6906 vs ????

[.455_Hunter]

Is there another gun on the market that fills the medium capacity (12 to 13 +1 rds) compact role any better than the 6906/6904 series? It seems S&W did a good job with the design without any glaring ommisions or shortcomings, but I want to make sure I am not overlooking something.

Looking for more capacity than the single stacks but smaller than the full size double stacks. Non-safety striker guns need not apply.

Thinking Beretta, Sig, CZ or ?

Thanks!

Hunter

 

[JeepinSoldier]

Beretta 92 Compact? Shortened slide and grip. Sig may have one as well.

 

[NYresQ]

The Sig 224 may be in that size area you want. Top quality, but if you have big hands, the grip may be too short for your full hand. Available in 9mm, 40 and 357. Plus you can carry a 226 mag for a reload which give you a few extra rounds over the normal mag.

 

[NYresQ]

The Sig doesnt have a safety, but is available in DA/SA or the DAK trigger. Either way you have a long deliberate pull for the first shot

 

[RalphMP9FS]

Taurus PT800 compact series.

 

[Duelist]

I've often seen the 6906 compared to the GLOCK 19/23, but you don't want to look at those (can't blame you). The M&P 9c with a safety is close, but still is striker-fired.

One of the Sig P250 sizes should be close. DAO, hammer, no safety (IIRC).

But I can't say that anyone has done it better. The 6906 and 3913 are right on the edge of being perfect.

CZ has some that size.

 

[BMCM]

Is there another gun on the market that fills the medium capacity (12 to 13 +1 rds) compact role any better than the 6906/6904 series?

Not necessarily any better but there are other compacts suitable to that role depending on opinion of course.

Off the top of my head...
H&K
Beretta
CZ 75 series
Sig
Boberg? (single stack I think)
EEA Witness
FNH
KRISS
Taurus

My opinion? If I had to replace a 69xx with a modern arm it'd be a tossup between an H&K and the KRISS.
Good Hunting

Cheers
Bill

 

[smithscott]

HK P2000SK would be a great choice. It uses 10-round flush fitting magazines, but it will take the 15-round magazines from the P2000. V3 has a decocker, but no manual safety.

Some negatives: While it has a rail, it is an HK proprietary rail. As hard to find as a 6906. Prices, while lower than they were, are still high. You can probably buy two 6906 pistols for the cost of one P2000SK.

Really hard to beat the 6906, especially if you like metal-framed guns.

 

[mikeasb]

I have the CZ 2075 RAMI Decocker as well as two 6906's. The CZ is about the equivalent of the Smith's in function, size, capacity, and weight (the CZ feels a little heavier) with the CZ having the option of "cocked and locked" carry. The 6906 carries 12 9mm and the CZ carries 10 in the flush mag or 14 in the extended mag. Although I have carried both on different occasions the 6906 seems to carry more comfortably for me. I'm not sure why, it just feels better.

 

[TTSH]

The M&P 9c with a safety is close, but still is striker-fired.

Really hard to beat the 6906, especially if you like metal-framed guns.

The 6906 is about as close to ideal as I've seen in a compact all-metal double stack. I guess that's why I own two of them.

But if plastic is your thing, the M&P9c is not half bad and very inexpensive, at least for now in my area. I bought mine for right around $350 brand new.

Being one who thinks of all-metal guns and plastic guns very differently (not better or worse, just different), when questions like this come up, I strongly suggest that the all-metal vs. plastic decision be the starting point. If you can't decide if all-metal or plastic will work for you best, you really need to do more hands-on research.

 

[RDFabsRep]

Have you looked at the 2nd gen variations of the same gun?

I have a 6926 (almost identical to the 6906) but I also have a 469 beater gun I picked up for $270.00. It uses the same mags, but you won't feel bad tossing it in your truck, or holster every day. Honestly, I shoot my 6926 and 469 more than any of my guns. At least one of them accompanies me on every range trip.

 

[Arik]

There are no other all steel DA/SA with a safety. Some have decockers, some have safeties but not all metal, others are single stack. Probably the closest will be the Beretta

 

[Duelist]

The CZ75 Compact is all steel, DA/SA, with a frame-mounted thumb safety.

The CZ75 PCR is steel and aluminum alloy, with a de-cocker. The CZ P-01 is similar to the PCR but with a light rail.

 

[AlHunt]

One of the Sig P250 sizes should be close. DAO, hammer, no safety (IIRC).

I have a 1st gen P250 9mm. It's nearly identical in size to the 6906, lacks the decocker and has no safety. The biggest difference for me is that the weight of the 6906 sits in my palm while the Sig seems top heavy in comparison.

The recoil spring on the Sig is lighter, making it easier to rack the slide for someone with less hand strength. The magazine release on the Sig is just a bit higher and requires less effort to drop the mag.

 

[Duelist]

Alhunt, a friend of mine just bought one for exactly those reasons - hand strength issues meant it was the easiest gun for her to confidently handle administratively.

 

[BAM-BAM]

I like the Beretta 92 Compact......I've had one since 1988 ( pre 3rd gen).

