S&W declined to fix my 5906.

[Fastbolt]

I think the bigger question is what would it take for S&W to start honoring their lifetime extended service policy again on 1st, 2nd and 3rd Gen pistols? Would it really be that terrible to run a few batches of critical spare parts?

I don't know the answer to that. Maybe it would be a terrible thing for their bottom line.

The "lifetime service policy" for their pistols started with them offering it to LE agencies with the early 3rd gen's, and then a little later to the public.

Besides, it was never offered to all owners, but just the original buyer. The company offering "warranty repairs" to second & third hand buyers was really a courtesy. The public sometimes got a deal when the company sold refurbed LE turn-ins & demos, as they would usually offer an extended warranty on those.

I once asked someone I knew at the company (now retired) how often they made orders of repair parts for the 3rd gen's. He told me back then (late 2000's) it was done only every so often, and at that time the company had been sitting on making an order of close to up to $3 Million of 3rd gen parts for a couple of years, having been instead focused on pouring money into new equipment and other R&D for other gun lines/models.

I've called to place some occasional orders for odds & ends to fill in my armorer kits over the last few years, and sometimes I've been told they aren't ordering any more of those parts (because they hardly ever require replacement), and other times I've been told the parts are on back-order (supposedly meaning they only infrequently order a small supply of parts nowadays).

Now that the handful of remaining major LE agency customers have been told that no more new TSW's are going to be made for them, the 3rd gen's are history.

Now, for the original buyers/owners of 3rd gen guns? Well, I'd not be surprised to see the company continue to offer the typical minor repairs that may sometimes be required over the long term, like fitting & replacing an extractor, ejector or sear release lever, as those parts are relatively cheap and don't take up much space. The sear release lever and extractors do, however, require some knowledge to fit them to the individual guns. It's anybody's guess how long that institutional knowledge and experience is going to remain available in the pistol repair depts.

From the OP's post, it sounds like the repair tech tried to repair the third-hand 5906, but couldn't because the frame rails had become out-of-spec. That's not something you really hear about happening very often, especially with a steel-framed model, so it's not really a surprise they were unable to repair the gun.

In my opinion, considering the gun was (at least) third-hand, them offering what seems to have amounted to an "armorer discount" was a nice gesture, and one I'd have accepted.

 

[CQB27]

Didn't S&W say no more repairs or parts on Gen 3 guns about a year ago?

They made it very clear to my department about 6 or 8 years ago that they were getting out of the 3 gen business. About a year or so after that they notified us that were done servicing gen 3 6906s and sooner than later the 5906 would go the same route and any needed parts support would soon need to be sought elsewhere. About 5 years ago my department moved on from its 130 plus year partnership with S&W, so I have no idea what 3rd gen support looks like today. Honestly I am surprised S&W even took the time to look at it.

 

[Mark IV]

IMO, they ain't exactly doing you any big favors, offering you an M&P for $405, (plus your transfer fee).
M&P's, Glocks, FN's, XD's, etc, can be found all day long on Armslist, for the same money or less, and typically LNIB and with extra mags, ammo, holsters, night sights.....
But, I wonder if S&W would be open to any "negotiating". You could try mentioning their recent rebate deals that include extra mags.
If they'd toss in a pair of extra mags, that might be a pretty nice deal (all things considered), and you'd have that full original-owner warranty.
Assuming you haven't done anything yet, I'd make the pitch for a couple extra mags, and take the deal.
(But,of course, you should first be sure there isn't one of the cheap fixes mentioned above. Obviously, that's the way to go, if possible).

 

[Trebor Snave]

99% of the posters here are more 3rd-Gen savvy than me ... but, in addition to the comments about dis-assembly, cleaning and lubing - I would be tempted to see if the sear release lever actually trips the sear. Pull the slide off and cock the hammer, then pressing on the lever (arrow) should decock the hammer. I used a 6906 for the photo so I cushioned the hammer-fall against the aluminum frame. One potential problem is someone used a mallet to put the slide back on the frame - not realizing that all three levers have to be depressed for the slide to go on smoothly. I bet the sear release lever is buggered up or damaged from improper assembly. As already posted, and linked, it's a cheap part from Brownell's. Just sayin'

This may have already been mentioned - I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer

I didn't mention the safety barrel (which depresses the sear release lever when the safety is pressed) since it is a much more robust part than the sear release lever. If the sear release lever is fine - then that leaves - as mentioned above - the possibility that the slide has too much vertical play at the rear when fully in battery ... making it a parts gun I guess.

