S&W 5906 or 3913

[fotoman12001]

I recently acquired a S&W 5906 locally for a fair price. I have not previously owned a S&W centerfire automatic and wanted to try one. The overwhelmingly positive reviews I found were well deserved. The only negative aspect I've found is the large, blocky grip. I have now spotted a 3913 and I'm wondering if I should sell the 5906 and buy it. Keeping both is not an option. I can't really justify owning either one but I want an example of a 3rd generation S&W in my collection. If I were to acquire the 3913 it might make it into my CCW rotation but I am very pleased with the items I currently have for that role. The 5906 is a range toy and possible open carry/woods pistol.

I'm having a tough time deciding this one so any inputs will be appreciated.

For reference, my other 9mm pistols include:

• HK P7
• HK P7M8
• CZ 75B Matte Stainless
• Kahr K9 (Primary CCW)
• SIG P239 (Backup/occasional CCW)
• SIG P938 SAS (I planned to use it for a CCW when deep concealment was necessary but it's so pretty I haven't done it yet.)
• SIG P228 Two Tone
• SIG P229R (Primary home/truck pistol)

I have a pretty good package with the 5906 which includes:

• 2 Factory 14-round magazines
• 1 MEC-GAR 17-round magazine
• 2 MEC-GAR 15-round magazines
• Galco Fletch holster
• Hogue and factory grips

The 3913 would only include two factory magazines.
Both pistols will have cost about the same amount (around $450 for pistol/mags though the holster and Hogue grip did add $60 to the 5906).

I know it's personal preference but I really like the look of the squared trigger guard.
I think it adds a bit of an elegant look.

A few other photos:

My wife will be coming after anyone who recommends both!!!

 

[nocents]

you got the CCW thing covered....if it's a range toy and open woods carry ....I would go with the 5906 merely because of round capacity.....and I am an unabashed 3913 fan....replace the Hogue grip with a factory grip to reduce the blocky feel....but you are a little Sig heavy in your collection(which is not a bad thing)....so 2 third gens will kind of balance things out....and I ain't skeered to say so......if your wife asks I moved to Montana

 

[fotoman12001]

The Hogue grip did add some bulk but I prefer it to the factory one. The factory one was too slick and moved around in my hand too much. It still felt blocky even with the factory grip.

I do like shooting the 5906 but my SIGs give me tighter groups. Though, as noted, I do have more SIG experience.

 

[Oldbuck30]

Keep them both

I have a model 59 and two 5906. All were bought brand new and they are my favorite guns of my collection. I also have a sig, a a Kahr, a Kimber, 2 colts, one being a nickel python. The Smiths will never be let go. Have carried a 5906 for 37 years now.

 

[WTN1271]

If the gun is mostly for range time then the 5906 is probably the better choice...heavier, more rounds, longer sight radius....since you have a few carry choices already in your inventory maybe a nice 3906 would feel better in hand than the 5906....3906 is all stainless, single stack 9mm with 4 inch barrel...it also has the squared trigger guard. ..1 was recently listed in the classifieds here by another member. ...3913 would be pretty close to your K9 & P239.

 

[BAM-BAM]

As an unabashed 3913 fan........ given your collection and not wanting to upset a wife with a loaded rifle..........I'd

stick with the 5906 for the range and open carry........

Suggestions

see if you can find a set of straight back grips vs. the curved grips...... they don't feel as large.....

also..... I stippled my grips ( where checkered) with a soldering iron to get a more secure grip surface

 

[petepeterson]

I would be inclined to get the 3913. Around here, they seem to go for around $100 more, and are harder to find.

 

[XAVMECH]

Keep your 59 series!

You should stay with your 59 series pistol. Once you get a 3913, you'll be hooked on the single stack 9mm S & W pistols. That, of course, leads to other desires. You'll be wanting aa 39-2, then maybe a CS9, or a 3914, or maybe a 908. Don't ask me how I know.....

 

[petepeterson]

You should stay with your 59 series pistol. Once you get a 3913, you'll be hooked on the single stack 9mm S & W pistols. That, of course, leads to other desires. You'll be wanting aa 39-2, then maybe a CS9, or a 3914, or maybe a 908. Don't ask me how I know.....

And then on to the .45s...4513, 457, 4516- or so I've heard.

 

[GaryS]

If it's for range use only, stick with the 5906. Unless you can find a 3904/06, which would give you the full size frame in a single stack. If you do buy one, tell your wife I moved to Montana with nocents.

Seriously though a lot of people have compared the 3913 to the Sig 239, so if you like your Sig, you can keep your Sig.

I love shooting my 5906, but it is not something I'd want to carry for CCW. I use one of my 391x guns for that.

