Do you own a Smith & Wesson 5904?

[MrChubbs]

I never buy used pistols, but today I violated my rule.

I came across a S&W 5904 (9mm) pistol practically in mint condition, 95% + rated.

Someone suggested this alloy frame could wear quicker than anticipated?

Are there any 5904 owners out there? What's your experience with these 5904's? I was searching the web for mags and came out empty handed.

All 5904's are double/single action, correct?

The recoil spring will be replaced upon receipt of pistol. Do you suggest replacing any other springs?


Here's a picture

 

[ldp4570]

I have a 5904, a little newer than yours, mine has the rounded trigger guard. Unless your planning to run a full diet of +P+ ammo through her, you'll be passing that one down to your grandchildren.
Here's mine sitting next to my son's Beretta 92FS Centurion.

 

[MrChubbs]

I have a 5904, a little newer than yours, mine has the rounded trigger guard. Unless your planning to run a full diet of +P+ ammo through her, you'll be passing that one down to your grandchildren.
Here's mine sitting next to my son's Beretta 92FS Centurion.

IDP,

Do you suggest replacing any other springs beside the recoil spring? What mags are compatible with this pistol? I searched for mags everywhere and came out empty handed. I just hope I don't regret buying a used pistol.

 

[RufusG]

I was searching the web for mags and came out empty handed.

All the metal-pistol full-size double stack S&W 9mm mags will work. The mags will be listed as 59XX or 5900 series or maybe 5906 (the most common iteration) or something similar. Don't worry, there's still a gazillion out there.

 

[growr]

I have one and it is a great gun, seriously doubt that you could shoot enough to wear it out even firing 1000 rounds a day! Unless the recoil spring is giving you problems I would leave it alone and have a blast with it. Your gun also has S&W's life time warranty.
Randy

 

[ldp4570]

IDP,

Do you suggest replacing any other springs beside the recoil spring? What mags are compatible with this pistol? I searched for mags everywhere and came out empty handed. I just hope I don't regret buying a used pistol.

Its probably an old cop gun, which means unless the LEO was a gun person, the springs are still probably almost new. Try it out before changing out any springs.

My 3913 has had over 10K shot through her, and has only had the recoil/guiderod spring changed out three times. 3rd Gen guns are tough, so don't worry about trying to baby her.

 

[5906fan]

I own an 03 model - s/s slide & alloy frame. no worry of the longevity, the alloy frames are plenty stout enuff.

 

[Grog]

I would say recoil spring, mainspring and magazine springs are worth changing if you want to pay it super safe.

 

[MrChubbs]

I would say recoil spring, mainspring and magazine springs are worth changing if you want to pay it super safe.

I just hung up with Smith & Wesson. I gave them the serial number and they said the pistol was manufactured in the year of 1989.

The retired pastor, seller, assured me the pistol is practically new, no scuff, markings, and also said the barrel is in mint condition. His profile reads he has 771 transactions with a seller rating of 100%. Not one complaint! Would you folks trust your life with this pistol, or would you perform some type of modifications before trusting it?

 

[snw19_357]

Would you folks trust your life with this pistol, or would you perform some type of modifications before trusting it?

I do trust it with mine.

 

[RufusG]

Would you folks trust your life with this pistol, or would you perform some type of modifications before trusting it?

Shoot it with different ammo to build up your confidence in it. Then shoot it some more with your carry ammo to confirm that confidence. At that point you should be good to go, no mods needed.

 

[John Fritz]

I do trust it with mine.

As do I with a 6906, another third gen with an aluminum frame.

Your new gun looks great. From my limited experience with these guns I would take it to the range and run a few boxes of FMJ's through it to see how it feels. If it checks out, which I would bet with 100% assurance it will, then clean her up and slide it in the safe or your conceal carry holster. Whatever the destination, it will never let you down.

I just brought home a 915 today, my fourth 3rd generation in the Fritz arsenal. Lovely guns. You made a good decision adding one to your collection.

 

[Swabby]

S&W 5904

I carry mine daily. It has never given me any trouble on the range, and I shoot a lot, because I have my own range. After buying this one used, I did change most of the springs, but only because I detail stripped it to have the slide reblued. I also refinished the frame in Brownell's GunKote and replaced the factory sights with Trijicons.

