6906 effective accuracy

[Iram]

I find that the accuracy on my S&W 908 and 910 are both significantly worse than the accuracy on my M&P's (which are worse than my SW1911...). I don't know if it's the shooter, the guns, the weather, or what, but on paper it's pretty significant.

My gun shop currently has two 6906's, both around $350. The 6906 looks attractive for carry, but the accuracy has me a bit concerned. Is there anything significantly different between the 6906 and the 908/910 that would make the 6906 more accurate?

Thanks.

 

[StatesRightist]

I do not know what your accuracy standards are, but I carried and trained with a 6906 at one point. They are not race guns, they are concealable, very reliable guns. I like them a lot. At 25 yds in, they will shoot as accurate as you could ever need in a CCW.

 

[dirty gary]

I carry a 6906 occasionally, very comfortable, and very accurate (usually shooting Speer Gold Dot ammo). I've shot the 908/910 models, but do not own either so I can't judge them. See if your gun shop can arrange a test session for you, that would be the best way to decide if you like it. I like the 6906 enough to take it to the range pretty regularly for fun.

 

[SuperMan]

When I went to work for state Probation/Parole in 1993 I was given the option of carrying the issue Ruger .38 revolver or buying ANY 9mm or .45 acp semi-auto as long as it was not a single action. I chose the 6906 because it fit my hand.

In ten years of qualifications on a standard Q target I had two shots off the targets. The range went out to 25 yards. I pissed the chief RO off by head shooting an entire course (36 rounds) dropping one shot down into the body and one just off the head.

The guns are accurate the question is how shootable would one be fore you....

Bob

 

[Zebulon]

I'm NOT an authority on anything...However, I've not found too many pistols that I can pick up just once and be proficient with. I've owned more guns than anybody has a right to over the last 25 years, and there are only a handful that performed like I knew what I was doing the first few times out. It's nearly always more about the shooter than the gun, especially if you move from one pistol to another, or spend more time talking guns than on the range. I've had a few 6906's and when they were introduced, they were the best thing since sliced bread. In the early days of the "Wonder-Nine Wars" as they were known (late 80's'Mid 90's) the 6900 Series provided enough accuracy to justify their purchase then, like today....guns are as much about "marketing and mental manipulation" as ever. There have been so many great guns built over the last 25 years as ever in history....If you think you can make it shoot, you'll shoot it as well as anything. Ther is an emotional aspect to guns and shooting that folks don't like to factor, but it's there regardless.....Fine pistol....if you commit to it, it will serve you well.......Zebulon

 

[M29since14]

Is there anything significantly different between the 6906 and the 908/910 that would make the 6906 more accurate?

I can't speak to that because I have only shot the 908 and 910 casually, never for accuracy. One of each. They seemed to be decent guns for what they are.

I have a little more experience with 469/669/6906s. The early guns were in huge demand. One of my friends was either Chief or a high-up in the local department when the 469 came out and he managed to get the first "Mini-gun," as they were called, that I saw. He was one of those odd birds who was not a "gun nut," but he was an excellent shot. He was disappointed with his gun and when I shot it, I had the same impression.

Over the years, I have shot several of those guns and I still have a fairly recent production 6906 of my own. My impression has been that the newer guns seem to be more accurate than the older ones. All of the guns I have had the chance to shoot were probably OK for self-defense type shooting, but the last couple newer 6906s I had the chance to shoot were very good shooters. I ended up buying one of them.

Having said all this, and thinking back a bit, these guns and the shooting I mentioned occurred over maybe 30-years. I also have the impression that 9mm ammunition has improved greatly in that time, so I wonder how much of the improvement I think I note in the newer guns might just be both gun and ammunition? All I can say for sure is my present 6906 seems like a very accurate gun.

 

[Bartman3562]

Exactly

I do not know what your accuracy standards are, but I carried and trained with a 6906 at one point. They are not race guns, they are concealable, very reliable guns. I like them a lot. At 25 yds in, they will shoot as accurate as you could ever need in a CCW.

What he said.

 

[Zebulon]

Good point Sir....also a factor is the development of CNC machines in the manufacture of the later pistols.....Man, how time flies and how amazingly short are our memories..... I LOVE being old.....Still fun to see younger guys thinking it all began (EVERYTHING!) 20 years ago....No offense intended....I didn't have the luxury of having older men in my family........Zebulon the Geezer

 

[Zebulon]

Sidebar.....If I have 25 yards, and I can actually see that far, maybe escape is the better option than engagement......Just sayin'......

 

[M29since14]

Man, how time flies and how amazingly short are our memories.....
Zebulon the Geezer

I may have acquired "Geezer" status slightly before my time. My memory is pretty long, once it is prodded by something. The problem is I cannot trust it. I never know when it may be being inventive.

 

[SMSgt]

I shoot my 6906 just as well (as poorly?) as any of my other handguns. So the issue isn't the gun. But it will get the job done if called for.

