5906 vs. 5903

[mkamer]

Can someone share the differences between the 5906 and the 5903?

 

[Bartman3562]

frame

Stainless frame (5906), alloy frame (5903) which is about 6 ozs.

 

[40cal]

Stainless Steel vs Aluminum Alloy

About 10 oz. in weight.....
The 5906 has a steel slide and frame. The 5903 has an aluminum alloy slide and frame. The heavier weight may help dampen recoil a bit for rapid fire, the lighter frame will be easier to everyday carry.

 

[kbm6893]

I had a 5903 and still have a 5906. Honestly, I didn't notice the weight difference that much. People say the 5906 is a brick, but I feel it's just a solid feeling weapon. When i do carry it (at the range), I don't notice the weight, and I carried a 5946 as a duty weapon for 2 years, and never noticed it either.

 

[Denver Dick]

. . . The 5903 has an aluminum alloy slide and frame. . .

The 5903 has a steel slide and alloy frame.

I've owned and shot both and much prefer the 5903. The 5906 is a tank and unnecessarily heavy. The 5903 is plenty of pistol for 9mm. It's a well balanced service pistol size 9mm.

 

[mlk18]

The 5906 is a tank and unnecessarily heavy. The 5903 is plenty of pistol for 9mm. It's a well balanced service pistol size 9mm.

Well said. I couldn't agree more.

 

[Poohgyrr]

The 5906 is sweet! On the other hand, my gut could stand to lose five pounds.

 

[JohnVA]

I still like my 5906 it is just as good as my 681 that I also carry. My secret in my old age SUSPENDERS. Have a great day

 

[jscott]

Had the 5903 for duty. Acurrate and light. Effective out to 50 yards, prone, at the Dept range. Loved it until it hiccuped one day in training. Have no patience for a duty gun that fails. Gone. Now that I'm retired, wish I had it back.

 

[Jeppo]

What was the hiccup?

 

[jscott]

Sorry, long time ago and can't recall if FTF or FTE. Probably could have been corrected, but working a high risk unit I lost confidence in it. Went back to basics with a Smith 686 plus. Still have that one. Great shooter.

 

[joeintexas]

I too have owned both, I really preferred the 5903, both shot as they should everytime, good old 3rd generation Smiths.

 

[stansdds]

The 5903 and 5906 are identical except for the material used to make the receiver. The 5903 has an aluminum alloy receiver, the 5906 is stainless steel. The 5903 is lighter in weight and makes it a better carry pistol, the 5906 is heavier and makes it a better range pistol.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Don't have a 5903 but do have a couple of 915s and a 5906.

The 5906 is a easy shooting gun.... but when I grab a full size 59xx to carry it is always the 915.

 

[Lightfoot4]

My 5906 is my everyday carry firearm. It comes off when I crawl into bed.