Ugly. Perfect.

[Art Doc]

I wanted a stainless, hi-cap 9mm for the truck. I wanted a tool, something in which I would have no emotional investment. I wound up with a Model 659 I got on the GB auction for $232.

Apparently they made about 350 659s for the Atlanta PD around 1989. Even though it's a limited production model it has zero collector appeal. Too darn ugly, I guess. It has that God awful hooked trigger guard that is uglier than sin. Makes it easy to not fall in love with the gun.

Too big and heavy for concealed carry, it rides in the truck with me. Thy Smith and thy Wesson they comfort me...

It does what I need it to do. Loaded and with one extra magazine I have 29 rounds of 115 JHP @ 1280 FPS. If that doesn't settle the problem, more ammo probably won't help.

 

[Sevens]

Strange things are afoot at the Circle-K. Why does a 2nd Gen 659 wear a 3rd Gen delrin grip?

While on that subject, since this pistol is in a possible defense/social role, you need to inspect the bottom of the grip and look for the appearance of a dimple so you know it's not wearing a recalled grip.

The earliest grips were made of a plastic that shattered if dropped -- a genuine failure since the grip contains the mainspring. If a 3rd Gen delrin grip fails, the hammer has zero spring power, the pistol will not go bang.

 

[Targets Guy]

Don't think it is ugly at all. Nice pistol.

 

[policerevolvercollector]

I like it a LOT!

Atlanta carried 5903s for years. I wonder if this is wearing a set of grips from one of those??

 

[k22fan]

As Sevens noted, that's a very early 5906 frame that still got the old model stamp.

The earlier grips that were recalled were black and shinny like those appear in the picture. Their replacements were flat black with a tinge of grey. The exchange was free. You just called S&W and asked. They mailed the replacements and didn't ask what became of the original grips. Rather than being thrown out a high percentage of them were sold at gun shows.

Wolf sells softer lock work springs. Most benefit from a lighter draw bar spring. You must have a few dollars left from what you expected to spend to cover the cost.

 

[Gitagun]

I like it. Those guns are ultra-reliable and fun to use. My 5903 has the squared trigger guard and I prefer it to the round guard. It was designed to provide a resting place for the index finger of the weak hand. That's a shooting technique that is sometimes taught to control muzzle jump during follow-up shots.

I don't think it's too big for concealed carry. I carry mine often. I found some good deals on police trade-in holsters that were made for the square guard 59 series and I'm lovin' it.

 

[OLDSTER]

"Ugly" ?? I think it's a darn nice looking pistol. As far as the trigger guard; the design gives the shooter the option of a "finger-forward" style grip purchase, but doesn't need to be used. Um--Beretta, Glock, H&K, CZ, Sig, etc., etc.

 

[Old_Cop]

It's a beast, I like it.

 

[Muss Muggins]

Looks like a great truck gun to me . . .

 

[Trinidad Bill]

$232 for an all stainless steel S&W. I will take that all day long and use it all day long. You will be able to pass that to your family 50 years from now and it will still go bang.

 

[jsbethel]

As stated, get the grip replaced by S&W if needed - they have been honoring that recall as of late.

 

[85V65Sabre]

Nice pistol at a great price. I would carry it in my truck 365.[emoji106]

 

[Erich]

Man, what a great deal! Use it in good health - I'm jealous.

 

[gunhobbit]

Too heavy? I'm sitting here with a 5906 right now .... and hardly even notice it. Hit the gym more!

 

[Art Doc]

I am not familiar enough with S&W autos to know about the grip situation. These hard plastic things can break if dropped and S&W will send replacements? Who do I contact at S&W?

PS: I still hate the hooked trigger guard and think it's ugly. Of no use at all to me with my short fingers. Prefer to wrap over shooting hand anyway.

 

[Sevens]

You're close. The earliest 3rd Gen one-piece plastic grip has the potential of cracking or shattering when dropped. When that happens, the pistol has no hammer spring whatsoever. For me, it's means zip, zilch, because all my 3rd Gens are fun, range, shooting enjoyment and pride of ownership.

The one you have is very specifically used for defense. So you really need to call S&W now, tell 'em what you've got, give them a SN if they ask for it and ask them to send you a replacement grip now.

I would say there is a definite chance they may want the old one returned in exchange for a new one, simply to reduce the population of them.

Who to call? I'd just go with the basic customer service number:
(800) 331-0852

The trigger guard -- add me to the list of folks that does not care for it. It reminds me of the Beretta 92 which I was pre-programmed to LOATHE all through my youth, haha.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Trigger guard.....Heck it's steel and ugly...... file it down to round....... more holster selection.

invest in 1 or 2 Mec-gar 17/18rd mags and really be GTG with 35rds.!!!!!!

and it makes a great bludgeon if needed

 

[Sevens]

Trigger guard.....Heck it's steel and ugly...... file it down to round.......

invest in 1 or 2 Mec-gar 17/18rd mags and really be GTG!!!!!!

I am not often the "plus one!" or "yeah, yeah, what he said!" type of poster on gun forums, but I have to in this case.

With a gun showing THAT much use, wear and hard life, I would also be in favor of shaving metal to fit your taste, for sure.

And yes, the Mec-Gar magazines are absolutely 100% as good, quality and reliable as OEM S&W mags, so don't hesitate to go there if you want great magazines. CDNN usually has them.

 

[jsbethel]

As stated, post-recall grips have the pictured dimple on the bottom.

 

[KGun]

If I was going to invest any time or money into it I would buy a Wolff Service Pack and replace all the springs in it.