I've been lurking around this forum for quite a while now and I've seen post after post of members proclaiming their 6906 as their finest carry weapon. Now after finally qualifying with as my supplemental, I prepared to do the same.
Now I'll start by confessing, I've have and extremely limited experience and knowledge of firearms, so this is by no means an experts opinion. Prior to becoming a law enforcement officer two years ago, the only time I'd ever handled a firearm was in the summers growing up with my grandfather and occasional shooting his breach loading double barrel shotgun-not even hunting just firing at random targets. So I'd never even held a handgun until I was in the academy. But according to my instructor, this actually worked to my advantage since I was starting with none of the bad habits that caused so much difficulty for many of my classmates.
My department issue is a 5906. Upon learning of the 6906 I immediately desired one. I was attracted by the fact that it was of virtually identical construction so the learning curve should be almost non existent. Also the the fact that I could slap my 15 round duty mags into it if needed was definite plus. However in my ignorance I failed to see how merely half an inch in barrel length, and about the same in the handle, would make any difference in off duty concealed carry. But despite my uncertainties I still sought after and found one with the round trigger guard and low novaks that I wanted.
So in October of 2008 I ordered it. When it arrived I met with my FFL and my immediate impressions were of disappointment. It was mailed with everything, the pistol and three magazine tossed into an envelope, no box or even bubble wrap. Now before I continue I'd like to remind everyone of my lack of experience and forgive my if any of the this is normal procedure. Also immediately noticeable was the fact that it had not been cleaned in some time. There was no doubt that this was in fact a used gun as there is significant wear on the anodizing especially around the tang area. My greatest disappointment came that night when test firing it. Through the duration of the three full magazines I fired I encountered four failures to extract. Upon comparing it to my duty weapon, I noticed the the extractor appeared to be chipped.
Now I admit, this particular seller made no claim to the condition of the gun other than it was fully functional. I'm now sure if I was expecting too much, but I thought it would at least be cleaned and working (I don't consider it "fully functioning" if I can't shoot an entire magazine without a FTE). After bringing it to my department Armorer he gave a list of parts to be replace before he would approve the weapon including: extractor, extractor spring, guide rod spring, ejector depressor plunger, and magazine catch spring.
I contacted Smith and Wesson to get a quote on the spare parts. I also contacted the seller. He told me I could return the gun to him for a refund, I of course would be in the red for two FFL fees and the return shipping. So simply eating the $30 in parts seemed like the sensible solution.
This past October I finally got around to giving my armorer my weapon for repair, just in time for my re-qualification last week. The results were near unbelievable. It actually seemed to feel easier the fire 6906 than my duty weapon. The targets reflected this as my grouping was even tighter on my 6906. After I qualified, the instructors allowed me to go through the course a second time for practice (might as well take advantage of the range time and department ammo.) This time I used the magazines that I replaced the pinky support butt plates for the flat 5906 butt plates. I did this in an attempt to make the gun slightly more concealable. In the end I found that it actually made it more comfortable to hold in my large hands. I also found my grouping became even tighter still (i did however miss one shot at 25 yards).
I've since been carrying my 6906 on since my on duty (my section carries concealed) and off duty. The difference in comfort and concealment is far greater than I could have ever imagined. The beautiful part is it works great with all the holsters I already have for my 5906. Other than assignments requiring me to wear my class A uniform and on my semiannual re-qualification, I'll probably never pull the 5906 out of the safe again.
I know none of this is news to anybody here, but I wanted to share my experience. Besides today when I signed in, the forum pointed out the fact that I have not made a single post since registering. So I figured after year, I might as well introduce my self...
Now I'll start by confessing, I've have and extremely limited experience and knowledge of firearms, so this is by no means an experts opinion. Prior to becoming a law enforcement officer two years ago, the only time I'd ever handled a firearm was in the summers growing up with my grandfather and occasional shooting his breach loading double barrel shotgun-not even hunting just firing at random targets. So I'd never even held a handgun until I was in the academy. But according to my instructor, this actually worked to my advantage since I was starting with none of the bad habits that caused so much difficulty for many of my classmates.
My department issue is a 5906. Upon learning of the 6906 I immediately desired one. I was attracted by the fact that it was of virtually identical construction so the learning curve should be almost non existent. Also the the fact that I could slap my 15 round duty mags into it if needed was definite plus. However in my ignorance I failed to see how merely half an inch in barrel length, and about the same in the handle, would make any difference in off duty concealed carry. But despite my uncertainties I still sought after and found one with the round trigger guard and low novaks that I wanted.
So in October of 2008 I ordered it. When it arrived I met with my FFL and my immediate impressions were of disappointment. It was mailed with everything, the pistol and three magazine tossed into an envelope, no box or even bubble wrap. Now before I continue I'd like to remind everyone of my lack of experience and forgive my if any of the this is normal procedure. Also immediately noticeable was the fact that it had not been cleaned in some time. There was no doubt that this was in fact a used gun as there is significant wear on the anodizing especially around the tang area. My greatest disappointment came that night when test firing it. Through the duration of the three full magazines I fired I encountered four failures to extract. Upon comparing it to my duty weapon, I noticed the the extractor appeared to be chipped.
Now I admit, this particular seller made no claim to the condition of the gun other than it was fully functional. I'm now sure if I was expecting too much, but I thought it would at least be cleaned and working (I don't consider it "fully functioning" if I can't shoot an entire magazine without a FTE). After bringing it to my department Armorer he gave a list of parts to be replace before he would approve the weapon including: extractor, extractor spring, guide rod spring, ejector depressor plunger, and magazine catch spring.
I contacted Smith and Wesson to get a quote on the spare parts. I also contacted the seller. He told me I could return the gun to him for a refund, I of course would be in the red for two FFL fees and the return shipping. So simply eating the $30 in parts seemed like the sensible solution.
This past October I finally got around to giving my armorer my weapon for repair, just in time for my re-qualification last week. The results were near unbelievable. It actually seemed to feel easier the fire 6906 than my duty weapon. The targets reflected this as my grouping was even tighter on my 6906. After I qualified, the instructors allowed me to go through the course a second time for practice (might as well take advantage of the range time and department ammo.) This time I used the magazines that I replaced the pinky support butt plates for the flat 5906 butt plates. I did this in an attempt to make the gun slightly more concealable. In the end I found that it actually made it more comfortable to hold in my large hands. I also found my grouping became even tighter still (i did however miss one shot at 25 yards).
I've since been carrying my 6906 on since my on duty (my section carries concealed) and off duty. The difference in comfort and concealment is far greater than I could have ever imagined. The beautiful part is it works great with all the holsters I already have for my 5906. Other than assignments requiring me to wear my class A uniform and on my semiannual re-qualification, I'll probably never pull the 5906 out of the safe again.
I know none of this is news to anybody here, but I wanted to share my experience. Besides today when I signed in, the forum pointed out the fact that I have not made a single post since registering. So I figured after year, I might as well introduce my self...
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The seller is about 5 hours away from me and doesn't want to ship (not that it matters, I don't have the funds right now anyway). But if I had the money I'm sure I could talk my wife into a road trip...go down & get it, spend the night then come back the next day! I'll have to work on her 
