Case file 01 · updated 2026-10-22

Smith & Wesson 5906 Police Trade-In: What to Know Before You Buy

The Smith & Wesson 5906 is a full-size, all-stainless 9mm pistol from S&W's third generation of metal-framed autos. Thousands were issued to police departments in the 1990s and 2000s. When those agencies moved to polymer pistols, the 5906s came back into the market as trade-ins. That is why you see so many listings for a 5906 police trade-in today, and why the prices and conditions vary so much.

This guide covers what the 5906 is, how it fits into the S&W model family, how to tell an issued gun from a commercial one, and what to look at before you buy one.

What the 5906 is

The 5906 is a double-action/single-action (DA/SA) pistol with a slide-mounted safety-decocker. The first shot is a long, heavy double-action pull. Later shots are single action, with a short, lighter pull. Pushing the lever down drops the hammer safely and blocks the firing pin.

Caliber: 9mm Luger (9x19)
Frame and slide: stainless steel
Magazine: double-stack, 15 rounds standard; 10-round versions were made for restricted markets
Barrel: about 4 inches
Grip: one-piece wraparound polymer grip on most guns
Sights: fixed three-dot or adjustable sights from the factory; many issued guns wear tritium night sights

Production started at the end of the 1980s. References disagree on exact dates. Some list the standard 5906 as made from about 1989 to 1999, with later TSW (Tactical Smith & Wesson) versions built into the 2000s. If the exact year matters to you, a factory letter or a dedicated S&W reference is the way to confirm it.

Reading the model number

S&W gave its third-generation pistols four-digit numbers that work like a code. On the 5906, "59" means a full-size, double-stack 9mm. The "0" means the standard DA/SA action with a safety-decocker on a full-size frame. The final "6" means stainless steel. Change one digit and you get a sister model. The full system, with its exceptions, is explained in our S&W third generation guide.

The 5906 family

If you are shopping for a 5906, you will run into its close relatives. They share magazines and most of their design.

5903: aluminum alloy frame with a stainless slide. Lighter to carry.
5904: aluminum alloy frame with a blued carbon steel slide. Some departments issued this one.
5946: stainless, double-action only (DAO). No safety or decocker lever. Every shot has the same long pull. This was a common police choice.
5906 TSW: later "Tactical" version, often with an accessory rail on the frame.

Other variants exist, including decocker-only and limited runs. If a listing names a model you don't recognize, search the number before you buy.

Who issued it

Published lists of former users include the Los Angeles Police Department, the Puerto Rico Police, the Honolulu Police Department and the Colorado Springs Police Department for the 5906. The DAO 5946 was one of the pistols approved for New York City officers and was used by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. These lists come from secondary references, not agency records. A seller saying "ex-LAPD" is a claim, not proof, unless the gun or paperwork shows it.

How to tell a 5906 police trade-in

There is no single stamp that marks a trade-in. You read the clues together.

Holster wear. Issued guns ride in a duty holster all day. Look for polished or dulled spots on the front of the slide, the muzzle, the sides of the slide near the ejection port and the edges of the decocker lever. On a stainless gun, this shows as bright or scuffed patches, not rust.
Night sights. Many departments ordered tritium sights. Old tritium is often dim now. More on that in our condition guide.
Agency or property markings. Some guns carry an engraved department name, a property number or an armorer's mark. Others are clean.
Model choice. A 5946 DAO is more likely to be an issued gun than a 5906 with adjustable sights, but both were sold to the public too.
No box. Trade-ins usually come without the factory box and manual, and often with one or two magazines.

What to check on a used 5906

The 5906 has a reputation as a durable pistol. Duty guns were often carried a lot and shot less. Still, check these points, or ask the seller about them.

Safety-decocker

With the gun unloaded, cock the hammer and push the lever down. The hammer should fall without the gun firing on a snap cap, and the trigger should go dead while the lever is down. On a standard 5906 the lever stays down as a safety until you push it back up. On decocker-only variants it springs back up by itself. A lever that is loose, gritty or will not stay where it should needs attention.

Magazine disconnect

Most third-generation S&W pistols, the 5906 included, have a magazine safety. The gun will not fire with the magazine out. That is normal, not a defect. Some owners have it removed by a gunsmith. If you want it in place, confirm it works.

Bore, crown and chamber

Look for a bright bore with clear rifling. Check the muzzle crown for dings. Holster wear at the muzzle is cosmetic. A nick in the crown can affect accuracy.

Grip and frame

The wraparound grip can crack with age. Replacements are made but are not as easy to find as they once were. Look over the frame and slide for any cracks. Any crack in metal is a reason to pass.

Springs

Recoil and magazine springs are wear parts. A 30-year-old pistol may still have its original springs. Plan on replacing them. It is cheap insurance.

Magazines and parts

The 5906 uses the same 15-round double-stack magazines as the 5903, 5904 and 5946. Many full-size 59-series magazines will interchange, but always test-fit in your own gun. Factory S&W magazines and aftermarket magazines from several makers are sold. If you live in a state with a 10-round limit, read our state law guide first.

S&W discontinued most third-generation models years ago. Small parts, springs, grips and sights are still around, but supply is thinner than for a current model. Holsters for the 5906 are still made, and many 5906 holsters also fit its close relatives.

What drives the price of a 5906

We don't quote a single price here. Listings move with supply. When a big agency trades in a batch, prices soften. When supply dries up, they climb. Check current listings for real numbers. These are the things that move a 5906 up or down:

Condition. Light holster wear is expected. Heavy scuffs, pitting or a worn bore cost more than looks.
Model. A standard 5906 and a 5946 DAO appeal to different buyers. Rare variants can carry a premium.
Sights. Working night sights add value. Dead tritium adds little.
Magazines. One magazine versus three matters, since factory magazines are not cheap.
Box and papers. A factory box and manual are rare on trade-ins and help resale.
Provenance. A documented agency history matters to collectors.

How buying one works here

Every firearm we sell ships to a licensed FFL dealer you choose. You fill out the federal Form 4473 and pass the background check at that dealer. See shipping for how that works and returns for our policy. We label a listing only with the condition its source states, such as "Used" or "Police trade-in". We don't claim to inspect or grade every gun, so read each listing carefully.