S&W 5906 or 3913

[bgrone]

Both

Fotoman, first from the quality of your photos it is apparent to me that you have spent more on photo gear than either Smith costs (and I mean that as a compliment), so I would go with both. As for your wife's threat........I never expected to live forever




Jim in Iowa

 

[rwsmith]

I'd trade....

I'd trade it. The 5906 is full size. If it feels too big I'll bet the 3913 will be just about right. And it's still a 3rd gen. I have a 59xx series gun and it fits my hand perfectly. Couldn't ask for better.

 

[fotoman12001]

I shot the 5906 again today. It's not going anywhere. I just can't justify ditching a pistol that I shoot well and that functions well for an unknown pistol.

I might still try to snag a smaller 3rd gen of some kind too.

 

[robin990]

How does your 5906 compare to your Sigs ?.....in your opinion ?

I have a 915 with factory flat back grips and other than being harder plastic than I prefer , they fit perfect....although i wish they made rubber factory grips...

I also have a 4003...it came with Hogue's and at first I thought they were too fat.....but the more I shoot it the more I like em.....

Both guns are incredibly accurate and totally reliable. They are both very well made.....there is no chance ill ever sell either.

You will regret selling your 5906.....its that kinda gun.

Next for me.....a 908.

 

[SoCalDep]

I've owned several Sigs (including a P239 in .357Sig...I agree that it's a great gun!) and a couple HK P7s. For CCW neither compared to my 3913. In fact, I sold my last P7M8 because with my 3913 I never carried it. I sold the 3913 several years ago because I moved away from slide-mounted safeties...Then back...then away. Now I'll be picking up a nice 3914.

I have a S&W 915 and between the full-size and compact I'd go with the 3913, but at the same time you do have the compact niche covered so I can see why you'd want to stay with the larger gun.

Good luck.

 

[fotoman12001]

I shot the 5906 and the P229R today. If I had to get rid of one it would be the 5906. Both are good shooters. In fact, I got the best grouping I've had yet with the 5906. The first six shots of a ten-shot string were right in the 10 ring and could be covered with a half dollar. Then I got excited and starting focusing on the target instead of the front sight so the last four shots went low.

The P229R is just too versatile to be usurped by the 5906; its size, shape, weight, and options just make it versatile and capable of many roles. It came from the factory with SIG's ergonomic one-piece grip which is very slender and feels great. I installed Hogue wrap-arounds because I am used to them and shoot very well with them (see the Ruger MKII photo and my other SIGs). But the SIGs can be configured to fit different people. The 5906 is either a brick or a slightly thinner brick. Both guns have a good trigger for their intended purpose with the 5906 getting a nod for its great single action reset. SIG does offer a short reset option but mine does not have it. The P229R currently serves as my pistol around the house but I think it might start seeing some CCW action as well. I really like that Crimson Trace CMR-201. I had it installed on a HK P30L but sold that pistol. It was a great gun but I just don't like plastic. I sort of bought the P229R as an accessory for the CMR-201

The 5906 would also be gone before the P239 or P228. Both of those guns have just been too good for me. They are accurate and reliable. If you have never had the pleasure of shooting or at least handling a true P228 (not the current M11-A1, which is a P229 with grips that say P228) you are doing yourself a disservice. The P228 is handgun bliss. It is perfectly balanced and has a fantastic trigger. The P228's slide is made of folded carbon steel as opposed to the P229's slide that is machined from a solid block of stainless steel. The makes all the difference in the world to the pistols balance. The P228 seems to disappear in your hand. It's a shame they aren't made that way anymore.

None of that means that the 5906 is not a great pistol; it is a great pistol and has proven to be accurate and reliable. I just prefer the SIGs. I mean, I like it enough that I am considering buying another third generation S&W and there is no better endorsement than that. But as I stated earlier, I rarely meet a pistol I don't like. There is also a 6906 on consignment at the range I use with five mags for $430. It has wrap-around Hogues installed and I love the way it feels. It would be mine already but it's pretty rough. I'm hoping someone else buys it before I cave.

 

[SoCalDep]

The P228's slide is made of folded carbon steel as opposed to the P229's slide that is machined from a solid block of stainless steel. The makes all the difference in the world to the pistols balance. The P228 seems to disappear in your hand. It's a shame they aren't made that way anymore.

FYI... I think Sig is making some models of the P229 now with the stamped slide.

 

[fotoman12001]

FYI... I think Sig is making some models of the P229 now with the stamped slide.

