Got a new (to me) 5906. Have questions

[jamesk1989]

Hi everyone.
I bought a 5906 from Bud's. It appears to be a police trade in of some sort and it arrived somewhat dirty.
I've already put about 300 rounds through it with only 2 FTFs, and it shoots fine up to 10 yards. After that the grouping starts to spread out. Is this the approximate threshold for most pistols, or am I doing something wrong? I believed that 1 to 3 inch groups at 10-15 feet was acceptable until I read that some target pistols can do 1" groups from 50 yards.
By the way, I am practicing for self defense. I am not a competitive shooter.

Also, I'm posting some pictures of it. Is there anything that leaps out at you? Do you think it needs to see a gunsmith?

 

[rbert0005]

Looks good to me.

It's called practice. Everyone started with big "groups" if you will.

Bob

 

[wharvey]

Good looking gun. While it's no target gun, with practice you should get down to consistent 1" groups with slow deliberate fire.

 

[10 X]

A 5906 should have zero FTFs. If you can describe the problem more, maybe we can help. If it is a former duty gun, likely all it needs is a fresh spring or two.

A 5906 is not designed to group within 1" at 50 yards, not is any 9mm designed for that. The 1" target guns you are talking about are probably highly tuned expensive 1911 type 45 ACP caliber.

A 5906 in good shape usually will keep groups in the 4" size give or take at 25 yards. It takes practice on the shooter's part to be able to do that.

A 5906 is a very good gun, reliable and tough, although heavy.

 

[18DAI]

Congrats on your 5906! Very nice pistol.

Couple of things stand out to me in your post. I agree with 10X, you should not have any FTF's with a 5906 using factory ammunition. I would get new mag springs and a new recoil spring and install them.

Your 5906 does not appear to have been shot very much, from what slide and barrel wear I can see in your pics. Do a good barrel cleaning with JB Bore bright or your favorite cleaner. Then try some 147 grain 9mm. My S&W 3rd gen 9mm pistols are most accurate and have the smallest groups with heavier 9mm rounds.

I compete and shoot alot and have been doing so for a long time. 1" at 50 yards is.......possible.....optimistic.....and with a Performance Center DPA prefix 5906 might be doable.....from a ransom rest.

Under 3" at 15 yards is very acceptable accuracy in a combat pistol, for me. 4" or under at 25 yards, with a mass production factory standard pistol, like your 5906 is OK too, for me.

My 5906 will do just under 3" at 15 yards using Winchester Ranger 147 grain SXT. I consider it to be an accurate pistol. Like another member mentioned, you can't practice too much either.

Take care of that malfunction problem and enjoy that 5906! Good luck! Regards 18DAI

 

[jamesk1989]

A 5906 should have zero FTFs. If you can describe the problem more, maybe we can help. If it is a former duty gun, likely all it needs is a fresh spring or two.

When I had the FTFs, there were no more than 3 rounds left in the magazine (15rd mag). It occurred once with Winchester (white box) 115gr FMJ, and again with Corbon 125gr JHP +p.
And which springs should I look at replacing? Should I replace the magazines as well? It is very easy to fully load both of my magazines, whereas it was quite a bit more difficult to do the same to the rental guns (Glock, Springfield XD, M&P) I learned to shoot on.
And do the magazines require cleaning? I noticed some lead buildup on the part where the bullet sits.

Congrats on your 5906! Very nice pistol.

Thank you very much!

 

[10 X]

When you had the failure to feed, did you have to just push the slide a little to close or did you have to pull back slightly and then let the slide close on its own? Let us start there and see what we learn.


gunsprings.com (Wolff gun springs) is the place to get springs.
I would start with new magazine springs (5% stronger than standard) and a standard weight recoil spring. The Wolff pages will guide on strength.

Magazines do need cleaning. The base of the magazine slides off to take out the spring and follower so you can clean the inside of the mag.

 

[jamesk1989]

Your 5906 does not appear to have been shot very much, from what slide and barrel wear I can see in your pics. Do a good barrel cleaning with JB Bore bright or your favorite cleaner. Then try some 147 grain 9mm. My S&W 3rd gen 9mm pistols are most accurate and have the smallest groups with heavier 9mm rounds.

And when you say barrel, are you referring to the rod that goes inside the spring? Sorry, I'm new to this terminology.

When you had the failure to feed, did you have to just push the slide a little to close or did you have to pull back slightly and then let the slide close on its own? Let us start there and see what we learn.


gunsprings.com (Wolff gun springs) is the place to get springs.
I would start with new magazine springs (5% stronger than standard) and a standard weight recoil spring. The Wolff pages will guide on strength.

Magazines do need cleaning. The base of the magazine slides off to take out the spring and follower so you can clean the inside of the mag.

I never bothered messing with the slide. I just dropped the mag, cleared the chamber, and started over. I was under the impression that was the only way to clear a jam.

And I'll look into those springs.

 

[quneur]

The rod which fits inside the (recoil) spring is typically called recoil rod or recoil guide rod. What 18DAI is probably saying is 'bore' for 'barrel'.

You can take the magazine apart from the bottom. Just remember the direction of the spring. I don't remember the direction but the top of the spring will be at an angle.

 

[jamesk1989]

I went back to the range today and fired another 200 rounds. There were no jams of any kind. I guess I was just limp wristing when I had those failure to feeds.

 

[yustinus1973]

Nice looking 5906, glad to see you had no more FTFs at your second range trip.

 

[jamesk1989]

Nice looking 5906, glad to see you had no more FTFs at your second range trip.

Thank you.

 

[SMSgt]

Nice!

Just picked up the little brother of yours, a 6906 that feeds fine. You never know what wear and tear a used gun has, and mag & recoil springs are cheap, easy to swap out, and a common cureall for most pistol failures. Mags collect a lot of residue and need to be cleaned from time to time. Don't oil them; they collect gunk all the worse. I use a "light" spray of dry lube in mine and have had no issues. Keeps the powder residue from sticking too.

 

[jamesk1989]

Nice!

Just picked up the little brother of yours, a 6906 that feeds fine. You never know what wear and tear a used gun has, and mag & recoil springs are cheap, easy to swap out, and a common cureall for most pistol failures. Mags collect a lot of residue and need to be cleaned from time to time. Don't oil them; they collect gunk all the worse. I use a "light" spray of dry lube in mine and have had no issues. Keeps the powder residue from sticking too.

If you don't mind sharing, what is this dry lube you're using? I've been cleaning mine with Winchester CLP, and I can't seem to get the last bit of grit built up inside the slide where the rear sight is mounted.

 

[harleyargunner]

I have three 5906's one is a TSW and when I first got it new it would always fail to feed. I like to fire it with plenty of Rem oil on it and havent had any trouble. Im not an expert but if yours has a real low round count it could be the parts just need to settle in with each other. And as many have said couldnt hurt to change recoil spring.

 

[harleyargunner]

Has anyone notice the v notch in the slide between the recoil spring and barrell. Some here told me they cut them to fit the barrell after field stripping. But S&W cust serivce says nope.

 

[yustinus1973]

My 4006TSW has a v-notch in the slide at the same place, cust serivce told me this was normal wear, not a big dill i have had other pistols with the same thing on there slides.