Selected Handgun Detail

Manufacturer
	Smith & Wesson More Info

About the Gun

Stainless steel slide variation of the Third Generation model 6904, paired with a satin-finished (natural color) aluminum alloy frame to provide a corrosion-resistant alternative with similar mechanical design and dimensions.

Production

This model was produced from 1991 to 1999.

Market value

MSRP in the 1990s typically listed at $400–$500 depending on configuration. Used examples in good to very good condition currently fall in the $400–$500 range.

Cartridge Specifications
Cartridge:	9 mm Luger
Alias:	9 mm Parabellum
More Info

Analysis

The Smith & Wesson Model 6906 emerged in the late 1980s as part of the company's third-generation semiautomatic pistol series, which succeeded the second-generation 59/459 models introduced in the 1970s and refined through the 1980s to address evolving law enforcement requirements for higher-capacity 9mm handguns amid the shift from revolvers to autos following the 1986 FBI Miami shootout. Drawing directly from the full-size 5906's design—itself an update to the 1982-launched 59 with improved takedown and safety features—the 6906 shortened the grip and slide to produce a more concealable profile while retaining the double-action/single-action mechanism and 12-round double-stack magazine capacity, reflecting Smith & Wesson's response to compact duty gun demands in an era when agencies like the New York Police Department were standardizing on metal-frame 9mms. Production variations, including the transition to Novak-style fixed sights around 1990 and rounded trigger guards by 1991, mirrored broader industry trends toward enhanced low-light visibility and ergonomic refinements seen in competitors like the Beretta 92 Compact and SIG Sauer P229, though the model's discontinuation in 1999 aligned with the handgun market's pivot to polymer frames exemplified by the 1993 introduction of Glock's subcompacts. Owner experiences indicate consistent cycling across ammunition types in well-maintained units, with the aluminum frame's lightweight construction contributing to noticeable muzzle flip under rapid fire, a characteristic common to early third-generation compacts before advancements in recoil mitigation.