I was thinking about today’s video (I know, I know, thinking is a dangerous business! Like most Jarheads, I try to avoid it.). Anyway, it occurred to me that if I’d used a steel silhouette target, and only shown video of me shooting, I could have claimed this shootout ended in a tie. Viewers would have heard the same number of “clangs” from both handguns. It’s interesting how few videos show the results of the shots that were fired.
Steel targets show hits with a ding. you always look good. Paper tells the real story with holes. Paul Harrell talks about guys that use steel vs paper.
Truly my father told me, paper never lies to you, no matter how much you wish it would. Geoff Who notes steel is best for running 50 people through a 4 stage shoot. And that's just the backup gun shoot!
Please consider doing additional shootouts, especially ones that compare new and old “versions” of a manufacturers’ guns or general gun designs (i.e. 1911.) There are 30+ years of improvements between the 39/59/69 series and the M&P 2.0. The M&P was designed to be shot (18 degree grip angle, control placement, balance, many other features), whereas the 39/59/69 series was designed to be carried as a high-capacity revolver replacement. I like my 32 year old 6906 and still carry it, but my M&P 2.0 is simply a better gun. The only thing I don’t like about the M&P is the lack of a re-strike capability, but with current gun and ammo quality, and proper training, that issue is no longer relevant. I am also interested in the 2.0 metal, but darn its price!
Love Watching The Shooting matches at " In Range Tv and Forgotten Weapons " When They Bring in the Oldest Firearm to a Match and Show the world that " They Don't Make Them Like They Used To " Is Still Kick Ass!
I acquired a S&W 5906 2 weeks ago. Last week I did a similar comparison with it and my CZ 75B Omega because I wanted to compare steel to steel. My groupings were better with the CZ. I attribute that with the CZ having a slightly longer sight radius but mainly the grip of the CZ fit my medium sized hands much better.
We have a little in common I went to Academy with a 5906 and blazer ammo and ended my career with a M&P. We had a kid that heard me telling the guys how great the M&P is. He said I'll kick your butt old man! I beat him so bad that several day shift and the Chief switched to M&P. By the way the 5906 only jammed once (stove piped).
Interesting comparison of both pistols. My first duty gun was a Smith and Wesson m28 highway patrolman. 357 magnum, with a parkerized finish, in 1977. Finished with a Glock gen 3 model 23 .40SW, in 2010.
@Antonio Tula Certain aspects, I miss, but the most important thing a Police Sergeant told me, that I shaped my entire career on, was " Remember Mike, being a cop, is about what you can DO for people, rather than what you can DO TO THEM.
@LoneStarLawman That right there IS the job! ... Thank God for those old school types who had us slow down & think. To leave a situation better than we found it. Ultimately, to help people. 🫡
I really enjoy the Old vs New and the fact that you do such great comparison videos with both slow fire accuracy and defensive drills. Keep em coming H.R. and we'll keep watching.
Maybe the fact that you have been carrying and using the M&P in the last few years makes it more familiar and thus easier for you to shoot well? Unless you have money to burn, I don't think you would gain anything with the new metal version of the M&P, as you shoot the polymer version very well. Personally, the only trigger system I dislike is the DA/SA...absolutely hate that transition. Much prefer a consistent trigger, whatever it happens to be - DAO, striker, SA, I don't care as long as it's consistent. When I was issued the M9, I "cheated" at qual by cocking the hammer for the first shot lol. Love the looks of that pistol, hate the trigger.
Definitely a good format and useful information in reviewing old vs new. Even review of modern guns Glock vs S&W is useful for people looking to buy their first gun
Should be a great video. As you’re aware, Howard, I really like tradition DA/SA (Sig P series, CZ 75B and its descendants, H&K USP’s). However, my current EDC is an “police model” M&P 1.0, with a 4.25 inch barrel chambered in 9x19. ALL of these semiautomatics are certainly excellent, but the comparatively lighter weight and bulk of the M&P plus its 17+1 capacity make it - at least today - my choice. I’d guess that all of the aforecited DA/SA’s would be SLIGHTLY more accurate, have better triggers (in SA), and be equally reliable and durable. Nevertheless, the M&P is (at least) very good in every attribute and it happens to currently be at the 4:30 position on my belt.
Old vs new was great. However, for this comparison did you factor in that you’ve trained more recently with the 2.0? Muscle memory makes all the difference in the world for me. Thank you for the video.
I thought the old S&W would win, for sentimental value if nothing else. Surprising. Feel free to do as many of these 'old vs new' comparisons as you'd like. I'm sure they'll all be interesting. Especially the old Glock vs new Glock that ends with "How far can I throw each of these?". lol
YES! I am a fan of the "old vs new" don't know if this assumption is correct, but from this S&W going back to alloy/metal framed pistols vs polymer framed ones is a step in the wrong direction. I hate saying that though, because it makes more sense in my mind that metal is way more stable and better vs plastic:) HA! I don't know man, I just don't know:)
Great video HR. Yes, I enjoy this type of video, so if you want to do more, I'll certainly watch them. A couple of outcomes from this comparison surprised me. 1. Your sights on the 5904 seemed to be a bit off to the right in the initial stage, but your "misses" with it later were invariably to the left, sometimes dramatically so. I put "misses" in parentheses because you never actually missed, and we tend to grade ourselves too hard. All your shots were perfectly acceptable in reality. 2. Your DA shooting with the 5904 tended to be better than SA. That is almost inexplicable considering your experience with the trigger pulls. Logic tells us that if one is going to be worse, the DA accuracy should suffer, but you experienced the opposite effect. Again, I really enjoyed the video, and I look forward to whatever you have in store for us next.
