Speaking of a 5906

[PeterJ]

I happened upon a 6906 at my local gun store today and really not knowing anything about these guns, I thought, for $250, for a 9mm truck gun, I can't go wrong. Brought it home, ran eight rounds through it and started reading up on them. I think I got a pretty good gun for a very reasonable price. After giving it a good look, the gun and grips don't show any wear at all and could almost pass for a new gun. I'm happy.
Oh,,, all the videos I have seen on the gun show it with a satin ambi safety. Mine is black and just on the left side.

 

[toddimusnimski]

Great find at a greater price! It looks to have a 6904 slide but the two-tone look is pretty sharp. I appreciate the older elongated trigger guard but it can make it more challenging to find a holster if desired. Thanks for sharing.

Added -- possible a 3914 slide since you mentioned that it has a single sided safety. I'm pretty sure I've read about that combination here. BUt just realized it has 2nd gen sights and not Novaks, hmmm.

Todd

 

[jsbethel]

Actually it's a 469 slide - the front sight isn't dovetailed. Make sure the grips have a dimple on bottom to indicate recall replacement.

 

[toddimusnimski]

Actually it's a 469 slide - the front sight isn't dovetailed. Make sure the grips have a dimple on bottom to indicate recall replacement.

Ok, that makes a lot more sense. Good call. OP be sure to keep posting pics!

Todd

 

[PeterJ]

Well, as usual I have a lot to learn here. So, you are telling me this is a frankengun ? And what does the dimple on the grips mean ? Is it a recall on the grips or the gun ? Whatever, it seems to work fine and shows no wear.

 

[GaryS]

The dimple means that the grips were replaced under warranty. If no dimple, email them and ask if they still have any left. If not, I think someone makes after market copies of the OEM grips without the logo of course.

Frankengun? The TDF prefix is not in the SCSW, but TDH is was used in 1990. The square trigger guard means that the frame is early production. It's unlikely, but possible that it was made that way. As I said unlikely.

I'll defer to jsbethel's opinion on the slide. A previous owner may have wanted a two tone gun and the only slide he could find was from a 469.

If you want to know the production date, email customer service with the serial number. Depending on who replies you may get only the month and year or you may get the specific date.

Enjoy shooting, they are fine pistols.

Well, as usual I have a lot to learn here. So, you are telling me this is a frankengun ? And what does the dimple on the grips mean ? Is it a recall on the grips or the gun ? Whatever, it seems to work fine and shows no wear.

 

[jsbethel]

Pre-recall grips could break when dropped releasing mainspring tension and rendering the gun useless. Sometimes they start cracking over time around the grip pin. Yes, it's a mild frankengun but to me that's exactly what you want for a vehicle pistol.

 

[toddimusnimski]

Well, as usual I have a lot to learn here. So, you are telling me this is a frankengun ?

Maybe a semi-frankengun, and there's no negative connotation there. The 469/669 are the 2nd generation versions of the 3rd gen 6904/6906. If a 2nd gen gun was returned for a frame issue the factory could replace it with a 3rd gen frame. You can also find 3rd gen slides on 2nd gen frames, which is one way to get the upgraded sights.

A nice thing about the compacts is the ability to use full-size magazines and they are plentiful.

Todd

 

[Brian Parrish]

Notice the shaved thin Slide Stop Release Lever and the shaved thin De-cocking Lever/Safety. This gun is just perfect for appendix carry!
Thanks for showing her off!
BrianD

 

[stansdds]

Neat pistol, looks nice too! My guess is that it is a frankenpistol. Likely that someone had a 6906 and wanted a blued slide, so swapped in a blued 469 slide.

 

[xtrtsqrt11]

Maybe a semi-frankengun, and there's no negative connotation there. The 469/669 are the 2nd generation versions of the 3rd gen 6904/6906. If a 2nd gen gun was returned for a frame issue the factory could replace it with a 3rd gen frame. You can also find 3rd gen slides on 2nd gen frames, which is one way to get the upgraded sights.

A nice thing about the compacts is the ability to use full-size magazines and they are plentiful.

Todd

I used to own a 669 that had the frame develop a crack through the rail at the slide stop hole. Smith replaced it as a "factory defect" (their words) when I explained to them the situation and acknowledged that I was not the original owner. Customer service said no promises, but send it in to see if they take care of you. I was very happy with Smith.

It came back with a 6906 frame, the latest version at the time. This was about 25 years ago.

Still kicking myself for letting it go...