But to me it's closer to a full size gun at 13+1 and a 4.2 inch barrel vs the 3.5" barrel on the 6906.

CZ IIRC has compact versions of the 75 and 85 Series.

For me:

Small = Colt Mustang Pocket Lite or Walther PPK

Compact = 3913/14 (90% of the time this is what I carry)

Medium= 6906/6904 or a Beretta 92 Compact Type M ( single stack 8+1 w/ 2 extra magazines)

Medium+ = Beretta 92 Compact (13+1 w/ a 17 rd extra mag.) Sig 228/229

Full size= 5906/915 or Beretta Centurion (17+1 with Mecgar magazine)

 

[Jaymo]

Daewoo DP51C, or Lionheart LH9NC. Same gun.
Same size as 6906. Frame safety, no decocker.
Hammer block.
Firing pin block.
Takes Daewoo/Lionheart mags, or S&W 59 and 69 series mags.

Carry hammer-down DA, cocked and locked, or hammer-down fastfire.

I have a DP51, same size as 5906/5903. About same weight as 5903.
It started me down the road of 3rd gen goodness.
Fits 5906 holsters.
Proven, reliable design.
Novak sights in your choice of standard, fiber optic, or tritium.

Safety is ambidextrous.
Finish is black Cerakote.

 

[RufusG]

I don't think anyone specifically mentioned the Beretta Cougars. 3.5" barrel, 15 or 13 or 10 (mini-cougar?) magazine. TDA (F or G) or DAO.

 

[Jaymo]

The Lionheart would be the same size as the 6906 and uses the same mags as the Smith.

 

[ugrey]

I pondered this question for a year or more. I liked the Walther P99 compact. It was very close in size, weight, and capacity. I finally just stuck with my "obsolete" 6906.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Long story made short, I was teaching gun safety and handling to a friend over the weekend. I was demonstrating the various items on my 6906 as opposed to my Walter CCP, most especially the decocker. As I was doing it I was thinking to myself, "Self, why are you not carrying the 6906 like you used to?".

It's a gem, that's for sure!!!!

 

[rincar]

I like the S&W 6906, The CZ 75 PCR and the Stoeger or Beretta Cougar. But I usually carry a Glock 26 , S&W model 9EZ, or a Taurus G2c. They Have all been 100% reliable out of the box for me.

 

[xfarfuldog]

The P2000 is the most under appreciated gun HK makes. Mine is the factory LEM. When I faced the issue of the 6906 at the PD, I chose a P228.

 

[imarangemaster]

Very close to a Shield 9mm. Shield is lighter, but I shoot the 6906 better. Overall size is close, especially with the 7 round mag, but the 6906 has 5 more rounds. The Shield with the 8 round mag is actually a bit taller than the 6906.

I keep my Shield for front pocket just running to the small town, rural corner store. The 6906 is my primary EDC retired LEO gun. I have a simple belt slide bucket I keep on my belt all the time. When I leave the house, I just slide the 6906 into it under an untucked shirt.

Shield with 8+1

Shield with 7+1

 

[imarangemaster]

My 6906 weighs 29 ozs. fully loaded with 13 rounds. My .40 shield with the +1 Magguts and 8 rounds is 25 oz. 5 Rounds more of 9BPLE. 115 +P+ is certainly worth 4 ounces extra!

I would never feed the 6906 a steady diet of the ISP load. All of the training and qualifying is done with standard 115s.

 

[Steve912]

Very close to a Shield 9mm. Shield is lighter, but I shoot the 6906 better. Overall size is close, especially with the 7 round mag, but the 6906 has 5 more rounds. The Shield with the 8 round mag is actually a bit taller than the 6906.

What's up with the starboard safety lever--trying to keep her
thinner?

 

[hammy5150]

I have an LEM P2000SK and 6906 that I keep for CC. Both are pretty reliable but I'd honestly mind losing the P2000SK less. I do wish the 6906 had the same straight back grips that 5906s and 3913s do since those point much more naturally for me while the curved grip pushes my natural point of impact left on the 6906 unless I shift my grip for it.

 

[imarangemaster]

That was my last 6906 that I stupidly sold. I was going to mill the dovetail off to make it slide level. My current 6906 is so minty, I wouldn't think of changing it.

 

[imarangemaster]

Two days ago I started using the new (to me) 6906 as my primary EDC in a De Santis soft tuck IWB. I noticed NO difference in comfort from my .40 Shield in it's Milt Sparks Summer Special.

Economic necessity had caused me to "thin the herd" a couple years ago and sell my last 6906. I had forgotten how much I really like the 469/6906 platform as a EDC piece. This one is nearly mint, and much nicer than my last one. I replaced hammer and recoil springs with OEM S&W springs from Midway, just as a precaution.

 

[PeteC]

This would be my favorite comparison. 6906 v. CZ 75 P01 Omega, Decocker version. 13 rnd magazine, 2 oz lighter (not that you can feel that). I am more accurate with the CZ, the rubber grips and the full length slide rails have something to do with that, I am sure. The 3rd gen is a classic though, and built for easier concealed carry. The CZ is an aluminum frame version of a police duty gun, and the hammer WILL snag. I like them both.