I have read numerous threads on how many feel that the 3913 is the best that S&W has ever produced. I personally have never handled or shot a 3913, so I cannot agree or argue their point. I do have a 6906 that I feel is the best and carry daily. I added the Hogue grips which made a world of difference. There are times that the bulk of the grip does print when carried concealed. I'd like to hear some opinions from those who have or had both pistols.
Need comparison of 3913 to 6906
- Thread starter kcode
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
jframe
Member
I don't own either, but I have owned both in the past. It's a toss up for me. Some people like the double stack mags on the 6906, while others prefer the slim single stack of the 3913. I personally would like both.
handgunner356
Member
The 6900 is 1/8" wider in the grip, other than that there really isn't any differance.
tocohillsguy
Member
I like both, but I shoot the 6906 with Hogues better due to the thicker grip profile. The 3913 is easier to carry. Both are equally reliable.
Jim PHL
Member
Single-stack nines are kinda my thing these days. I've got a 3913, a pair of 3953's and a CS9 on the way. I love the slim profile. Had a 6906 and traded it away without ever firing it. (May still get another of those at some point - I go back and forth on that one.)
I think most shooters definitely prefer and shoot better with a slimmer or fatter grip and it just varies by individual like a lot of things - for me slim is better. I really like 1911's for the same reason. If you like the 6906 with the hogues which are even thicker than the original S+W plastic grips, chances are a single-stack might not be your cup of tea. A 6906 isn't just an 1/8-inch thicker, it's an 1/8" thicker all the way around if that makes sense. Like most other gun related decisions you can answer your own questions best for yourself. I don't think I'd carry a 6906 over a 3913 strictly because of capacity. 8+1 should do if I need it.. As far as a carry gun, if you're ever in a situation where 9 rounds isn't enough, 13 probably won't be, either.
You'll find them pretty equal in accuracy and reliabilty - the shooter is the variable. The top ends are actually interchangeable.... so... simple, which one do you like better? Try to find and shoot a 3913 to compare.
I think most shooters definitely prefer and shoot better with a slimmer or fatter grip and it just varies by individual like a lot of things - for me slim is better. I really like 1911's for the same reason. If you like the 6906 with the hogues which are even thicker than the original S+W plastic grips, chances are a single-stack might not be your cup of tea. A 6906 isn't just an 1/8-inch thicker, it's an 1/8" thicker all the way around if that makes sense. Like most other gun related decisions you can answer your own questions best for yourself. I don't think I'd carry a 6906 over a 3913 strictly because of capacity. 8+1 should do if I need it.. As far as a carry gun, if you're ever in a situation where 9 rounds isn't enough, 13 probably won't be, either.
You'll find them pretty equal in accuracy and reliabilty - the shooter is the variable. The top ends are actually interchangeable.... so... simple, which one do you like better? Try to find and shoot a 3913 to compare.
Last edited:
Texaspass
Member
I shot a 3913 once at the range. It was nice but trigger was scratchie. I have a 6906, very nice gun. To make it even nicer get the adapter and add a 5906 magazine to it. Lots of firepower there.
Dot_mdb
Member
I don't own a 6906 but I do own a 3913 and a 4046 (with a 457S inbound 
). The grip on the 4046 is about the same width as the 6906 but a little longer. If you carry IWB the 3913 will be MUCH easier to conceal. Of course the 6906, like the 4046 can be concealed but it will usually print a little.
You have to experience the 3913 to understand how good the gun is. I usually carry my 640 revolver and prefer it for everyday carry just because it is a revolver. But the 3913 is just as easy to conceal and it holds 9 rounds against five in the 640. The 3913 is just a very special gun. It is one of the truly great designs for concealed carry.
Bill
). The grip on the 4046 is about the same width as the 6906 but a little longer. If you carry IWB the 3913 will be MUCH easier to conceal. Of course the 6906, like the 4046 can be concealed but it will usually print a little.You have to experience the 3913 to understand how good the gun is. I usually carry my 640 revolver and prefer it for everyday carry just because it is a revolver. But the 3913 is just as easy to conceal and it holds 9 rounds against five in the 640. The 3913 is just a very special gun. It is one of the truly great designs for concealed carry.
Bill
I have a 6906 and a 3913. As all have stated the only difference is the frame. 6906 is larger allowing a 12 round magazine and larger grip.
