669 vs 6906 2nd vs 3rd gen differences

[imarangemaster]

I have posted pics of my 1985/86 vintage 669 S&W. It has the frame replaced by S&W factory after 1993 with a late model 6906 frame.

As far as I can tell, the entire lower half is 6906, but was stamped "669" with original 1985 serial number. I understand the 6906 action was improved. It has a black 6906 hammer (no half cock) and black trigger. The trigger pull and action is all 6906, much improved over the 469 I had a few years ago.

My question is this: What differences do the 6906 slides have from the 669 slides? IIRC, both use the same barrel. Mine has the 669 slide, with integral front sight, non-Novak style S&W rear sight. It also has a single sided safety lever (non-ambi). Are there any other differences between the two?

 

[2K7]

Wow...I'd love to see that box label!

 

[winddummy]

interchangeability

I currently have 6904 upper on my 469 with the trigger and hammer from a 669.

 

[grif684]

The barrel is the same on early 6906 models, then later changed to a "wide hood", which obviously is not interchangeable. The ambi safety was optional on the 669. Early 6906 slides had dovetailed front and rear sights, later utilized the Novak rear sight, other than that they are pretty much the same.

 

[imarangemaster]

Thanks, guys. Obviously I have the 669 slide, as the front sight is NOT dovetailed and it is pre-Novak rear. As for the safety, I don't like the ambi safety on a concealment pistol, anyway. Just another projection sticking out. What I really like about the 669, and especially 6906, is they are relatively smooth, without angles and protrusions, and ride well in a IWB holster.

I am using the 669 with a flat bottom magazine base-plate from a 5906 for everyday carry. For summer carry, however, I occasionally carry my .38 Taurus 85 (Chief Special clone) 2". Loaded in the IWB holster, it is 9 ounces lighter than the 669 loaded in the IWB holster.

 

[rscalzo]

We had several 669's that had to be returned to S&W with cracked frames at the rails. The frame is replaced with a 6906 frame with the same SN. That is no longer the case and cracked frames will not be replaced. The owner, if if original is out of luck.

That was probably the case here.

 

[Lt JL]

I used to have a 669. Accurate, and dead-nuts reliable, but in DA, it took two men, a boy, and a government artillery mule to pull the trigger.

 

[imarangemaster]

My 469 had a much heavier trigger pull than this 669 with the 3rd gen re-stamped lower. MUCH nicer pull. It is dead nuts accurate, alright. In the last qualification, I outshot the other 7 guys on the line with it. They had Glocks, Sigs, and Beretta CX4. I shot a 494/500 - 49 x 10 & X ring, and 6 in the 9 ring on a NRA B27. Of course, some of it was because I have fired tens of thousands of rounds from Smith 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Gen 9mms in my LE career (including 9 years as a rangemaster and firearms instructor).

It functioned flawlessly with the +P+ 9BPLE ammo and a 17 pound Wolff spring. For plinking and practice, though, I use standard velocity Federal 115s and the stock spring.

 

[Lt JL]

There can't be all that many of us still around that prefer +P+ 9BPLE 115gr Federal.

 

[imarangemaster]

Federal 9BPLE 115 +P+ (and its Winchester counterpart) has a long and storied history of eliminating lethal threats from felons with evil intent. Sometimes newer and fancier (and more expensive) isn't really any better.