Thank you. I keep thinking to myself that maybe I just had an off day with the 5904. Oddly, and counterintuitively, I seem to have simultaneously had a pretty good day with the M&P. The shooting gods can be a fickle bunch!
I have a 915 (budget 5906) and an M&P 2.0 Compact. My experience is similar to yours. The 915 is a good shooter, but the superior ergonomics, trigger, and sights on the M&P make it a breeze to shoot well. I think those three areas are where handguns have improved the most in the past 30 years so it should come as no surprise.
Most interesting. I greatly enjoy this kind of comparisons, both for watching and, occasionally, doing my own. Enjoy your weekend, Mimi & Howard. I'll try to make it on time for the next premier!
The two round magazine capacity difference applies to factory mags. A few years back Mec-Gar introduced flush fitting 17-round magazines that are the same size as the original 15-round ones and fit just as well. I picked up a couple and they run fine. I just checked the Mec-Gar site and they still have them listed in case you're interested. They list it for the 5900 series.
I did enjoy the comparison between the new and the old pistols from S&W. I was shooting handguns when the 5904 came out but never did shoot one back then. So it seems that I did not miss anything.
I have both these guns. My first handgun I shot was my dads 39-2 I got it after he past away I got 3 of them today love those old S&W guns and the news are excellent also. Great review
This is probably my favorite of all of your comparison videos! These are both guns near and dear to me. While i struggled at first to accept the S&W pistols back in the late 80's to the early 90's, i bought a 1006 and we were off to the races! It was quickly followed by first a 4506 then 5906 and 5904. While i appreciated the light weight of the 5904 i never shot it as well as the 5906. (Or my P226) and it was traded in within a few months. The others hung around for quite a while and even though i let them go, ive since replaced the 1006 and 5906. My current 5906 is the most accurate 3rd gen S&W ive owned to date. Easily shooting 1 1/2" at 25 yards with its preferred load. And just the opposite of your situation it points as naturally as a 1911 for me were my M&P it takes a few rounds before i begin to shoot it as well. But with that said i feel the M&P series of pistols are gead and shoulders above any and all other polymer striker fired modern pistols! They have the best grip, best trigger, best (out of the box) sights and are utterly reliable! Theyve displaced every other polymer handgun ive owned. Great video and thank you for having a knack for picking the guns i love!
Yes I’m a fan of the old vs new videos. Also a fan of both guns in this video. I have a 5906 (stainless) and an M&P 9. Both LE trade ins. Both great guns. Nice shooting - thanks. GB
Good guns! Unfairly eliminated from M9 trials (subsequent investigation proved too late they _did_ pass the endurance and firing pin energy tests they "failed"). FBI and many others issued them for years. I have a 908 that has never failed in 15 years of regular use. Got it free from S&W as a replacement for a Sigma 380 that broke under their Lifetime service policy since it was out of production. That's excellent customer service! Wonder what they would give me if the 908 breaks? ;)
Excellent Video presentation and content! Very much enjoy the old vs new comparison! While I enjoy my newer striker fired pistols, I'm not kicking my older DA/SA handguns out of my collection anytime soon. Big fan of the older metal framed DA/SA S&W Pistols here and also like the newer S&W Striker Fired Pistols. Been actively shopping for a 9mm S&W M&P 2.0, but deals on them are scarce these days. Probably will have to special order one.
Great video. I searched specifically for this comparison because the M&P 2.0 (metal) had such good reviews and was known to be extremely reliable. Yet I have a 5904 bought new in 1989 that I wondered whether it was just as good or better. At 25 yards, I've not gotten tight groups with it, but it has been 100% reliable. Maybe the M&P ergonomics are where the improvement is. Thanks for doing this. I'm a new subscriber and look forward to more old vs new comparisons.
I’ve been seeing a few of the old 3rd gen Smiths for sale lately. I’ve actually bought a few-910, 915, 5906. I had a DAO model back in the early 90’s, 5966, I think. Trigger wasn’t the greatest but the gun was very accurate. I like the M&P a lot. Grip size and angle suit me well. I might end up with one of the new ones.
Mec-Gar makes 17 round flush mags for the 5900 series. Also many still prefer SA/DA triggers. So the 5904 is still up to date. That you shot the M&P better just means its better for you.
very nice HR. I've got a couple of similar pistols that I find similar results. (Trigger, not old vs. new) Both are Springfields, one is XDS, the other is XDE. For safety reasons I love carrying the XDE. But when it comes to range time, I'm twice as accurate with the XDS. Thanks for an insightful video!
I have the M&P which I really enjoy, but I don't have much time, experience or practice with any handgun and what I realize with your videos is that I need a lot more time at the range. As always, thanks for your videos.
I went through the police academy and firearms instructor school with a 5906. It was the best gun i ever carried. It NEVER jammed. The day S&W stopped making these guns was a sad day.
Love the shoot out format. Your an excellent marksman with no horse in the race. Really enjoy your unbiased opinion. Like to see a Beretta vs Springfield Armory SA-35 next time.
It was strange that in that failure drill. Your to the chest with the model 59 went faster and straighter than the original shots with the M&P end of the chest your failure was in that one errant shot to the Head. I think with your problem with the M59 is the fact that you haven't shot it in quite some time. The one advantage I would give to the M59 is that it has a magazine safety which normally I don't like but in retention actions with police officers who used to carry them there were several occasions where the officer was able to at least disconnect the magazine and relieve himself of the firearm and get to his backup gun which rendered the gun useless to the attacker. The hammer drop is kind of nice to have but it is never meant to be carried with that on and it's never intended to be a safety. The designer never intended that to be a safety it was a Walther design from 1929. I'm wondering if the other issue you might be having with that M59 is the more squared grip frame. You're just obviously not used to it. And your right handed and pulling it low and left is understandable and usually caused by an inconsistent grip that increases as you squeeze the trigger. It just more illuminates the fact that you've been away from the gun for some time. The M59 looks more than capable with a bit more practice. The fact that you're more used to the M&P is what makes it better in this case I believe. Not too long ago you did a video on the model 39, back in the 80s there was a torture test on a model 39 where they fired 22,000 rounds without cleaning the gun. During the test part of the rail on the frame of the pistol broke off of the m39. It's still never failed. As a matter of fact after cleaning the firearm and doing accuracy test. The firearm was actually more accurate after the test then before the test even with the broken frame rail.
