What is the REAL Differnence BEtween a 5906 and a 915?

[kbm6893]

I know, one is stainless, one is black. The 915 comes with fixed sights (at least mine does). I had a 5906 once and I traded it off to fund something else, so I got the 915 to satisfy my S&W itch. I actually like the stainless barrel with the black contrast slide. Kind of reminds me of a 1911. I really like the straight backstrap. My 5906 had the curved. I read that the 915 was a step up from the 910, being that the 910 had lots more plastic parts. So what's the verdict? I'm not gonna sell the 915, but unless there's a real difference between it and a 5906, I think my 3rd gen itch has been scratched. I've owned a 3913, 6906, a 5906 and a 5903 but traded them all off. My carry gun is a CS9. I like the safety and mag disconnect on S&W auto's.

 

[handgunner356]

The 915 is more in common with the 5904/03 with it's alloy frame. Makes them about 10oz lighter then the '06. Pretty much a 5904 with the plain straight blade rear sight and came with one mag to help keep the price down. After the AWB in 1994 they made simpler machining and added the plastic sights and small parts to the 910. The straight back grips from the 4000 series guns fit the 910/915/5900 guns so you can use either. The parts from 5900 series guns have more in common with the 915 than the 910.

 

[D Rock]

I was looking for a 5906 when I found my 915.

I'm not a collector so I stopped looking after my first range trip with the 915. A really fine shooting pistol.

Dave

 

[WW5906]

There is an area on the 915 frame forward of the trigger guard that is not milled away the way it is on a 5906, so the two guns aren't going to fit the same kydex. I had also thought that the typical 915 has a single rather than an ambidextrous safety.

 

[D Rock]

I can't speak to the holster fit since I only have the 915 but I think you're correct about the left side only decocker/safety. I've never seen an ambidextrous on a 915. Wonder if the 5906 parts would fit?

Dave

 

[kbm6893]

The safety is only on one side, which I think is a plus (since I'm a righty), but the Serpa holster I have that is made for the 5906 not only works with the 915, but also my CS9. Locks in and releases just as designed.

 

[Big Mike]

I've always thought of the 915 as the "economy" version of the 5904, mostly resulting from slightly less machining.

 

[kbm6893]

I've always thought of the 915 as the "economy" version of the 5904, mostly resulting from slightly less machining.

I always thought that, too, but for some reason, I do not like the looks of the 5904. Maybe it's the high rear sight, or maybe it's that every 5904 I have seen has the curved backstraps, which I don't like. But the 915 sits nice in my hand. My wife even likes it. She prefers it over my Beretta 92!

 

[Swabby]

I think at least some 5904's can be considered good looking.

 

[WW5906]

Interesting that the serpa fits both, I have a Blade-Tec paddle for the 5906 that won't accept my 915, although I have a Safariland that takes both.