New to S&W autos... Have a couple of Q's

[Johnso]

Hey all! First post on the forum. Just recently got interested in these guns when I found a handful of 69xx and a few 910s at my LGS. Ended up hunting down a beat up 6906 on Gunbroker for a project gun. Planning to re-spring the whole gun and polish up the action and replace over-worn parts.

1.) Does anyone know if the front strap on the alloy-framed 59xx and 69xx have enough material to add cross-serrations for checkering the existing vertical serrations?

2.) Where have you had frames re-finished? I was thinking about sending it to Ford's for a black anodizing, but that is a bit pricey. I like how it is an actual finish though and not some caked on spray paint.

3.) Magazines for 69xx? They seem impossible to find and gunbrokers only options at the moment are around $50 apiece. Is that really what they are worth, or do better deals often surface?

 

[oldman10mm]

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-semi-auto-pistols/491050-6946.html

 

[Johnso]

Thanks oldman10mm, but I think I should have been more specific in my question. I'm aware of the 59 series baseplates, but I'd like more 12rd mags for concealment. I do plan to get a few 15rd and nameplates.

 

[PD5523]

Response to your first question- you answered it to some degree yourself. The frame has vertical serrations. If you use those as a depth guide, you are likely ok. Otherwise, you may be able to measure the thickness with a micrometer and go from there.

Your second question- I believe smith and Wesson still offers anodizing of third gen guns. Might be worth asking the folks who made it.

Third, most production magazines are likely to cost $30, more or less. $50 for a magazine for an out of production pistol is probably not excessive.

Just my .02!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[armorer951]

To answer your question concerning the model specific magazines, the 6906 magazines have been out of production for years, so you will have to look at the various places that sell used and "new old stock" OEM magazines.

Ebay, CDNN Sports, Numrich would be good places to check periodically.
$40.00 - $50.00 (and up) is the norm as far as prices are concerned.

The front of the trigger guard is already checkered on the 6906 I have, made in 1989.

As far as refinish of the alloy frame is concerned, I would contact S&W Customer Service first to see if they are still re-finishing these frames. If not, then I would recommend someone like Robar.

 

[TTSH]

2.) Where have you had frames re-finished? I was thinking about sending it to Ford's for a black anodizing, but that is a bit pricey. I like how it is an actual finish though and not some caked on spray paint.

From what I hear, most folks today would just have a Cerakote job done. Seems to satisfy folks and doesn't drive the price of a 3rd Gen "project gun" up to something above the cost of just buying a really nice one.

Beyond that, I gave up on buying 3rd Gens with anodized aluminum frames that need refinishing. The better options for refinishing just don't make sense to me financially.

3.) Magazines for 69xx? They seem impossible to find and GB's only options at the moment are around $50 apiece. Is that really what they are worth, or do better deals often surface?

They used to be so common I was trading them away for other magazines. Then they were discontinued and suddenly even my favorite local shop is raising its prices.

It takes a little patience and searching, but there are some available from time to time in the $20-$30 range. Being 12-round magazines, they don't come up on that big general auction site that rhymes with Mayday... but various magazine suppliers still advertise them from time to time.

 

[Johnso]

Wow, a bunch of great replies! Thanks guys. So the consesus on the mags seems to be that patience could save me some money on mags, but more or less $50 is not unreasonable if the market is dry for a while. I wish Mec-Gar would pick them up. Don't they make 59 series mags?

For finishes, I will contact S&W directly, and if they cannot refinish it I'll likely go for a cerakote finish, depending on the condition of the anodizing on the critical spots. I'd love to have a total Robar finish, but that would cost more than the gun itself. I'd rather put that money towards a 5906/03.

And I'll have to take a Mic to the front strap and see what I'm dealing with. I'm worried that the serrations that are present are not at a good checkering depth. I have read that they are 30LPI. Is this correct?

 

[armorer951]

I think I misunderstood earlier, I thought you were referring to the front of the trigger guard.

The front strap of the grip frame area is cut with vertical lines at 32 LPI.

 

[Johnso]

What is the LPI on the front of the trigger guard?

 

[Big Cholla]

1. Yes
2. S&W, Metaloy, Armaloy, Robbie Barkman any good CeraKote applicator
3. Yes, they are worth that. And, any M 5900 series mag will work, just sticks out a little.

 

[armorer951]

What is the LPI on the front of the trigger guard?

Mine measures 16 lpi at that location.

 

[simmitt]

Refinish

Anything you send to Fords will be do correct and you will like it. Fords are great people to work with.