slide on either side of the cutout where the hammer falls.

I grabbed this picture from an internet search… this might be a 645 or possibly an early 4506, but it shows the dings I am trying to describe:



If you buy old issued duty guns, former LEO, DOC or security companies, you are definitely gonna have these marks.

But if you find old time capsules, you have a chance to keep them looking nice by taking care and depressing the levers before you smack the slide in to them.

 

[Benello]

^^^^^ yeah most used ones I’ve seen have at least faint marks there. Interesting design for sure.

 

[Brian Parrish]

First...
Yes perfectly normal.

Second...
No it does not matter.

Enjoy the gun again and let us know all about it!
Kind Regards!
BrianD