I recently got some that were a bit too wide and had to shave a millimeter or two off each side.  The length seems good: I wonder if the were intended for 4506, etc. Lord knows we have to be adaptable on this sort of thing.

Swede925

 I just posted a request for help and didn't express my gratitude to any and all who respond. My Bad.

Thank you,
Swede925

 I would like to ask for help from those members who own S&W10XX pistols. The ejector on my 1006 was replaced by my local gunsmith and while everything seems to cycle and function properly when the magazine is empty, it may or may not go into battery with a single round in the mag and locks up hard out of battery if there is a second round in the magazine. Perhaps if I had photos of functional ejectors my gunsmith could determine the adjustments needed.

I will be using imprecise terms, so please bear with me. I was able to make some observations by removing the slide and fully seating a magazine.

The portion of the ejector which extends over the magazine, which I will call the 'finger', lays just inside the left lip of the magazine, with the small portion of metal pushed out from the side of the 'finger',which I am calling the 'cleat' resting on top of the lip.  All 9 of my magazines have a shiny spot where the original ejector 'cleat' made contact. If a round is in the mag, the 'finger' gets shifted to the left and the entire length of the 'finger' is now on top of the lip with only the tip making contact.  This raises the ejector enough that it jams against the top of the slot milled into the slide, stopping everything in it's tracks.

If someone would be willing to remove the slide and set a magazine as I described and the send top and side views we may be able to determine if the finger needs to be beveled or tapered underneath or if it needs to be shaved off of the top or what ever. I seem to recall a slight dogleg  in the original when viewed from the top, allowing the 'cleat' to make contact and lining up the 'finger' to be positioned to hit the case head. The slot in the slide seems wide enough to accommodate this. But then again I could be mistaken, 'cuz how hard do we look at something that's been working for 25 years?

Thanks Shadow

The differences are subtle but that's often the case with inter-changeable back straps as seen on polymer framed pistols. To be honest it's less than I expected. Still I can see a width difference and the front-to- back change could be a Goldielocks situation.  This will add to my over - Winter projects and if this works I'll try to post a picture. This brain storm came to me in the early hours this morning, so who knows how it will look in full daylight.

Thanks again.

Swede925

I guess I should have added that if anyone has one of these they'd be willing to sell, well heck that'd be too easy. I could probably part with a few dollars instead of spending hours trying to re-invent a wheel.

Seeing as I've chosen to keep my S&W 1006, I want to explore grip options. I've tried several over the years, somehow ending up with 3 of the Delrin straight backs, one Delrin curved back, Hogue full grips and rubber sleeves. A few years ago I learned of a third Delrin grip from S&W, which had some sort of a palm swell molded into it. Of course they are no longer available (typically I am a day late and a dollar short)

Does anyone here have one of these? Would you be willing to send some photos? I have a delrin-like material that could be molded onto one of the straight backs to increase the width at the back of the grip. I like the width in that area found on the Hogues, but overall they are a bit bulky in my hands. I may end up putting a sleeve over the entire thing if it won't stipple or looks too obviously a Bubba-smithed modification.

Thanks in advance.

Swede925

PS. Do any of the Kydex 1911 holsters fit a 1006?

Sorry, I should have asked about "Barrel Makers" that may be able to supply and fit a 40s&w barrel, should I find a 10mm 1911. But so far RIA and Kimber seem to be in my price range. Springfield doesn't make the Omega any more, and a Delta elite would still need a fully supported chamber, right? Added expense if I had to buy 2 barrels. I am hung up on the 40s&w thing because I already have a second set of 10/40 dies I could set up, and American Eagle 10mm 180gr were $38 at Cabella's today, 40s&w would have cost $20. A 40s&w barrel from RIA is around $80. 3 boxes of 10mm would buy the barrel and 2 boxes of 40. Yes, I would still have to find that gunsmith and pay him, but it may not take too long to break even.

I just got back from the range; shot all of my pistols. ( S&W 22A, XDm9, and the 1006) I can not walk away from the 10mm, it' too good.  So I'm back to smaller caliber S&W 3rd gen pistols and hope for the best, or sell the 1006 for a 1911 with a 10mm and 40s&w barrels. RIA says the 40 barrel would work in the 10mm, such as the Tac Ultra MS or FS, but would require gunsmith fitting. Unfortunately we are lacking skilled smiths in my area. Can anyone recommend a gunsmith to me? Are there other makers that come to mind; my LGS was lukewarm at best on the RIA, and keeps pushing Glocks, but I don't like them.  He will probably be willing to order the pistol for me, and I do want to support his business. I am not prepared to go high end market. My reality could handle $4-500 max outlay for a 4006 or 5906, or that amount above whatever I can get for the 1006 as described.

