S&W 469/669/6906 vs Beretta Storm (compact)

[Tennjed]

I am considering a compact double stack 9mm with a slide mounted decocker/manual safety. It is mainly something I just have gotten a bug for, but could find time as a carry piece.

Right now, I have it (kinda) narrowed down to a Beretta Storm (compact, not sub compact) and a S&W 469, 669, or 6906.

Which of these would you choose, or do you have any other suggestions. I have looked at the Stoeger/Beretta Cougar and do not like the feel of it in my hand. I also owned a Ruger P95 at one point and just think it is too big for my needs

 

[A10]

I picked up a 669 some months back, and it is a very good concealment auto. Magazines can be hard to find, and the sights leave a little to be desired, but 12 rounds on 9mm in that little package is a comforting feeling! I'd look into the 6906 since the sights are a little nicer. Both the 669 and 6906 are great looking guns as well. The Berettas are nice guns but seem bulkier to me (kinda ugly too!).

 

[flyguy8555]

I carry a Model 469, and I love it. It has a nice compact, solid feel. Heavy enough to make the recoil a non-issue, sights aren't the greatest, I'll agree, but a couple dots of white on the rear and a bit of orange on the front fixed that. I added Pachmayr grips to mine - they feel great. The 6906/6904 does have better sights, but other than that, the absence of the half-cock notch, and slightly different grips, they're basically the same as the 469/669. The best reason to carry one? Reliable as can be.
I have no experience with the Beretta Storm.

Here's my 469.

 

[timn8er]

#1 on the 6906! I love mine. Its very light & carries easily. Also,
very accurate. Magazines are not an issue. Very reliable & just
a good looking gun.

 

[Tennjed]

Why was the half cock notch removed from the 2nd to 3rd gen guns? What is the pros and cons of having it or not having it?

 

[flyguy8555]

In the first generation S&W semi-automatic pistols (Models 39 and 59), there was no firing pin block, so the half-cock notch was a safety feature. The second generation pistols had the firing pin block, which made the half-cock redundant, and it was subsequently removed from the 3rd generation pistols. I have ordered a hammer from a 6904 to swap out in my 469, thus removing the half-cock, and (reportedly) smoothing out the double action trigger pull.

 

[cpeblue]

Why was the half cock notch removed from the 2nd to 3rd gen guns? What is the pros and cons of having it or not having it?

Once there was a firing pin block added there was no need for the half cock. I don't know why Beretta still uses it. Also I have a full size PX4, its a great gun and I even thought about getting the compact (not the sub) . The problem was I already have 2 69XXs a 3913nl and a few snubbies so it served no purpose. The only problem I see with getting a older Smith for carry is parts availability , see us 1st 2nd and 3rd gen auto guys are like the crazy uncle in the NEW S&Ws closet they will support us till the parts run out. The PX is new and parts are no problem. With the Smiths, every day there are less.

 

[growr]

Parts for 2nd or 3rd Gen. S&W?

I seldom hear of a need for parts on these fine guns. Magazines are a non-issue even in rural Montana. You simply cannot go wrong with any of these fine choices....I have one of each.

Randy

 

[cpeblue]

Parts for 2nd or 3rd Gen. S&W?

I seldom hear of a need for parts on these fine guns. Magazines are a non-issue even in rural Montana. You simply cannot go wrong with any of these fine choices....I have one of each.

Randy

If you use them things will wear and break . Just called Smith today for a new mag catch and nut for my 5904 , no mag catch, no backorder , just a sorry can't help you on that. So now I get to search for 1.

 

[SCWOODY]

I own two 469s, one is my usual carry weapon(about 15 years) and the other is a safe queen, unfired and waiting its turn. I have always had confidence in it as backup in LE and now as a concealed carry. The first double action shot is smooth and the following 12 single action shots are fantastic. I have no experience with the other weapons mentioned, but I am sure they fit the bill. Just see what fits your hand the best and come to point of aim smoothly. Good luck...enjoy.

 

[flyguy8555]

If you use them things will wear and break . Just called Smith today for a new mag catch and nut for my 5904 , no mag catch, no backorder , just a sorry can't help you on that. So now I get to search for 1.

Look on Gunbroker - there's a guy on there with a ton of S&W parts. I just bought a 3rd Gen hammer for my 469 (to get rid of the half-cock notch). We're not supposed to provide links on here, but if you put "smith & wesson 469" into the search function (or whatever model you're interested in), you'll see his stuff.