6906, 4006, and .40 Shield range trip

[imarangemaster]

despite near freezing temperatures, drizzling rain, and partially numb hands, I decide to do a function check on the new 6906. While I was at it, I took my .40 Shield and 4006 to shoot also.

6906: Fired about 200 rounds or Federal 11 +P+ 9BPLE, Speer Gold Dot 124 +P, Winchester ranger 115 grain, Winchester generic 115 FMJ, and some awful 124 grain lead reloads that a buddy's 9mm wouldn't cycle.

Function was 100% from S&W factory 12 round and 14 round (early model 59) and even from a no no-name Model 59 14 round magazine, and Mec-Gar Model 59 14 round mag.

I compared the Speer 124 +P and Federal 115 +P+ for group size, with one mag 12+1), 7 yards, rapid fire (@ 1.5 to 2 shots per second.). I started each with hands warmed from my jacket pocket.

The 124 Speer +P was a dispersed 6"x4" group, 7 to 1 o'clock. Recoil was more than the 115 FMJs, but not a problem except for target acquisition.

The 115 +P+, on the other hand was a 3"x2" group, 6 to 12 o'clock. It was more centered around 2" with several of the last shots spreading it to 2"x3" as my hand got colder. The felt recoil was noticeably less that the 124s, and I felt more "controlled" in the repeat target acquisition.

The 9BLE +P+ will be my carry ammo for EDC.

On to the .40 Shield. It had a 5-6" group for 8 rounds, from the same 1.5 to 2 shots per second. It was not really terrible felt recoil, but I just don't shoot it as well as the 6906 during rapid fire.

Last was the 4006. I did a rapid fire drill with it, and it held 2" until my hand started getting cold and numb, and opened to 2x4! I really think if my hands had been warmer (it was the last gun of the session), I would have held at 2"! The 4006 is a marvelous duty grade weapon.

 

[DMcBB]

Sounds like you had a great time. It also sounds like you spent $16,000 in ammo at today’s prices.

 

[imarangemaster]

LOL! Actually, I stocked up in last March before it got stupid (plus I work part time in a gun shop)! I actually picked up the 9BPLE for $18/50 two years ago, and about the same for the Gold Dot. The rest was $13/50 up to $20/50 for the Ranger in the last year or two.

I am not, and have never been a bullseye shooter! 7 years military and 20+ as an LEO, I strictly believe and practice practical combat accuracy. That's why I did a 13 round rapid fire to test the 6906. I am sure with adrenaline in an extremis situation, that would be the rate of fire!

Even my rifles (Mini-30, Mini-14, AR15, and M1 carbine - all iron sighted except AR), my measure of accuracy is that I can break a clay pigeon on the 100 yard berm with iron sights, from a casual rest. That generally translates into hitting the 12" gong at 200 yards, too.

As an aside, I also took my wife's new (vintage) Charter .38 Undercover with Factory neoprene grips that my daughter gave her, and checked it. It was very controllable, even with the 5 rounds of Federal LE Hydra-Shock 110 +P+ ammo.

 

[imarangemaster]

In reflection, I do have to say that the 6906 and 4006 are my favorite pistols to shoot, the the 6906 the favorite of the two.

I currently have a Shield, Ruger P95, Glock 17, half a dozen double action revolvers, and half a dozen single action ones. Even though I have had the Glock since 1994, and carried it as a duty weapon for years, the 6906 and 4006 have it beat.

Reflecting on the dozens and dozens of pistols and revolvers I have owned and/or shot in my 68 years, I have had Berettas, Colts, HKs, Mausers, Walthers, Brownings, lots of S&W autos, four different Glocks, Para Ordnance, CZs, and some I can't remember. I think the 6906 is still KING.

I should include that the S&W Mini-9, (starting with the preproduction sample I shot in the early 80s) are right there with the 6906. That is almost 40 years of love for the little Mini-9, in which I have owned half a dozen: a 469, a 669, a 669 with 6906 replacement frame, my prior 6906, and this one). I must say that in that 38 years or so, for probably 20 years of it, one has been my primary EDC. I just keep coming back.

For cool factor, though, I need to have an honorable mention to the Mauser C96 with shoulder stock and Inglis 9mm HiPower with tangent sight, shoulder stock, and half a dozen 22 round magazines I had back in the 80s.