Smith 5906

[Larry L]

I just picked up a new in the box Smith 5906 in 9mm. The gun is stainless as I assume all of them are. While I own numerous pistols, I've never owned a Smith other than a Model 19-3 4" blue with the 3Ts. Most of mine are Colts, Sigs etc. This thing is HEAVY. I ran some of my normal 9mm loads that I shoot in other 9mms and got one load that came out of it fairly tight-1 1/2" at 25 yds from bags. And that's with a trigger that's about as heavy as the gun. But most all of the loads- middle of the road to just off hot would not leave the slide in the hold open position on the last round. I can pull it back by hand and it works every time but not with ammo pushing the slide back. Is this common for this pistol to use nothing but real hot loads? The slide spring is killer strong, more than anything I have and I pretty much have all semi auto pistol chamberings -9mm, 40sw, 45acp, 30 carbine, 38 Clark, 357 sig, etc. Anybody know what pound the recoil spring is supposed to be in these things? Any load recommendation?

[demented]

 Keep shooting it, needs to be loosened up a bit.  The bargain? ammo that Wal-Mart sells is not the best to judge a pistols reliability, low powered, dirty, etc.  All else fails, contact SW, your gun has a lifetime warranty, they'll even pay shipping.  If you do send it in, tell them that the trigger is messes up along with the feeding issues, they'll slick the trigger a bit also under warranty.  I think the third gen smiths to be one of the most underrated pistols ever.  I love all of mine!

[m-g Willy]

If the spring is that heavy, maybe it is an after market item.
My 5906 is the most reliable auto I have ever fired.
 

[Hank08]

Auto loads have to exert enough power to overcome the recoil spg. and the hammer spg. If they don't then add more powder until they do.  If you want to shoot lighter loads, put in a lightwer spring or cut the one you have a coil or two until it works.I've owned a number of 5906s and have one now that's my favorite 9mm, never had any problems with any of them. My guess is that 1/2 gr. to 1 gr. increase in powder will have the slide locking back. Hank08

[jaysouth]

You have an outstanding gun!  The only reason that they fell behind is that Law enforcement wanted the latest toys that the feds and neighboring agencies were carrying.

I promise that you will never wear it out.

When you call Smith cusomer service, play stupid, after a few minutes of "it's a big gun, no, wait,it's a small gun"  It's sick, it won't work etc etc,  they will send you a label to ship it to them on their dime.

When you ship the gun, if you do, remove the grips and do not include any mags in the package.  When you get it back, it will have new grips and a couple of mags.

Failure to hold open often a mag spring problem.  Your trigger will wear in in time.  Learn to make the magazine safety to  work for  you.  It's a "kill" switch if someone wants to take your gun away from you.

If you buy extra magazines, get Meg-gars from CDNNinvestments.com.  Used LE 5906 magazines are often sold cheap.  Keep your eyes open.

[rickt300]

I have a 5906 that while a fine shooter the feed ramp on the barrel comes back and dents the front of the magazine. I am shooting the cheap steel cased ammo but can't say if this is the problem. Jaysouth, your saying even though I am not the original buyer of the firearm S&W will honor the lifetime warranty? The gun looks virtually new and fits my hand perfectly, I like it.

[arrington]

I carried one for years at work. They are dependable but heavy. Keep it clean and lubed and it's a very dependable weapon. Makes a reliable club if you run out of ammo.