How do you define a wonder nine? To me, a Wonder Nine is a semi-automatic, hammer-fired, all-metal pistol with a double-stack magazine. As the world transitioned to striker-fired, polymer-frame guns, we said goodbye to new Wonder Nine designs. One of the last was the S&W 5906, a Smith & Wesson third-generation pistol.
The Smith & Wesson 5906
By last, I mean one of the last designed. It was the dying light holding out against the coming wave of polymer-frame, striker-fired pistols. S&W’s legacy of semi-auto designs has always been fascinating. They developed and sold the first in 1913, aptly named the S&W 1913. They currently produce a wide variety of semi-auto pistols, including modern duty pistols, concealed carry pistols, and competition guns.
Between the S&W 1913 and the modern crop of M&P polymer-frame pistols sits the ‘Generation’ series of pistols.
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The S&W 5906 – A Legacy of Capability
When discussing S&W pistols, the Generation series comprises three generations. The first generation doesn’t include the S&W 1913 or any other S&W semi-automatic until 1954, with the introduction of the S&W Model 39. The Model 39 was the first American double-action semi-auto pistol. S&W developed it as a potential replacement for the M1911 within the United States military.
The military kept the M1911, but the United States Navy adopted the Model 39 in limited numbers. It was popular with Navy SEAL teams, and special models of the Model 39 were developed with a double-stack magazine. The Navy created the Mk22 Mod 0 pistols, which were designed for use with suppressors. They even included a side lock device to prevent the slide from moving, thereby keeping things even quieter.
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The double-stack Model 39 would become the Model 59. The Model 59 laid the groundwork for the 5906. The Model 59 would also be considered a 1st Generation pistol. In 1984, S&W pursued a contract to replace the M1911 once again and developed the S&W 459. This would start the 2nd Generation of S&W pistols.
The military adopted the Beretta 92, and the 459 saw minor success with an adoption by the FBI. In 1988, S&W introduced the Third Generation of pistols. The Third Generation encompasses dozens of guns, and within that massive family, the 5906 would become their flagship pistol.
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A Name That Tells All
There’s a lot in a name, and the 5906 tells you everything you need to know about in four numbers. The 3rd Generation naming convention assigns each number a specific meaning. The 59 means it’s a double-stack 9mm pistol. Similarly, the 0 means it’s a double-action/single-action design. Finally, the 6 indicates it’s made of stainless steel.
For 1988, this was a high-speed, modern pistol built for American audiences. Polymer frame pistols had already won over our European counterparts, but Americans were hesitant to adopt them. The S&W all-steel design instilled confidence in Americans.
The 5906 saw massive success. Large departments like the NYPD, LAPD, CPD, and numerous state police forces adopted the gun. It offered American police a competent combat pistol. The gun held 15 rounds of 9mm, featured an ambidextrous safety/decocker, and adjustable sights. For the era, that was high speed.
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The 5906 Today
The 5906 feels like a boat anchor when it’s in your hand compared to a modern pistol. Even modern all-metal handguns tend to use an alloy frame. The all-steel frame ratchets the weight up to 38 ounces. The grip feels overly wide and thick, a characteristic typical of firearms from this era with double-stack magazines.
There wasn’t a lot of effort put into reducing the size of the grip. The one-piece wrap-around grips add even more bulk to the gun. It’s not a problem, but I can understand why other shooters might not have felt so comfortable with this steel stallion.
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The height of slide-mounted safeties and decockers has passed, and we are all for that. Admittedly, S&W’s design does it better than most. The safety/decocker is massive and easy to activate with your thumb. If I carried the gun, the safety would be off and the hammer in the decocked position.
Adjustable sights on combat pistols can be finicky. They are sensitive and easily knocked off. S&W wisely built in a set of large protective wings to keep your sights zeroed and prevent them from getting knocked around. There are no accommodations for optics, lights, or any of those whizbang gadgets and doodads.
Lead and Steel
Taking the 5906 to the range is like traveling back to the era of good-buddy cop movies, cheap gas, and Members Only jackets. What I love about this generation of firearms is the massive controls—mostly massive.
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The aforementioned decocker/safety is enormous, the slide release is massive, but man, the magazine release is uncharacteristically small. It didn’t change much from the 1st Generation Model 59 to the 3rd Gen 5906.
Recoil isn’t bad, but it’s more than you’d expect from a 38-ounce pistol. It’s a bit snappy, which likely comes from the 14-pound recoil spring. I don’t know why it’s so light compared to modern guns, which would be roughly 18 pounds for a similarly sized gun. We can still exercise a reasonable degree of control over the weapon. However, if you go from a modern handgun to the 5906, you’ll feel the snap.
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The double-action trigger isn’t anything to brag about. It’s long, heavy, and spongy. The magazine safety likely isn’t helping. The single action delivers a substantially better trigger that’s light, crisp, and delightful. I scored hits as far back as fifty yards on IPSC-sized steel. At 15 yards, I could print 2-inch groups in single action with a rest.
The 5906 runs like a scalded dog. It doesn’t jam, choke, or stutter. You can shoot the cheapest, dirtiest ammo you have, and it doesn’t seem to care. Speaking of dirty, cleaning stainless steel is always easy.
In The Modern Era
The 5906 might be a step behind modern firearms, but it’s a small step. We get a gun that’s accurate, reliable, and relatively easy to shoot. Throw a Wolff 18-pound recoil spring in the gun, and you won’t see much of a difference between the 5906 and modern guns, outside of the lack of contemporary whizbang doodads and gadgets.
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The S&W 5906 is a classic steel model and a testament to the age of the Wonder Nine. It is a legacy of often forgotten duty sidearms. If you can get your hands on one, it’s an excellent firearm for collectors or more practical applications.