I found this interesting enough to take the pistol apart and check the function of the sear release lever. When depressed, the sear DOES NOT release. When viewed from above, the lever has a slight yet noticeable curve. It does go all the way down into the frame, until it hits what appears to be a small stop-pin in the frame recess. Guess I'll be ordering a lever from Brownell's, and to heck with S&W repair.

 

[amazingflapjack]

It sounds like "the slide was worn" because that's wear and tare to me. Also-10 weeks!!!!! and even then-you had to call THEM!

 

[Tom S.]

I can't imagine there are many industries covering all aspects of mass-produced products that don't use outside part vendors and manufacturers for small parts that are used for their product.

For one company to build a machine that uses literally dozens of parts... to also build each of the small parts in-house? That's very nearly the most expensive way to build any product, and especially a small machine that uses dozens of small parts.

That depends greatly on the end product and what it's made up from. If everything is machined from the the same material, then doing everything in house is the best method. When other materials are involved, then it can pay to look to source the parts manufacturing especially if the material requires special processes or is propitiatory. Of course none of this applies if the company is looking to cut labor costs by utilizing foreign labor.

 

[TTSH]

That depends greatly on the end product and what it's made up from. If everything is machined from the same material, then doing everything in house is the best method. When other materials are involved, then it can pay to look to source the parts manufacturing especially if the material requires special processes or is propitiatory. Of course none of this applies if the company is looking to cut labor costs by utilizing foreign labor.

I think folks might be surprised in this brave new age of outsourcing and in-house parts assembly only how many parts S&W manufactured themselves for the all-metal pistols in Springfield and Houlton. But I understand the suspicion, especially now that plastic wonder guns with near zero gunsmithing are S&W's bread and butter.

 

[Skullaero]

I got hit with the bad MOJO last night. After I read this post, I got a gun or two from the safe for a range day. My model 39 did the same thing. Now I have to read all of the new posts and find a rabbits foot.

 

[Big Shrek]

I got hit with the bad MOJO last night. After I read this post, I got a gun or two from the safe for a range day. My model 39 did the same thing. Now I have to read all of the new posts and find a rabbits foot.

Numrich Gun Parts is your friend.

I've learned more on fixing my own problems
by working on my own guns than I ever did in the Army.
Started on .22's and applied the info upwards as I went.

98% of gun issues are Ammo, Cleaning, Polishing, & Springs,
in that order. The rest are nitpicky oddball weird stuff.

Ultrasonic cleaners are WONDERFUL on slides

 

[flagman1776]

Sorry. I know it's technically possible to wear the frame out but I have a tough time believing it on a steel framed gun... unless it was borderline when new.
I'd want the gun back. As has been suggested, detail strip it & inspect all the component parts. I'd really like to have good spares to compare them to.
Please post the results of this inspection.

 

[Fastbolt]

...

First, that at one time S&W forged 1911 frames for Kimber.
Second, that S&W doesn't forge their own AR lowers. I know that a lot of smaller volume custom AR manufacturers by the raw forgings and then do the finish work themselves. ...

Over the years of taking S&W classes and talking with many of their people, I've also been told that when Kimber was first getting into the 1911 business, S&W made some forgings for them for a while.

I was also told they made barrels for Colt (for their Model O Pistol, aka-1911) for a short while.

A couple other gun company names have surfaced now and again, benefiting from S&W's extensive manufacturing capabilities, too. Other gun companies, and some other contracts which are covered by NDA's.

I decided not to take a recent M&P 15 armorer recert, so I may have missed some current details, but in the last couple of the S&W classes (I've been through 5 AR/M16 armorer classes) I did hear some trivia mentioned in the class.