I would shoot a few hundred rounds through your 5904 first and see how it operates. If there are no problems, I would not change any other springs, other than the recoil spring which you already have. You could polish the feed ramp, but the beauty of 3rd Gen Smith autos is that they consume anything.

As for magazines, I prefer the stainless 5906 mags. They polish up really well. Check around, you may be able to find some used police trade-in mags. I have several and they work fine. Enjoy the new (to you) 5904.

 

[pineappleshooter]

I carry mine daily. It has never given me any trouble on the range, and I shoot a lot, because I have my own range. .

Swabby - commercial range or your own private range? If commercial - where are u in PA?

pineappleshooter

 

[Craig19]

I carry mine daily. It has never given me any trouble on the range, and I shoot a lot, because I have my own range. After buying this one used, I did change most of the springs, but only because I detail stripped it to have the slide reblued. I also refinished the frame in Brownell's GunKote and replaced the factory sights with Trijicons.

I would shoot a few hundred rounds through your 5904 first and see how it operates. If there are no problems, I would not change any other springs, other than the recoil spring which you already have. You could polish the feed ramp, but the beauty of 3rd Gen Smith autos is that they consume anything.

As for magazines, I prefer the stainless 5906 mags. They polish up really well. Check around, you may be able to find some used police trade-in mags. I have several and they work fine. Enjoy the new (to you) 5904.

That looks really nice.

 

[cmr0323]

Trust but verify!

As President Reagan once said, "Trust but verify!". Even if it was manufactured yesterday, brand new & sold to me by the Pope, himself, I'd still take it out to the range & put a couple hundred target rounds through it -- and then, at least, a box of my self-defense rounds. Then, maybe, I'd trust it.

cmr

I just hung up with Smith & Wesson. I gave them the serial number and they said the pistol was manufactured in the year of 1989.

The retired pastor, seller, assured me the pistol is practically new, no scuff, markings, and also said the barrel is in mint condition. His profile reads he has 771 transactions with a seller rating of 100%. Not one complaint! Would you folks trust your life with this pistol, or would you perform some type of modifications before trusting it?

 

[MrChubbs]

I appreciate all the responses.


To Swabby:

Were the springs you replaced factory springs? If yes, did you buy them individually or in a spring kit?

I carry mine daily. It has never given me any trouble on the range, and I shoot a lot, because I have my own range. After buying this one used, I did change most of the springs, but only because I detail stripped it to have the slide reblued. I also refinished the frame in Brownell's GunKote and replaced the factory sights with Trijicons.

I would shoot a few hundred rounds through your 5904 first and see how it operates. If there are no problems, I would not change any other springs, other than the recoil spring which you already have. You could polish the feed ramp, but the beauty of 3rd Gen Smith autos is that they consume anything.

As for magazines, I prefer the stainless 5906 mags. They polish up really well. Check around, you may be able to find some used police trade-in mags. I have several and they work fine. Enjoy the new (to you) 5904.

 

[j38]

Mine is accurate, utterly reliable, and fits my hand perfectly. It is my favorite double stack 9.

Jerry

 

[Shooter65too]

I've got a 5904 that is well worn finish wise, but mechanically sound. It is my current truck gun. Trijicon sights that will need replacing soon. It feeds everything I put through it. Currently I am using 124 gr +P Golden Saber. All but one of my mags are factory stainless. I put Wolff springs in it. It replaced my stainless SW9VE in my truck. I also use a 6906 withe the same ammo as my nightstand gun.

 

[Swabby]

To Pineappleshooter, my dad owns 23 wooded acres in central PA which have been in my family for several generations. I built a 100 yard range with a covered shooting bench and backstop. This fall, I plan to put another covered shooting bench at 50 yards. The second backstop is already made.

To MrChubbs, I sent you a PM with the places I obtained my extra parts. I have, in addition to my 5904, a 4506, 1006, 4003 ongoing project and a 5906/6906 SSV project on the horizon. Any time I can find S&W 3rd Gen auto parts for a reasonable price, I stock up.