I am mostly a revolver guy, in fact the only semi-auto I currently own is a 2206 which I purchased new in the early 90's. Lately the 2206 and my 617 have seen a lot more shooting time because of ammo prices and availability. My daughter recently went to the range with me and really liked the 2206, so now I am looking to maybe add a 9mm. The gun would be primarily for the range, not for CCW. And although I am sure it would get a lot of it's use from me, it also needs to be something my daughter would enjoy shooting. I prefer stainless guns, and have looked at the 3906, 5906, and 3913. I would appreciate some advice and suggestions from you semi-auto folks as to which of these (or which other models) would best suit my situation.
Which 9mm to buy?
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Product: Smith & Wesson M&P9 Pro Series
For range use, the M&P 9 Pro offers interchangeable grips for different size hands, excellent ergonomics, target sights, and a good trigger.
One problem women often have with semi-autos is racking the slide, and a full-size target gun is easier in that regard than a compact one.
For range use, the M&P 9 Pro offers interchangeable grips for different size hands, excellent ergonomics, target sights, and a good trigger.
One problem women often have with semi-autos is racking the slide, and a full-size target gun is easier in that regard than a compact one.
FirebirdV8
Member
The 3913 is a great pistol. The grip is natual for most people who use it, and it is accurate. On the other hand any third gen 9mm is a great gun and as OKFC05 said take a look at the M&P line. The best thing to do is go to a gun shop and try each one for the best fit to your hands.
Double-O-Dave
US Veteran
In my opinion, the 3rd generation S&W semiautos are a pretty good buy on the used market at this time. The price point is hard as competition from the Sigma really makes things hard for the seller - NIB Sigmas can be found for $320.00 + tax. I've seen used Model 6900 series for sale around $350.00 + extra magazines and holsters, and dealers eager to negotiate. The 6900 series with adjustable sights and metal frame, which means more weight, can make it a real soft shooting range gun. That being said, I find my Sigma 40F to be softer shooting than my Model 4006 - I think due to the flexing of the polymer frame, which helps absorb or redistribute the recoil. If I had discretionary dollars, I'd go for a Sigma in 9mm and that would leave just one hole in my 9mm wish list (Model 547).
Best of luck,
Dave
Best of luck,
Dave
anglaispierre
Member
CZ do a rather nice stainless 75B. There is also a conversion kit to change it to 22LR, but I don't know if that also comes in stainless. I do find mine has quite a kick compared with a Glock I recently tried at the range.
KurtC
Member
If you are a revolver person, I suggest you consider a 5946TSW. They have a short slick DA pull, along with some accuracy enhancements over earlier models. A bit heavy for carry, but perfect for the range.
JamesArthur60
US Veteran
Does it have to be (100%) stainless? Made by S&W? Because their are many excellent "range" guns built by other manufactures in 9mm.
I would look at the 915, not stainless, or the 669. I have both and they work fine.
bwh
Member
If it MUST be a S&W and if it is going to be primarily a range gun, then I recommend a 5906 or a 5903. They are the same gun except that the 5903 has an alloy frame and is a bit lighter.
There are plenty of these pistols out on the used market, most of them being police trade-ins. The outsides may be a little rough from holster wear (especially the 5903s), but most have not been shot too much (usually just a few times a year for familiarization and qualification). And since these pistols were built like tanks they show very little internal wear and make excellent shooters. I've inspected a number of these guns that looked like they had not been cleaned since the day they left the factory, but were almost like new on the inside. A good clean-up and a proper lube job and they shot like champs!
Lots of folks complain about the 5906 grip, and like any double-stack pistol they can literally be a handfull. You can mitigate the problem somewhat by switching from the curved backstrap factory grip to the straight backstrap grip (about $20 from a number of parts suppliers). If you have really big hands you can try the Hogue rubber grips.
Good luck!
There are plenty of these pistols out on the used market, most of them being police trade-ins. The outsides may be a little rough from holster wear (especially the 5903s), but most have not been shot too much (usually just a few times a year for familiarization and qualification). And since these pistols were built like tanks they show very little internal wear and make excellent shooters. I've inspected a number of these guns that looked like they had not been cleaned since the day they left the factory, but were almost like new on the inside. A good clean-up and a proper lube job and they shot like champs!
Lots of folks complain about the 5906 grip, and like any double-stack pistol they can literally be a handfull. You can mitigate the problem somewhat by switching from the curved backstrap factory grip to the straight backstrap grip (about $20 from a number of parts suppliers). If you have really big hands you can try the Hogue rubber grips.
