Is This A Good Deal On A Used S&W 5903?

[mhl6493]

Just wondering what y'all thought about this deal.  Look like a pretty good price on a 1911-looking pistol, a look which I happen to love.  And it's a Smith & Wesson.  But I don't know much about the gun.  Is this something worth jumping on (if I can persuade my wife), or not?

 

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/1089/products_id/411554502/TEAM+BUDS+FAST+TRACK

[dcloudy777]

I think it is. (provided you have a transfer FFL that's reasonably priced) I bought one and the 5906 for 50 dollars more as well.  Both work perfectly, with quite a bit of holster wear. 

 

Pretty much any fully functional 9mm auto from a reputable manufacturer for at or near 3 bills is worth buying.

[three5seven]

It's a good deal but I'd fork up the extra cash for the 5906 to get the benefits of a steel frame. 

[TnShooter83]

The pistol is a great price. But if you plan to buy any more mags the total investment price may get expensive.

The mags can be hard to find and are usually pricey when you do find them.

 

Other than that it's a great pistol. I've shot 2 different ones and they both ran fine.

[dcloudy777]

The pistol is a great price. But if you plan to buy any more mags the total investment price may get expensive.

The mags can be hard to find and are usually pricey when you do find them.

 

Other than that it's a great pistol. I've shot 2 different ones and they both ran fine.

 

Centerfire Systems has used factory mags for about 15 bucks.

 

Brand new Mec-Gar (better than OEM) 17rds are about 25.

[TnShooter83]

Centerfire Systems has used factory mags for about 15 bucks.

 

Brand new Mec-Gar (better than OEM) 17rds are about 25.

 

In that case, I get about 3 extra MecGar mags and you'll have a nice pistols.

[mhl6493]

I think it is. (provided you have a transfer FFL that's reasonably priced) I bought one and the 5906 for 50 dollars more as well.  Both work perfectly, with quite a bit of holster wear. 

 

Pretty much any fully functional 9mm auto from a reputable manufacturer for at or near 3 bills is worth buying.

 

The whole FFL process is completely new to me.  What would you consider a reasonably priced FFL transfer fee to be?

[hipower]

The whole FFL process is completely new to me.  What would you consider a reasonably priced FFL transfer fee to be?

 

If you buy from Buds, they have a list of FFL dealers they ship to. If there is a nearby dealer you like working with, ask him about having it transferred there. Transfer fees are pretty much whatever the receiving dealer wants to charge you.

 

There is a dealer here in the Nashville area. D&T Arms, that gives TGO members a break and only asks 15 for the transfer.

 

I have seen and heard of fees from that to 75 bucks. It all depends on the transferring dealer as to whether he wants to be helpful or just make  money.

[Garufa]

Make sure whoever you talk to is aware you might want to do a transfer from Bud's.  I know of one local dealer on the their FFL list that charges double their normal fee if it comes from Bud's.

[mhl6493]

Make sure whoever you talk to is aware you might want to do a transfer from Bud's.  I know of one local dealer on the their FFL list that charges double their normal fee if it comes from Bud's.

 

Wow, more power to 'em I suppose...

[Oh Shoot]

If you buy from Buds, they have a list of FFL dealers they ship to. If there is a nearby dealer you like working with, ask him about having it transferred there. Transfer fees are pretty much whatever the receiving dealer wants to charge you.

 

There is a dealer here in the Nashville area. D&T Arms, that gives TGO members a break and only asks 15 for the transfer.

 

I have seen and heard of fees from that to 75 bucks. It all depends on the transferring dealer as to whether he wants to be helpful or just make  money.

 

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/ffl.php

 

Note that "last reported transfer fee" is listed for most of them but you should confirm with FFL.

 

Make sure whoever you talk to is aware you might want to do a transfer from Bud's.  I know of one local dealer on the their FFL list that charges double their normal fee if it comes from Bud's.

 

Yeah, I was  "victim" of that. To be totally fair I guess, that higher fee was listed for them on Bud's FFL finder, but I didn't catch it  -- and it wasn't mentioned on FFL's site, only their normal quoted fee which I was used to paying.

 

- OS

[austin7.62]

The whole FFL process is completely new to me. What would you consider a reasonably priced FFL transfer fee to be?

I'll recommend Crews in Athens over on highway 11. He's a good guy to deal with. I'm picking up a transfer from him tomorrow.

If I remember correctly, he charges $35 otd. Edited June 4, 2014 by austin7.62

[musicman]

Fair deal on a good pistol. If I were going to carry it, I'd get the 5903. If its purpose was to be a range toy, I'd go 5906.

I have a 3913 (compact single stack alum frame 9mm) and absolutely love it. Fantastic shooter, and not a single hiccup. Those 2nd & 3rd Gen Smith autos are just great. I love my M&Ps too, but those older guns are so cool looking/feeling. I just have one more M&P to get (5" 9 Pro) and then I'll get back to building the collection of Smith steel autos. Edited June 4, 2014 by musicman

[mhl6493]

I'll recommend Crews in Athens over on highway 11. He's a good guy to deal with. I'm picking up a transfer from him tomorrow.

If I remember correctly, he charges $35 otd.

 

Yeah, I've met Jeremy.  Seems like a great guy, and that's a very reasonable fee.  I'll definitely check him out if I go through with this deal.  Thanks!

[hipower]

Good catch, Oh Shoot. I had forgotten that little tidbit.

[mhl6493]

Even though it looks like a good deal, I'm having trouble pulling the trigger on it, since I can't actually hold it in my hands and see how it feels first.  I have pretty small hands, and a lot of guns just don't fit me...

[gregintenn]

It's a good deal, but if you are concerned about the grip, a double stack probably isn't for you. I have a model 39, which is a single stack predecessor to the pistol you are looking at, and it feels much better in my hands than the 5903.

 

They are good shooting guns.

 

I'll bet these are police trade ins. Probably carried a lot and fired little.

[hipower]

The 59 series guns are kind of large. Trying to think of a good comparison for you. I guess sort of like a full size sig or a glock 17/21 frame. That may not be the best to tell you, but that's all that comes to mind.

 

I will say however, it sounds like we are close in hand size; and I prefer the 39 series guns to the 59. But that's just me.

 

Either way, the 2nd and 3rd generation Smith pistols are very good, and definitely under-rated guns. I bought a 3913 some time back and it is great.

[mhl6493]

The 59 series guns are kind of large. Trying to think of a good comparison for you. I guess sort of like a full size sig or a glock 17/21 frame. That may not be the best to tell you, but that's all that comes to mind.

 

I will say however, it sounds like we are close in hand size; and I prefer the 39 series guns to the 59. But that's just me.

 

Either way, the 2nd and 3rd generation Smith pistols are very good, and definitely under-rated guns. I bought a 3913 some time back and it is great.

 

Thanks for the comparison -- that was very helpful.  I've actually shot a friend's Glock 21 (probably a Gen 3) and felt like it was too big for my hand.  Didn't really enjoy it.  So, I think I'll probably pass on the deal.  Thanks again to everyone for the input!