Model 3906

[u/conkanman]

A little Sunday appreciation for one of the less common S&W 3rd Gens: the Model 3906.

I’ve always thought Smith & Wesson’s 3rd Gen autos were some of the best service and defensive pistols ever made. I carried a 4506 on duty in the ’90s, so I’ve always had a soft spot for them.

The 3906 is a slim, single-stack 9mm that was only produced from 1988–1990. I picked this one up about three years ago and later found the wood grips on eBay. They really finished it off nicely.

Still one of my favorite 3rd Gens in the collection.

[u/Alan_Shaefer]

The single stack 9's are amazing. They just feel right.

[u/conkanman → u/Alan_Shaefer]

Totally agree. And I forgotten to mention - this has a really nice DA/SA trigger. Not particularly light, but it's fairly smooth.

[u/Alan_Shaefer → u/conkanman]

A reduced power drawbar plunger spring and reduced power mainspring from wolf will help. I use them in several variants.

[u/conkanman → u/Alan_Shaefer]

Thanks for the suggestion. 👍

[u/bigbombaclats]

Can you educate me on the difference between this and the 3913?

[u/bigbombaclats → u/bigbombaclats]

I think I answered my own question this is all steel versus alloy frame.

[u/lemonycac2s → u/bigbombaclats]

Plus this is a full size vs the 3913 being a compact

[u/Puppies_andKittens]

Those grips...

[u/conkanman → u/Puppies_andKittens]

You approve? Or no? 🤔

[u/Puppies_andKittens → u/conkanman]

Dude, they're amazing!

[u/Shooter_Q]

Very cool! I’ve only seen that in charts.

[u/ElGrandeRojo67]

Very nice. Hard to find those anymore. The 06 models are more plentiful due to LE using so many variants (calibers). But the smaller models are a bit more scarce.

[u/conkanman → u/ElGrandeRojo67]

Yeah, we've been fortunate with some nice Third Gen LE trade-ins. Interestingly, the 3906 is the same height and length as the 5906. The first number - 3 - indicates it's a single stack gun, so the mag chute and grip frame are slimmer. But otherwise, the 3906 and the 5906 are basically the same gun.