S&W Model 5905

[Smoking.Hole]

Hi

I recently picked up a S&W Model 5905 9mm.

This particular pistol had been imported into NZ as a test piece for evaluation by the NZ Police force when they were looking for a replacement for the then service revolvers. They ended up selecting the Glock Model 17 as their service sidearm.

This Model 5905 pistol has its original box and spare magazine.

I understand that this model was not made in large numbers, and my initial search on this forum suggested there was one run of pistols made. Then I found a reference to another run being made.

However, this pistol with its "TEZ" serial prefix appears to fall outside the known range of numbers in those first two runs, so I expect there was at least a third run of this model made.

Perhaps someone may be able to assist me with an up-to-date number of these pistols made? And also, when this particular example was manufactured?

Kind regards,
Mike

 

[VictorLouis]

Wow, that's pretty neat to think. A very limited production model got brought into your neck of world so far from its origin.

Mike, if you are not a police officer, what's the general state of affairs for you 'normal' folk to be able to own something there? We always have a curiousity over that sort of thing. Thanks.

 

[stansdds]

Wow! A 5905, don't see those very often. S&W made somewhere around 5000 of them, so not exactly a rare item, but a scarce item. I'm not surprised that it was rejected in favor of the Glock. The 5905 and 5906 were heavy pistols, the Glocks are very lightweight, even a bit lighter than the aluminum receiver 5903/5904.

 

[GaryS]

The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson (SCSW) shows a single year of production, 1991. Two version, one with fixed sights, on with adjustable sights.

No production total shown, but it doesn't appear that many were made.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

Very nice. Any 5905 would be a "keeper" here. The magazine is still fairly common here online and in gun shows since so many models share it, so you might want a few more of them while they are available. May it serve you well.

 

[Dparker]

Congratulations ��������......I have 2 of them new/old stock....less than 1,000 produced total

 

[snw19_357]

Welcome!

This Model 5905 pistol has its original box

A lot of information can be learned from the box end label.

 

[GaryS]

I missed that it came with the box. Please post a picture of the lable and we can likely give you more info.

 

[Smoking.Hole]

S & W Model 5905

Hi

Thanks for all the responses.

Attached is a photo of the label on the box.

The model number on the box was originally factory printed as "5906" and was subsequently altered by hand to be "5905". All other factory printed details are unaltered and correct (eg serial number) for the pistol.

I would be interested in what else can be gleaned from the information on the box.

And yes, it is noticeably (top) heavy, especially compared to a Glock.

Kind regards,
Mike

 

[Smoking.Hole]

Hi

As for owning and using pistols in New Zealand, that is an interesting question.

Basically, ownership and use of pistols in NZ is permitted by law, and is reasonably well controlled. All pistols (except original old black powder pistols) have to individually registered to a person who must hold the correct categories of firearms licence to posses pistols.

Excluding licenced firearms dealers, museums and theatrical licence holders, there are two usual paths to legal ownership of pistols. Firstly, as a licenced pistol shooter; secondly, as a licenced collector of pistols.

If a licenced pistol shooter, you can own and shoot 'target' pistols, and they can only be used on a licenced pistol shooting range, and you must be a member of a licenced pistol club. You must also attend the club and partake in club activities a minimum of 12 times a year. There are restrictions on how many pistols you can have, and what types of pistols you can shoot (i.e. no pistols with barrels less than 4" (100mm) (except for some very special exemptions). You can only carry your pistols to and from your home and range (i.e. no hunting, personal defense, etc)

If a licenced collector you can own pistols that fit the nature of the collecting interest your collectors licence was issued for. You cannot shoot pistols that are registered on your collectors licence.

A collector could also have a pistol shooting licence, but can only shoot the pistols registered against the shooting licence and not those registered against the collecting licence.

At least we can own pistols, even if ownership (and use) is controlled, and subject to a law change that could remove our ability to own them (like what happened here in NZ three years with semi-auto centre rifles and other rifles or shotguns that had magazines greater than 10 rounds (or 5 rounds for shotguns).

I hope that gives you a brief overview of owning and using pistols in NZ.

Kind regards,
Mike

 

[snw19_357]

The model number on the box was originally factory printed as "5906" and was subsequently altered by hand to be "5905". All other factory printed details are unaltered and correct (eg serial number) for the pistol.

Interesting. Is Spec Ord 0145 - May 25, 1990? Checked 1989 ~ 1993 catalogs and the 5905 isn't listed in any of them so not sure if it's from before they were introduced in 1991 (not cataloged at all and SCS&W says, "Special for 1991.") or a special T&E unit made for NZ, sort of like the T&E 5903s marked "459" made before the 5903 existed.
Also noticed that the SCS&W 3rd lists product code 104006 only under the 5906 but the SCS&W 4th shows it under both the 5905 and 5906.

 

[VictorLouis]

Hi

I hope that gives you a brief overview of owning and using pistols in NZ.

Kind regards,
Mike

Yups, it sounds quite similar to Mother Britain's way of doing things, recently explained to me by a UK collector visiting a fun-show here in Phoenix.