Anything bad about the S&W 5906? - Page 2

markj · May 4, 2011, 03:11 PM

My cousin Jay carries one for years up to his retirement. He still carries it, has him one of them carry permits good any state

it shoots real nice too.

Forgive jimbob, he is from Nebraska

and is overtaxed

a lot...

silentargus · May 4, 2011, 04:02 PM

<-- Owner of a 908S and hopefully soon-to-be owner of a 3906... I can see the value in a double-stack gun, but I'm a big fan of third-gen S&W autos. Can't imagine why Smith discontinued them.

roaddog28 · May 4, 2011, 08:05 PM

Too me there are no weakenesses. I have a 5903 and love it.
Regards,
Howard

Glockfan35 · May 5, 2011, 02:55 AM

The 5906 is one of my dream handguns. Someday, it will be mine! My Dad has promised I will one day inherit his 4006 TSW...I'm holding him to it!lol! There's just something about classic pieces of American machinery that always make me smile...even when I'm simply handling, or looking at them!

I'll always have my Glocks and other such "Tupperware" for ccw and self-defense. But, to not own such a fine example of American ingenuity is almost a crime in and of itself. However, YMMV!

10 MickeyMouse · May 5, 2011, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Can't imagine why Smith discontinued them

Simple economics. The last were the alloy framed economy models, like the 915, 457, etc. They're just too expensive to produce and be competitive in this age of plasic fantastics.

Look at the MSRP of the thrid gens even 15 years ago. The prices we pay today do not reflect how expensive they were to buy new.

jimbob86 · May 5, 2011, 07:40 AM

Quote:

jimbob may be factually correct, but all his taste is in his mouth.

There is no accounting for taste: there are people who enjoy schleppin' around a "foe-tay ounce" ___________ (gun/phone/beer/whatever) on a hot day. Different strokes for different folks. That won't keep me from pointing and laughing.

pgdion · May 5, 2011, 10:10 AM

Fastbolt, thanks for the great write up. Being new to this platform I really appreciate the info!

I was hoping I made the right choice when I bought it. I was looking for something smaller to carry than the Cougar I use now (for summer) but when I saw the 5906 in the case, well it just pushed the others aside. Was kind of one of those "I just have to have that one for the collection" moments. Looks like I'll have to use the Cougar for carry a little longer.

I notice some 5906's have black hammers & triggers vs SS, are the black components the MIM ones?

Sturmgewehre · May 5, 2011, 10:22 AM

I love the 5906. I view it as one of the best 9mm's ever made, and probably one of the most under rated 9mm pistols. It seems like other wonder 9's of the era passed it by, but I've owned one for many-many years and will never part with it.

10 MickeyMouse · May 5, 2011, 10:53 AM

Quote:

are the black components the MIM ones?

AFAIK, only the stainless triggers/hammers are MIM.

Doesn't really matter, though. They're plenty strong.

pgdion · May 9, 2011, 11:37 AM

Well made it to the range this weekend with the 'New' 5906. I think one word sums it up pretty well ... Sweeeeet!

My sons helped me blow through a few boxes of 9mm. Every one liked this gun a lot. Being heavy (ok, really heavy!), the recoil was very light. In fact, I couldn't tell the soft loads from the heavier ones. Performance was 100% with absolutely no issues and the accuracy of the iron sights were right on the money (we were shooting at 50 and 75ft and pop cans rued the day). So OK, this guys a winner, sure am glad I picked it up! To heavy to carry but it sure is a fun range gun and it would be great for home defense. Funny thing, when holding it, I thought the grip was going to be a little large (I was pricing out the straight grips), but when shooting it, the grip actually felt really good. Think I may keep the same grips now. Best 400 bucks I've spent this year.

dlb435 · May 9, 2011, 03:24 PM

I had one years ago.
To the good: Built like a tank, I don't think you can wear one out.
Good shooter and very accurate.
Will feed most hollow points
Problems: use only S&W mags; aftermarket may not work.
Heavy, good at the range but a pain to carry.
Parts (like a new barrel) can be expensive.

Skans · May 9, 2011, 04:43 PM

I have a 659 that I really like. But, I'd trade it for a 5906 due to better grip feel, and basically the same gun.

I guess if you want something negative about it, I come up with 2 things: trigger is so-so and its hard to conceal. Other than that, its an excellent gun!

Lost River · July 12, 2017, 10:24 PM

The 5906 and 4506 were/are great guns, and are rather under rated in the age of the polymer auto (this is coming from a Glock and 1911 fan).

I currently have a nice 5906, and a very nice 645 (which was S&W's very first semi auto 45 ACP) but would LOVE to find a clean 4506-1 at a good price. I just never see them locally.

I might even be convinced to part with one of my other wheelguns or a 1911, or something else for the right gun.

Other than on GB, I just don't see them.

dgludwig · July 13, 2017, 05:50 PM

Quote:

but would LOVE to find a clean 4506-1 at a good price.

That might have been possible, six years ago when this thread was still active; sadly, not the case anymore.

reynolds357 · July 13, 2017, 05:56 PM

I loved my 5906 until the Chief issued my a performance center 5906TSW. Then I realized how bad the old one was. But seriously, the 5906 is a good pistol.