 

[cpeblue]

Since your well on your way to having 'to many guns' I would say get them get them both. Be advised though there is a very strong chance of becoming addicted to 3rd Gen Smiths after your first taste.

 

[fotoman12001]

Seriously though a lot of people have compared the 3913 to the Sig 239, so if you like your Sig, you can keep your Sig.

My P239 is a keeper. I've owned it longer than any other gun in my safe. Dozens of others have come and gone (mostly come) but that little gun is very nice. It's just big enough to shoot comfortably at the range and just small enough to easily use as a CCW. The K9 only slightly nudges it out for my primary CCW because the K9 is a little slimmer (nice since I carry mostly IWB), I like the all-stainless construction, and it was a police trade-in so I don't mind if it gets a few more bumps and bruises.

Since your well on your way to having 'to many guns' I would say get them get them both. Be advised though there is a very strong chance of becoming addicted to 3rd Gen Smiths after your first taste.

My personal benchmark for "too many guns" is twenty. I've been looking at that in the rearview mirror for a while

I finally had to admit that I have a problem after taking this photo of all my Ruger MK pistols together. Is there a support group or something?

The true issue making this decision so difficult is that I don't want to make the decision; I want both. At some point I need to grow up and realize I can't own everything I like. Maybe tomorrow....

 

[GaryS]

My P239 is a keeper. I've owned it longer than any other gun in my safe. Dozens of others have come and gone (mostly come) but that little gun is very nice. It's just big enough to shoot comfortably at the range and just small enough to easily use as a CCW.

I've heard a lot of good about the P239 and I keep getting this urge to buy one. So far I've resisted in part because I've heard that their repair service is spotty and that unlike S&W they will only warranty firearms to the original owner.

If you spend time in this sub forum, you will here favorable comparisons between the compact 39xx series guns and the P239.

 

[blujax01]

...
I finally had to admit that I have a problem after taking this photo of all my Ruger MK pistols together. Is there a support group or something?

...

Not that I know of but you do know they now make a 22/45 Cobalt with a threaded barrel, right? Just trying to be helpful...

 

[BAM-BAM]

The 3913 is a thinner cousin of the Sig 239.


As I said I'm a 3931/14 fan..... looked at the Sig 239 when they came out as I like/have the 220s and 245s...... but couldn't see getting a thicker 9mm for inside waistband carry.....

So the 3913 may deserve a 2nd look!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[fotoman12001]

I've heard a lot of good about the P239 and I keep getting this urge to buy one. So far I've resisted in part because I've heard that their repair service is spotty and that unlike S&W they will only warranty firearms to the original owner.

If you spend time in this sub forum, you will here favorable comparisons between the compact 39xx series guns and the P239.

I recommend you try a P239. People will tell you that they are too big for a single-stack 9mm but that size tames the recoil and makes it a joy to shoot. Sure there are smaller 9mm pistols (see the P938) but they are harder to shoot well. With wrap-around Hogues the P239 fits medium-sized mitts like a glove.

I will probably end up going with my default response on this one: buy the gun I want then compare it to the one it might replace. A great plan in theory. The only problem with this is, with very few exceptions, I rarely meet a gun I don't like. Then it's the same dilemma in reverse. Instead of deciding what to buy I have to decide what to sell. The result is similar: I can't decide so I keep them both.

And, as I know many of you know, that's how you end up with too many guns. And yes, there is such a thing. My wife told me so.

 

[loeman]

5906, 3913, CZ, Sig, Kahr, you can have em all! Just lemme at those P7s!

By the way, I Love my recently acquired 5906. The factory grips seem perfect for my hand.

 

[ultratec00]

I have a 3913, awesome carry firearm if your preference is double action autos. Definitely larger than your 938, which is my choice for CCW during summer months. If your SAS is too pretty, get the sport model. Same thing, less pretty.

 

[cpeblue]

Amen to that rear view mirror , I always tell myself that's it last one then I find another I can't do without. I'd get help but I don't want to.

 

[fotoman12001]

5906, 3913, CZ, Sig, Kahr, you can have em all! Just lemme at those P7s!

By the way, I Love my recently acquired 5906. The factory grips seem perfect for my hand.

I do like the P7s but can't bring myself to carry them with the prices they fetch.

The standard P7 is a Grade A I picked up for $800 when all the surplus guns hit the market a few years ago. If I had shopped around I could have gotten it a little cheaper but I had never seen one that low and didn't know a bunch had hit the market. It doesn't really matter because it would be hard to get one in this condition for that price now.

I never thought I would own a P7M8 but stumbled on that one at a local shop in Nebraska for $950. My wife threw a fit when I said "I'll take it". That was one of those rare times when I just had to tell her to mind her business, I know what I'm doing.

I liked the earlier suggestion of stippling the factory 5906 grips. I might have to give that a try.