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Posted: 10/1/2014 11:51:06 AM EDT
Recently went from thinking of purchasing to purchasing a police trade-in Smith & Wesson 5906. New to the platform but it seems to be in great condition. Initial range visit went well. Operates as advertised. From a supported rest it is pretty accurate to seven yards. Free hand, not so much. I have to acclimate myself to the SA trigger I guess. :)
And it seems to be a nice trigger. In SA the word "crisp" comes to mind. Reset is fantastically short. Never been a fan of DA triggers but this one is smooth. I used this excellent four video tutorial series on YouTube to disassemble the pistol: http://youtu.be/17v7fo6oe_c SIDE NOTE: this is by far some of the best produced DIY gun videos I've seen on YouTube. They are well lit (that alone gets my vote), clear, well mic'd (he seems to have used an external mic instead of the on-camera mic), and informative. If you have a third gen S&W semi you owe it to yourself to give these and the gunsmithing videos (stay tuned for that) a viewing. I will be using the aforementioned gunsmithing video series (http://youtu.be/W6qUBHIdWX4) to polish some of the components. I'm not a smith and you all will see this warts and all. Everyone is welcome to offer up any advice. I'm good that way. I'll update as I go along. Here is what I'm starting with: 
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Posted: 10/1/2014 12:50:51 PM EDT
[#1]
THE START-TEARDOWN
Like I said I'm not a smith but I'm mechanically inclined and own a set of tools. I've worked on a few of my other firearms and they seem to have not blown up in my hand so there's that. Last night I disassembled the frame and slide. I compartmentalized the parts by associated systems to keep them straight for assembly. All the parts appear to be in great shape. 
I put the stripped frame and slide in a parts cleaner soak. I soaked it overnight. I could have let it soak for a couple of hours and be ok. It's a stout piece of metal that could take the soaking. This is me pulling it out: 
The stripped frame and slide wiped down to get a better idea of the kind of scratching and holster wear it has. Also of note is what appears to be surface rust where the grip meets the frame: 
I used a toothbrush to get into the recesses: 
NEXT: I intend to sonic bath and media blast the frame and slide. That'll be a few days from now. Until then I will polish up a few parts. |
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Posted: 10/1/2014 5:08:24 PM EDT
[#2]
Cool. Will look for updates.
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Posted: 10/1/2014 6:15:48 PM EDT
[#3]
Fun project.
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Posted: 10/2/2014 8:13:03 AM EDT
[#4]
I have thought about picking up a 3rd gen 5906 or 4006 as a project gun myself. It would go nicely with my 4506R3, 4566R3, 4516-2 S&W's.
Gotta love them big heavy Smiths! |
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Posted: 10/4/2014 8:40:54 PM EDT
[#5]
Today I glass bead blasted the frame and slide. Here are before and after pictures:
As you can see I was able to get most of the surface corrosion off the frame. I tried not to dwell on any one spot for too long. NEXT: frame rail and component polishing (was not able to do any parts polishing this week). |
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Posted: 10/4/2014 10:31:35 PM EDT
[#6]
Nice work so far. Looking forward to seeing the final result. I have a stainless Ruger Speed-Six that I plan to do the same with.
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Posted: 10/4/2014 10:51:05 PM EDT
[#7]
very nice!!!
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Posted: 10/5/2014 7:57:38 AM EDT
[#8]
Keep up the good work!
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Posted: 10/5/2014 8:41:49 AM EDT
[#9]
Good job on the glass blasting. Turned out very nice
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Posted: 10/10/2014 4:07:45 PM EDT
[#10]
DONE!
Again, following this excellent four-part tutorial on YouTube (http://youtu.be/W6qUBHIdWX4) I polished some components before reassembling the pistol. Here are some more pictures: In this before and after of the trigger drawbar in the "after" pic that is a reflection of some of my wrenches hanging on the wall: 
Slide rails on the frame (see previous pictures above for "before"): 
Polished inside slide surface that meets the hammer on recoil: 
Polished disconnector: 
Polished up the ramp and throat of the barrel: 
And reassembled! 
I will be taking it to the range next week for an ops check. Oh, and repainting the indicator dots. Dry firing it, it seems smoother though to be truthful it wasn't very bad to begin with. IF you decide to do this keep your ducks in a row and separate your part by system. Some of the springs are very small and look similar. It's very doable for the shadetree gunsmith and mechanically inclined. |
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Posted: 10/10/2014 7:50:06 PM EDT
[#11]
Great job!
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Posted: 10/10/2014 8:24:35 PM EDT
[#12]
Very nice work.
My dad sent me his 5906 to avoid Connecticut's stupid new law that would have him register his 15 round magazines. I got a free gun in the deal but I don't carry 9mm much. What it did do is enamor me to S&W's gen3 pistols, so I picked up a 1076 for carry. The 5906 sits here next to my chair. 
The 1076 went back to S&W for a checkup and new nightsights. I prefer the decocking lever of the 1076 to the slide mounted backwards safety of the 5906, but that's just preference. 
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Posted: 10/10/2014 10:11:41 PM EDT
[#13]
Very nice!
This is the first handgun I've had with a safety so I don't mind the backwards safety as much as someone who's shot, say, a 1911 all their lives. |
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Posted: 10/10/2014 10:49:17 PM EDT
[#14]
Turned out great.
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Posted: 10/11/2014 6:22:41 AM EDT
[#15]
I approve of this thread.
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Posted: 10/16/2014 1:39:10 PM EDT
[#16]
I don't have a pic of mine, but I'm a huge 3rd Gen Auto fan.