Good luck!
OP
Thanks for all the input. I would like to stay with a stainless S&W, either all steel or steel/alloy. If I compare full size vs. compact (as in 5906 vs. 6906) I'm leaning toward full size because it will be primarily for range use and not for CCW. I like the 5906, but the the grip size may be a little large for my daughter to shoot comfortably, so I'm thinking maybe try to find a 3906? Or, is there enough difference in weight, recoil, etc. between the 3906 and 3913 to matter?
Cruiser RN
Member
I am a near 20 year revolver guy who became a Cert NRA Instructor and RSO.When I did this I went to the dark side and got my first bottom feeder which is a CS9 that I had converted to Double Action Only.I knew that tupperware was out of the question,and any semi auto without a Mag release safety that you have to PULL THE TRIGGER to break down is a accidental discharge waiting to happen with a new shooter.Being I have small hands the CS9 fits perfectly and met all my qualifications.Any 3rd gen smith semiauto in DAO would give you a quality semiauto with some great built in safety features for a new semi auto shooter and the DAO trigger will remove that annoying decock safety lever and DA/SA trigger conversion us old time revolver guys never really wrap our heads around..........God Bless.....Mike BTW I am not familiar with the 5906 but if you are in a state that allows"rentals"or have range friends that have both models get both guns together and have your daughter try them out.If she is petite she might fall in love with the CS9.It was my small hand size that made the decision between the 3913 and the CS9 and it was my small hands that helped lead to the developement of a custom Delrin grip with Big Dog where my CS9 fits like a glove.
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PX15
Member
PM:
Here's my old farts 2c worth.
You said whatever pistol you buy will NOT be used for CCW, and you were looking for input regarding the 5906 vs 6906.
FWIW I have the 5906/6906/3913/3913LS/CS9 & CS45.
I use my 5906 with Crimson Trace Lasergrip for my home defense choice. The 5906 is sorta large and heavy, but it offers 15+1 capacity, absolute reliability, and the addition of the CT's really make it a very good choice, (imo) for home defense, OR casual target plinking.
FWIW my wife is 65 years old and roughly 5' tall, and she loves shooting the 5906 as it has low recoil and is easy for her to shoot well at any reasonable self defense distance.
IF there was ever a thought of using whatever you buy for occasional CCW then the 6906, using the 15rd mags of the larger 5906 (w/S&W adapter) would give you the same capacity, the alternative of ccw use, and is also deadly reliable and a pleasure to shoot.
Everyone loves the 3913LS but I found the grip a bit too "thin" for my personal taste.. I think anyone with smaller hands would love the 3913LS.
All of my 3rd Gen Smiths offer absolute reliability, and in my mind RELIABILITY is job 1....
Best Wishes,
Jesse
P.S. Pictured below (left) is my 5906 w/CT's and on the right is my 6906 w/5906 mag &adapter.
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PX15
Member
PM:
Here's my old farts 2c worth.
You said whatever pistol you buy will NOT be used for CCW, and you were looking for input regarding the 5906 vs 6906.
FWIW I have the 5906/6906/3913/3913LS/CS9 & CS45.
I use my 5906 with Crimson Trace Lasergrip for my home defense choice. The 5906 is sorta large and heavy, but it offers 15+1 capacity, absolute reliability, and the addition of the CT's really make it a very good choice, (imo) for home defense, OR casual target plinking.
FWIW my wife is 65 years old and roughly 5' tall, and she loves shooting the 5906 as it has low recoil and is easy for her to shoot well at any reasonable self defense distance.
IF there was ever a thought of using whatever you buy for occasional CCW then the 6906, using the 15rd mags of the larger 5906 (w/S&W adapter) would give you the same capacity, the alternative of ccw use, and is also deadly reliable and a pleasure to shoot.
The 5906 has an external hammer and offers the option of a first round single action shot, whereas the 6906 will be a double-action first round, followed by all single action rounds.
Everyone loves the 3913LS but I found the grip a bit too "thin" for my personal taste.. I think anyone with smaller hands would love the 3913LS. If memory serves the 3913LS is the only 3rd Gen Smith I have that only has the decocker/safety on one side.. All the others offer ambi-decocker/safty's.
Best Wishes,
Jesse
P.S. Pictures below (l to r): Several of my 3rd Gen Smiths (+HK P7), the 5906 & 6906 side by side, the 6906 (w/15rd 5906 mag & adapter) and finally the 5906..
