DPA Prefix 5 inch 5903?

[18DAI]

I came across some notes recently, from back when I worked for my first agency. Around 2005/2006.

They are my options for ordering a DPA Prefix 4 inch or 5 inch pistol from S&W. At the time, these were only available to LE. In the notes I have that not only was a 5906 style 9mm offered, in both 4 inch and 5 inch, but a 5903 aluminum framed gun as well.

These notes were taken contemporaneously of a conversation with a S&W employee. Explaining how to order, what creds were needed ect. Much I had forgotten. And ultimately, I didn't complete the order as I got divorced the next year.

Does anyone here have any info on a DPA Prefix 5903? Anyone own one? There is a little bit written about the DPA 5906s. But I could find no memtion of the 5903s.

I have been spending a lot of time lately with a LE Trade in 5903 beater that my dealer found for me last year. It is a fantastic pistol. Extremely light weight on the belt. And stunningly accurate with everything I run through it.

Such a nice gun, I may start a thread on it. Thanks! Regards 18DAI

 

[the big guy]

I am holding TJC1814 in my sweaty little hand. Is your 5903 done with the short frame? I forget the story about why that happened. The wrap around grip on mine comes down lower than the frame. Magazine seats perfectly against the grip. Looks odd. And the frame is marked 5903.

 

[Heymatt]

We like pics

 

[18DAI]

No, the grip frame is not short. The OEM Delrin grip comes right to the bottom of the grip frame and matches up perfectly. Serial prefix is VKM. MIM trigger amd hammer. Roll marks on slide and frame.

I do have a 4563TSW that has a grip frame a few millimeters short. The OEM Delrin grip on that one DOES come down longer than the grip frame. I would like to know the story on how that happened. Regards 18DAI

 

[BAM-BAM]

I've got a DPA 5906....

My PC guns are all from a LGS/Police Distributer here in SW Pa. They had a lot of different PC guns over the 1990s...... never saw a alloy frame DPA 59xx. If I had I would have bought it!!!!!!!!

The coolest thing about my 5906 is it's got a de-cocker only "safety"!

Up until then I'd been using my all steel SD-9 for shooting "games" with the +2 mags. ..... the DPA 5906 seem like a good upgrade. It came home as the last gun before our first son was born and "shooting games" on Sundays fell by the wayside for about 10 years. My DPA 5906 is still NIB!!!!

For full size alloy frame 9mm I opted for the 915 as Novak was using them to build custom guns due to the heavier than "normal" frames. I like the straight back grip frame..... give a kind of Browning HP feel to the gun.

 

[Rock185]

I have 4" and 5" DPA 5906s, and recall discussion of a DPA 5903 version, perhaps a few years ago. Seems like it was mostly speculation, that the DPA 5903 must have been a very low production item. I can't recall ever seeing one offered for sale....

 

[BAM-BAM]

"DPA" were intended to be range/game gun......so all steel makes sense.... durability and soaking up recoil.

Alloy frames make sense on guns that are bought to be carried more than shot! One of the reasons I switched from a stainless Commander to a Sig 220 decades ago.

 

[joedegs]

From what I've heard, "The DPA prefix originated when PC built the 4" 5906's for use in IDPA, these turned out to be awesome guns and those who purchased them rarely sold them, they caught on in the PPC world as well.
The DPA designation was used on any variant of the 5906 platform and there were a very limited number of aluminum frame 5" 5903's with that prefix."

Besides the 9mm, there was around 25 5" and a very limited number of 4" 4006 DPAs made. The 5" had a melonite finish and a magwell. There's a member who was posted his 4" 4006 DPA.

The link below was something I came across. I never knew that PC made a 4" 9mm DPA with a melonite finish and with a rail.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXwLi3qKD0w[/ame]

Joe

 

[BAM-BAM]

Note Jerry's gun above has a traditional de-cocker-safety.... MY DPA 5906 is just a decocker....it flips back up automatically.

 

[RedCardinal]

I ordered a 5" DPA 5906 from S&W in 2006 and received it in January 2007. I wanted the 4" DPA but was told they were no longer in production. I have had 4 of the 4" models but now only have one which has the MIM parts replaced with the forged chrome parts and bobbed hammer. Also an extra Briley 356TSW barrel. The 5" remains NIB with its black MIM parts and spur hammer.


I have never seen a DPA 5903, but it would be a perfect concealed carry pistol. I think I would like it better than the 9 Recon; however, the mission purpose would determine the carry choice.


I did buy a NIB 4003TSW non-rail marked Atlanta Police with intentions to use it as a concealed carry weapon. This became even better when I learned that the 5906TSW and 4006TSW barrels had the same external dimensions. I bought two 5906TSW barrels and had the chamber on one bored to 357 Sig by BMCM. I liked that deal so much, I bought two more and had BMCM do it again. Now my CHP 4006TSW and AP 4003TSW can shoot 40 S&W, 357 Sig and 9mm. Do I really need a DPA 5903?