My First S&W Autoloader - Range Report

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T

Texas Colt

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Being a tried and true Colt 1911 shooter, it's kinda odd for me to have a S&W 6906 9mm in my humble little gun collection. I had always thought the compact frame S&W guns were nice little guns, but I had never shot one.

A few weeks ago I had the chance to buy a 6906 that was LNIB. It only had 22 rounds fired through it since it left the factory. It came complete with the factory box, papers, and two 12-round mags. And, the price was too good to pass up.

Fast forward to today. I finally had a chance to put some rounds down range. I went out to my friends ranch with a variety of 9mm ammo to see what this little gun could do.

I was very pleasantly surprised at how smooth the gun shot and how mild the recoil was even with full power Speer Gold Dot ammo. The little gun ate up everything I fed it - 115 gr. FMJ ammo, 124 grain Berry's plated flat point reloads, and 124 grain Speer Gold Dots. No jams, no failures of any kind. This little gun just works and is accurate too.

I even walked back to the 50 yard line to try a few shots at a 12" swinging steel plate. With 5 rounds in the magazine, I was rewarded with 4 hits on the steel. Not bad for a gun with a 3-1/2 inch barrel.

Below are a couple pictures of the gun and one of the targets. This target was fired with 25 rounds of 124 grain Berry's plated flat point reloads. The distance was 10 yards, standing, using a two-hand Weaver stance. Not bad for the little S&W's first time to the range.

I believe I have a keeper.

SW6906Target2.jpg

SW6906Target3.jpg
 
Ya done good...

I bought a LNIB 6946 recently for $275.00. Folks just don't realize how good these pieces are.

3rd Generation S&W's represent nearly half of my autoloader collection - every available caliber and frame size.

Keepers, indeed...

guns010.gif

4556
 
What is the difference between the 6906 and 6946?

Also are they DAO , or Single/double?
 
SureThing, the 6906 is a DA/SA with a manual safety (ambidextrous levers on the slide), the 6946 a DAO with no safety. With the DAOs (as shown in varoadking's photo), the trigger reach is shorter because the hammer (bobbed and flush with the slide) starts from half cock. An inconsistency in S&W's model numbering system here is that despite the last digit being 6 - which normally indicates all stainless - all 69XX guns have aluminum alloy frames.

Two different gun shops locally have a 6906 and a 6904 (yet another variant, this one DA/SA with a blued steel slide and blackened frame). Sure would like to pick one of them up.
 
The only issues I have with S&W genIII autoloaders (like the one pictured) are:

1. ergonomics
2. trigger pull

If they work for you, you have a great gun. The things are friggen bombproof and built like fort knox. Great guns, if they fit you.

Mike
 
Love mine

I have a 3913LS and a 4013 TSW both are slick well built guns. I just need to find more time to hit th range.
 
Mine are all mixed, but we have 3913, 5906, 4566, 4516, 41, and a 639.
Both the 3913, and 4516 have exposed hammers. I just like the look better than the flush mounted ones.

S3000003.jpg
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I picked up a couple police trade Smith auto-loaders myself lately. Quite a bargain for some ultra-reliable and easy to shoot pistols. I hope to get a couple more examples if funds are available.

John
 
FWIW:

It always amazes me at the LACK of respect the fine 3rd generation Smiths seem to get on the various firearm forums..

I bought my first 3913 in 1995 and it has yet to miss a beat. I was in the "buy the the darling of the gun magazines" group for many years, and went through the Glock 26, Sig P239, HK P7,Walther P1/P5/PPS/P99c(AS)/and P99/AS, as well as the Browning HP, Star BM, Keltec P11, Bersa Thunder 9/UC and probably a few more I can't remember..

My Son has asked me to put the 3913 "away" for him, and I've done that.

And now in retirement I find myself back in the 3rd generation Smith appreciation family all over again.

After all that buying, selling, trading, and just plain giving away I have come to the conclusion that as an overall package the 3rd generation is as good as any 9mm pistol, and better than most.

I HAVE found that if you are into target shooting (plinking) at self defense range the 3rd generation Smith is not as absolutely accurate as either my Walther P99c/AS, or my HK P7. No doubt about it. But it IS as reliable as either of those fine pistols, and at least as reliable as any of the rest, generally more so, and for MY needs in a self defense firearm RELIABILITY is JOB 1.. Period.

IF It "don't" go bang EVERYTIME you pull the trigger, it's worthless, no matter how much it costs or how accurate it is, or the name on it.. No "bang", no good.

