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Anyone have and use third generation Smith and Wesson pistols?

5K views 14 replies 8 participants last post by  Gun Geezer 
#1 ·
I have a Smith and Wesson 3906 that is super accurate and a pure pleasure to shoot. I just sold a 3913 and 4513. I like a larger grip. Anyone have any good thoughts on these pistols?
 
#2 ·
My wife bought me a 6906 the day they hit our LGS. It's still in new condition. It's my CCW, although it's a tad big for my hand. I love it. A brain-fart hit me several years ago. I took it to a GS looking to trade it in. The owner told me...you don't want to trade it in, it's a fine gun..I picked it up, looked at it, and said, you're right...I was looking for another semi, a bit smaller, in either 9mm or .45. Due to circumstances, the several hundred rounds of 9mm I just bought, will sit for a while.
 
#4 ·
I hit the S&W forum trying to find a Plus-2 magazine(s). Apparently you can buy them already put together. Weird. I would trade mine off if I found the right one. I need one with a smaller, just a bit, grip. The recoil is in your face, and the trigger pull is out of sight. Not a lot of difference in appearance between mine and your 669.
 
#5 ·
Raven, to the best of my recollection those are original factory mags. I didn't change base plates on any of them. The 5906 held 15 rounds and the 669 held 12. I have pretty large hands and even with the Pachmayr grips I found the pistol comfortable. But that double stack does make for a fat grip and I can see where it might cause some problems.
 
#7 ·
I LOVE my 5906!!! My father bought it for me as my first Duty Weapon and it aint never gonna leave my side. Just this month I got an Alien Gear IWB holster, Meprolite Night Sights, and new Houge grips for it. Love this gun.
 

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#8 ·
I just bought Alien Gears 2 for 1 holster deal for the 6906. They don't make a CT for it, so I paid 325.00 to have a pair custom made. Nice. I've got a Mossad rig for it that can be worn several ways, including as a shoulder holster. Hmmm, seems I've put a lot of cash into it. :) Several more different style leather holsters too. The one I use most, is the type that has no bottom to the holster. 2/3 of the guns shows after it's in. Comfortable.
 
#9 ·
Yep, I grabbed a pair of alien gears, one for my 5906 the other for my XDs. I like them and for the price can't beat it.

If I put more cash into my 5906 I'm thinking a nice fluff n buff from my gunsmith. Pricey though, $150 for the job.
 
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#10 ·
S&W 3rd gens are some of the most under-rated pistols, right along with Star :)
But lately, some folks at GB & other auction sites have gotten on the ball, and prices have shot up...
where you could find 3rd Gen's for $250, you're now looking at $400+, dagnabit!

My EDC is a S&W CS45, along with a BUG that when named, draws derision online,
gets lots of positive attention at the range, but has never done me wrong :)
 
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#11 ·
S&W 3rd gens are some of the most under-rated pistols, right along with Star :)
But lately, some folks at GB & other auction sites have gotten on the ball, and prices have shot up...
where you could find 3rd Gen's for $250, you're now looking at $400+, dagnabit!

My EDC is a S&W CS45, along with a BUG that when named, draws derision online,
gets lots of positive attention at the range, but has never done me wrong :)
I bought myself a S&W mdl36 when I first joined the cop shop. Took excellent care of it, and gave it to my wife when we got married. It stays in the bottom of her carry bag. A few months ago, just for kicks, I went on-line to see what a choice' one would sell for. The prices about blew me away. Many in the 700 range. I've had two. The second one I gold plated the cylinder - trigger and hammer. I know, I know. But it looked great. Sold it.

Didn't mean to rip the thread, but it popped into my head. :)
 
#13 ·
i carried a model 59? (.38 recessed hollow-point wad-cutter only) as a "shop" gun for a few years

the only S&W semi-auto handgun i own is a model 469 (i think designed for airforce military police contract specs)

its a high cap early wonder-nine...

i like the guns designs - a lot of little features that took awhile to show up on other handguns...

i have something like 20-30 magazines for the gun (any 15 rd LEO surplus / marked LEO use only) some are black (flat) some are blue (flat and gloss) some are plated? shiny or flat stainless look...

there are also a number or 12 round mags...

i have big hands but the gun fits me well...

the manual decocker is nice - the curved outside trigger guard is heavily built and heavily stippled...

you can push back gently on the front of the slide - bring the normally recessed hammer to an exposed "half-cock" position that may be more readily and easily fully cocked with your thumb...

very reliable gun - good ergonomics - well though out features that took awhile to show up on other guns...

i am not sold on the snap in thin plastic somewhat under-built grips (i have a spare set for some reason acquired randomly)

i like to change grips - ad custom grips and its not really set up for that.

there are some design similarities to early charles pretier guns (the sig p210 and the french mas1950)

i own both other guns and they seem to have an odd familial design...

JMHO

just a few random thoughts - your input or critical comments are always welcome.

best regards, Mike
 
#14 ·
Grip options are well documented on the S&W forums...wood, plastic, delrin & hogue...
and google still turns up a few ;)

Really fond of the OEM Hogue grips on my CS45 :) Soft-shooter for a mini .45!!
 
#15 ·
My S&W 639 looks pretty much like the pic's of yours. I've owned it from new & it shoots great. Other than it being 9mm, stainless-steel & heavy, it's a perfect example of a 1911. I'm pretty sure it hasn't been shot in 20 yrs. but I clean it annually. I guess you could call it a safe queen.
 
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