Opinions on the 5903

[inimicalone]

Hey all, I have an opportunity to buy a 5903, one mag and no box. What's the hives opinion on these guns. I'm looking at 3 to 350 on the purchase, the pistol seems to be in good condition.

 

[stansdds]

$300 to $350 is, in my opinion, a good deal on a good condition 5903. The 5903 has an aluminum alloy receiver, as opposed to the stainless steel receiver on the 5906. It is lighter in weight than the 5906, making it easier to carry. Other than that, it is the same as a 5906. These pistols tend to be incredibly reliable, so long as the recoil spring is replaced every 4000-5000 rounds. Accuracy does vary, some very accurate, others combat accurate as these were not intended to be target pistols. Recoil will be slightly greater with the lightweight 5903, but it is still easily managed. The only other thing I can say is that a 5903 is not likely to be as durable as a 5906. If you are planning on shooting 500 rounds a month, you would be better off with a 5906. If you plan to shoot 500 rounds a year, the 5903 may outlast you.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

The 5903 is a reliable, accurate pistol that goes bang when you pull the trigger. Mine is a banged up Atlanta police trade in with the square trigger guard. The frame is missing a bit here and a bit there, but it is a good firearm and my only pawnshop purchase . I wish that it could talk about what it has seen.

 

[inimicalone]

As you can see by my sig line I have plenty to rotate through, so I doubt the alloy frame will be a detrimint.
I have 2 ex police guns my 5946 (NYPD) and my 4013tsw pre rail ( orange county SO),
It would be cool if they could talk. Now that I think about it I bought my 3906 from a Tampa pd officer, but it wasn't his issued sidearm.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

My 5903 SSV is my sole safe queen but other guns in its class (what I consider to be "fighting-sized" 3rd Gens) are amongst my favorites so I say go for it.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Based on personal taste.......... if it had the Round trigger guard and Novak sights I' go for it at that price.... square trigger guard and adj sights.... not so much.

 

[Merc6]

I'm partial to both square and round but my 5903 is a TSW from October of 2004. I got it as a carry but the thing was too new it's a queen next to the 1911SC. LOL, even the mim trigger dosn't have any wear on it. Only issues it came with with was reverse idiot mark on the slide on re assembly and light mark from trying to put the slide on hammer cocked I assume.

 

[inimicalone]

The one I'm looking at has Novak sights and a squared trigger guard. The trigger guard is less of a turn off than the hooded rear sight is to me.

 

[barbara_em]

Serendipity? When I opened this thread, I also happened to look at the Robertson's Trading Post website. They're listing 5903s imported by CAI from Israel. Novak sights and round trigger guards. Although the heading says $389 with one mag, the body of the ad says $359. Copious pictures show a decent pistol. Since these were apparently government issue to security forces (rather than IDF), I would think they were carried a lot and shot a not enormous amount.
A price of $389 is OK, I guess; $359 has me interested. The cost of spare magazines is certainly in the ball park. I plan on calling them tomorrow to see which is right.

I know there are members here who aren't impressed with the company. I've never had any dealings with them; however, I love the fact that they put smiley faces over the serial numbers. Rather droll, I think.

 

[stansdds]

I don't know about IDF personnel carrying them a lot and shooting them little. I expect IDF personnel actually practice quite a bit.

 

[barbara_em]

I don't know about IDF personnel carrying them a lot and shooting them little. I expect IDF personnel actually practice quite a bit.

The ad specifies security forces. From that, I infer from agencies other than the Israeli Defense Forces. I don't know what sidearms the IDF issues, but I get the impression that the non-military (police, border contingents, etc) have been issued a wide range of pistols, almost a hodgepodge, Rugers, Berettas, CZs, S&Ws, along with indigenous designs like the Jericho and Barak. Perhaps they take whatever they can get, considering on and off embargoes of military goods.

Although Israel takes security to levels not often seen in the rest of the free world, due to the real and consistent threats to their nation, I wonder if an Israeli policeman fires many more pistol (as opposed to SMG or rifle) rounds than the average conscientious big city American cop.

 

[stansdds]

I'd wager that any armed force in Israel fires far more rounds through any of their weapons than U.S. law enforcement agencies.

 

[Elkins45]

I bought an almost new one from iAmmo when they imported a batch from Israel. Can’t remember what I paid but it was a great deal. I’ve shot about 500 rounds thru it and it’s a great lightweight gun. I would certainly rather carry one than the steel framed version.