Thank you. I was thinking about the same thing regarding the lack of recent practice with the Model 59. I may need to work with it a bit, and then featured in a future video. Hopefully I can redeem it a bit!
The amount of $240 seems to be bouncing around my head for the price of my 5904 back in 1989. It was about $60 cheaper than the all stainless 5906, and I couldn’t afford the more expensive pistol. As it turns out, I think the 5904 was a better pistol for me.
Because you were not drawing from a holster, the DA/SA auto should have started with the hammer back, after all that's what the hammer spur was designed to do. Geoff Who is hummming...and speculating.
Very good presentation on the 5904 vs M&P 2.0. I would like to see more old vs new. I’m thinking the results with this comparison might be that you carried the M&P on duty for so long that shooting it well was more natural for you with the weight, grip angle and body mechanics to bring up the sights quickly. Thank you again for your great content.
Yes. Please do more head to head old vs new. Love your video's, especially 3rd gen S&W vids! My two cents, i think the difference between traditional single/double action and the striker fired guns is shooter workload with the trigger and improved sights on the newer pistols. The older guns require more practice to hit with. I started my career with an S&W 411 and ended with a Glock 19. But..... S&W 3rd gens are by far my favourite pistols.
I've been going through the comments, and it seems like everything to be said has been said. But I'll keep the basics short; love the video, great shooting, and awesome guns! Now for the longer, fun part! I think anyone would be well armed with either pistols, if they were in good condition, and they had spare magazines and the time to get good. I think one could be just as good with either if they trained enough with which ever they choose, and I think they'd be well of with either. This just goes to show that quality manufacturing will help tools such as these last for a long, long time!
I am just thoroughly impressed by the quality of the firearms today. Materials used, quality of CNC close tolerance machining and engineering concepts! Although there is no replacing "old school" hand fitting firearms by gunsmiths with special skills! Good review HR! Just love your content! Keeps me watching with envy!
I'm so happy the M&P outperformed the 5904 (Don't hate me HR). The compact and sleek design of the M&P was a giveaway as to which one would perform better. Please do the Sig 226 Vs. M18 next!
I'm pretty old fashioned. I only have one plastic gun, a CZ P07, and two striker fired guns, a S&W Victory .22, and a Colt 1908 Vest Pocket. All the rest are steel with hammers. The way God intended. LOL
I like the way the Shield Plus fits in my hand . It reminds me of the Colt combat Commander. As time goes on Smith's are becoming a handgun of choice ,I like the new 30 cal .
I shoot IDPA with an M&P. When I first started, I really sucked until two things happened. One, I came to grips with the new (to me) trigger (which was pretty crappy from the factory). And two, the trigger smoothed out (after a couple thousand rounds). Now I shoot it better than my other handguns, but... I am very used to THIS gun. Maybe you are just more used to the M&P trigger now. Yes, I do enjoy the old vs new comparisons.
Good comparison test, and I would like to see more. If the California Import Roster is abolished due to the Bruen decision I'd likely update my daily EDC to a new 9mm. Right this minute I am leaning towards an M&P 9mm. BAM! And S&W announces the new Metal pistol! I have had an original M59 and a M39. I always thought that the transition from DA to SA was the weak point. Oddly, I shoot the DA mode better than the SA mode! So I would lean towards a DAO model when & if I get to update.
There are 17 round magazines available from Mec-Gar for the 59 series pistol. Interestingly, they're flush fit just the same as the factory 15 round mags.
I was really pulling for the 5904, the M&P's are great , I like the way the 5904 fits my hand. Can't argue with the facts. Please do more comparison videos. They are interesting and helpful.
I would like to see something with your model 39-2 vs something. I just purchased one 2 weeks ago and I’m in love with the pistol. It’s a blued version and my first older simi-auto Smith. What a beautiful firearm with an excellent trigger in double and single action. The grip feels great in the hand being a single stack. As I said I’m in love and will be adding more of these older generation Smith simi-auto pistols to the collection. I was already a collector of the older revolvers from Smith&Wesson. I had no idea how much I would like these simi-auto’s.
I tend to baby my 39-2 these days, and it might be tough to find a roughly analogous modern pistol (i.e. single-stack striker/poly). I WAS however thinking about using my CS-9. If I could get hold of one of the small single-stack Glocks, that might make for an interesting shootout. So might the new S&W CSX.
I like the old v new comparisons. I used to be a polymer pistol hater and scoffed at the idea of ever owning one. I bought my first m&p series pistol in 2015, and have owned several more since then with no regrets. The handling and shootability is much better to me with the poly frames. I don't have a need for the new metal m&p. If I was going to buy a steel or alloy framed gun today, it would be for collectible reasons.
Very interesting. I don't think we'll see one, but it would be really interesting if S&W put out a modern DA/SA gun (not just SAO) that is built as closely as possible upon the M&P 2.0, either in polymer frame or metal frame.