Continuing on with the 10mm is starting to feel like the MGB-GT I bought in college. Lots of fun...when it runs, which take extra effort...gets noticed by others who appreciate it and brings a smile to their lips...but it turns out I'm really a Subaru Outback sort of guy. 

I recall the reaction to the S&W 1006, most of which was from 1911 guys.  'Too powerful" and 're-inventing the wheel' which I read as 'how dare you create a viable auto loader cartridge more powerful than .45acp?!'  As to the 1006, "how the h###  do you flick of the safety?' and 'that first D/A round may as well be shot straight into the ground ; then you can hit your target with a sub standard S/A pull' which meant 'There is only ONE pistol, the 1911, and no amount of training will overcome that fact.  Anything else is beneath our notice. and you can't make us change.Never never never LALALALA'

I hope I didn't offend anyone, but that's how  it seemed to me; they did the same to the Barretta 92f. Now I'm considering a 1911.  Wierd

The RIA looks good and fits the budget well, but from reviews I get the idea that they are considered low or entry level 1911's which never the less have great features.   Would it be a step down in quality over the S&W? I am a 'Pretty is as pretty does' sort of guy, but we all do really want pretty, don't we.

sqlbullet Please do not take this as a rant or snarky response; I may have misspoken.  While the reloading expense is similar to other calibers my overall experience seems more costly. 
When the rare opportunity to get to the range presents itself I often find myself unprepared. 9mm, where if low on ammo a guy can find blasting ammo even if not the preferred bullet weight or brand, and take home some once-fired brass if you choose to collect it. 10mm off the shelf is either American Eagle, when available, or uber pricey self defense 25 round boxes or $50-60 / box Buffalo Bore or Double Tap. Great brass, if you crawl in the weeds. The only indoor range has a policy of sweeping brass forward of the firing line while you're trying to work out your grip issues, so that's a loss as well.  Perhaps once I make a decision I can ignore the world for several days and load up enough 10mm to be able to have more than 2 range sessions before more reloading.

As regards to Witness pistols:

The slide seems much less massive, so how's the recoil impulse feel?

What about Customer Service and parts availability?  Do they have some degree of interchangeability with other CZ clones?  I've been given to believe that 1911's have enough commonality across brands that finding and fitting parts is not an issue.  I get the idea that if I go 1911 you have no faith in the 10mm offerings; is that correct? In .45  I have no qualms considering S&W or Ruger, as I'm partial to those brands and the glowing reviews I see.

Sorry I haven't been back sooner: illness has been making the rounds in our household.

I wasn't able to get to a gunsmith for evaluation, he was ill. (hmm, imagine that.) But my LGS dealer wanted to see the pistol, and he gave it a 90%. As far as whether or not it would last for years on end, YMMV. Telephone calls to S&W, Novack"s and reading 10mm postings have me thinking that the best option in keeping the gun is lots of spring replacement kits and stock up on parts that may, (if available) fail in the future.  He gave me what he felt would be a very fair price for the pistol and all, and more if I change calibers and offer up reloading dies/ brass/bullets.

I have handled Glock 20 SF and Gen 4;  SIG P200/.45;   SIG 220/10mm (single action Hunter);  a EAA Witness/.45;  Colt Delta Elite.  Glocks would need actual firing range time to see if my stubby fingers fit, and it's polymer.  The Witness is also unknown to me.  The SIG feels like a close cousin to my 1006, the safety position the only noticeable difference, and in a good way.  I've shot 1911's before and found them acceptable but nothing to make me abandon the Smith. That was then, this is now. Unfortunately I don't have the option of multiple 10mm/ large bore pistols.  Part of the 10mm was as a Bear Gun, but hiking is a seldom event these days.  I sold a Ruger GP-100 to purchase the 1006, so I am forced to consider letting the 1006 go if I want to change format and/or caliber. The sale of the 10mm would supply the funds for the new gun, mags, etc. The SIG and Delta are just beyond comfort, as the initial purchase would exhaust the money from the sale of the Smith.

So there is my self inflicted dilemma.  It is probably much ado about nothing, but that's how it plays out in my world. 

Sqbullet- 10mm available factory ammo is not cheap, when it takes lots of repetition to build muscle memory. Brass must be ordered and the time involved is an expense of it's own.

DM 1906- As stated above, a change of format/caliber may be considered.  What do any of you think of the other makes of 1911.  My wife's nephew loves his RIA in .45, but I don't know if it just fit his budget. Their 10mm single stack seems to get mixed but generally favorable reviews?

