I had to look twice when I saw that. We used to design with that transistor and I don't remember it as being able to take that much current. Well, it is a very low voltage. You should be seeing what passes for continuity on all three legs.
When I test it with the continuity tester, I get the following:
- Emitter -> Base: 3.1 ohm
- Emitter -> Collector: 5.8 ohm
- Base -> Collector: 2.9 ohm
Those readings seem to be correct.
Most modern continuity testers us such a low voltage that the transistor itself will show as an open circuit or extremely high resistance of several MΩ.
For example, from the emitter to collector you'll get the values of R3 to R5 added in series, which is 0.18+2.7+2.7 = 5.58, which is pretty close to what you've measured, which will be a bit higher due to the resistance of the test leads. You'll probably find it doesn't read exactly zero, even if you short the test leads of the continuity tester.