BILLG · July 14, 2017, 07:26 AM

From what I see Midway have very limited parts.No extractors,or very few internal parts.

kozak6 · July 14, 2017, 07:35 AM

They probably had more parts six years ago.

dewcrew8 · July 14, 2017, 12:43 PM

the only bad thing with them is they stopped making them!!! like others have said you buy one they do bread in the safe!!! I love the ones i have!!

polaris joe · July 17, 2017, 10:37 AM

Fastbolt. Very good post, Sir

May 5, 2011, 02:55 AM	#29
Glockfan35 Senior Member Join Date: April 1, 2011 Location: Kentucky Posts: 113	I love the old-fashioned Smiths! The 5906 is one of my dream handguns. Someday, it will be mine! My Dad has promised I will one day inherit his 4006 TSW...I'm holding him to it!lol! There's just something about classic pieces of American machinery that always make me smile...even when I'm simply handling, or looking at them! I'll always have my Glocks and other such "Tupperware" for ccw and self-defense. But, to not own such a fine example of American ingenuity is almost a crime in and of itself. However, YMMV! __________________ "The best revenge is not in violence, but simply living well".

May 5, 2011, 10:10 AM	#32
pgdion Senior Member Join Date: April 22, 2010 Location: MPLS, MN Posts: 1,214	Fastbolt, thanks for the great write up. Being new to this platform I really appreciate the info! I was hoping I made the right choice when I bought it. I was looking for something smaller to carry than the Cougar I use now (for summer) but when I saw the 5906 in the case, well it just pushed the others aside. Was kind of one of those "I just have to have that one for the collection" moments. Looks like I'll have to use the Cougar for carry a little longer. I notice some 5906's have black hammers & triggers vs SS, are the black components the MIM ones? __________________ 597 VTR, because there's so many cans and so little time!

May 5, 2011, 10:22 AM	#33
Sturmgewehre Senior Member Join Date: December 12, 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 4,212	I love the 5906. I view it as one of the best 9mm's ever made, and probably one of the most under rated 9mm pistols. It seems like other wonder 9's of the era passed it by, but I've owned one for many-many years and will never part with it. __________________ Visit my YouTube channel for reviews, tests and more. Ex Mea Sententia

May 9, 2011, 11:37 AM	#35
pgdion Senior Member Join Date: April 22, 2010 Location: MPLS, MN Posts: 1,214	Well made it to the range this weekend with the 'New' 5906. I think one word sums it up pretty well ... Sweeeeet! My sons helped me blow through a few boxes of 9mm. Every one liked this gun a lot. Being heavy (ok, really heavy!), the recoil was very light. In fact, I couldn't tell the soft loads from the heavier ones. Performance was 100% with absolutely no issues and the accuracy of the iron sights were right on the money (we were shooting at 50 and 75ft and pop cans rued the day). So OK, this guys a winner, sure am glad I picked it up! To heavy to carry but it sure is a fun range gun and it would be great for home defense. Funny thing, when holding it, I thought the grip was going to be a little large (I was pricing out the straight grips), but when shooting it, the grip actually felt really good. Think I may keep the same grips now. Best 400 bucks I've spent this year. __________________ 597 VTR, because there's so many cans and so little time!

May 4, 2011, 03:11 PM	#26
markj Senior Member Join Date: October 27, 2005 Location: Crescent Iowa Posts: 2,971	My cousin Jay carries one for years up to his retirement. He still carries it, has him one of them carry permits good any state it shoots real nice too. Forgive jimbob, he is from Nebraska and is overtaxed a lot...

May 4, 2011, 04:02 PM	#27
silentargus Senior Member Join Date: August 17, 2010 Posts: 146	<-- Owner of a 908S and hopefully soon-to-be owner of a 3906... I can see the value in a double-stack gun, but I'm a big fan of third-gen S&W autos. Can't imagine why Smith discontinued them.

May 4, 2011, 08:05 PM	#28
roaddog28 Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2009 Location: Escondido, CA Posts: 961	Too me there are no weakenesses. I have a 5903 and love it. Regards, Howard

May 9, 2011, 03:24 PM	#36
dlb435 Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2009 Posts: 654	I had one years ago. To the good: Built like a tank, I don't think you can wear one out. Good shooter and very accurate. Will feed most hollow points Problems: use only S&W mags; aftermarket may not work. Heavy, good at the range but a pain to carry. Parts (like a new barrel) can be expensive.

May 9, 2011, 04:43 PM	#37
Skans Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2008 Posts: 11,132	I have a 659 that I really like. But, I'd trade it for a 5906 due to better grip feel, and basically the same gun. I guess if you want something negative about it, I come up with 2 things: trigger is so-so and its hard to conceal. Other than that, its an excellent gun!

July 12, 2017, 10:24 PM	#38
Lost River Senior Member Join Date: June 12, 2006 Posts: 162	The 5906 and 4506 were/are great guns, and are rather under rated in the age of the polymer auto (this is coming from a Glock and 1911 fan). I currently have a nice 5906, and a very nice 645 (which was S&W's very first semi auto 45 ACP) but would LOVE to find a clean 4506-1 at a good price. I just never see them locally. I might even be convinced to part with one of my other wheelguns or a 1911, or something else for the right gun. Other than on GB, I just don't see them.

July 13, 2017, 05:56 PM	#40
reynolds357 Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2012 Posts: 6,165	I loved my 5906 until the Chief issued my a performance center 5906TSW. Then I realized how bad the old one was. But seriously, the 5906 is a good pistol.

July 14, 2017, 07:26 AM	#41
BILLG Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2000 Posts: 210	From what I see Midway have very limited parts.No extractors,or very few internal parts.

July 14, 2017, 07:35 AM	#42
kozak6 Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2005 Location: AZ Posts: 3,113	They probably had more parts six years ago.

July 14, 2017, 12:43 PM	#43
dewcrew8 Senior Member Join Date: August 7, 2009 Posts: 214	the only bad thing with them is they stopped making them!!! like others have said you buy one they do bread in the safe!!! I love the ones i have!!

July 17, 2017, 10:37 AM	#44
polaris joe Member Join Date: April 17, 2016 Posts: 61	Fastbolt. Very good post, Sir