(Heavy sigh) Any thoughts, anyone?

In response to The_Shadow and oldman10mm,  over the years I have changed out the recoil spring with stronger Wolff springs, trying to keep my brass in the same county as the target. I've changed the followers from yellow to white, and managed to purchase or assemble enough for 8 magazines.  I did needed to fabricate some of those little metal bottom plates that secure the spring and floor plate. I have extra floor plates and unused mag springs, and kept the yellow followers 'cuz they work better than nothing at all.  Of course I have the original straight grip, the replacement straight grip with the dimple, a curved backstrap grip that has been stippled on all the non checkered surfaces, and a set of rubber Hogue grips. And a rubber sleeve thing with finger grooves. And to tote it along with me there is a leather Gould & Goodrich thumb break holster, a nylon Blackhawk! flap holster and a custom built leather retention style holster.  Luckily the POS kydex holster that came with the XDm9 will hold securely enough for those rare match days. There are several mag pouches appropriate for the trail or the range.( By the way, don't think I'm able to compete with anyone but myself, literally.  I shoot Limited Ten and often have no one else there with me. I compare my time with a calendar. Accuracy is usually acceptable.)

Obviously there is a lot of personal history with this pistol, which all this brings back into focus.  So lets modify the original post to include the 2nd posting I made:

Given the lack of support for 3rd gen S&W's, would I be foolish to purchase a 5906 to use as my primary training pistol, building muscle memory with the basic platform, even though the grip proportions differ somewhat? Recoil of course differs as well, but the guns are similar in weight. This mad scheme could preserve the rarer 1006 at the expense of the 9mm pistol.

Blaster hit on another aspect of my thoughts, which is getting a 3rd gen S&W5906 (9mm). The entire world seems to have conspired to reduce my trigger time to once every couple months. I even have trouble finding dry fire time with my LaserLyte insert.  As a result my grip is all jacked up and I am struggling with recoil management. I asked 2 co-workers if they felt polymer flips more; the Viet Nam era Seal team member agreed, but he's shooting a 40S&W in his XD. I think .40's are snappy rounds. The other is a fairly fit 32yr old who fills a doorway, and after a day of trying his new Taurus Judge (loves it with multi projectile defensive shotgun loads) shot a 1st gen Glock 17 or 19 and also a Baretta 92f. He stated that the 92f was much easier on follow ups. I don't think any of us are true pistolaros, but we agree that for the law enforcement officer who carries daily the reduced weight is a factor not to be ignored, adding in radios, cuffs, pepper spray, taser, etc. Otherwise steel frames settle down nicer. Yes, training will help that.

Anyway, I thought going back to 3rd gen platform for both 10mm and 9mm would create some continuity. That's when I learned about lack of service from the factory, which would give me TWO unsupported guns. (Hey, didn't my registration card state that I had a Lifetime Warranty? I guess we've found out who decides how long a lifetime is.)Over the years I've found that it's easy to get more than anticipated, like buying an older house and then realizing what it takes to upgrade. Same with guns. I refer to it as 'Buying the tip of an Iceberg'. You aren't done spending money.

I digress once again.  Is the Witness a CZ variant  up scaled to fit 10mm? I think one shop in town may have CZ 75s, which I could try for fit.

Am I hearing that at this time S&W 3rd gens should be treated gently?

Thanks again.

I'm new to forums, so please excuse any ignorant moves on my part. 

I have owned a S&W1006 since about 1991, as a Bear Country and Urban Predator defense piece; my only handgun. Love this gun/caliber but expensive to shoot and reload, so I never felt that I was that good with it. In 2008 I purchased an XDm9 which became my primary pistol, shooting much more often (and carefree) with a USPSA club, gaining skill and confidence. I would  shoot the 1006 when a hiking trip was upcoming and you've gotta love the way a 4 foot popper will drop even if a rushed shot hits 6 inches above the base.

Now I want to shoot my 1006 a Lot more but worry about parts and service; I don't want to abuse it. I've stressed myself out to the point I wonder if I should retire it completely or sell it to a good home where it will be run in a prudent manner 'til the end of it's days. I know this gun has value if it's in decent shape and I will have a gunsmith give it a check up and get a % rating on it, but then what?  Does anyone feel that the 1911 based 10mm's are similar enough and will there be commonly available parts for years to come? Glocks don't fit me that well and I do not have trigger time on SIGs, but they seem sorta thick in the grip and expensive to boot. I've never seen a Witness or any of the other CZ style pistols.

Any thoughts from this community would be appreciated. Thanks.