Should S&W Make 5906 & 6906 Again?

[ShoreShooter]

I am new to pistols, but am discovering what I want and like as I proceed.

I own a PPK/S which I flat love. I only wish I had a 9mm that was comparable to it.

I also own an M&P 9mm. It is a workhorse, and I shoot it just fine. But, I am coming to realize I prefer a solid heavy all metal pistol, like the PPK/S.

It is a question of balance. A virtually weightless frame with a mass of slide on top moving at speed just does not "handle" as well. For me.

So I go hunting for options. The Sigs. H&K's. And by good fortune I discover that what appears to be perfect was discontinued in 1999. The S&W 5906 & 6906.

Walther continues to make and sell a PPK/S which is a design going back to the 1920's or 1930's. But they are very hard to find, and feel fortunate I did.

Maybe the market for a 5906 isn't as robust as for mass market plastic guns, but isn't there a reasonable market for a higher end piece like a 5906? The PPK/S has been updated and tweeked with improvements over the years, and there are probably some refinements that could be made to the 5906 too.

I suppose I'll have to go on a hunt at local shops for a used one. I'd prefer to inspect rather than go online and hope.

But what do you guys think? Would there be a market for an updated 5906 were S&W to make them again?

 

[shawn mccarver]

They have already made the updates and refinements. 3rd Gens are still sold on LE contract. The most popular are the 5946NY, the 4006CHP and the 4566.

 

[5906fan]

myself I'm confident that the 06 and 03 models would sell well.
everyone I've handled and shot is a good shooter.
I dumped my 06 for an 03 to ccw. I shoot only maybe 50 rds/month thru it.
a nephew has the 915 I refinished w/spray and bake it's also good shooter.

 

[deanodog]

I like them both and own two of each. You have to have a spare don't you....

 

[Shuutr]

Sig says there is a market for non-plastic guns and they're doing ok.

Maybe when the $350 supply of old 5906s runs dry they'll make a comeback.

 

[ShoreShooter]

They have already made the updates and refinements. 3rd Gens are still sold on LE contract. The most popular are the 5946NY, the 4006CHP and the 4566.

They do not appear on the S&W website, even under the LE tab. I had no idea they were still making them, or variants.

So if they are making them, why not just go ahead and SELL THEM to people like me?

 

[K-framer]

Personally, I would LOVE it if S&W would bring the 59xx and especially the 69xx models back. However, I simply don't see it happening. They would probably have to be sold at a truly PREMIUM price, in order for S&W to make any money. In addition, in essence, S&W would be competing against themselves, as the 3rd gen. models would overlap with the market for the M&P line somewhat. Production capacity might well be a problem, as well. Basically, S&W is now set up to produce large quantities of cheaper to produce plastic-framed M&Ps - they may not have the excess capacity to do the 3rd gens at anything other than a trickle. Low production rates would serve to greatly increase unit cost - making the marketing/ price problem even worse.

Of course, IF S&W could be SURE of LARGE orders for some of the 3rd gen. models, that would certainly grease the rails. Then again, S&W is always actively pursuing big contracts with police and military sources, with their current M&P LINE - so again, the 3rd gen. models would be in competition with their current products.

Perhaps if we could put together a "group buy" for, say, 10,000 6906's....then S&W might be interested. Short of something like that....I don't see it happening (as I said above).

 

[QXSOUP]

Sign me up for a couple...

 

[ShoreShooter]

Personally, I would LOVE it if S&W would bring the 59xx and especially the 69xx models back. However, I simply don't see it happening. They would probably have to be sold at a truly PREMIUM price, in order for S&W to make any money. In addition, in essence, S&W would be competing against themselves, as the 3rd gen. models would overlap with the market for the M&P line somewhat. Production capacity might well be a problem, as well. Basically, S&W is now set up to produce large quantities of cheaper to produce plastic-framed M&Ps - they may not have the excess capacity to do the 3rd gens at anything other than a trickle. Low production rates would serve to greatly increase unit cost - making the marketing/ price problem even worse.

Of course, IF S&W could be SURE of LARGE orders for some of the 3rd gen. models, that would certainly grease the rails. Then again, S&W is always actively pursuing big contracts with police and military sources, with their current M&P LINE - so again, the 3rd gen. models would be in competition with their current products.

Perhaps if we could put together a "group buy" for, say, 10,000 6906's....then S&W might be interested. Short of something like that....I don't see it happening (as I said above).

VERY few weapons have the kind of mass market that comes with being a supplier to LE or other government agencies. Yet, they are produced and apparently at a profit, because they continue to be manufactured.

 

[gen3guy]

Yes!!!!!!!!

 

[WNC Seabee]

I recently picked up a 6906 on a whim...that's a darned fine pistol.

If anyone is interested in a 5906TSW (w/rail)...let me know, I have an extra that I'd kinda sorta almost like to sell.

 

[GaryS]

Should? Yes.
Will they? Probably not.
All things considered, a better option might be to make the 3913 again.
Not that I'll hold my breath for that.

I do wish that they'd continue to make replacement and repair parts, especially things like side plates. Just because those seem to be the parts that break the most.

Springs don't seem hard to find.

 

[5906fan]

the 5903 and 915 especially would be welcomed IMO.
good shooting pistols and safe to boot
and a couple makes of 9mmP carbines have the grip frame to take S&W mags
myself I would grab the S&W 9mm over most of the others

 

[Arik]

I own both polymerand (several manufacturers) and S&W 5946. Both great guns. Ive carried both daily. Im not a cop so i carry iwb. My job is fairly physical and encompasses both office and yard work, i dont wear a suit. After a day of lugging around car batteries, washing cars, picking up parts, doing invoices, arranging car pickups for our transport dpt...etc..etc..you start to appreciate the lighter weight pf polymer guns

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

 

[robotoid]

Based on the QC problems S&W has had of late, I doubt they could turn out either of these guns anymore in a form anyone would find acceptable or useable. I'd rather they gave or sold the designs to someone who would do it right. Who? Don't have that answer. I'll continue to look for and buy older guns myself.

 

[serpentine]

I would buy a few if they did.

 

[18DAI]

Maybe Ruger will make us a nice "3913". Make it in steel and call it the LSW9.

I'll buy it. Regards 18DAI

 

[pharmer]

I've been carrying a 6906 for 20 years. I shoot maybe 400-500 rds/yr through it, mostly WWB or Fed 115 gr FMJ. It's coming up on 8-10K using those numbers so I would like to have a new one. Problem is transferring the "good juju" from the present gun to another one. There's nothing in the FAQ's about that. Joe

 

[Palmetto Sharpshooter]

Not much profit in making steel guns. Polymers will rule the roost until phasers come on the market.

 

[shouldazagged]

Of course they should make them again. They should also resume making the M19 (without a lock), the fine L-frames notwithstanding.

But they won't because the market in general doesn't find them sexy.