In an effort to squash misinformation, do you have a source for that information? I'm not saying you're wrong but that would go against all the information I have found about the P228/P229.

From what I've read, the P228 was only available in 9mm and had a folded carbon steel slide. SIG released the P229 as a stronger pistol to handle the .40S&W then the .357SIG rounds with a solid stainless steel slide. Eventually it didn't make sense to have two different manufacturing processes for the pistols so SIG discontinued the P228 and began offering the P229 in 9mm. A few quick Google searches will reveal plenty of discussions with this information.

A P229 with a stamped slide would be news to me but I've been surprised before.

 

[Charlie111]

I have a 3906 and a 3913. I wouldn't sell either one of them. I have a real fondness for single stack Third Generation Smith and Wesson pistols. I also owned an 5906. It was a very accurate pistol but it has found a new home.

 

[SoCalDep]

In an effort to squash misinformation, do you have a source for that information? I'm not saying you're wrong but that would go against all the information I have found about the P228/P229.

From what I've read, the P228 was only available in 9mm and had a folded carbon steel slide. SIG released the P229 as a stronger pistol to handle the .40S&W then the .357SIG rounds with a solid stainless steel slide. Eventually it didn't make sense to have two different manufacturing processes for the pistols so SIG discontinued the P228 and began offering the P229 in 9mm. A few quick Google searches will reveal plenty of discussions with this information.

A P229 with a stamped slide would be news to me but I've been surprised before.

I think you are right and I am wrong...But there is something going on with the slides...

Go to the Sig web page and look at the base model P229...It has the same type and contour slide as the P228 did...Note how the scalloped cut in the front of the slide curves up before the slide serrations where the P229's solid stainless slide had the scallops continue to the rear of the slide.

https://www.sigsauer.com/CatalogProductDetails/p229.aspx

A partner of mine told me that Sig had started making some models of the P229 with the P228 stamped slides. I looked at the above page, saw the change, and figured he was right. Then after your post I did a bit more digging and found this article which clarified things a bit:

Obscure Object of Desire: SIG SAUER M11-B Pistol | The Truth About Guns

So I guess Sig went to a "new" milled slide that looks like the "old" slide, but without the breech insert.

Sorry...My bad.

 

[fotoman12001]

That's totally understandable. I had to do a little research on P229 slides after my pistol arrived too. The auction's stock photo showed a slide with half serrations, solid pins, and regular screw-on grips. The delivered pistol had full serrations, rolled pins, and one-piece ergonomic grips which was all fine with me. I prefer the full serrations. Hogue grips were going on it regardless.

 

[fotoman12001]

I ended up getting the 3913. I had a nice one available locally (which is why I was interested in it) for $475 with the box, docs, and both magazines. The seller claimed it only had about 150 rounds through it. It has no significant wear externally. I did get a little concerned when I got it home and took it apart. The internals look good except on the top of the rails. There is wear in those areas through the anodizing to the bare aluminum. It's really just top of the frame I guess; the rails themselves look great. I did a little searching and found a few other people with the same issue but it didn't seem to cause any great concern. I'll shoot it this weekend and make sure it functions well. I hope I didn't get hosed....

I should have taken some photos but I already coated everything with Slide Glide in preparation to shoot it.

I do like the feel of the pistol. It's the first 3rd generation S&W single stack I've handled. It's larger than I expected it to be thin enough that it should be as easy to carry as my SIG P239 at least. I expect it will shoot pretty well. I will install Hogue grips on it. I liked my 5906 after I did that though they did make it a little wider.

Here it is with my 5906, SIG P229R, and the CZ-75 stainless I also picked up yesterday. I'm just trying different 9mm pistols to see what I like.

 

[carbuncle]

Get both. But seriously, based on your collection and the package you got with the 5906 I would keep that. But...there is no point having a range toy you don't like shooting, so if the underlying issue is that you feel like you should like the 5906 but don't, trade it for the 3913.

Nice grip on the 229, I have never seen an OD green Hoge before!

Posted from my car phone.

 

[AR_Black]

Fotoman - nice pictures!

On the 5906, there are three different grips available. I don't like the Hogue rubber grips, too big.

Information & Part Numbers here: S&W 3RD Gen Pistols - GRIPS

 

[fotoman12001]

Get both. But seriously, based on your collection and the package you got with the 5906 I would keep that. But...there is no point having a range toy you don't like shooting, so if the underlying issue is that you feel like you should like the 5906 but don't, trade it for the 3913.

Nice grip on the 229, I have never seen an OD green Hoge before!

Posted from my car phone.

