5906 vs 915

[surfgun]

All the small parts between the 915 and 5904 are interchangeable. Of the small part that are different is the the 915 has the 2nd Gen rear sight and the single sided safety.
A 5904 slide will fit on a 915 frame and vice versa with no issues. Same barrel, same recoil spring guide rod.

 

[mrmike7189]

All the small parts between the 915 and 5904 are interchangeable. Of the small part that are different is the the 915 has the 2nd Gen rear sight and the single sided safety.
A 5904 slide will fit on a 915 frame and vice versa with no issues. Same barrel, same recoil spring guide rod.

Plus, all the 915 parts are metal ! then S&W switched to plastic guide rod, plastic mag release, plastic sights on the 910.

 

[surfgun]

Additionally, the 910 barrel and slide are incompatible with every other S&W.

 

[tajada]

915 has a carbon steel slide and an alloy frame i think. 5906 is also a bit more refined for fit & finish. 5906 is awesome for pistol whipping and makes an acceptable small boat anchor in a pinch.

I've carried a 5906, a 4006 and a 908. Great guns, all of them, if you're an S&W fan.

 

[MDB1056]

Have both and love them both. 5906 is as noted a duty weapon, all stainless, heavy, but will cycle anything all day long. Definitely a zombie apocalypse gun. Everyone should own one. The 915 is far lighter being alloy frame, but is one of the most naturally pointing guns I've ever held IMO. I have Hogues on both which feel amazing. Mags are interchangeable which I like. I'm keeping both for life.

 

[Heymatt]

Additionally, the 910 barrel and slide are incompatible with every other S&W.

I have a 910 slide on a 908 frame that does fit, hand cycle and locks open when empty.
Haven't test fired it yet, but looks like it should work.
An option across the value line 908,909,910 series.

 

[Green Frog]

I have a 910 slide on a 908 frame that does fit, hand cycle and locks open when empty.
Haven't test fired it yet, but looks like it should work.
An option across the value line 908,909,910 series.

True this! As long as you stay within these three members of the Value Series. Much to my chagrin I had to go back and buy a Model 915 slide when my 910 slide wouldn't work with my Model 639 FrankenSmith. That aside, the "Value Series" provided just that… a great value for their intended uses.

Froggie

 

[rosewood]

Additionally, the 910 barrel and slide are incompatible with every other S&W.

The value series line barrels don't have locking lugs on them for some reason. I can't remember which way, but either the 3913 barrel will fit in the 908 or the 908 will fit in the 3913. I was playing with them one day.

Rosewood

 

[JohnHL]

The value series line barrels don't have locking lugs on them for some reason.

For reasons of value!

Deleting the lug and its recess saved money.

I can't remember which way, but either the 3913 barrel will fit in the 908 or the 908 will fit in the 3913. I was playing with them one day.

Rosewood

908 barrel will work in 3913 slide, but the 3913 barrel will not work in the 908 slide.

3913 slide assy. will work on the 908 frame, but the 908 slide assy. will not work on the 3913 frame because the 908 frame and slide also lack the front frame and slide rails that the 3913 has.

John

 

[Model 10-8]

Great info. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. I like it.

 

[Thinman]

915 is an alloy frame 5906. It is a lot lighter. 915 does not necessarily fit 5906 holsters. Front of frame (dust cover) on the 915 is thicker than that on the 5906. FN9 holster fits it pretty well. 915 top end works on my 6906 if one wants the short grip but a 4" barrel. 915's single side safety works fine for a right-handed shooter.

 

[dsk]

The 915 was S&W's first attempt to offer a more budget-priced semi-auto. They did this because they were starting to get their asses kicked by Glock. The frame had fewer machining cuts than a 5904, it lacked an ambi safety or fancy sights, and the finish was a basic matte blue (which rusts pretty easily, FYI). The model was only offered 1992-93 IIRC.

The 910 replaced the 915 in 1994 in the wake of the assault weapons ban which also banned +10 round magazines. Besides being shipped with 10-rounders (hence the name) S&W also made even more changes to simplify the design and keep it competitive with Glock. It was full of plastic and MIM parts, the slide and frame profile was very crude and boxy, and the barrel lockup was simplified with no more locking lug. Despite all these changes it was still a good shooter, if uglier.

I used to have both this 915 and 910, but later sold the 910 which I somewhat regret.