Model 3906. Good things are produced in small numbers.

[hooksnatcher]

My first 3rd Gen S&W - before I knew what one was!

I bought mine new back in '89 or so. I had been toting a Browning HP around for a while and wanted something more practical and easier to care for. Found that in the 3906. I still have both guns but the Browning spends way more time in the safe now.

 

[prescobd]

I bought a 3996 off of here some time ago. I don't remember the seller. It had the fixed Novak sights. The safety had been converted as a de-cocker only and the square trigger guard had been rounded. Nearly the perfect sidearm, although a bit heavy.

 

[AF FAL]

Dead thread revival.....

I love the 3906. I actually had TWO, one I sold about a year and a half ago, made $75 over what I paid, but still debating the wisdom of that sale.

The 3906 I still have is a bit interesting, I purchased it on Gunbroker pretty cheap. When I received it, it did have some holster wear, but nothing to bad. What jumped at me were the proof marks on the frame, barrel, and slide, and marks from a US importer. I contacted S&W to see if they could help with the pistol history, fortunately they keep pretty good records. My pistol was part of an Austrian Customs contract, and it appears it made its way back to our shores again.

As with just about all the S&W 3rd gen guns, it shoots like a dream!

 

[PMRet]

Well, since somebody resurrected this thread about one of my favorite pistols, and since it's a slow morning, might as well post a pic or two...

 

[kaveman]

Some of us appreciate the dead thread revivals. We haven't all been here since the beginning and searches only pull up so much.

I love the idea of a 3rd gen Smith going to Austria on a gov't contract!

 

[1775usmarine]

I just read this thread a few days ago. I got my 3906 W/ square trigger guard and adj sights last year for $560. Probably a little much but it had been in this store for at least 3 yrs. I would say its about 90% and shoots like a dream. When I look at it I think I should just leave it in the safe but I'd rather enjoy the good things in life.

 

[625smith]

Here is my fixed sight 3906. It has the later Novak sights. It shoots very well. Enjoy the pictures!

 

[18DAI]

Very nice 625smith! I'm looking for a late production 3906 with Novaks.

For those searching for mags, IIRC mags for the 952 work as well in the 3906. Regards 18DAI

 

[GaryS]

Especially Austria, home of you know who!

Some of us appreciate the dead thread revivals. We haven't all been here since the beginning and searches only pull up so much.

I love the idea of a 3rd gen Smith going to Austria on a gov't contract!

 

[kaveman]

...........I got my 3906 W/ square trigger guard and adj sights last year for $560. Probably a little much but it had been in this store for at least 3 yrs...........

Gotta ask,........Maple City Sports? I've been in that place twice in the last 30yrs only because of a 3906. There was a stainless single-stack on the shelf on my first visit but I didn't know enough at the time to seriously look at it. I went back a few weeks later specifically for that gun and it was gone. Haven't seen another since.

 

[kaveman]

Especially Austria, home of you know who!

You talking about Steyr? I've always liked those guys.

 

[Sevens]

I decided the one I really wanted to chase was going to be a 2nd Gen 639 and I found one when it popped up locally. It's a terrific pistol, but the 3906 is better. They really improved the ergos on the 3rd Gens in subtle but very well executed ways.

Meanwhile, my buddy stumbles across a 3906 locally as well. He really didn't know a heap about these pistols and neither of us knew it was short-printed. It appears as though some agency of some manner had issued it, it's got a four-digit number on the frame on the right side. It's not mint but also doesn't look like anyone carried it for years in a holster, either.

I'm jealous as hell of that pistol. And he snagged it for a hundred less than I paid for my 639. At this point, I totally want one. But I am a shooter and that will be it's role. So I definitely won't pay a collectible price to get one and it sure doesn't need to be mint.

It is simply a fantastic pistol. But for anyone who was a shooter and gun guy through that era where the 3rd Gens arrived, it really isn't hard to see exactly WHY they didn't make many. An all steel AND single stack 9mm was the antithesis of what was popular in the mid to late 80s. Doesn't mean it wasn't always a phenomenal pistol... just wasn't what the market wanted in those days.

 

[1775usmarine]

Gotta ask,........Maple City Sports? I've been in that place twice in the last 30yrs only because of a 3906. There was a stainless single-stack on the shelf on my first visit but I didn't know enough at the time to seriously look at it. I went back a few weeks later specifically for that gun and it was gone. Haven't seen another since.

Indeed I had just sold a car so had some extra money and the wife said it was ok to buy it. It was also the same place I bought my 4506-1. i too had seen the 4506-1 for a few months before it came home with me on my wife's B-day a week after we got married. The last time I was there was picking up my CZ85 I had transferred and he still had a 3913tsw which was probably 2 months ago. The price is a little high but if still there in a few yrs may pick it up to partner with my DOC 3913.

 

[18DAI]

The San Jose CA police department issued the 3906 to all its officers. To date, it is the only LE agency I've heard of to use the pistol as an agency issued handgun. Regards 18DAI

 

[Sevens]

Interesting about the SJPD. I would think they marked it with an SJ of some manner? I would definitely be interested to know where my buddies gun was issued. It could have been some sort of security organization as much as a police department, I would imagine.

 

[dogsoldier]

I went through the academy with a 3904 (1989). Shortly afterwards I swapped it for a 3906 (I was in Florida at the time). Now I'm looking for either. I 'just missed' a nice 3906 at an LGS by 1 day.....

 

[CoronaDan]

I have the country cousin to the 3906....the value line 909. Best part about my 909, it is pre-beat up a bit. Therefore no heartburn for any nick or scratch I might add to it.

I do love me some single stack goodness. It actually is a sweet shooter and for me a nice complement to my 908s.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

I bought the 3906 way back when they first came out. I thought then and still do that the 5906 was fat & ugly. Mine is an early one with the round rear fixed sights.

 

[ugrey]

I have a 6906, a 3913, a 5903, and a 5906. I have always liked Sig 228 and 229s. I finally bought a 229. I generally carry the 5903 in the Winter, the 3913 in the Summer, the 5906 is a great bedside pistol and the 6906 is a great all around gun. I really liked the Sig 229 and I got interested in the 225/p6 single column, used pistols. I looked at buying one very hard for Summer carry. I finally found that Mas Ayoob said 225/P6s had a bad problem with the magazine lips spreading if left loaded. That ended any desire for one of those. So, I got interested in a 3904 for Summer carry. I wanted the aluminum frame for weight savings over a 3906. I found a great 95% 3904 about a year ago.

I have now put a stainless 5906 slide on it and I am hunting a few of the small stainless parts. (slide stop, mag catch, side plate and pins) I have already installed a 6906 flash chromed trigger and bobbed hammer. I think I will end up with with a great looking, useful pistol S&W should have built. Smith put blued slides on clear annodized aluminum frames. (SSV) It should have been stainless slides on blued aluminum frames with stainless/flash chromed pins and controls.

 

[flagman1776]

My original M39-2 was lightly customized back in the day... A friend ran a metal finishing shop... had a bunch of military contracts... I handed him a box of my small parts & they came back with a copper/nickel/teflon coating. Oh, yes, the gun is switch barrel with a 9x21 Barstow fitted match barrel (back when Barstow did S&W's). I should have had a 9x19 barrel made too.