Excellent video! Please do more old v. new shooting comparisons. Also, I think the consistency of trigger gave the M&P an edge over the DA/SA 5904. I wonder how much difference there would be if you shot the 5904 with the SA trigger only against the M&P.....or had a DAO 59-series gun for comparison.
Yep, the more things change the more likely they are to revert to the better plan. My faithful old, stainless and alloy, DAO S&W 4053, single stack, backed up by two extra magazines is my preferred CCW.....Though I would not be averse to a cocked and locked 1911A1 in .45ACP for the same purpose.
The M&P is a really good pistol, easily in the top 5 in the long, long list of great pistols available today. My only quibble for it is the trigger, it makes slow fire drills inferior to my usual carry tools. But I gotta say, when I speed up and shoot on the clock, it performs well and accuracy is sufficient.
Great video sir, I would enjoy several more similar to it. One point that comes to mind is perhaps the reason your performance with the M&P 2.0 was better than that of the 5904 is due to how often you have been using and practicing with the M&P 2.0 in recent years. I know that for myself I learned how to shoot on a S&W Model 14 Target Masterpiece 38 Special and was extremely comfortable with it, however, in recent years I have devoted much more time to working with my Glock 17 and now shoot it better than the Model 14. Nowadays both my Glock 17 and my Sig P320 full size are my two favorites and they are what I perform best with. Good shooting sir.
@@hrfunk I would defiantly be interested in a part two, but to be fair, you could make a video on just about anything and i would watch it. Great content.
Yeah I love seeing stuff like this as it's basically how I got learn-ed in this hobby/lifestyle. First handgun was a Glock 19 Gen 3 and I thought it was great for 10 years...Until I started shooting it more. I sucked. I sucked so bad with it, it lead me down this rabbit hole of the right fitting gun for my small hands, finding out that I prefer hammer over striker, metal over poly, long barrel over short, etc etc and I wound up with a P35 1st generation hi power as my everything handgun. Now I'm constantly finding myself preferring the older stuff for both quality and that traits I like happen to be in older guns. However, I did recently acquire the M&P 2.0 Spec Series Bull Shark last week and with over 1550rds through it now (No clean, only lube) I am extremely impressed. Between the modular grips for my smaller hands and very smooth recoil impulse in every caliber of this gun, I finally found a new school gun I like very much...Though I do want to try the new metal framed one. Would love to see you pit the HK45 vs the USP 45. Maybe even the FN509 vs the Old Hi Power MkIII and possibly new FN Hi Power.
Outstanding premise! This should be good. I had 🥲 a 5946 and loved it. Own a M&P 2.0 currently and really love it as well. I would suspect the triggers will be the big difference.
I was thinking about today’s video (I know, I know, thinking is a dangerous business! Like most Jarheads, I try to avoid it.). Anyway, it occurred to me that if I’d used a steel silhouette target, and only shown video of me shooting, I could have claimed this shootout ended in a tie. Viewers would have heard the same number of “clangs” from both handguns. It’s interesting how few videos show the results of the shots that were fired.
Steel targets show hits with a ding. you always look good. Paper tells the real story with holes. Paul Harrell talks about guys that use steel vs paper.
Truly my father told me, paper never lies to you, no matter how much you wish it would. Geoff Who notes steel is best for running 50 people through a 4 stage shoot. And that's just the backup gun shoot!
@@Rnemhrd sounds like Paul and I are in agreement.
The target and the timer will never lie to you. They will, however, disappoint you
HR, frankly even if a lot of guys produce great firearms videos, they don't shoot as well as you!
Please consider doing additional shootouts, especially ones that compare new and old “versions” of a manufacturers’ guns or general gun designs (i.e. 1911.)
There are 30+ years of improvements between the 39/59/69 series and the M&P 2.0. The M&P was designed to be shot (18 degree grip angle, control placement, balance, many other features), whereas the 39/59/69 series was designed to be carried as a high-capacity revolver replacement.
I like my 32 year old 6906 and still carry it, but my M&P 2.0 is simply a better gun. The only thing I don’t like about the M&P is the lack of a re-strike capability, but with current gun and ammo quality, and proper training, that issue is no longer relevant.
I am also interested in the 2.0 metal, but darn its price!
I love these "old vs. new" videos. Even when the polymer (technically) prevails, it still is nice to see the ol' war horses making them earn it.
I like that too (or we’re you talking about me?)
@@hrfunk Hahaha! The ol' war horse pistols. Marines never go out of style!
Love Watching The Shooting matches at " In Range Tv and Forgotten Weapons " When They Bring in the Oldest Firearm to a Match and Show the world that " They Don't Make Them Like They Used To " Is Still Kick Ass!
I acquired a S&W 5906 2 weeks ago. Last week I did a similar comparison with it and my CZ 75B Omega because I wanted to compare steel to steel. My groupings were better with the CZ. I attribute that with the CZ having a slightly longer sight radius but mainly the grip of the CZ fit my medium sized hands much better.
I love the CZ 75B, it's an excellent gun and may be my best shooter, but the 5906 is also a pussycat to shoot. You have great taste in pistols.
My firsts duty gun was a 5906. I used it for just over 10 years. I LOVED that thing.
Hi all! I wanted to let you know I won’t be here for the premier. Have a great time, and I hope you enjoy the video!
The Model 59 always pointed low for me . Mine was made back in the 70’s .
The 5904 was my first handgun and I still have it and still love it. I think I got it in 1990. Great gun.
We have a little in common I went to Academy with a 5906 and blazer ammo and ended my career with a M&P. We had a kid that heard me telling the guys how great the M&P is. He said I'll kick your butt old man! I beat him so bad that several day shift and the Chief switched to M&P. By the way the 5906 only jammed once (stove piped).
Ha, ha! The youngsters never seem to think we might have learned a thing or two over the decades!