I have: 6904 6906 X2 457 410 908 wanting to add a 4516 & 1076 & 3913 That's an awesome job OP. Looks fantastic these guns are tanks, I've owned probably 20 including the ones I have now, thru the years. They are excellent range guns, nightstand guns. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
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Posted: 10/16/2014 3:02:08 PM EDT
[#17]
Nice! That's the beauty of stainless - just below the surface is a new pistol.
Also, and I"ve never said/typed this to a man, I like your internals. |
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Posted: 10/16/2014 3:06:49 PM EDT
[#18]
I love the all metal S&W autos. I've only owned two: a really nice 39-2 and a 6906. My brother now has the 6906.
I've thought about getting a steel-framed 40 S&W model to use as a woods gun (using Buffalo Bore's hard cast, 200 grain ammo). |
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Posted: 10/16/2014 4:31:21 PM EDT
[#19]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I love the all metal S&W autos. I've only owned two: a really nice 39-2 and a 6906. My brother now has the 6906. I've thought about getting a steel-framed 40 S&W model to use as a woods gun (using Buffalo Bore's hard cast, 200 grain ammo). Summit has some 4006's. |
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Posted: 10/16/2014 4:37:03 PM EDT
[#20]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Summit has some 4006's. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
I love the all metal S&W autos. I've only owned two: a really nice 39-2 and a 6906. My brother now has the 6906. I've thought about getting a steel-framed 40 S&W model to use as a woods gun (using Buffalo Bore's hard cast, 200 grain ammo). Summit has some 4006's. That's where I was looking 
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Posted: 10/16/2014 7:32:08 PM EDT
[#21]
I bought a 5906 a few months ago and am very pleasantly surprised with it. Awesome trigger and very accurate. I bought a new set of grips from S&W ( the Hogues are just too thick) and it looks like a brand new gun.
The thing seems very overbuilt. |
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Posted: 10/18/2014 3:18:43 PM EDT
[#22]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Nice! That's the beauty of stainless - just below the surface is a new pistol. Also, and I"ve never said/typed this to a man, I like your internals. LOL. Thanks? |
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Posted: 10/18/2014 3:27:20 PM EDT
[#23]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
That's where I was looking Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
I love the all metal S&W autos. I've only owned two: a really nice 39-2 and a 6906. My brother now has the 6906. I've thought about getting a steel-framed 40 S&W model to use as a woods gun (using Buffalo Bore's hard cast, 200 grain ammo). Summit has some 4006's. That's where I was looking Give Ed's Public Safety in Stockbridge, Georgia a call. Also, they sell on Gunbroker. There's a few 5906s and 5946s on their page for Buy it Now prices of $289 and $249. I got mine in store for $249. http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/BI.aspx?IncludeSellers=932936 |
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Posted: 10/18/2014 5:42:49 PM EDT
[#24]
Man, I didn't know about the 5946's. My wife thanks you.
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Posted: 10/18/2014 8:21:59 PM EDT
[#25]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Man, I didn't know about the 5946's. My wife thanks you. Good luck with her! |
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Posted: 10/24/2014 1:31:28 PM EDT
[#26]
I've been acquiring a number of 3rd gen S&W's lately...this thread r relevant to my interests.
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Posted: 10/29/2014 9:09:34 PM EDT
[#27]
Wow. Good work OP
Love these modern-classics.
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Posted: 1/1/2015 8:38:27 PM EDT
[#28]
I'm going to bump this, not because I have anything to add, but am such a fan of 3rd Gen Smith & Wessons that I want to see this valuable post reread.
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Posted: 1/3/2015 12:43:36 AM EDT
[#29]
I did the same thing with a 645 and 5906. Stripped them both down to the bare frame and bead-blasted. The 5906 has a total bead-blast finish, but the 645 had brushed sides that needed addressing with some 400 grit. Only parts I changed were the grips, NIB grips for the 5906 are still readily available, the 645 not so much.
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Posted: 1/3/2015 1:07:02 PM EDT
[#30]
Nice. That pic makes me want to get 645 to go with my 4506.
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Posted: 1/3/2015 1:59:12 PM EDT
[#31]
My plan is to have this worked on....
 I want to have this refinished and given a melt job. I want this to rival the $2000 Custom Commander 1911s.
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Posted: 1/5/2015 8:50:20 PM EDT
[#32]
Very nice Job OP.
I have but one Smith Gen 3 as of late, a 3914. Single stack/8 round goodness. Born on date: 19 Mar. 1990. I swearr the damn thing could feed and fire rocks if they had primers. Great carry gun. 
Looking into a 4046, DAO, all stainless too. |
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Posted: 1/6/2015 10:55:57 AM EDT
[#33]
I remember with the 4006s came out and the free ammo promotion S&W had when bought one. I'm missing that 4006 after reading this thread.
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Posted: 1/6/2015 11:27:02 AM EDT
[#34]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
My plan is to have this worked on.... http://i.imgur.com/wf1WyeQ.jpg I want to have this refinished and given a melt job. I want this to rival the $2000 Custom Commander 1911s. This guy just did some work on my 6904. A trigger job, action job, replaced all the springs with wolff ones, sights, and re-crowned the barrel, also he did a carry melt job. It turned out great his turnaround was about 6-8 weeks. He wanted to refinish my 6904 but I declined because I'm going to have it cerakoted locally. These guns are and have been very underrated IMO, they are by far my favorite all around guns, range, HD, truck gun. They seem to just fit my hand perfectly and I shoot them well. I'm going to attempt to make some micarta grips for mine, I have made some molds to get the shape and need to work on making my own micarta, but after some practice I'm confident I can make some one-piece custom micarta grips for it. http://www.chestnutmountainsports.com/ Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
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Posted: 1/6/2015 12:12:10 PM EDT
[#35]
If that trade-in was from Middle Georgia, that could be my old duty weapon. The 5906 is a nice 9mm.
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