6906-It followed me home!

[hammy5150]

My old early production 6906 stovepiped a couple of times when I first got it. New recoil spring, new mags and a visit to BMCM who replaced the ejector spring among other things and it now runs like a top with anything I put through it.

 

[JohnHL]

What was it doing/not doing?

That is an excellent question, Steve!

For many years, when I was running the Service Department, people would bring me their motorcycles, and regale me with stories about how their neighbor/cousin/brother-in-law who "knew everything about motorcycles" told them that they needed a "tune-up" or some such uninformed nonsense.

The first opportunity I had to get a word in, I would ask them simply, "What's it doing or not doing?"

Within seconds, I knew exactly what action was required and no problems were ever mis-diagnosed.

John

 

[18DAI]

I have noticed, on days where I work as the range officer, that very often a problem with a gun is either a maintenance issue - dry, no lube/grease, old recoil spring - or these days ammo related - no powder in the case/OAL issue/bad primer ect. Ammo makers are shoving product out the door. And it shows.

Sometimes it is a magazine that is either old and has spread the feed lips or has a weak spring or worn follower.

Rarely is it a "gun" problem. Far more often it is operator induced. Especially when the gun is a 3rd Gen. Regards 18DAI

 

[JohnHL]

Very astute observation, 18!

Unlike cars and trucks, motorcycles and guns are seldom "worn-out", but most often, mishandled to destruction.

John

 

[stansdds]

I have noticed, on days where I work as the range officer, that very often a problem with a gun is either a maintenance issue - dry, no lube/grease, old recoil spring - or these days ammo related - no powder in the case/OAL issue/bad primer ect. Ammo makers are shoving product out the door. And it shows.

Sometimes it is a magazine that is either old and has spread the feed lips or has a weak spring or worn follower.

Rarely is it a "gun" problem. Far more often it is operator induced. Especially when the gun is a 3rd Gen. Regards 18DAI

I agree 100% with the exception of cheap firearms. You do get what you pay for and you really should not expect a Jennings or Davis pistol to actually work as a self-loader.

 

[Steve912]

I agree 100% with the exception of cheap firearms. You do get what you pay for and you really should not expect a Jennings or Davis pistol to actually work as a self-loader.

I've had some pretty good luck with Kel-Tecs, tho a lot of
people bash em, hard.

I picked up a cheap .22 auto--Jennings I think, tho mighta
been a Davis--at base rifle-pistol club in El Paso. It was $45,
I figured what the heck. Took it down the road to plinking
range, and she wouldn't go through a mag without a feed
failure.

Went back to housing, and mentioned it to guy next door.
"What a ***!", etc etc. He said "I'll buy it!". He
said he wanted it for his fiance to have, when she answered
the door (I think he was from Chicago). Said he didn't care
if it wouldn't shoot, that she just needed something to
show at the door.

 

[Steve912]

That is an excellent question, Steve!

For many years, when I was running the Service Department, people would bring me their motorcycles, and regale me with stories about how their neighbor/cousin/brother-in-law who "knew everything about motorcycles" told them that they needed a "tune-up" or some such uninformed nonsense.

The first opportunity I had to get a word in, I would ask them simply, "What's it doing or not doing?"

I learned it in the Army. At one point, had a commo shop
supporting a light infantry battalion. Former supe was one
slack dog, and everybody had gotten lazy. Radios, NODs,
would come in with no indication of problem. Knots were
jerked on 'my side of the counter', and by proxy, on the other
side. We modified some protocols to match the op tempo
AND facilitate the repair work, and everyone benefitted.

 

[Hoosierville IRN]

OP, nice handgun. The only down side to acquiring S&W 1/2/3 generation autopistols, is that the mags (other than 5906 series) seem so hard to find!

Wish MecGar made other mags, for instance, for the single stacks...

 

[GaryS]

Back when I was, among other things, repairing ambulance electrical systems every complaint was "There's a short in the electrical system."

It was NEVER a short in the electrical system. Very often it was an open ground circuit that caused weirdness. Things like crew reported that siren came on when they used the directionals, or horn blew when they stepped on the brakes.