I have found that for my skills in marksmanship ANY 3rd generation Smith pistol is more than accurate enough for me. In fact I'm sure there's a lot of "accuracy" in any 3rd gen. Smith pistol that I'm simply not capable to shooting well enough to take advantage of.

The only difference between the accuracy of the HK P7 for example, and any of my 3rd generation Smith pistols is that the HK P7 makes smaller groups in the X ring... The Smiths will still put rounds IN the X ring, just not in as "pretty, and tight" little groups.

For self defense purposes, and that's my concern, the Smiths are MORE than sufficiently accurate..

Accuracy and reliability in a platform with a decades old history of quality service to regular folks and leo's all over America. Made in America, by Americans, warranted by what in my opinion is the absolute best CS department in the firearms industry and that's why I came back to S&W..

And I'm glad to be here. :D

Jesse
 
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i've had a M469 for several years. Bought it kinda' beat up but sound for $200. at a local FTF gunshow table. It's probably my favorite "rough and tumble" gun that I can leave out in my shop, or in my truck, whatever, and know that it'll always fire without a hiccough.

It's kinda' fat in the grip - OK for me but my wife has a problem with it. and it's no beauty queen but that little Smith is as reliable as the sunrise and has proved it with any ammo, 12 rounds at a time.

If it wasn't for that dumb warning on the side of smith autos I'd have more of them.

Anybody know if they put the warning on their 6" Performance Center M952? I get goosebumps every time I see a photo of that pistol.
 
Nice buy.

I've carried and used too many issued and personally-owned S&W TDA pistols to have anything other than complete confidence in them.

The 6906 & 3913 are probably my two favorite compact 9mm pistols of anything available on the market, followed by the CS9 & SW99c/P99c (I own a SW99c). While I no longer carry an issued 6906 (issued guns are .40 S&W & .45 ACP nowadays), I'd be perfectly satisfied carrying an issued 6906 again. I was too lazy over the years to pick up a personally-owned 6906, mostly because I could carry an issued one ... (I do own a 3913, CS9 & the SW99c, though) ... but my list of things I'd like to do contains picking up a LNIB 6906 someday.

FWIW, although I dislike the Hogue rubber grips on the 59XX guns (preferring the flat/straight 4006/3 grips), I do like the 1-piece wrap-around Hogue grips for the 6906. It does make the gun fatter, but it offers me a degree of controllability and ergonomics I find very useful. Installing the wrap-around grips can be frustrating until you learn how to get the nylon tabs to snap over the rear of the frame recess to either side of the sear spring, though. ;)

Congrats again.
 
fastbolt:

We seem to have a lot of pistols in common, but it looks like you are missing the HK P7?

If you ever have the opportunity to shoot one please give it a try... Amazing inherent accuracy. The HK P7 is the only firearm I've ever owned that is guaranteed to make the shooter think he/she is a better marksman (ok, or "markswoman" )than he/she thought they were... :D:D

I prefer the CS9 (which happens to fit my hands perfectly as is) or the 3913LS for cc, but the HK P7 is an awesome firearm.

Best Wishes,

Jesse

100_8649.jpg
 
fastbolt:

We seem to have a lot of pistols in common, but it looks like you are missing the HK P7?
Click to expand...

Howdy,

I've actually had the opportunity to borrow, shoot and even carry a couple of P7 models. As I recall, they included an early model, sans the heat shield and with the magazine butt-catch, and then later models with the heat shield and then the American-ized lever magazine release (M8). I found the P7 M13 to be a bit bulky, though. Never had the chance to shoot the P7 M10 or K3, however.

I've also known a couple of agencies who issued P7 models to the troops, too.

The squeeze cocker design is just one in which I've never developed an interest.

Parts availability is another annoying aspect which has been involved when I've considered perhaps buying one of the P7/M8 models, too. For example, getting the cleaning tool for the gas chamber isn't exactly an easy thing to accomplish, depending.

It was bad enough trying to get parts for the HK P9S .45 I briefly carried as an off-duty weapon. ;)

Nice weapon, though.

If it suits you and your needs, don't make the mistake of letting it go. :)
 
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fastbolt:

Don't worry, I don't plan to get rid of my P7...

Nor my personal parts supply. :D

100_8774.jpg

Best Wishes,

Jesse
 
I had a chance to buy a nice-looking 3913 - with night sights, even - but passed it up as I really can't afford it right now. :(:banghead: I already have a 3913, but it is the LadySmith version.
 
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