The slide on the 6906 and 3913 are the same (if you look at the S&W parts lists, you'll see the part #'s are the same).
The 6906 is more comfortable for me to shot because of my larger hands. The 3913 is more easy to conceal, and I can still shoot it well.
The slide on the 6906 and 3913 are the same (if you look at the S&W parts lists, you'll see the part #'s are the same).
The 6906 is more comfortable for me to shot because of my larger hands. The 3913 is more easy to conceal, and I can still shoot it well.
kbm6893
Member
Had a 3913 and sold it for a 6906. 3913 was very nice, but I don't notice much difference in the two as far as carrying. More rounds equals more weight, so there is a difference in the weight, but I use the same holsters for my 6906 as i used in my 3913.
Gearhead Jim
Member
I have medium size hands, but find the 6906 more comfortable to shoot. To me, the 3913 is TOO thin and flat in the grip area.
I've owned/shot and carried both. I sold the 6906. Didn't conceal as well as the 3913, for me.
Both are boringly reliable, accurate and easily concealed pistols. I put Hogue's on my 3913. Fits my hand like it was designed for it. The OEM 3913 Delrin......or Xenoy grips were a little thin and slippery, for me. Regards 18DAI.
Both are boringly reliable, accurate and easily concealed pistols. I put Hogue's on my 3913. Fits my hand like it was designed for it. The OEM 3913 Delrin......or Xenoy grips were a little thin and slippery, for me. Regards 18DAI.
rappa29
Member
Funny, cos I felt the opposite. I saw a 3913TSW (prerail, short grip) and a 6906 at my local shop last year. After handling both, I went with the 3913 because the trigger was smoother and the 6906 was scratchy.
I saw a 6906 at a shop last weekend. It felt good, trigger was smooth but super heavy vs my 3913TSW.
YMMV.
Last edited:
PX15
Member
JMOfartO:
Well, I have a 3913, 3913LS, 5906, 6906, CS9 & CS45, so you might say I'm rather fond of 3rd Gen Smiths..
For me personally I find the 6906 a favorite, and I use the 15rd mags of the 5906 (w/S&W mag extension).
The 3913 feels "good" in the hand, but the 6906 is just a double-stack 3913 offering much higher capacity w/5906 mags. The 3913LS, which I "thought" would be perfect, as they seem quite popular, is actually too "thin" in the grip for my liking.
IF I were going with a single stack in this crowd it'd probably be the CS9 as it's smaller but "feels" great in the hand.
FWIW, I actually prefer the "feel" of the 6906 with the 5906 mags & adapter better than I like the standard 6906 w/fingertip extension.
Hard to beat a 6906.
Best Wishes,
Jesse
Well, I have a 3913, 3913LS, 5906, 6906, CS9 & CS45, so you might say I'm rather fond of 3rd Gen Smiths..
For me personally I find the 6906 a favorite, and I use the 15rd mags of the 5906 (w/S&W mag extension).
The 3913 feels "good" in the hand, but the 6906 is just a double-stack 3913 offering much higher capacity w/5906 mags. The 3913LS, which I "thought" would be perfect, as they seem quite popular, is actually too "thin" in the grip for my liking.
IF I were going with a single stack in this crowd it'd probably be the CS9 as it's smaller but "feels" great in the hand.
FWIW, I actually prefer the "feel" of the 6906 with the 5906 mags & adapter better than I like the standard 6906 w/fingertip extension.
Hard to beat a 6906.
Best Wishes,
Jesse
Attachments
jaysouth
US Veteran
You don't have to count as high to get to 3913.
rscalzo
Member
I carried a 6906 and a 669 on duty and a 3913 off duty. I never liked the feel of the 3913 as much as the 6906. It comes down to a personal preference. both functioned fine with a wide varity of ammo makes and types. We did have a problem with cracked frames in some 669's. All were corrected under warrenty by S&W.
The 6906 was taken from service when the 4013TSW came out.
The 6906 was taken from service when the 4013TSW came out.
sipowicz
Member
But 6906 is sexier...
Since my original post I picked up a 4513 which feel almost as good as the 6906. Now the only problem is getting new holsters to fit the 4513. The 6906 carries well in a Hume JIT slide. Now I gotta wait another 4-6 weeks for Hume to deliver
Similar threads
- Locked
