New to me 5906

[TPD252]

Hello all,
I recently grabbed my first third gen S&W auto the other day, a police trade-in 5906 from Sportsman Guide. I can't say a third gen Smith was high on my list of guns I'd like to acquire, but for $285 I couldn't pass it up. Only came with one mag, but still not a bad deal. I contacted S&W and gave them the serial number, VCU8497, and they indicated it was made 3/95 (two years before my LE career even started).

I know very little about these pistols, as I'm an M&P 2.0 guy, so I'm calling on the braintrust here to educate me on what sort of maintenance/wear concerns I might want to address with the pistol. Are there any generational upgrades I could/should consider? I did order replacement recoil and hammer springs, new grips (Hogue and OEM), but is there anything else I should pick up?

Haven't shot it yet, but I'm impressed. It's built like a tank, but has a very nice trigger. It ain't pretty, but it's got honest wear and I like that. Anyway, thanks in advance for whatever info/guidance you all could provide, it'd be much appreciated.

 

[stansdds]

They are built like tanks and over built for the 9x19mm cartridge. With standard pressure ammo, I'd replace the recoil spring every 4000 rounds, knock off 500 rounds if using +P ammo.

 

[Ky6906fan]

Congrats... I tried to order one and they were sold out. I have had my eye on one for a while, but I'm not paying $500 for one. Great guns built very solid and I also like the triggers on them. I have three of the 6906 models that are very similar, but only a 12 round model. Your got a Great deal. Centerfiresystems and CDNNSports will run specials on magazines. ENJOY.

 

[Classic29]

For best results use only OEM S&W mags or those manufactured by Mec-Gar.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

They are workhorses. Familiarize yourself with it. Keep it maintained, and it will work safely and accurately for your heirs. Factory mags are still available as many third gen 9mms used the same magazine. No need to buy knock off mags. Great deal on a classic handgun. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. It will grow on you.

 

[armorer951]

Sturdy workhorses for sure, low recoil, and very reliable. I have an old police trade in I rehabilitated several years ago. Very enjoyable project.

Amazing what a good cleaning, silica blasting, and a new set of grips can accomplish.

Recently added a CT red dot.

 

[Badborgel]

Only thing that gives me fits is reassembling the pistol, when sliding the slide on the frame there are 3 small pieces that must be pushed down into the frame in order for fit. The last one is the hardest to push down, a little Dremel time made mine much easier, just sayin"

 

[BAM-BAM]

Great gun at a great price......


Mec-gar makes nice 17rd &18rd mags for the 5906.

Greg Cote LLC....... $23-24.

20rd for $27

 

[URIT]

Watching the "Gunsmithing the S&W 3rd Generation Pistol" got me excited.

I had my FFL watch the 4 part video series. After watching, he stated he had all the stones except the thinnest one and would use the hint offered in the vid. It turned out great!

 

[Syspila]

My absolute favorite "go to" modern gun...

 

[mfholmes]

Great find for a great deal. Mine is a great shooter and I paid twice as much. Also an LE trade-in, but that's where most of them went. You'll really enjoy shooting it. Bring your mag with you whenever you go to a gun show for comparison. There's plenty out there. Just get a real S&W mag and forget about the others.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Great gun at a great price......


Mec-gar makes nice 17rd &18rd mags for the 5906.

Greg Cote LLC....... $23-24.

20rd for $27

Mec-Gar are as good as factory...they are the source of many "factory" mags.... as a rule I'll only use "factory" or Mec-gar whatever the gun.......S&W, Sig, CZ, Hi-Power or Beretta

 

[Doc TH]

These are very reliable, robust, and accurate pistols, and are quite desirable among the cognescenti. If I were to find one, I would not hesitate to purchase it - but they are scarce, for good reason!

 

[biku324]

I don't like 9mm, but with my issue 5906 in 1990 I could hit 3 of 5 IMHSA 200 meter rams with boring regularity using our Winchester 115 grain JHPs and 124 grain lead bullet reloads (4.5 grains of Unique). You should have a really accurate pistol.

 

[joseywales44]

I bought one several years ago from Gunbroker, I paid a premium price for it, but it came with 6 mags. It was a police trade-in, but it must have been issued to someone in Admin. because it was like 98%. The original grips weren't even marked up. I carried a 4006 on duty in the 90s and it was a fantastic gun. It had adjustable night sights and was as accurate as any gun I've ever used. I didn't go with night sights, but I replaced the fixed sights on my 5906 with adjustable sights...because that's what I prefer. The trigger on my 5906 is VERY good, light and crisp. I think you'll enjoy your gun and it will last a lifetime.

 

[DUSTYDOGDAN]

Here is my 5906 from this newest release of police pistols

It needed new grips and some cleaning but it turned out pretty nice for being rated as fair condition.
Smith and Wesson dated it from June of 2002.

 

[hemiram]

I've had two, kept the nicer one, which came from a strore selling dozens of them on GB for $325 in the case with 2 or 3 mags (You just got whatever was in it), or $299 without the case and one mag). Mine is about 99% and the case had the officer's name on it, and I ended up emailing him and he said it was his "dress up gun" and he shot it two times for a total of about 30 rounds. The only thing I can see done to it was the ejection port on the slide was a little different than my other gun's was. I thought it was modified, but it appears some guns came that way with a slightly different port. Just a tiny bit bigger. Doesn't matter, it shoots great and I actually have had a lot of luck with the Korean mags for both the 5906 and 6906, unlike those Check-Mate Beretta mags, which work fine on my Kel-Tec SUB2000, but not on an actual 92.

 

[ACEd]

The only thing I can see done to it was the ejection port on the slide was a little different than my other gun's was. I thought it was modified, but it appears some guns came that way with a slightly different port. Just a tiny bit bigger.

Earlier 5906 (and other 3rd gen) had narrow slot (about 0.25 in as I recall) on slide at back of ejection port and matching barrel. Later ones had wider slot and matching barrel (0.30 in?).

 

[Markmontana]

Just bought a 5906 at the gun show today. Don't know much about them but I do have a nickel 39-2 I really like and this one felt just as good in the hand. It is all stainless, in like new condition but no box. Came with one 10-round magazine. I was able to feel the trigger and although DA/SA with that long first pull felt pretty good. Not sure I got a good deal at $565 total but it was in really good condition. Ordered 2 S&W 15-round mags from Midway when I got home.

 

[jbhardy]

For TPD252

I ordered one of those as well and picked it up today. Mine is nickel plated stainless steel. Wondering if yours was as well. I wasn't aware that S&W nickel plated SS.