New to me S&W 3914 Lady Smith

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rellascout

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Well I have been looking for a 3913/3914 for a while now. I prefer the feel of the frame profile of the Lady Smith models. I also like the single sided safety/decocker. I do not plan on using it as a safety so no need for an ambi-decocker IMHO. The only thing I do not like about the LS model is the color. I prefer a black/blue finish. You hardly ever see the 3914, black/blue, frame LS.

Well fellow member Hansli had one for sale so I inquired. It shows a fair amount of honest carry wear but not much more than finish deep. We worked out a fair price and I picked it up today.

I took it home cleaned it up and so far I am impressed. I cannot get to the range today but hopefully tomorrow I will be able to get over there. This is the first gen 3 S&W for me. I have shot them in the past but never owned one. So far I am liking this gun. The DA trigger is heavy but 9lbs 6 oz, avg of 5 pulls, and the SA is right around 4lb 9ozs, avg of 5 pulls.

Gun feels great in the hand. Well balanced and I love the slim grip. Alum frame make is lightweight. Not as light as the tactical plastic gun like the Kahr but light compared to an all steel gun like a BHP or 1911. I like the novak sights and front grip checkering.

Internally the gun is excellent. It appears to have been carried a lot but not really shot much. I am very happy with the purchase at this point. Will post more after a range session.

Here are some pics:

3914-LS.jpg

3914-ls5.gif

3914-ls3.jpg

3914-ls6.jpg

3914-ls2.jpg
 
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Congrats! :)

The 3913/3914 series is the finest single stack 9mm carry guns made, by anyone. IMO of course! ;)

Enjoy yours!
 
Thanks if it shoots like I think it will I am going to send it off to Birdsong and get it refinished in black T. The only thing I am not thrilled about is the mag disconnect but I think I will leave in.
 
Nice...I too prefer the Slanted dustcover of the LS. I have to say, I've never seen a blued one, everyone I've ever handled or seen has been in stainless with the gray grips.

Interesting that it has the same dent on the rear tang that my old M39 had
 
My business partner had one for years, nice guns for CCW.
 
Nice...I too prefer the Slanted dustcover of the LS. I have to say, I've never seen a blued one, everyone I've ever handled or seen has been in stainless with the gray grips.

Interesting that it has the same dent on the rear tang that my old M39 had
Click to expand...

Did you carry it in a duty style holster? The wear seems to indicate a retention holster of some kind.

This is one of the only 3914 LS I have seen and certainly the one that was priced right.... LOL The wear is just as Hansli described. It is for the most part finish only. You can run your fingernail over it and it is smooth except for some very small areas like the ding in the tang. I think the Kahr CW9 might have some summer carry competition from this one. LOL
 
I guys I knew who carried them usually carried in open top holsters. The wear does look like it is holster related and the gun was retained by molding around the slide stop. The ding on my mine was from dropping it on concrete.

If you are so inclined, the Magazine safety is very easy to disable. I had a gunsmith do mine, but IIRC, it is just a plunger and spring under the rear sight
 
I used to have a 3914 that I foolishly let get away from me. It's one of the very few guns sales that I regret.
Congrats on a great pickup!
 
While not a model 4040 it is neat little gun just large enough to be comfortable for someone with small hands. Last one I looked at had stainless slide alloy frame and light grey grip.
 
Those are a joy to carry. Although not really all that compact in grip and slide/barrel length, they are very light, slender, rounded and flat, other than the protruding slide stop.

I was not even aware they made this type in blued. There can't be many of those around, along with the 3913NL - which I presume means "non-LadySmith" - for those insecure about their "man card." ;)
 
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Here's mine... :D

I bought it new from CDNN a few years ago when S&W discontinued the 3rd Gen line. (I also have a 3913/5906/6906/CS45).

I consider the 3rd gen line of S&W pistols as some of the best pistols S&W ever made.

Jesse

P.S. I've heard (maybe incorrectly) the NL line was "non-logo" vs non-LadySmith, but there's no telling which is correct.. Doesn't matter.

100_9811.jpg

100_9814.jpg
 
Very nice find. I used a 3913LS to successfully complete my first pistol qualification course 15 years ago. I couldn't get the hang of the Ruger Mk1 the instructor gave us, so he offered the S&W instead, saying "sometimes you just need to find the right gun." He was right.

Today, I own a standard 3913, and it gets a lot of holster time.
 
I always understood "NL" to be no logo but I know many people call it Non-Ladysmith. LOL

I have no issues with the Lady Smith logo I just never cared for the white grips. If I had found one of those for the same price I would have simply swapped the grips
 
The Lone Haranguer said:
Those are a joy to carry. Although not really all that compact in grip and slide/barrel length, they are very light, slender, rounded and flat, other than the protruding slide stop.
Click to expand...
You can always shave them, slide stop and thumb safety, down like on the ASP...the original inspiration for the 3913/14 line
 
The Lone Haranguer said:
Those are a joy to carry. Although not really all that compact in grip and slide/barrel length, they are very light, slender, rounded and flat, other than the protruding slide stop.

I was not even aware they made this type in blued. There can't be many of those around, along with the 3913NL - which I presume means "non-LadySmith" - for those insecure about their "man card." ;)
Click to expand...
The all blackened version is uncommon and goes by the name 'Laddie Smith'.
 
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