Then there was the time that the crew reported that there was a "short in the electrical system" because none of the lights on the back of the ambulance would work. Nope. Turns out that every bulb was burned out. Not all at once, but over a period of weeks.

We went back and looked at the check out sheets. Everyone of them was checked off "Lights working."

I replaced the bulbs and sent the crew on their way.

I learned it in the Army. At one point, had a commo shop
supporting a light infantry battalion. Former supe was one
slack dog, and everybody had gotten lazy. Radios, NODs,
would come in with no indication of problem. Knots were
jerked on 'my side of the counter', and by proxy, on the other
side. We modified some protocols to match the op tempo
AND facilitate the repair work, and everyone benefitted.

 

[kraynky]

I love my 6906, and keep it loaded with model 59 15 round mags, with the adapters sold here by another member. It a newer design (I forget what year) with a rounded trigger guard and Novak sights. Such a good shooter, and easy to carry. Mostly using a belt holster (also from a fellow member) but sometimes IWB with a Sticky Holster.

Your going to love it I think crcsen! It's a great carry pistol for me anyway. Welcome aboard!!, if I haven't already said it.

Oh, by the way, my first Shield was a 9mm and it stored piped on me during the first 100 rounds or so. But the Shield 45 was introduced shortly thereafter and I sold the 9 to get a 45. Perfection! It goes in a Lobo Holster when I need to be more descret. Let us know how you like shooting the 6906.

 

[JohnHL]

Back when I was, among other things, repairing ambulance electrical systems every complaint was "There's a short in the electrical system."

It was NEVER a short in the electrical system. Very often it was an open ground circuit that caused weirdness. Things like crew reported that siren came on when they used the directionals, or horn blew when they stepped on the brakes.

Then there was the time that the crew reported that there was a "short in the electrical system" because none of the lights on the back of the ambulance would work. Nope. Turns out that every bulb was burned out. Not all at once, but over a period of weeks.

We went back and looked at the check out sheets. Everyone of them was checked off "Lights working."

I replaced the bulbs and sent the crew on their way.

I love a bad ground!

Makes people think their stuff is haunted.

And if you can fix electrical, folks think you're some kind of shaman.

John

 

[KEN L]

What did the new springs do for it?
Shot my 6906 for the first time recently and it wasn't nearly revolver reliable.

In my opinion, that's the best variation of the 6906 Smith ever built. Novaks and round trigger guard.

 

[URIT]

The 6906 is indeed a nice EDC choice. I use an Avenger style for OWB carry for my 6906.

MTR Custom Leather located in Ramseur, NC has the avenger holster for the square trigger guard 6906 model. They have other models that might work too.

 

[pasound]

too tall, several members answered your question, and I concur. For me, new springs smoothed out the recoil as well as the DA pull. New stock springs help any 3rd gen.

 

[sw44spl]

I think you got the best 9mm carry gun they have made. I like the early ones better than the round trigger guards. I have one of each 6906s and you cant beat them. Good score enjoy it.

 

[rincar]

Many years ago I purchased 2 6906's. They were both the square trigger guard versions. Both had Night Sights that were dead. I really liked them. I think I gave $340.00 out the door for both of them. I carried one of them off duty. I carried a 12 round Magazine in the gun and a 5906 Magazine as a spare Magazine. I got the holster I carried it in for I think it was $20.00 dollars at a gun show. I do not remember the brand. One of them is stored away and the other is in the safe ready to go.

 

[crcsen]

Just a quick follow-up. This evening I took the 6906 to the range. Fed it a box of 115 gr FMJ (Tennessee Ammo?) and a box of Sig V-crown 124gr JHP. Pistol ran flawlessly. After the first 50 rounds of ball, I settled down to the new platform and started running drills with the probable carry ammo.

Draw, first DA pull followed by a SA 2nd shot. 10 yards, 2 second timer. Started out pretty bad, grouped out around 8", however by the time I ran through all three magazines, I had that down to about 3". The irony for me, was the DA pull was the best shot, the follow-up was the wild card. I need to work of that.

The pistol is a keeper. Looks like it will make a great carry piece.
Seriously need to send the slide to Trigon and get the sights re-lit.

I appreciate everyone's advice and tips.

Charlie