5906 STS - Forward Slide Serrations

[KenMcCoy]

Hi all,

A large online seller has a batch of what they are listing as "new" 5906 STS model handguns. It comes with one 10 round magazine. The pictureshows forward slide serrations and a checkered front strap. Does anyone know anything about this model? I don't remember ever seeing a non performance center handgun with forward serrations and checkering. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[TNZ71]

Please tell us more

 

[Jeppo]

Looks like they have nearly three dozen of 'em. Interestingly, I don't find any of those serial number prefixes in the SCSW.

 

[WTN1271]

I believe there was a thread about pistols with the serrations about a year ago. If I remember correctly, the photo is a random Internet photo that they used and not a picture of the actual pistols for sale. I will try to search the thread up.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[18DAI]

The 5906 pictured on the website appears to be a PC DPA prefix 5906. I doubt that is what they have for sale given their asking price and the claim that they were made in 2009.

Houlton laser etched the markings on the 3rd gens they produced.

IMO that is a lot of money they are asking for a vanilla 5906. NIB or not. Caveat emptor! Regards 18DAI

 

[KenMcCoy]

thanks, all. I guess it was wishful thinking that they would be like new 5906s with formerly unseen features.

 

[Jeppo]

Just to further complicate things, I found another online dealer that appeared to have 17 NIB examples for sale.

That's a lot of "samples".

 

[Sevens]

I think it is possible that they have NOS 5906's that have never been used but -YES- we have seen, discussed and duly noted in the past that it's a truly S&W ignorant web-fool that has found and used the wrong picture of old PC DPA guns with the forward serrations.

The picture of the pistol with the forward serrations is NOT accurate.

I believe it is a simply honest (but by definition, ignorant) mistake to use that picture.

 

[prochi2k]

I got suckered into buying one because of the wrong photo in the ad-I had no prior knowledge that it's been seen and discussed here over the forum-and I agree it is quite over-priced for a garden-variety M5906. My consolation is that it is brand new with ser# VUV 59XX (kinda unique).
Pictures will follow.

 

[18DAI]

Don't feel bad. You didn't pay too much, you just bought too soon.

And besides, look at the asking prices on all the current production junk guns - even before the current stupidity going on. You bought a superior firearm for not much more than many lesser guns.

And then there is the never say never with s&w. There were "standard" production 3rd gen pistols made with forward slide serrations, from the factory. Info on them is extremely hard to come by. Some were small batches of Salesmans samples made to show LE Agencies and used for T&E by some of them.

Others - unverified at this time - appear to have been sent to the Early Performance Center, 1991 or 1992, for customization by their owners. That service was offered by the Performance Center for a short period of time after their founding.

There have been 4516s, 4506s and 4566s shown here on this board with factory forward slide serrations. I own a black 4566 with them. It was one of the sample guns.

Enjoy that nice 5906. I look forward to your range report! Regards 18DAI

 

[prochi2k]

Anyone know about the VUV prefixed serial numbers? Is there any significance to the said letters? The local dealer I bought the pistol from had at least four of the said prefix.
Can anyone help IDing the date/s they might have been made? I got too distracted and disappointed when I discovered it was not as pictured that I did not even care to ask about where they may have come from or have been hiding.

 

[Sevens]

If these are supposed to be "new old stock", are they not shipping in an original S&W box with an end label? Or silly fired case?

S&W typically answers a question of manufacture or ship date via e-mail. Send them an e-mail with the SN and see what they say.

Are these guns marked as being made in Houlton, Maine?

 

[prochi2k]

Don't feel bad. You didn't pay too much, you just bought too soon.

Yeah, I'm about over it now.

then there is the never say never with s&w. There were "standard" production 3rd gen pistols made with forward slide serrations, from the factory. Info on them is extremely hard to come by. Some were small batches of Salesmans samples made to show LE Agencies and used for T&E by some of them.

So they do exist?!

have been 4516s, 4506s and 4566s shown here on this board with factory forward slide serrations. I own a black 4566 with them. It was one of the sample guns.

Yup, that is one nice looking piece you have, thanks for showing!

that nice 5906. I look forward to your range report! Regards 18DAI

Will do!

 

[prochi2k]

If these are supposed to be "new old stock", are they not shipping in an original S&W box with an end label? Or silly fired case?

It came in a later made box with label and papers, without fired case. Unless it's been refinished it looks new with hardly any handling or racking marks, the barrel even looks very clean it seems to be not test fired.

Something I found different is the matching double digit numbers stamped on the inside of both the slide and the frame, perhaps a frame to slide pairing? None my older M59XXs have this.

S&W typically answers a question of manufacture or ship date via e-mail. Send them an e-mail with the SN and see what they say.

I'll do that, thanks!

these guns marked as being made in Houlton, Maine?

Marked as made in Springfield, MA.

 

[jsbethel]

We always seem to be looking for julian dates on the older boxes but 011119 looks like a shipping date to me.

 

[prochi2k]

Does the # 011119 on the label indicate date of make/assembly? Would that mean Jan 11, 2019?
Never mind!

 

[jsbethel]

That pistol looks like it was in a warehouse untouched for 25 years. The older style stampings seem to me to be an indication of it's true age.
I may have to go to their retail store and check one out.

 

[ACEd]

Anyone know about the VUV prefixed serial numbers? Is there any significance to the said letters? The local dealer I bought the pistol from had at least four of the said prefix.
Can anyone help IDing the date/s they might have been made? I got too distracted and disappointed when I discovered it was not as pictured that I did not even care to ask about where they may have come from or have been hiding.

SN Dates from SW


VCZ3070 1995
VZB1247 1996
VZE3081 1996
VUV5928 1997
KNC1182 1998


Asked for info about odd KNC group - no response other than year dates

 

[18DAI]

VUV was a popular serial prefix used on many value line guns - in 1997.

I would guess that like the RJF prefix Melonite 4566s, which were manufactured in 1999 but not sent to distributors till 2009/2010 - these 5906s were possibly made in 1997. And are overuns or a cancelled order for LE and have been sitting in storage since.

Waste not want not. Once "discovered" they were shipped out to distributors. Just an educated guess and pure speculation on my part. Regards 18DAI

 

[ACEd]

The 5906 pictured on the website appears to be a PC DPA prefix 5906. I doubt that is what they have for sale given their asking price and the claim that they were made in 2009.

Houlton laser etched the markings on the 3rd gens they produced.

IMO that is a lot of money they are asking for a vanilla 5906. NIB or not. Caveat emptor! Regards 18DAI

Dates of S/N listed as "Available" came back 1995-1998