Interesting comparison of both pistols. My first duty gun was a Smith and Wesson m28 highway patrolman. 357 magnum, with a parkerized finish, in 1977. Finished with a Glock gen 3 model 23 .40SW, in 2010.
That sounds like a long career. Congrats! 🏆🏆🏆... Do you miss being out there?
@Antonio Tula Certain aspects, I miss, but the most important thing a Police Sergeant told me, that I shaped my entire career on, was " Remember Mike, being a cop, is about what you can DO for people, rather than what you can DO TO THEM.
@LoneStarLawman That right there IS the job! ... Thank God for those old school types who had us slow down & think. To leave a situation better than we found it. Ultimately, to help people. 🫡
I really enjoy the Old vs New and the fact that you do such great comparison videos with both slow fire accuracy and defensive drills. Keep em coming H.R. and we'll keep watching.
Thank you!
Had this video saved for a couple days. Interesting watch, thanks for sharing. +1 vote for continuing the series.
Thank you!
Maybe the fact that you have been carrying and using the M&P in the last few years makes it more familiar and thus easier for you to shoot well? Unless you have money to burn, I don't think you would gain anything with the new metal version of the M&P, as you shoot the polymer version very well. Personally, the only trigger system I dislike is the DA/SA...absolutely hate that transition. Much prefer a consistent trigger, whatever it happens to be - DAO, striker, SA, I don't care as long as it's consistent. When I was issued the M9, I "cheated" at qual by cocking the hammer for the first shot lol. Love the looks of that pistol, hate the trigger.
Definitely a good format and useful information in reviewing old vs new. Even review of modern guns Glock vs S&W is useful for people looking to buy their first gun
Should be a great video. As you’re aware, Howard, I really like tradition DA/SA (Sig P series, CZ 75B and its descendants, H&K USP’s). However, my current EDC is an “police model” M&P 1.0, with a 4.25 inch barrel chambered in 9x19. ALL of these semiautomatics are certainly excellent, but the comparatively lighter weight and bulk of the M&P plus its 17+1 capacity make it - at least today - my choice. I’d guess that all of the aforecited DA/SA’s would be SLIGHTLY more accurate, have better triggers (in SA), and be equally reliable and durable. Nevertheless, the M&P is (at least) very good in every attribute and it happens to currently be at the 4:30 position on my belt.
Old vs new was great.
However, for this comparison did you factor in that you’ve trained more recently with the 2.0? Muscle memory makes all the difference in the world for me.
Thank you for the video.
Thanks Rabbi! I considered that. I also think maybe I just had an off day with the 5904.
I for one enjoy the old vs new comparisons. Always enjoy your videos. Thank you.
Thanks for another interesting video. Impressive that you manage to come up with new ideas for varied content every week.
Thanks Rune! Occasionally I do experience the videographer's equivalent of "Writer's Block."
RAH rah! More more! Geoff Who lives vicariously.
I thought the old S&W would win, for sentimental value if nothing else. Surprising. Feel free to do as many of these 'old vs new' comparisons as you'd like. I'm sure they'll all be interesting. Especially the old Glock vs new Glock that ends with "How far can I throw each of these?". lol
YES! I am a fan of the "old vs new" don't know if this assumption is correct, but from this S&W going back to alloy/metal framed pistols vs polymer framed ones is a step in the wrong direction. I hate saying that though, because it makes more sense in my mind that metal is way more stable and better vs plastic:) HA! I don't know man, I just don't know:)
Great video HR. Yes, I enjoy this type of video, so if you want to do more, I'll certainly watch them. A couple of outcomes from this comparison surprised me.
1. Your sights on the 5904 seemed to be a bit off to the right in the initial stage, but your "misses" with it later were invariably to the left, sometimes dramatically so. I put "misses" in parentheses because you never actually missed, and we tend to grade ourselves too hard. All your shots were perfectly acceptable in reality.
2. Your DA shooting with the 5904 tended to be better than SA. That is almost inexplicable considering your experience with the trigger pulls. Logic tells us that if one is going to be worse, the DA accuracy should suffer, but you experienced the opposite effect.
Again, I really enjoyed the video, and I look forward to whatever you have in store for us next.
Thank you. I keep thinking to myself that maybe I just had an off day with the 5904. Oddly, and counterintuitively, I seem to have simultaneously had a pretty good day with the M&P. The shooting gods can be a fickle bunch!
Neat video! I like these comparison videos. Keep 'em coming!
I have a 915 (budget 5906) and an M&P 2.0 Compact. My experience is similar to yours. The 915 is a good shooter, but the superior ergonomics, trigger, and sights on the M&P make it a breeze to shoot well. I think those three areas are where handguns have improved the most in the past 30 years so it should come as no surprise.
the shootout Comparisions are great, being a huge fan of the 5906 I would love to see something with that variant, anyhow as always great video
Thanks Forrest!
Most interesting. I greatly enjoy this kind of comparisons, both for watching and, occasionally, doing my own.
Enjoy your weekend, Mimi & Howard. I'll try to make it on time for the next premier!
Thanks Marc!
A definite fan of these comparison videos! Keep up the good work!
Thanks Frank!
The two round magazine capacity difference applies to factory mags. A few years back Mec-Gar introduced flush fitting 17-round magazines that are the same size as the original 15-round ones and fit just as well. I picked up a couple and they run fine. I just checked the Mec-Gar site and they still have them listed in case you're interested. They list it for the 5900 series.
I did enjoy the comparison between the new and the old pistols from S&W. I was shooting handguns when the 5904 came out but never did shoot one back then. So it seems that I did not miss anything.
