Info on a 5906

[BWoz]

Hi all, new to the forum.
I finally got lucky and added a Smith and Wesson to my collection after being the winning bidder. I was wondering if any of you would be so kind to look up info on my new 5906, serial # TCJ 6xxx. She’s old stock, supposed to be new in the box. When she finishes her journey I will post some pics.

Thanks
BWoz

 

[toddimusnimski]

Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson 4th edition shows the 5906 was produced from 1989-1999. My TCRxxxx shipped in April 89 so yours would be an early one too. Squared trigger guard no doubt? Some people don't like that feature but I think it adds a little style.
Welcome to the Forum!

Todd

 

[PJO1425]

Standard Catalog of S&W (4th edition) shows TCB & TCW serial numbers in 1988, so your pistol "could" be from this time frame.

 

[BWoz]

Thank you for the quick response. Yes she has the squared trigger guard and I read somewhere that that was discontinued later in the 90s.

I may have to invest in that Smith and Wesson book. Does the 4th edition cover everything from inception to date or do they go by specific years?

Thanks again
BWoz

 

[URIT]

Congratulations, your 5906 is a real collector piece. As such, a Letter of Authenticity from Roy Jinx may be more helpful in nailing down the date and history of your pistol. I have these letters for my collectibles.

If interested, here is a link to start that process... http://www.theswca.org/forms/Letter_request_form.pdf

 

[toddimusnimski]

Thank you for the quick response. Yes she has the squared trigger guard and I read somewhere that that was discontinued later in the 90s.

I may have to invest in that Smith and Wesson book. Does the 4th edition cover everything from inception to date or do they go by specific years?

Thanks again
BWoz

These books don't focus on the company's history but gives info that collectors desire (details on stocks, boxes, engraving, etc). Each model is listed, with sections giving the background, variations, product codes and features by year. Serial number ranges with approximate shipping dates are near the back of the book. An excellent resource.

 

[mainegrw]

Congrats, The 5906 is one heck of a pistol! Really the entire 39/59 series are all great guns.

Coincidentally, I picked up my second 5906 just yesterday, also a TCJ prefix gun. As others have suggested, the SCSW seems to indicate 1988 production, which if I recall, would be the first year the 5906 was produced. Mine's not pristine like yours, but did come with an awesome set of Millett adjustable sights in place of the stock ones. And talk about a tack-driver...

Out of all the all the handguns I've owned, the best have been the 5906, 39-2, and the Sig P226. Personally, I think the S&W classic auots are very close in quality to the Sigs, maybe better than some of the newer production ones.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[BWoz]

First off thanks to all who have taken their time to read and to those who have replied here. I finally was able to bring home my new addition. Been a bit of a wait with slow seller response, me working outa town only being home on weekend and background check delays. Buying a gun with todays laws can be trying at times. At least we are all safer now.

Took a few pics of her home coming, I would like to share with you all. Cleaned, oiled and made ready for a trip to the range. The fit and finish of these beauties are fabulous, smooth double action trigger, Even better single action. This is my first DA auto as I prefer the SA, I like the idea of the first shot DA then SA and chose a winner in this platform with the S&W 5906. I may have to look at getting a 4566 next.

Good shooting,
Bill

 

[AlHunt]

First off thanks to all who have taken their time to read and to those who have replied here. I finally was able to bring home my new addition. Been a bit of a wait with slow seller response, me working outa town only being home on weekend and background check delays. Buying a gun with todays laws can be trying at times. At least we are all safer now.

Don't the them fool you. I think we're less safe now, but everyone is entitled to their view.

Took a few pics of her home coming, I would like to share with you all. Cleaned, oiled and made ready for a trip to the range. The fit and finish of these beauties are fabulous, smooth double action trigger, Even better single action. This is my first DA auto as I prefer the SA, I like the idea of the first shot DA then SA and chose a winner in this platform with the S&W 5906. I may have to look at getting a 4566 next.

I'd be happy to own that particular gun even if I do hate the dumbo ears and square trigger guard. In fact, I owned a twin to it back in the late 80's. These days I like the 6906 better. Honestly, in a full size 9MM of that vintage I like the looks of Ruger p89 better. Even if it has the square trigger guard and isn't as elegant as the Smith.

All things considered you have a very fine firearm. Dumbo ears and trigger guard styles are just nits to pick. it's possible I'm slightly jealous ... Enjoy it!

 

[Sevens]

Ummmm...

You said right in the first post that it had the box and now we see that yep, you got the box! On the end label of your box is a four digit code that tells you the pistol's "born on" date, right down to the day.

Show us a picture of that end label and congrats on a cool pistol.

 

[BWoz]

Ok here is a pic of the box end. What 4 didgits tell the born on date? Interested to know.
Thanks

Yes the elephant ears are what makes these different, I really wanted an early one with them ears and square trigger guard.

 

[barbsaurus]

You have a very desirable handgun package. I'm looking for one myself...well done!

 

[barbsaurus]

I may be wrong but the spec ord 9011 breaks down as Jan 11, 1989...

 

[Sevens]

Exactly! 11th day of the year, 1989.

 

[BWoz]

Thanks for that bit of code breaking info guys. Good to know her Birthday, Jan 11,1989.

To AlHunt,
I don’t really feel safer with these crazy gun laws. Just trying to be politically correct. Don’t get me started. It’s a sore subject.

 

[AlHunt]

Thanks for that bit of code breaking info guys. Good to know her Birthday, Jan 11,1989.

To AlHunt,
I don’t really feel safer with these crazy gun laws. Just trying to be politically correct. Don’t get me started. It’s a sore subject.

I guess I missed the sarcasm. You're right, not a productive topic.

I'm not sure I've ever seen someone prefer the large rear sight and trigger guard. Supposedly the large guard is for gloved hands. I can see the utility of it but I just avoid winter time firefights.

 

[BWoz]

I guess I missed the sarcasm. You're right, not a productive topic.

I'm not sure I've ever seen someone prefer the large rear sight and trigger guard. Supposedly the large guard is for gloved hands. I can see the utility of it but I just avoid winter time firefights.

No worries. I was in a mood at the time of that writing.

When I first saw those sights on a friends 659 I thought they were a bit on the ugly side. After shooting his 659 a few times they kinda grew on me. That gun shoots very true. I decided on getting one of my own, the adjustable site seemed alright and have nothing like them in the safe. I saw this 5609 and the rest is history.