Most common Smith and Wesson 59/5900 variant?

[Metal Wonder Nine Guy]

Of the older Smith and Wesson metal framed autoloaders, which one was the most commonplace? If I had to guess, it would have to be one of the 3rd gen 5900 series guns. After the Beretta 92 was adopted by the US military as the M9, a lot of PD's started to adopt DA autoloaders. It seems that the 92, Sigs, and the 5900 series were really popular before Glocks and M&Ps took over PD armaments.

[jwc007]

Of the older Smith and Wesson metal framed autoloaders, which one was the most commonplace?

Probably the S&W 5906, which used to be standard Illinois State Police Issue, before going to the .40 S&W Glock 22.
For quite a few years, I owned and carried it's .45 ACP sibling, the S&W 4506, before it lost out to my .45 Witnesses.
In general, the second and third generation S&W Pistols are very good, but I would maintain the Cz75 Pattern Pistols are better.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smith_%26_Wesson_Model_5906

https://www.luckygunner.com/lounge/used-sw-semi-autos/


S&W 5906

[Metal Wonder Nine Guy]

Lucky gunner  also did a really good guide on what the numerical system  that S&W did for their semi-autoloaders.

https://www.luckygunner.com/lounge/guide-smith-wesson-semi-automatic-models/amp/

I did not know that Illinois State Police had the 5906 back in the day. I know that they still carry the Glock 22 and back in the day, they were the first PD that adopted a semi auto pistol. Having the ISP adopt the model 39 was apparently a big deal back in a time that many considered the Revolver to be the only LE sidearm.