659 =heavy
- Thread starter mytyace
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squidsix
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The steel framed 9mm S&W are tanks. Great for high volume shooters
Green Frog
Member
I’m more a fan of the single stacks... 39 Series. Years ago I had an opportunity to trade with a local LEO friend for his former duty 659, but we never got past the talking stage. I’m sure it wouldn’t have stayed around long if I had gotten it, so it’s just as well, I guess. I’ll stick with my 639.
Froggie
Froggie
BLACKHAWKNJ
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Yes, and that steel frame does a lot better job of absorbing recoil IMHO.
stansdds
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Carbon and stainless steel weighs a good bit more than aluminum. The 5906 was a popular duty sidearm, but only for its reliability and durability, not for its weight. The steel frame does reduce felt recoil, but for a daily carry item, aluminum and plastic are a lot easier to tote.
Frank Black
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JohnHL
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I may have told this story before.
Back in the mid '80s, when the 2nd gen 659 was new and current, my shooting buddy got a new one and let me shoot a mag full.
At the time, I had never shot a S&W, metal framed, center fire, semi-auto pistol before, nor had I had any experience with 9mm.
I had been doing quite a bit of shooting with a 629 and immediately noticed the 659 seemed just as heavy.
Upon firing the 659, my first impression was that it felt like a .22!
I was also quite surprised that the 659 had a higher retail price than the 629!
Since then I have acquired a 659 and many other 2nd and 3rd gen S&W pistols (both steel and alloy framed), and I'm glad I did.
Still a surprise, initially.
BTW, I still have that 629, but I shoot the semi-autos much more frequently.
John
Back in the mid '80s, when the 2nd gen 659 was new and current, my shooting buddy got a new one and let me shoot a mag full.
At the time, I had never shot a S&W, metal framed, center fire, semi-auto pistol before, nor had I had any experience with 9mm.
I had been doing quite a bit of shooting with a 629 and immediately noticed the 659 seemed just as heavy.
Upon firing the 659, my first impression was that it felt like a .22!
I was also quite surprised that the 659 had a higher retail price than the 629!
Since then I have acquired a 659 and many other 2nd and 3rd gen S&W pistols (both steel and alloy framed), and I'm glad I did.
Still a surprise, initially.
BTW, I still have that 629, but I shoot the semi-autos much more frequently.
John
The 5906 and 2nd Gen equivalents are great range guns and were great LE guns way back when. They are good for teaching because they are easy to shoot, low recoil, accurate, and reliable.
I carried one in a part time gig and on a duty belt it's not bad. There are better self defense choices for carry solely because of their weight.
I often joke that people who own one of these should try to find the OEM trailer kit so they can tow it around.
I carried one in a part time gig and on a duty belt it's not bad. There are better self defense choices for carry solely because of their weight.
I often joke that people who own one of these should try to find the OEM trailer kit so they can tow it around.
JohnHL
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I agree with Gary.
Like most of us, I have tried a few different holsters for different guns.
With a sturdy belt and a surplus Davis Leather duty holster, as was used at the Smith & Wesson Academy and designed to fit the 659/5906 pistols (although by removing the tension screw the holster fits every model up to and including the 1006), all day carry is no problem (except for banging into stuff).
John
Like most of us, I have tried a few different holsters for different guns.
With a sturdy belt and a surplus Davis Leather duty holster, as was used at the Smith & Wesson Academy and designed to fit the 659/5906 pistols (although by removing the tension screw the holster fits every model up to and including the 1006), all day carry is no problem (except for banging into stuff).
John
Just so everyone understands I was certainly not knocking the gun I was just surprised at the weight difference between that and my 459 I’m sure it’s a great shooter and with that weight the recoil I would guess as you stated would be nonexistent. It’s just not a gun that was really on my want list currently searching for a third gen in 40 S&w
LVSteve
Member
LOL!
Then don’t get a 645 or a 4506! … unless you want to herniate yourself! LOL!
I'll see those pistols and raise you a Star Megastar. It is so ridiculously oversized I call it Yosemite Sam's Semi.
gunship
US Veteran
Love the 639. It was my off duty weapon since 1984 when I purchased it new. Put a set of pacmeyer grips on it that day and still have the original grips that have never been used. Since getting older, I now have a 3913 to carry. I did not like the 659 only because I have a smaller hand.
Frank Black
Member
One of my Grail Guns in 10mm, ... provided it would come with 4 or 5 working mags! LOL!
Is yours a .45 or 10mm?
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Frank Black
Member
The 6906 is a great concealed-carry piece.
On a hot summer day, the only thing that beats it - IMO - is my 3" Colt New Agent.
BLACKHAWKNJ
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Aluminum frames are carrying guns.
Steel frames are shooting guns.
I had a Model 59, sold it after only 2 years. Had my M659 since 1985.
The M659 magazines function nicely in the Marlin 9MM Camp Carbine.
Steel frames are shooting guns.
I had a Model 59, sold it after only 2 years. Had my M659 since 1985.
The M659 magazines function nicely in the Marlin 9MM Camp Carbine.
Rock185
US Veteran
Yeah, the steel frame guns are about a half pound heavier. Big difference. I use the S&W magazines in my Camp 9 too.
LVSteve
Member
Mine's a 45. It is hilarious to shoot. There is so much weight everywhere that everything happens in slow motion. It's not a gun you can shoot quickly without mammoth hand strength. Physics says that 3 lbs of steel keeps moving once it gets moving. The slide weighs so much that the sights dip below the target as the action closes.
If I had the Megastar on one hip I'd have to put my SAR K45 on the other or I'd walk with a list.
