S&W M659 9mm

[Dzheyk]

I don't have a 659 but a 559. Kinda the same thing but not so shiny. Back in the day I had to have an "all steel 59" so it joined my herd. Yeah it's heavy when loaded. It's been completely reliable except when a magazine spring got weak and the slide didn't lock back. Easy to fix. I put an arched backstrap on it which completely changed the feel. I never took a liking to the flat one. With the arched backstrap it feels a lot like the 39 pistols. I guess I'm an anachronism, but I like steel pistols. Many of us here are anachronisms, I figure.

I wasn't aware there is an arched backstrap for these guns. I know the 5906 and similar have flat or arched grips that cover the mainspring. I would like to find one of those. I've always liked the arched mainspring on a 1911, and I like the 39 with its arched grip also.

The 559s are gorgeous guns actually, I've never run across one however. I'm an anachronism also. I hardly ever even shoot autos, I'm stuck way back in the past with my "wheel" guns...

 

[Dzheyk]

I used to do firearms training for a tribal police department that issued 5906s, and I don’t think I ever saw a malfunction on the range despite some unique gripping styles and lackluster maintenance. I bought one of the guns when the tribe switched to Glocks and I tried to make it misfeed but it refused.

I got this 659 a year or so ago, and it has been equally reliable. I just love this big boxy thing.

That's a gorgeous handgun. I always wanted one with the square trigger guard, however the only two I've run across had the rounded guard.

Interesting to hear about the 5906. My wife and I were in NYC in 2020, and I saw quite a few officers with some sort of third gen stainless Smiths (5906?) and one with a 659 while waiting for our bus. The officers were there supervising the intersection and I got a good look at their holstered sidearm. Was very surprised to see the 659.

 

[Heinz]

I like it. I keep looking for one to go with my 645.

 

[ispcapt]

I wasn't aware there is an arched backstrap for these guns.

Occasionally one will pop up for sale but it's getting more rare all the time.
This is my 459 that I carried while in uniform, SWAT, and for a couple of years in investigations. Our range officers tuned it a bit and I installed the arched backstrap. Made a world of difference in the feel. It's still a bulky grip but almost feels like a SIG 226.

 

[demkofour]

... My wife and I were in NYC in 2020, and I saw quite a few officers with some sort of third gen stainless Smiths (5906?) and one with a 659 while waiting for our bus. The officers were there supervising the intersection and I got a good look at their holstered sidearm. Was very surprised to see the 659.

If the officers you saw were NYPD, the Smith and Wesson pistols you saw were the approved 5946 DAOs that are still in service.

 

[jsbethel]

The arched backstrap is an elusive part for sure.