 

[Iram]

Sounds like I should avoid this gun like the plague.

Thanks guys.

 

[murphydog]

To answer your original question, no, the 6906 and the 908/910 are very similar mechanically, except the 908 has a compact single stack and the 910 a full-size double-stack magazine. The 6906 is small and wide .

I had one and it shot great for me, but it may not for you; I don't think they are inherently inaccurate but you may just not get along with one.

 

[growr]

I have a 6906 and have NO problems accuracy wise or reliability wise. Great gun in ALL regards. You most likely will have the same experience. Be not afraid of this fine handgun.

Randy

 

[John P.]

I carried a 6906 as one of my duty/off-duty pistols from 1989-1990 until about 2005. It is plenty accurate for CCW/SD use. When we qualified, we also had a steel silhouette target , which was the same size as the center mass area of our qualification targets. I had no problems hitting the steel from 50-60 yards with the 6906. The 6906 is, by far, my favorite S&W auto pistol. I carried a 5906 too, but I found it a little heavy and it didn’t point as well as the 6906.

 

[coorslight]

If you don't shoot a 3rd Generation S&W well, you may need more practice, In the last 2 years I have bought a 908, 6906 and a CS9, all are great shooters once you get used to them. I am comfortable carrying anyone of the three.

 

[deanodog]

I have two 6906s and a 6946 DAO and I have no fault with them. They are my favorite 9mms. I have owned both full size and compact M&Ps but I liked the older 3rd gens better. I also have two 5906s. So yes I like them fine.

 

[pharmer]

Sounds like I should avoid this gun like the plague.
Thanks guys.

I have been carrying the same 6906 99% of the time. It has never had a failure of any kind. It is a carry gun. There are others I can shoot better, but a small handful of a dozen Fed HST in a pull, point and shoot package works for me. I can hit a man sized target at 21 ft (that ain't shooting back!) every time. Going to slip it in my waistband and head out shortly with complete confidence I can draw it and go all the way to slide lock as it has hundreds of times. I'll switch to a better carry gun when it is invented. Joe

 

[Zebulon]

I have two 6906s and a 6946 DAO and I have no fault with them. They are my favorite 9mms. I have owned both full size and compact M&Ps but I liked the older 3rd gens better. I also have two 5906s. So yes I like them fine.

Deanodog.....This should refresh your memory a bit.....

 

[RWJ]

I carried a 6906 as one of my duty/off-duty pistols from 1989-1990 until about 2005. It is plenty accurate for CCW/SD use. When we qualified, we also had a steel silhouette target , which was the same size as the center mass area of our qualification targets. I had no problems hitting the steel from 50-60 yards with the 6906. The 6906 is, by far, my favorite S&W auto pistol. I carried a 5906 too, but I found it a little heavy and it didn’t point as well as the 6906.

What he said. I bought an early one when they first came out (sq. trigger guard). I would have no problem taking a 50+ yard shot with my 6906, if I had it; when my son needed a CCW, I gave it to him on a long term loan. I would (and did) trust my life with it, and do trust HIS life with it.

 

[cpeblue]

Sounds like I should avoid this gun like the plague.

Thanks guys.

Iram, I just finished reading all the posts twice and not one post tries to dissuade from buying the gun. Fact is after reading this I almost feel I should look into getting one, but having a 3913 I can't justify getting a 6906 right now. Though if one came up at the right price I would most likely get it. Good Luck

 

[lhump1961]

Sounds like I should avoid this gun like the plague.

Thanks guys.

I don't know what you have yourself talked into believing but I'm not reading it in this thread. I have a 6904 that, once I became familiar with it, has proven to be quite accurate and 100% reliable...along with my 3913.

If you are looking for a $400 all metal race gun with a match trigger...it ain't out there! These guns were designed with a particular job in mind and they do that job exceedingly well.

 

[dondavis3]

I carried mine for years.

It is very accurate - I put a spurred hammer on it.

It's a little heavy by today's standards.

But a great gun in every way.

 

[wlp624]

Sounds like I should avoid this gun like the plague.

Where in the heck did that conclusion come from?

 

[Bartman3562]

Sarcasm

Sounds like I should avoid this gun like the plague.

Thanks guys.

I think it is called sarcasm. I'll bet it turned on after the overwhelming 100% endorsements this gun receives.

 

[sniper47]

Iram, I just finished reading all the posts twice and not one post tries to dissuade from buying the gun. Fact is after reading this I almost feel I should look into getting one, but having a 3913 I can't justify getting a 6906 right now. Though if one came up at the right price I would most likely get it. Good Luck

I'll go out on a limb and say he was being facetious.

 

[cpeblue]

OK , I can see the IRONY. Maybe one of these would have helped

 

[dondavis3]

Because of this thread

I took my 6906 to the range last week with my son.

We both loved shooting it.

I keep forgetting just how good these 3rd Gen S&W were / are.

I like them - I own 3.