The gist of the above seems to be a straight-up comparison between the 5906 and 6906 and 3913, with a 6946 and another here and there thrown in for good measure.
Well, my head started spinning shortly after the 6946's introduction to the discussion, so I'll have take a bye on the the rest.
Not desirous of a Pulitzer at this moment, I'm including herein three just-taken, somewhat-rushed shots having visual (not scientific) comparisons between Smith & Wesson Models 5906 (TSW, in this case, but which is pretty much just a 5906); a 6906; a 3913; aa 3913NL; and, a 6946.
In the above is found the 5906 at 2 p.m.; immediately below in the 4 p.m. slot is the 6906; to it's left in the 8 p.m. quadrant is a 3913NL and above it, a Model 6946.
The only difference between the preceding picture and the image immediately above is the absence of the 6946, the 3913NL has been moved upward to the 10 p.m. quadrant, replaced by a Model 3913 below in the 8 p.m. slot.
Lastly is the above arrangement, again including the M5906; an M6906 immediately below in the 4 p.m. quadrant; an M3913 at 8 p.m. and, the M6946.
The M5906 is a big gun for a 9 mm. That's just all there is to it, especially when compared to the double (offset) stacked M6906, which is among my two favorite carry guns and with which I regularly practice.
Other than a few things in common like being manufactured by S&W, each having a 9 mm Parabellum cartridge chamber and other sundry aspects, they start departing rather quickly, especially in size and dimensions. They are not the same gun; having only a one-digit difference in nomenclature. I might be mistaken (it's happened before) but I got the impression someone in here believed the 5906 and 6906 are essentially the same.
The 6906 evolved from the 669; the latter in-turn evolving from the 469 "Mini." There was no "569," excepting one-time manufacturer's suggested retail price for the M&P9; the M&P9 Compact; the M&P40 and the M&P40 Compact.
My 6906 is pictured with a wrap-a-round Hogue Grip, which was a factory option. This gun was delivered with the Hogue grip, but which was found by its initial owner as too bulky - an aspect that one can discern in looking at the images above. Personally, I find the grip quite comfortable even though my fingers don't fully wrap, as do they with any of my 3913s, including an unpictured LadySmith that has no measurable difference in its grip and that of the other 3913 models.
The 5906 is the all-stainless steel variation of the blued carbon slide & frame model 5904, which in turn, turn, turn is a variation of the stainless steel slide and alloy frame 5903.
(Please let me know when the excitement is too great and I'll chill for awhile. We don't need any heart attacks around here.)
I like the 6906 and, especially, the 669 for their respective mid-gun balance points. Both feel good in my hand, as though they're mated to my fingers and palm. Both, much like my 3913s, are highly accurate straight off the factory line.
Change from the 669's Hogue grip to a very different and definitely thin hard-plastic grip offered as original equipment, too, and you have a feel not too far removed from the single-column 3913.
One shouldn't really need to extol the virtue of a shooter wanting a familiar feel in his hand, regardless of model preferences.
Dimensionally the 6946 is larger gun than the 669/6906 but still a tick or two smaller than the 5906. Aesthetically I like it's backstrap curve and its feel in my hand. Similar to the Model 6944 - which has a aluminum alloy frame and blue-steel slide - the 6946 has a stainless steel slide and semi-bobbed hammer.
I had the 5906TSW mainly for competitive target shooting but no longer play those gigs, so it's largely become a safe queen, although I do drive it around the block every now and again - if nothing else but because the trigger pull is very sweet. And I do mean sweet.
Now, time for World's Dumbest.
......the only thing it has the chunky Hogue rubber grips that fit my sasquatch hands but I can put the stocks back on it for a test drive
..........nice comparison pics but can't really show subtle difference in finger reach for placement on trigger.....except on the 6946 compared to the 6906 and 3913 looks almost half the distance to the rear of the guard .....don't see many 5906TSW...very nice