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Which 9mm To Buy?
Hi:
Do yourself and your daughter a favorite before your make a final choice:
Rent or borrow a Glock M19 and shoot it at a range.
Jimmy
Hi:
Do yourself and your daughter a favorite before your make a final choice:
Rent or borrow a Glock M19 and shoot it at a range.
Jimmy
Double-O-Dave
US Veteran
Greetings,
I'm going to weigh in again...first off, currently, the only 9mm semi-auto that I own is a H&K PSP. It was at the top of my grail gun list for almost 20 years, and I finally bought one of the West German Police trade-ins. It is a wonderful pistol, but as many gun writers and experts point out, unless you are very gun savvy, this should be the only semi-auto pistol that you should own. I used to look down the nose at this until I acquired mine, and now I understand. I used mine to test for my CHL and it was funny, and a bit shocking that the range master, as well as the majority of the class were completely unfamiliar with the H&K and its basic operation. Secondly, I tried really hard to like the Glocks when they first came out. I shot several rental Glocks at the range and it always felt like someone was smacking my hand with a 2x4 - and this from a lousy 9mm? One day, the range master was watching me shoot the Glock and he remarked that the local sheriff's department had issued the Glock to their officers, and had to switch back to revolvers for their female officers as they couldn't handle the Glock with their smaller hands. Light bulb went off and no more Glocks for me. The Sigma was no problem and I bought the first one I test drove at the range (Sigma 40F). As I said earlier, the Sigma 9mm in my opinion is a best buy, with the rebate, even more so.
Best of luck,
Dave
I'm going to weigh in again...first off, currently, the only 9mm semi-auto that I own is a H&K PSP. It was at the top of my grail gun list for almost 20 years, and I finally bought one of the West German Police trade-ins. It is a wonderful pistol, but as many gun writers and experts point out, unless you are very gun savvy, this should be the only semi-auto pistol that you should own. I used to look down the nose at this until I acquired mine, and now I understand. I used mine to test for my CHL and it was funny, and a bit shocking that the range master, as well as the majority of the class were completely unfamiliar with the H&K and its basic operation. Secondly, I tried really hard to like the Glocks when they first came out. I shot several rental Glocks at the range and it always felt like someone was smacking my hand with a 2x4 - and this from a lousy 9mm? One day, the range master was watching me shoot the Glock and he remarked that the local sheriff's department had issued the Glock to their officers, and had to switch back to revolvers for their female officers as they couldn't handle the Glock with their smaller hands. Light bulb went off and no more Glocks for me. The Sigma was no problem and I bought the first one I test drove at the range (Sigma 40F). As I said earlier, the Sigma 9mm in my opinion is a best buy, with the rebate, even more so.
Best of luck,
Dave
Wee Hooker
Member
I'll break ranks here. If you're a "revolver guy" (as am I), then why not just go with a 9mm or 38 spl revolver? Plenty of used revolvers ( especially in 38/357) on the market anywhere you look. A revolver is simpler to shoot, more reliable with a wider range of ammo, more adaptable to small/multiple hands and can be beneficial in that most beginning shooters will concentrate on shooting accuracy/basics more when holding a weapon that contains only 5-6 rounds vs 12-15. The 38/357 will also allow you to shoot mouse fart target ammo through +P (which is closer to 9mm offerings.) so you can taylor the recoil.
That said, if you want a 9mm semi that your daughter will enjoy, consider grip size strongly. Most double stacked 9's can be fat and square in the grip. Women especially can feel like they are hugging a 2x4 on these guns. You might consider a single stack to help resolve this (and slow the shooting down.) FWIW, I find that the M&P has one of the thinner/more comfortable grips on a hicap semi that I've tried.
That said, if you want a 9mm semi that your daughter will enjoy, consider grip size strongly. Most double stacked 9's can be fat and square in the grip. Women especially can feel like they are hugging a 2x4 on these guns. You might consider a single stack to help resolve this (and slow the shooting down.) FWIW, I find that the M&P has one of the thinner/more comfortable grips on a hicap semi that I've tried.
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Bob H
Member
M&P Pro
I would recommend the M&P Pro as an excellent range gun that is accurate and fun to shoot. I let my wife shoot mine and I nearly lost it, I am probably going to have to buy her one.
I would recommend the M&P Pro as an excellent range gun that is accurate and fun to shoot. I let my wife shoot mine and I nearly lost it, I am probably going to have to buy her one.