I have both these guns. My first handgun I shot was my dads 39-2 I got it after he past away I got 3 of them today love those old S&W guns and the news are excellent also.
Great review
Thank you!
Love the comparison. Thanks for the video and keep shooting 😊
This is probably my favorite of all of your comparison videos! These are both guns near and dear to me. While i struggled at first to accept the S&W pistols back in the late 80's to the early 90's, i bought a 1006 and we were off to the races! It was quickly followed by first a 4506 then 5906 and 5904. While i appreciated the light weight of the 5904 i never shot it as well as the 5906. (Or my P226) and it was traded in within a few months. The others hung around for quite a while and even though i let them go, ive since replaced the 1006 and 5906. My current 5906 is the most accurate 3rd gen S&W ive owned to date. Easily shooting 1 1/2" at 25 yards with its preferred load. And just the opposite of your situation it points as naturally as a 1911 for me were my M&P it takes a few rounds before i begin to shoot it as well. But with that said i feel the M&P series of pistols are gead and shoulders above any and all other polymer striker fired modern pistols! They have the best grip, best trigger, best (out of the box) sights and are utterly reliable! Theyve displaced every other polymer handgun ive owned. Great video and thank you for having a knack for picking the guns i love!
My pleasure. Thanks for watching!
Yes I’m a fan of the old vs new videos. Also a fan of both guns in this video. I have a 5906 (stainless) and an M&P 9. Both LE trade ins. Both great guns.
Nice shooting - thanks. GB
Yes please those are really fun and instructional neat to see I would enjoy seeing more of this kind of video thanks and god bless stay safe
Good guns! Unfairly eliminated from M9 trials (subsequent investigation proved too late they _did_ pass the endurance and firing pin energy tests they "failed"). FBI and many others issued them for years. I have a 908 that has never failed in 15 years of regular use. Got it free from S&W as a replacement for a Sigma 380 that broke under their Lifetime service policy since it was out of production. That's excellent customer service! Wonder what they would give me if the 908 breaks? ;)
I don’t know, but I hope it doesn’t break! May I ask where you found that info on the M9 trial investigation? I would like to read it.
@@hrfunk It would not have been the end of the world if we had gone S&W in 1985 nor 2017... archive.gao.gov/d4t4/130439.pdf
YES. More Old/New shoot outs please. 👍🏻👍🏻
Really enjoyed the shoot-out, lets have some more!!!!
Great comparison! Looking forward to more.
Excellent Video presentation and content! Very much enjoy the old vs new comparison!
While I enjoy my newer striker fired pistols, I'm not kicking my older DA/SA handguns out of my collection anytime soon.
Big fan of the older metal framed DA/SA S&W Pistols here and also like the newer S&W Striker Fired Pistols.
Been actively shopping for a 9mm S&W M&P 2.0, but deals on them are scarce these days.
Probably will have to special order one.
I hope you find one. Thanks for watching!
The only change I’d recommend is accuracy testing with a Ransom Rest. That eliminates the human factor. Otherwise, a fun and informative video!
Awesome video :) my coworker at the time. had the 5904. haha i should show him this xD
Love your comparison videos. Please do more. Thanks!
Great video. I searched specifically for this comparison because the M&P 2.0 (metal) had such good reviews and was known to be extremely reliable. Yet I have a 5904 bought new in 1989 that I wondered whether it was just as good or better. At 25 yards, I've not gotten tight groups with it, but it has been 100% reliable. Maybe the M&P ergonomics are where the improvement is. Thanks for doing this. I'm a new subscriber and look forward to more old vs new comparisons.
Thanks for subscribing and welcome aboard!
I’ve been seeing a few of the old 3rd gen Smiths for sale lately. I’ve actually bought a few-910, 915, 5906. I had a DAO model back in the early 90’s, 5966, I think. Trigger wasn’t the greatest but the gun was very accurate. I like the M&P a lot. Grip size and angle suit me well. I might end up with one of the new ones.
Thanks
Mec-Gar makes 17 round flush mags for the 5900 series. Also many still prefer SA/DA triggers. So the 5904 is still up to date. That you shot the M&P better just means its better for you.
Yes more please!! Beretta 1951 versus Beretta cheetah 84 series. Sig P series versus polymer Sig 320.
Another excellent video hrfunk. I enjoy these videos very much. A class Smith auto is on my bucket list.
very nice HR. I've got a couple of similar pistols that I find similar results. (Trigger, not old vs. new) Both are Springfields, one is XDS, the other is XDE. For safety reasons I love carrying the XDE. But when it comes to range time, I'm twice as accurate with the XDS.
Thanks for an insightful video!
You’re welcome. Thanks for watching!
P226 vs M18 would really be interesting.
Another great video. I really enjoy your shootout videos, please continue.
Yes, I would like to see the M9 vs APX and the 226 vs M17 videos.
I have the M&P which I really enjoy, but I don't have much time, experience or practice with any handgun and what I realize with your videos is that I need a lot more time at the range. As always, thanks for your videos.
You’re welcome Jesse. Thanks for watching!
I went through the police academy and firearms instructor school with a 5906. It was the best gun i ever carried. It NEVER jammed. The day S&W stopped making these guns was a sad day.
I agree.
Love the shoot out format. Your an excellent marksman with no horse in the race. Really enjoy your unbiased opinion. Like to see a Beretta vs Springfield Armory SA-35 next time.
I would love to do that if I could ever find an SA-35!
