Please Tell me about the 3913 S&W

[Leaky Waders]

Hi,

I'm probably going to get a nice little pistol when I get home (in addition to a 28 gauge that's already reserved)...I was looking at the 3913, probably a Ladysmith. I like the tapering of the dustcover (I think it's called) versus the squared off 3913 with rail. I'm not totally sure yet though.

My questions are, after reading all of the rave reviews here about the 3913's...

1) Where's the gunlock? S&W puts them on revolvers but always seems to 'hide' them during advertisments. Where is it located at on a new auto pistol? I downloaded the auto pistol manual and it didn't mention one.

2) If I wanted to replace the grips with some hogues - would a 3913 grip fit a 3913LS frame? I know the backstrap looks straight, but is this from the grip or from the frame...

3) Will jacketed hollow points fire reliably out of the little lady?

4) Won't it be cool to have a pair of lustful sisters in my gunsafe - a 60LS and a 3913LS?

5) What's the highest round count magazine for this particular pistol (I believe it's 8)? For extra magazines, should I stick with factory mags or some specific brand?

6) How do you guys holster your ladies? (Please say Mernickle, so I can justify another rig to my wife )

7) Is the trigger pull/springs any different on the LS versus non-LS models?

V/R,

LW

 

[TK73]

Dear Leaky Waders:

Nobody has responded to you so far, so now I am trying to give you some valueable (I hope!) advise.

Like you, I much prefer the LadySmith configuration of S&W M3913 to the TSW-version with the stupid, cumbersome (= because it's non-detachable) accessory rail.

Here are my answers:

Q-1: Although I see a lot of currently-produced S&W 3rd Generation pistols, I (fortunately) have never encountered one with a gun lock or internal lock till now. The specimen I have on my desk right now is of late-2003 or early-2004 manufacture and it doesn't have a gun lock incorporated in its design.

Q-2: HOGUE lists its automatic grip #13xxx to fit "Smith & Wesson Compact 9 mm, Single Stack Mag. - Models 3913, 3914, 908" without any further reservations, so I assume it'll equally fit the LadySmith variant just fine.

Q-3: Current S&W 3rd Generation pistols generally have a good reputation for being very reliable with modern-day bullet profiles. Unless, there's something completely wrong with the pistol it should work well with almost any ammunition. Of course, you should shoot a couple of hundred rounds of your self-defense ammunition of choice out of your gun to be fully certain and to get complete confidence.

Q-4: Yes, it would. Don't forget to add a K-frame M65 LadySmith .357 to your collection someday, so you could have a threesome...

Q-5: Standard magazine capacity of M3913 LadySmith is indeed 8 rounds. The pistol I've on hand here comes with two magazines. One features a flat basepad, the other a slightly extended Basepad. However, the 9-round magazine of the bigger, discontinued M909 or Performance Center M952 might work also. Of course, it'll stick out from the M3913's mag well. Beside the original magazines from S&W, there aren't any aftermarket magazines available for the M3913 as far as I know.

Q-6: Finding a holster for the tapered frame M3914 LadySmith shouldn't be such a big problem. I don't carry the gun on my desk.

Q-7: I doubt, there are any differences in spring or trigger pull weights. The spare parts manual doesn't distinguish most small parts, especially springs and small parts, between standard-M3913/3914 and the LadySmith. The only differences between both seem to be the major components (slide and frame, of course), the slide-mounted manual safeties (ambidextrous on the regulard M3913/3914, left side only on the M3913 LadySmith) and the slide stops (blue-steel on the standard M3913/3914; stainless-steel on the M3913 LadySmith). Everything else seems to be the same. From my experience, the quality and characteristic of trigger pull and trigger pull weight can vary somewhat from one specimen to another.

I hope, this information is of some help for you. I have no doubts, you'll be well armed with a M3913 LadySmith.

Please return back home in good health and thank you very much for your service.

I am from Germany, by the way.

Regard,

Thilo

 

[Kodiak AK]

I put about 2K thru my Ex wifes 3913 LS .
This is the only 3rd gen S&W I would even consider owning . Yes Houges will fit . 8 is the biggest mag you will find . Stick to factory . I never had a hiccup no matter what ammo was used .

 

[rde]

I have the 908 in stainless...the value line of the 39XX series. Mine came with a Kydex OWB holster included. As I understand it..they are basically the same firearm except the 39XX series or a more "finished" product. Mine is accurate and reliable to a point. After about 50 or so rounds using dirty UMC ammo I sometimes get a failure to fully feed. I still haven't fired enough rounds through it to consider it broken in or loosened up. So I am sure it is still a little tight so using dirty ammo leaves enough residue to cause this problem (because if I do a quick wipe down every so often during the range session it doesn't happen at all.) Another couple of hundred rounds to go and I will know for sure.

Although mine is the 908 the Hogue grips for the 39XX series went right on and are perfect. And they do not add extra un-usable (for me with small hands) bulk. Big improvement for me.

It is the easiest hand gun I have tried to CCW...and I have many. I like it quite well.