In one of them we were told that the company had acquired the necessary equipment to enable them to now have the capability to make ALL parts that may be needed to produce the rifles, but that it would require curtailing other production capabilities for other gun. So, it was something they could fall back on in a "worst case" scenario where the usual major vendors were unable to provide some of the vendor parts and assemblies (think an impending federal ban and a scarcity of parts occurring overnight). In the meantime, meaning normal conditions, they still chose to use some of the established "common" outside vendors who made AR parts for gun companies.

We were also told that they had started forging their own uppers and lowers.

They were making one of their BCG's themselves, but were still contracting to have another version built by a major vendor. (I can't remember whether it was the DI (gas) or the Piston BCG being out-sourced, sorry.)

They'd decided it was better to acquire the equipment and be able to do their own Magnetic Particle testing, too.

After they acquired the barrel manufacturing equipment from their purchase of T/C Arms, they started making many (all?) of their own rifle barrels.

They make a lot of the small parts, but still outsource others, to save on their own manufacturing capabilities in-house, so they can use their manufacturing capabilities to support their other firearm lines.

Several years ago I only learned by accident (during a call to locate some parts) that the 3rd gen manual safety/decocker assemblies were stainless MIM, made by a contract vendor, but which still received in-house machining and finishing. He'd been around for the AIP (Auto Improvement Program), leading to the 3rd gen's, and even he could keep track of when all the little changes in manufacturing and production had occurred. It all blurs together.

 

[Fastbolt]

I got hit with the bad MOJO last night. After I read this post, I got a gun or two from the safe for a range day. My model 39 did the same thing. Now I have to read all of the new posts and find a rabbits foot.

Replacing a sear release lever to restore decocking timing is a relatively simple repair for a gunsmith familiar with the S&W Traditional Double Action pistols. The lever is a stamped piece of steel that comes from the factory with the correct angles (end-to-end and side-to-side) already cut on the foot.

The smith just has to slowly file the foot (maintaining the correct angles) until the right "timing" is obtained. This can be a bit tedious, as the older guns, with "more generous" manufacturing tolerances, can sometimes require a lot of filing of the lever in order to reach the right spec. Checking for the right decocking timing requires assembly of the gun, and then disassembly to do another 1 or 2 (maybe) file strokes, and then reassembly to check, etc. etc.

Get too anxious and make "one too many" file strokes, and the lever is now too short (again, which was the problem you were trying to correct, in the first place) ... and you start over with another new lever.

In older classes armorers were taught to "eyeball" the decocking point, but nowadays they can use a set of 3 numbered metal drill bits, positioned in a certain spot, using the non-cutting ends as Go/No-Go gages. Faster to learn to use.

 

[Vom Brunhaus K9]

Have a 5906 that kept jamming , had to replace extractor , all inside springs and parts etc. , finally even the barrel itself to correct this . Had to send to a parts house to get all the interior parts and barrel . After all has been done it shoots now without jamming . This gun was a stainless Police trade in , I Like the gun and to me was worth fixing

 

[Skullaero]

Thanks Fast bolt. I ordered two, I'm going to give it a try myself. If that fails I'll take it to the shop.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Would it really be that terrible to run a few batches of critical spare parts?

I don't know the answer to that. Maybe it would be a terrible thing for their bottom line.

I don't know either, but an article is floating around this web site which shows inside the S&W factory after WWII, perhaps in the 1950s. One pictures shows a service guy performing repairs, and on the bench rack, awaiting service, is an original Schofield! And they were servicing it! Those were the days.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

I'll give you $50 as is?

 

[nll401]

They were going to let me have an M&P for $405. Looks like MSRP for those is $599, so not quite $200 off. Maybe that would have been a good deal; I dunno.

$405 is about the price at Buds, where it ships free. You'd have to pay for a FFL transfer though.

I've encountered this kind of deal before. Manufacturers work off of list price and think they're doing you a favor, which in most cases is ridiculous.

 

[URIT]

Disassembling the 5906 may take some out of their comfort zone. YouTube has a 4 video series titled: GUNSMITHING THE S&W 3RD GENERATION PISTOL by Blubelly2. These videos are great and may instill enough confidence to make the task comfortable.