6990 vs 6906

[mkcharlie]

Like many, I have a M6906 which I enjoy BTW, but have a question. Saw a model 6990 at a shop for sale that looked almost exactly like my gun except had different, yet fixed sights. Everything looked the same. What is the difference, and is there a diff. in their value-everything else being equal.
Thanks
Charlie

 

[Forsmithers]

MKCharlie,
I don't have my Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson's handy but I am pretty sure that this was a transitional model between the 2nd generation 469/669 and the 3rd generation 6904/6906. These pistols were made with leftover parts from the 2nd generation guns and used new 3rd generation frames. They were sold to a distributor called RSR and the serial numbers began with RSR****.

I have a 6450 which was a 2nd generation slide and barrel on a 3rd generation frame. I have also seen a number of other models, including one that recently sold on the Smith Forum Classified (http://smith-wessonforum.com/guns-sale-trade/194901-wts-s-w-4691-rsr-9mm-quite-rare-spf.html). These are definitely limited production guns but again were made with leftover parts so the value is really up to what people are willing to pay.

If the serial number of the 6990 begins with RSR than it is going to be a transitional gun. If you end of buying it please post some photos for us to look at.

 

[gunny4053]

mkcharlie, does it look like this?

Mine is a 6690, which as Forsmithers said was a transitional gun between the 2nd and 3rd Gen. guns. Basically a 3rd Gen frame with a 2nd Gen slide, barrel, and sights. The SCSW doesn't give any actual number as far as production, but the research I did on the 6690 indicates somewhere between 400 and 900 were produced. S&W is known for using up spare parts, which in this case, they did for these transitional guns. RSR was the sole distributor as demonstrated by the serial numbers, all starting with RSR. I haven't heard of the 6990, but there were a number of variants depending on what slide components and size of frame were used.

If the one you're looking at is anything like mine, they are great shooters and would be worth having.