Standard mags are 8 rounds. Some have the pinky extension some don't. Mine came NIB with one of each.

People seem surprised at the range I go to to see a Smith and Wesson. Of course it is a Glock then everything else mentaility there most of the time.

Not exactly the 39XX series..but I hope helpful.

 

[popeye]

I've got a 3914 the blue version of the 3913. As point of interest Smith produced an NL (no "Lady" designation) version of the LS 3913 back when the 3913 was a "hot item" just prior to doublestack mania. The 3913 and 6904, 06 pistols are famous for reliability.

 

[Penman]

Ram Line used to make 9 round capacity mags, I have a couple that work okay, but wouldn't use them for carry. The regular 3913 offered ambidextrous safety levers, if that's an issue for you.

 

[surfinUSA]

I've got a 3913 (pre TSW) and used to have a 3914 (blued version). I'm a real believer that the 3913 is one of the finest compact 9mms on the market and probablt the best semi auto S&W has ever made.

They are reliable, accurate, light, slim, easy to carry and conceal. They have a stainless slide and barrel with an aluminum frame, the remaining parts (at least on mine) like the hammer and trigger are hard chromed, so they are very corrossion resistant.

 

[frenchwrench]

I carried a 3913 LS for three years.Great CCW,slim ,short,and accurate. I used DeSantis Cozy partner for carry IWB. You'll forget you've got it on.The only problem I had was the checkering would abraid my shirt.Enjoy it!!!!

 

[Leaky Waders]

this is exactly the kind of information I was looking for...

Thanks everyone.

Now one more question if you don't mind...do you regret getting your 3913 or near variant? I mean, did you buy it, play with it, and then decide, I wish I would've gotten a _______?

I think that I'm really sold on the 3913, especially without a lock - that made my day.

I do like the idea of a threesome in my safe someday Thilo - you're wicked - I was literally laughing out loud when I read that!

Thanks again for the info and for your thoughts/prayers for everyone over here.

V/R,

LW

 

[Al Thompson]

I do regret selling mine - moved from a CWP state to a non-CWP state. Now we have CWP and I doon't have a 3913....

Be safe over there !

 

[PCRCCW]

99% of the people who are in the "used to have' category will say they regret selling them........Im one of those :banghead:

You cant go wrong if you are in the market for a single stack/thin/decocker 9mm for a CCW......along those lines are the 239 Sig, Taurus 908, RAP 401 and others......you are looking at one of the best..........

Shoot well

 

[VG]

I purchased a used 3913 in perfect condition and without a rail. They have been popular for a long time so they're pretty easy to find. I don't see a 3913LS grip at Hogue, though - www.getgrip.com.

I use an IWB holster - the "Down Under" from High oon Holsters. It's a good design and High Noon ships fast and has a good return policy. Here it is with a Chief's Special 9.

After running around Anbar Province, you deserve whatever you want. Good Luck.

 

[CarbineKid]

Hey I would like to ask a follow up question reguarding the "Lady Smith". I wanted a 3913 but I dont like the rail on the 3913 Series. The Lady Smith seems right, BUT...err is it a ladies gun, and is it labeled lady smith on the frame. Sorry, but I dont think my fragile ego could carry a gun labeled for a lady. LOL anyhow any other info is appreciated.

 

[Dot_mdb]

The older 3913s didn't have the rail. You might be able to find a used one.

Bill

 

[fastbolt]

I bought my 3913 just before they discontinued the standard 3913 model. I almost bought a 3913LS, simply because I thought the frame dustcover looked interesting being angled as it was ...

I'd been shooting a couple of 3913's and a 3914 belonging to some of the other instructors, and decided I really needed to have one.

I've never regretted the decision.

As far as I'm concerned, the 3913 (and all of its variants) has pretty much got to be the best 9mm pistol S&W has ever produced. Single column magazine of reasonable capacity, slim and very ergonomic grip (enhanced by a set of Hogue grips), lightweight, well-balanced, controllable, very reliable ... Mine's functioned with every standard pressure, +P and +P+ load I've ever used in it, although I won't use reloaded, remanufactured or "cheap" off-brand ammunition. I stick to the major ammunition manufacturers, clean & lubricate it properly ... and shoot the daylights out of it.

I have no plans to ever part with mine. If I was going to do it all over again, with the selection of different models produced at this time ... I'd buy the 3913TSW. More of a good thing ... as long as you don't mind the accessory rail, or you order one without the rail and don't mind the space-filling, blued rivets used to fill in the holes in the dustcover. The thicker & wider Box-type frame & slide rails do offer some potential advantage in regard to accuracy, the delayed unlocking offers some reduced perceived recoil, and the visual loaded-chamber inspection port located in the barrel tab is useful.

I recently was thinking about adding a new 3913TSW to my collection, but since I already own my older 3913 which has been completely reliable ... I decided to order a SW99 Compact 9mm instead.

Hey, I've already got a terrific little CS9.

 

[Alan Fud]

Tell you about the 3913?

It's the finest compact 9mm pistol currently in production ...