I've got both the 3913 and 5906 for now. I am going to shoot the 3913 this weekend and will probably sell it if I don't like it. I like the 5906 enough to keep it, especially with all the mags and holsters.

I like the OD Hogues. They give the pistol a bit of a different look without being too loud. And it matches my SIG 516 with OD Magpul gear really well. I need to photograph them together.

 

[carbuncle]

Congrats on the 3913, and if I end up getting a Beretta 92 model this year I am going to need some of those OD Hogues for it!

Posted from my car phone.

 

[James&theGiant1911]

Having owned a 6906 which I sold to buy the 3913tsw, I think that the thicker pistol handles make the gun more bulky and not good for a CCW. I own a P228 and just bought a brand new p229 with a sold steel slide which might be why the slide on the 229 weighs more than the 228. I love my 228 and will never sell it, mainly bought the 229 for the .357 chamber round as it is more powerful.

The 3913 is a favorite of mine though and I do not think you will miss going from a 59XX or 69XX to a 39 series pistol.

 

[mbliss57]

I would get the 3913. I have both and a P239 357 Sig SAS. What an awesome pistol. The 3913 is a little lighter, thinner and is very accurate. The 5906 can be found for $300-$450 tops. I have had several and still have my 1st. The 5906 is a great gun but with your collection it's not really needed. The 3913 though is SW best CCW 9mm ever made...IMO anyway. So I woulds sell one and try the other. Also the CZ75 is better IMO than a 5906. They still sell the CZ 75 with a big following. SW stopped the 5906 some time ago. (I love the 5906..there are just better all steel guns out there now)

 

[Geno44]

I like a little grease on the alloy frame rails. I've seen too many that looked worn that were lubed with some light oil like Rem-Oil which I don't think has enough viscosity to protect the rails if the gun is shot much. I actually like grease on any rails but especially alloy rails.

 

[fotoman12001]

I would get the 3913. I have both and a P239 357 Sig SAS. What an awesome pistol. The 3913 is a little lighter, thinner and is very accurate. The 5906 can be found for $300-$450 tops. I have had several and still have my 1st. The 5906 is a great gun but with your collection it's not really needed. The 3913 though is SW best CCW 9mm ever made...IMO anyway. So I woulds sell one and try the other. Also the CZ75 is better IMO than a 5906. They still sell the CZ 75 with a big following. SW stopped the 5906 some time ago. (I love the 5906..there are just better all steel guns out there now)

I actually did a little comparison shooting today and shot five 9mm pistols:

• S&W 5906
• S&W 3913
• CZ 75 Stainless
• SIG P229R
• SIG P239

I have been gathering 9mm pistols lately to try various designs and keep what I like. I plan on doing a detailed write-up of all the 9mm pistols I've tried but for now I will say you are spot-on with your CZ recommendation. I just picked mine up Thursday along with the 3913 so I shot both for the first time today. That CZ is SWEET. Other 9mm pistols will include: Kahr K9/MK9, Glock 19/26, HK USP/P30L/P7/P7M8, Kimber Tactical Pro II, Beretta 92G.

I won't get too detailed at this point but my tentative plan after shooting today is to

• Likely sell the S&W 5906. The CZ is just better for me.
• Maybe sell the S&W 3913. I liked the DA, not the SA so much. I just can't shoot the SA on the 3913/5906 very well. I actually won a 3953 (basically a DAO 3913; thanks S&W Forum for bringing that one to my attention) on Gunbroker today so I may end up keeping that and ditching the 3913.
• CZ 75 Stainless. This one is a definitely keeper. It's beautiful, ergonomic, and a good shooter.
• SIG P229R: see the CZ 75.
• SIG P239: see the CZ 75/P229R.

I was not shooting my best today but these are the various targets I got. The white ones were shot a week or so ago. All of these pistols can shoot better than I do but the P229R and CZ work especially well for me. The CZ target was shot with the first rounds I've ever put through any CZ pistol and I was impressed. I only shot it in single action. Though it is a DA/SA it has no decocker and I am not going to manually lower a hammer on a live round.

I like a little grease on the alloy frame rails. I've seen too many that looked worn that were lubed with some light oil like Rem-Oil which I don't think has enough viscosity to protect the rails if the gun is shot much. I actually like grease on any rails but especially alloy rails.

I recently discovered Slide Glide and I've been using it on all my pistol rails. It's a little messy but I like it. It has a strong oder that some people complain about but I actually like it. I won't be using it as cologne or anything but it has a fragrance that seems very gun-like to me.