6906 revived

[DirtyShirt]

I enjoy mine but it doesn't like 147 grain HST. The lip of the 147 grain hollow point cavity gets caught on the top feeding hood of the barrel.

 

[st regis]

The Georgia Bureau of investigation went to the 6906 when we traded in our 2 1/2 inch model 66s. We were issued 115 grain silver tips as duty ammo. Most of us did not carry guns back then anyway, they usually stay in the trunk or under the front seat. This was back in the mid 80s. When they finally went to Glocks, I was able to buy mine. I still have it and carry it regularly. I do carry it with a 5906 magazine with one of the extender caps on the bottom. I personally carry federal 124 grain non-plus P HST

 

[nocents]

Only complaint about my 6906 is it's hideous right side safety lever that sticks out excessively on the right side ,
On a side note if you wanto carry 2 more rounds in a spare mag the longer 14 rd model 59 459 659 etc magazines will lock in but stick out the bottom a little.

what is the hideous right side safety that you speak of??.........

 

[rosewood]

I've been thinking about a project machining/grinding down
the right side of a 3rd gen ambi safety and threading the spring
hole for a stainless set screw.
NOW I can't find 3rd gen ambi safeties.

I did this. Bought a used slide on Fleabay and it was missing the lever, so I performed this mod. Bead blasted it back to factory finish afterwards. You can still see a slight circle where the screw didn't quite fill the hole. I tried peening it when installing, but didn't do enough. The untrained eye would probably pay it no attention.

Rosewood

 

[stansdds]

I enjoy mine but it doesn't like 147 grain HST. The lip of the 147 grain hollow point cavity gets caught on the top feeding hood of the barrel.

That does not sound right. I'm thinking it may be an issue with the magazine, maybe damaged or malformed feed lips.

 

[Smith391]

Dug out my 6906 and was very pleasantly surprised at just how good and compact it really is.

The 6906 was always one of my favorite S&W pistols.

Even today, this classic will hold its own against any modern production offering for CCW duty. Just make sure you get one with the Novak 3-dot sights (or Novak night sights), because the "notch & post" sights originally used by S&W on the early 3rd Gen models leave a lot to be desired ... especially for aging eyes.

Novak sights...



versus the "notch & post"...

 

[GaryS]

I have the opposite problem. My new Enforcer seems to have 1911 style safety controls and I'm used to the 3rd Gen style. I think that the Enforcer will thus end up either a range only gun or maybe a home gun.

**
My memory is a bit off right now, but if that is a DAO variant, have a big thumbs up.
1) I am a lefty.
2 As much I approve of traditional DA/SA, the control/decker/safety that goes up is awful for me. It is totally counterintuitive to me, compared to a 1911, and my smallish hands make it hard to use.

 

[GaryS]

I concur. I've never had a problem with 147gr anything in any of my 3rd Gens. In fact, the compacts shoot that fine and don't like the 115gr (in terms of accuracy). In 2021 I used my 6946 for the NC/SC qualification course and passed with a high score using 147gr. That was only the second time I fired it as well.

That does not sound right. I'm thinking it may be an issue with the magazine, maybe damaged or malformed feed lips.

 

[Engine49guy]

what is the hideous right side safety that you speak of??.........

Just switched to a PC Shield ( no safety levers) for CCW but the 3rd gen I just retired to backup position had none on the left side as well .

 

[GaryS]

I've given some thought to switching to my 3953TSW for daily carry. I should have kept my ANIB pre rail 3953TSW and used that, but it was so nice I just sold it as part of my pre move herd thinning.

Just switched to a PC Shield ( no safety levers) for CCW but the 3rd gen I just retired to backup position had none on the left side as well .

 

[Engine49guy]

I've given some thought to switching to my 3953TSW for daily carry. I should have kept my ANIB pre rail 3953TSW and used that, but it was so nice I just sold it as part of my pre move herd thinning.

The trick is to find a used one with some minor condition issues then you dont mind beating it up a bit.

 

[GaryS]

3953 and later 3953TSW guns are relatively easy to find. It's the pre rail versions that are elusive. Other than mine, I've seen on other for sale. That one was a shooter grade.

The trick is to find a used one with some minor condition issues then you dont mind beating it up a bit.

 

[Engine49guy]

Funny thing is when the 3rd gens were new I turned my nose up at the delrin monogrip, many years later decided to look for a 3913 Ladysmith for ccw but supply had dried up so ended up with a 3953 and 6906 which oddly are on opposite sides of what I wanted.
Reality now is the PC Shield does everything the 3953 does but like the 3953 no 2nd strike.
The Bodyguard 380 has 2nd strike, built in laser and is alot easier to carry in South Florida attire and as a result is getting much more CCW hours logged.
Have some others but 3rd gen PC's are too pretty to destroy carrying.

 

[stansdds]

I concur. I've never had a problem with 147gr anything in any of my 3rd Gens. In fact, the compacts shoot that fine and don't like the 115gr (in terms of accuracy). In 2021 I used my 6946 for the NC/SC qualification course and passed with a high score using 147gr. That was only the second time I fired it as well.

In several 9mm pistols, I have found 115 grain FMJ to be the least accurate.

 

[GaryS]

My Enforcer likes 115 as does my Mossberg MC1sc.

In several 9mm pistols, I have found 115 grain FMJ to be the least accurate.