S&W 3913 Beauty.

[benEzra]

My EDC for going on 25 years now. A marvelously reliable and accurate gun.

The one weak point is the plastic magazine baseplates, which are vulnerable to fatigue cracking after a decade or two. Fortunately, you can buy them for trivial cost from S&W, so it’s wise to lay in a supply in case they ever stop carrying them. (Fun fact, a model 39 metal baseplate can be trimmed to fit in a pinch, but leaves a gap between the baseplate and grip.)

 

[swg1]

I miss my 3913 and 4506. Scratch that, it was a 4516. The compact model.

 

[Mars5l]

I wish I could find affordable OEM mags for mine. My 3913 is my first 3rd gen and it won't be my last. I regret not picking up a 59## model that was very minty for $500 a few months ago.

 

[Homerboy]

The full size 3rd Gen’s have been rendered obsolete for carry( and I carried a 5946 in duty and still own several full size 3rd gen guns) due to their size and weight, but a 3913 or any of the alloy frame single stacks are still very much a viable choice. Sure, a Shield or Hellcat are lighter, but not by a whole lot. Those who like a hammer can get one. I still carry my 3953 from time to time. I am always going to be more comfortable with sticking a hammer fired gun in my waistband, although I do usually carry a Shield or Ruger LC9S. I got lucky with my 3953. $425 like new in box with 5 mags just last year.