Tell Me About This Model 6906

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I'm a revolver guy but this 6906 keeps getting my attention. It has four magazines (not sure if they are all the same) and is pristine. The price is $475. What have I got here?

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Compact 3rd gen 12 shot traditional double/single action 9mm with slide mounted decocker, will also accept the longer 14 rd magazines.
$475 is a good deal today,
When new they came with two magazines but If it in fact does come with a total of 4 magazines as the label indicates those usually sell for around $35-40 each so you are basicly getting the gun for $400 which is a crazy good bargain, if it comes with original box n docs even better.

Ps, the 6906 was intended as a concealed carry gun and has the hammer spur removed, if u want to cock the hammer back manually and lock it back u pull the trigger back until you see the hammer grooves then grab it with your thumb.
 
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That’s a great price; just got my second for $350 USD with only one magazine. The extra three OEM magazines are worth $475
 
I think $475.00 plus the magazines and apparent condition is a good price.

Additionally I think with the flat “3 step” mag release and flat/shortened “4 step” ambi safety/decocker is a big plus.

Check the frame.

Jim
 
You have what I would consider to be a mid-production run Model 6906. It's mid-run because it does not have the long, hooked trigger guard and very rounded back end of the slide of the early production pistols, but has the short, round trigger guard and full contour slide of the mid and late production 6906's. The trigger and hammer are machined forgings and flash chrome plated, hallmarks of the early and mid-production pistols, the late production pistols had MIM hammer and trigger and were black in color.
 
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An excellent 3rd gen double stack pistol. The very early ones also lacked the Novak Low Mount sights, so this one was made a bit later and seems to be the more desirable edition. Factory 14 and 15 round mags are plentiful and readily lock in place, enhanced with a PGS adapter as on my 2nd gen 669.
No doubt a fair share were carried by patrolmen or detectives back in the day. If the shop is open today it would be a great addition to the family.

Todd
 

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I'm a revolver guy but this 6906 keeps getting my attention. It has four magazines (not sure if they are all the same) and is pristine. The price is $475. What have I got here?

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You have what looks like a very nice and underpriced 3rd generation 6906 pistol. Late (curved not D shaped) trigger guard, standard Novak sights. Circa late 1991 to early 1992. (My 4053 TVB39xx dated by SW as 10-1991).

There are cheaper 6906 out there typically import marked (Israel?) and often beat up --- but in good condition, not import marked, with 4 correct mags, (original box would be another plus), $475 seems a good deal.

My local store has one in much poorer condition with either 1 or 2 mags priced at $499 but probably negotiable to $450 maybe less if you actually got serious and field stripped it to check innards - I would have said $399 value for the one at my local shop - but add $100 for 2 correct extra SW mags.

If you are ambitious offer $425 cash - but personally I would field strip and check rifling and innerds and be willing to pay the $475 if all good or walk away if frame problems (see below).

There are multiple variations of correct SW mags - mostly stainless but also some in blue. The ones with finger rest and 5 holes on right numbered to 12 and 4 holes on left numbered to 11 are the later variant and may or may not be marked LE only. The earlier 5 right / 1 left hole mags have been said to be earlier pre-ban magazines - see photos. I have also seen 2 right / 1 left 12rd configurations with finger rest base (only in blue) which I believe are SW, possibly 2nd generation mags which should work. And there are also correct 10rd SW mags out there (4R/3L) but they are rare. The 5906 15 rd mags will work but they stick out - but you can find New 5906 mags around $35 and there are spacer/adapters.

Correct SW 12rd mags are worth $50+ ea. I believe there were MecGar mags at one time which are good and there are some recent United Defense mags which appear to be indistinguishable from the 5R/4L SW mags which I have not heard anything bad about. But there are also multiple brands aftermarket 6906 10-12rd mags that are worth $0 each and should be avoided in my opinion.

For the most part 3rd gen pistols are pretty bulletproof - the only exception I have found was the ramp on inside of frame where barrel slides down on recoil on the Aluminum framed pistols (including a 6944 which is the blue DAO cousin of the 6906 - both aluminum frames). These can be damaged by hot loads and/or weak recoil springs. Easy to check by removing slide and barrel and looking inside frame with light.

Plan to replace recoil spring and probably mag springs (typically under $10 each and readily available for 6906).
 

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Thanks for all the information. Story is it was bought by a NH trooper for off-duty but never used. I know NHSP carried this or a larger model. I doubt the never fired part of the story, especially without the box but it is pristine to my eye on the outside. I'll check it over Tuesday.
 
For the most part 3rd gen pistols are pretty bulletproof - the only exception I have found was the ramp on inside of frame where barrel slides down on recoil on the Aluminum framed pistols (including a 6944 which is the blue DAO cousin of the 6906 - both aluminum frames). These can be damaged by hot loads and/or weak recoil springs. Easy to check by removing slide and barrel and looking inside frame with light.

IIRC, it was BMCM who recommended a crazy-expensive Dow lubricant to be used just in that one area. I’ve followed his advice.
 
What you have here is an old-school-cool 3rd Gen pistol that is reliable as a rock and built like a tank. Very popular and widely used. Structurally it is all-metal, well engineered, and parts/magazines are still available.

If you haven't already bought it then that's a reasonable price, especially with four mags. If you have, then that was a decent purchase and congratulations!
 
I was issued one in 88. Replaced our 2 1/2 in 66s with these. Carried 115 gr Silvertips in them. Came with one 14 rounf 5906 mag with the slide-on extension. Three factory 12 rounders.
 
No experience with the 6900 series , but I have 2 469's and a 669 . I sent one down to Guzzitaco and he worked his magic . When I take it to the range I take one of my s&w 20rd mags and have some fun .
 

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Others have said most of what I was going to say, so I'll only add a couple of notes.

Mine shoots a bit low with 115gr, but is acceptable with 124gr, and dead accurate with 147gr.

Others mentioned the ramps (I call them lugs) on the frame where the barrel rides during recoil. I use Lubriplate gun oil, but any quality oil should be fine.

Don't over lubricate the rails or the lugs. Also slightly lubricate the "bell" at the muzzle and the lug where the barrel locks into the slide.

Definitely replace the recoil spring.

At $475.00 with four magazines, it's a buy if it check out okay.
 
No experience with the 6900 series , but I have 2 469's and a 669 . I sent one down to Guzzitaco and he worked his magic . When I take it to the range I take one of my s&w 20rd mags and have some fun .
6900 series is the 3rd generation evolution of the 2nd generation 469 & 669 - as far as I can recall the "improvenents" in the 3rd generation were relatively minor and all viewed as positive.
The possible exception was the one piece grips. Early 1 piece grips were recalled and replaced with visibly identical grips using a different material. The replacement grips have a small dimple at the base.
If your 6906 grips do not have the dimple (see photo) SW should provide a replacement grip - they did at least as recent as 2023 for me - but new grips are also available retail for about $20.
 

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