It was strange that in that failure drill. Your to the chest with the model 59 went faster and straighter than the original shots with the M&P end of the chest your failure was in that one errant shot to the Head. I think with your problem with the M59 is the fact that you haven't shot it in quite some time. The one advantage I would give to the M59 is that it has a magazine safety which normally I don't like but in retention actions with police officers who used to carry them there were several occasions where the officer was able to at least disconnect the magazine and relieve himself of the firearm and get to his backup gun which rendered the gun useless to the attacker. The hammer drop is kind of nice to have but it is never meant to be carried with that on and it's never intended to be a safety. The designer never intended that to be a safety it was a Walther design from 1929.
I'm wondering if the other issue you might be having with that M59 is the more squared grip frame. You're just obviously not used to it. And your right handed and pulling it low and left is understandable and usually caused by an inconsistent grip that increases as you squeeze the trigger. It just more illuminates the fact that you've been away from the gun for some time. The M59 looks more than capable with a bit more practice. The fact that you're more used to the M&P is what makes it better in this case I believe.
Not too long ago you did a video on the model 39, back in the 80s there was a torture test on a model 39 where they fired 22,000 rounds without cleaning the gun. During the test part of the rail on the frame of the pistol broke off of the m39. It's still never failed. As a matter of fact after cleaning the firearm and doing accuracy test. The firearm was actually more accurate after the test then before the test even with the broken frame rail.
Thank you. I was thinking about the same thing regarding the lack of recent practice with the Model 59. I may need to work with it a bit, and then featured in a future video. Hopefully I can redeem it a bit!
@@hrfunk You did not comment on sights, is the M&P fitted with better sights? Or at least sights that are easier for you to pick up?
Yeah I definitely would like to see more old vs new videos.
I love my 5904 that I have had for 30 years. Probably cost under $ 200 new back then.
The amount of $240 seems to be bouncing around my head for the price of my 5904 back in 1989. It was about $60 cheaper than the all stainless 5906, and I couldn’t afford the more expensive pistol. As it turns out, I think the 5904 was a better pistol for me.
I'd enjoy more of the old vs new shootouts.
I like these old vs new shootouts!
Yes please, more comparisons.
I love the gen 3 S&W pistols. The first handgun I bought when I was of legal age was a 6906. I still have it.
That was a good first gun to select!
Because you were not drawing from a holster, the DA/SA auto should have started with the hammer back, after all that's what the hammer spur was designed to do. Geoff Who is hummming...and speculating.
Very good presentation on the 5904 vs M&P 2.0. I would like to see more old vs new. I’m thinking the results with this comparison might be that you carried the M&P on duty for so long that shooting it well was more natural for you with the weight, grip angle and body mechanics to bring up the sights quickly. Thank you again for your great content.
My pleasure Steve. Thanks for watching!
Yes. Please do more head to head old vs new. Love your video's, especially 3rd gen S&W vids! My two cents, i think the difference between traditional single/double action and the striker fired guns is shooter workload with the trigger and improved sights on the newer pistols. The older guns require more practice to hit with. I started my career with an S&W 411 and ended with a Glock 19. But..... S&W 3rd gens are by far my favourite pistols.
I still really like them too. If you search through my channel, You'll find several more 3rd Gen videos. Thanks for watching!
I loved the old vs new shootout.
Cool video thanks.
I would love to see the Beretta comparison.
I've been going through the comments, and it seems like everything to be said has been said. But I'll keep the basics short; love the video, great shooting, and awesome guns!
Now for the longer, fun part! I think anyone would be well armed with either pistols, if they were in good condition, and they had spare magazines and the time to get good. I think one could be just as good with either if they trained enough with which ever they choose, and I think they'd be well of with either. This just goes to show that quality manufacturing will help tools such as these last for a long, long time!
I am just thoroughly impressed by the quality of the firearms today. Materials used, quality of CNC close tolerance machining and engineering concepts! Although there is no replacing "old school" hand fitting firearms by gunsmiths with special skills! Good review HR! Just love your content! Keeps me watching with envy!
Thanks Dan. I appreciate your support!
@@hrfunk my pleasure HR!
Loved the old v. New theme. Not surprised by the results since you're not fighting DA trigger.
I'm so happy the M&P outperformed the 5904 (Don't hate me HR). The compact and sleek design of the M&P was a giveaway as to which one would perform better. Please do the Sig 226 Vs. M18 next!
If I can borrow a 226 from someone, I will definitely do that one.
I am really looking forward to getting the new M&P 2.0 Metal !!
I'm pretty old fashioned. I only have one plastic gun, a CZ P07, and two striker fired guns, a S&W Victory .22, and a Colt 1908 Vest Pocket. All the rest are steel with hammers. The way God intended. LOL
I like the way the Shield Plus fits in my hand . It reminds me of the Colt combat Commander. As time goes on Smith's are becoming a handgun of choice ,I like the new 30 cal .
I think you should keep doing them!!
I shoot IDPA with an M&P. When I first started, I really sucked until two things happened. One, I came to grips with the new (to me) trigger (which was pretty crappy from the factory). And two, the trigger smoothed out (after a couple thousand rounds). Now I shoot it better than my other handguns, but... I am very used to THIS gun. Maybe you are just more used to the M&P trigger now.
Yes, I do enjoy the old vs new comparisons.
Good comparison test, and I would like to see more. If the California Import Roster is abolished due to the Bruen decision I'd likely update my daily EDC to a new 9mm. Right this minute I am leaning towards an M&P 9mm. BAM! And S&W announces the new Metal pistol! I have had an original M59 and a M39. I always thought that the transition from DA to SA was the weak point. Oddly, I shoot the DA mode better than the SA mode! So I would lean towards a DAO model when & if I get to update.
I hope that comes to pass Frank!
There are 17 round magazines available from Mec-Gar for the 59 series pistol. Interestingly, they're flush fit just the same as the factory 15 round mags.
I know, but thanks all the same!
this is a great series
Thanks Marcos!
@@hrfunk i recently shot y 92x would love a p226....as some one fairly new into shooting didnt think i would like da/sa but here i am
I like the video format old vs new.
I was really pulling for the 5904, the M&P's are great , I like the way the 5904 fits my hand. Can't argue with the facts.
Please do more comparison videos. They are interesting and helpful.
Thanks Bill. Based on the response to this video, I believe I’ll make some more.
I would like to see something with your model 39-2 vs something. I just purchased one 2 weeks ago and I’m in love with the pistol. It’s a blued version and my first older simi-auto Smith. What a beautiful firearm with an excellent trigger in double and single action. The grip feels great in the hand being a single stack. As I said I’m in love and will be adding more of these older generation Smith simi-auto pistols to the collection. I was already a collector of the older revolvers from Smith&Wesson. I had no idea how much I would like these simi-auto’s.
I tend to baby my 39-2 these days, and it might be tough to find a roughly analogous modern pistol (i.e. single-stack striker/poly). I WAS however thinking about using my CS-9. If I could get hold of one of the small single-stack Glocks, that might make for an interesting shootout. So might the new S&W CSX.
Good stuff, keep it up.
I like the old v new comparisons.
I used to be a polymer pistol hater and scoffed at the idea of ever owning one.
I bought my first m&p series pistol in 2015, and have owned several more since then with no regrets.
The handling and shootability is much better to me with the poly frames.
I don't have a need for the new metal m&p.
If I was going to buy a steel or alloy framed gun today, it would be for collectible reasons.
I am absolutely interested in a metal frame M&P. Thanks
I really do enjoy the old versus new. I also was surprised at the difference between the 59 series and the M&P.
Thank you. Also, it’s possible I just had an off day with the Model 59.
In a bizarre twist it turns out the sigma wins😂
Now you let the cat out of a bag!
Very interesting. I don't think we'll see one, but it would be really interesting if S&W put out a modern DA/SA gun (not just SAO) that is built as closely as possible upon the M&P 2.0, either in polymer frame or metal frame.
I think the closest we could come would be the SW99 (Hey! Now there’s an idea for a video!).
Nice comparison…….appreciate the video 👍👍
Thanks Lance!
Excellent video! Please do more old v. new shooting comparisons.
Also, I think the consistency of trigger gave the M&P an edge over the DA/SA 5904. I wonder how much difference there would be if you shot the 5904 with the SA trigger only against the M&P.....or had a DAO 59-series gun for comparison.
I was already thinking of something like that for a future video.
@@hrfunk Awesome. Thanks!
Yep, the more things change the more likely they are to revert to the better plan. My faithful old, stainless and alloy, DAO S&W 4053, single stack, backed up by two extra magazines is my preferred CCW.....Though I would not be averse to a cocked and locked 1911A1 in .45ACP for the same purpose.
I had a 4054 once. I wish I’d kept that thing. Thanks for watching!
The M&P is a really good pistol, easily in the top 5 in the long, long list of great pistols available today. My only quibble for it is the trigger, it makes slow fire drills inferior to my usual carry tools. But I gotta say, when I speed up and shoot on the clock, it performs well and accuracy is sufficient.
thoroughly enjoy
Please do some more classic vs modern. It was really fun to watch...
Great video sir, I would enjoy several more similar to it. One point that comes to mind is perhaps the reason your performance with the M&P 2.0 was better than that of the 5904 is due to how often you have been using and practicing with the M&P 2.0 in recent years. I know that for myself I learned how to shoot on a S&W Model 14 Target Masterpiece 38 Special and was extremely comfortable with it, however, in recent years I have devoted much more time to working with my Glock 17 and now shoot it better than the Model 14. Nowadays both my Glock 17 and my Sig P320 full size are my two favorites and they are what I perform best with. Good shooting sir.
The more I think about this video, the more I just think I had an off day with the 5904. There may need to be a rematch. Thanks for watching!
@@hrfunk I would defiantly be interested in a part two, but to be fair, you could make a video on just about anything and i would watch it. Great content.
Definitely more old vs new videos! Maybe some revolvers?
Yeah I love seeing stuff like this as it's basically how I got learn-ed in this hobby/lifestyle. First handgun was a Glock 19 Gen 3 and I thought it was great for 10 years...Until I started shooting it more.
I sucked.
I sucked so bad with it, it lead me down this rabbit hole of the right fitting gun for my small hands, finding out that I prefer hammer over striker, metal over poly, long barrel over short, etc etc and I wound up with a P35 1st generation hi power as my everything handgun.
Now I'm constantly finding myself preferring the older stuff for both quality and that traits I like happen to be in older guns.
However, I did recently acquire the M&P 2.0 Spec Series Bull Shark last week and with over 1550rds through it now (No clean, only lube) I am extremely impressed. Between the modular grips for my smaller hands and very smooth recoil impulse in every caliber of this gun, I finally found a new school gun I like very much...Though I do want to try the new metal framed one.
Would love to see you pit the HK45 vs the USP 45. Maybe even the FN509 vs the Old Hi Power MkIII and possibly new FN Hi Power.
I did the 509 vs. Hi Power a few years ago. Here’s a link to part 1: th-cam.com/video/TW1aOr0_om4/w-d-xo.html
@@hrfunk thanks!
Definitely do more old vs. new videos!
Outstanding premise! This should be good. I had 🥲 a 5946 and loved it. Own a M&P 2.0 currently and really love it as well. I would suspect the triggers will be the big difference.
The 5904 was my dad's handgun before he sold it to my grandfather. Hopefully I inherit it someday. Maybe S&W will make 3rd gen guns again
That would be nice. Maybe this new aluminum frameM&P Is a step in that direction.