S&w 3913 ???????

[pdh]

I have had my Conceal Carry Permit for 6 years now and I have a Ruger P90 for my choice of weapon.Well as you all know...the P90 is rather a big gun for this purpose.I usually carry it in a fanny pack when I take it out.

I was asking a friend of mine about a more concealable auto pistol and he mentioned the S&W 3913.Do not know anything about S&W handguns.Never fired one.I am going out to see his M3913 in a few days.Could anyone out there give me some opinions on the M3913 S&W and give me some advise if it is a good carry gun?
Thanks
Paul

 

[Aahzz]

The 3913 is an awesome little carry gun. Single stack, 8-round mag in 9mm. Accurate, reliable, comfy to shoot, and concealable. Similar model would be the 908, which is more of the economy version. I've been known to carry the 908 myself, my Dad carries a 3913. Both have been nothing short of awesome. I recommend them highly.

 

[Tamara]

Maybe the best regular-production centerfire autochucker Smith's ever made (outside of oddities like the 52 and 945 and suchlike...) A great little single-stack totin' piece.

 

[sm]

Great Guns.
One of those best kept secrets you might say. A number of students found used ones as CCWs and are very pleased.

 

[Marko Kloos]

The 3913 is a highly underrated gun, one of the best single-stack Nines ever made. The 3913LS "LadySmith" with the gray grips and the tapered dust shield is also one of the best-looking guns on the market.

 

[Tamara]

...it's also very aerodynamic looking, which is important.

 

[PCRCCW]

Especially when your shooting out of car windows at high rates of speed...

The 3919 is considered by ALOT of people to be a perfect BUG or primary carry gun. It started the line of thinking the Sig 239 followed suit with.
Ive had one and a 3953, the DAO version and they were both very nice guns..If you can find a clean one for a good price jump on it.

Shoot well

 

[Alan Fud]

In my opinion, the 3913 is the BEST compact 9mm pistol (not the best 9mm or the best compact but the best "compact 9mm" -- it's not too big and not too small). It's the ONLY gun that I own three of ...

... and I've got one on my hip as I sit and type this reply.

 

[wardog]

3913's are very nice. I've got a 6906 which is the double stack version, 12 +1. I'd recommend a 6906. Police trade-ins are around for less than $300.

A place called "Old Sacramento Armoury" has (had?) them for $269 in excellent condition with a Don Hume holster & double mag pouch. Tel (916) 446-2737.

 

[Handgun]

I really, really like the 3913. It is an excellent carry gun. I don't think you can go wrong with one. It was the first pistol I purchased when I discovered my budding addiction to guns. I have bought and sold many of them over the years and have a hard time resisting them when I see them for sale. In fact I just won a 3913 on auction today!!

But, I personally do not like the 3913TSW with the 7+1 capacity (sorry about that 'Alan Fud'), partly because of the reduced grip frame and partly because I am not fond of the "TACTICAL" billboard on the slide.

 

[pdh]

Thanks for all the replies.Looks like my buddy knows what he is talking about!I am getting the fever... bad!!

Aahzz mentioned the 908.Is the 908 the same gun in the economy version?
What is the difference between the 3913 and the 908??

Thanks for all the help
Paul

 

[rappa]

Helped my bro in law by his first handgun. It's a 3913 (no rail). He got it used for $399! I don't know how much more economical you can get for a quality pistol like the 3913!

PS - Prices on Gunsamerica.com range from $350-$619.

 

[Berg01]

There is not a bad choice to made made between any of these compact nines;

S&W 3913
Sig P225
CZ P-01
Glock 19

 

[PCRCCW]

The Econ. S&W guns are not SS and have plastic sights most of the time.
Shoot well.

 

[SouthpawShootr]

Yes, the value line has plastic sights. You can get any gun in the value line (e.g. 908) in stainless also. Probably expect to pay about $50 or so more for this option. In my experience, these guns perform just as well. You don't get the Novaks, ambi safeties, and the nice stainless finish. What you get is a perfectly functional piece for a good price. And, more importantly, you DON'T get one of those cursed accessory rails that appear on TSW guns. I replace the sights on my 457 with aftermarket nightsights which closely mirror the Novak profile and work very well.

 

[MolonLabe416]

In the early days of the TN CCW the sheriff dictated what could be carried. He didn't like Glocks or 1911s, I don't like convential DA pistols. I went with a S&W 3953 - the DAO verison of the 3913. Excellent little pistols. Reliable in the extreme, plenty accurate enough, light and easy to conceal. A much better choice than the Ruger P90 you currenly have.

Along the same lines, you might consider the Kahr P9 or PMK9. Excellent as well, about the same size, a bit lighter, and a Glock type trigger so that you have a consistent press from shot to shot. They make both pistols in a steel frame as well if you don't like polymer.

Which ever you get, be sure to take a class or two. Gunsite, Thunder Ranch, one of the travelling instructors - Randy Cain, Jim Crews, Bill Jeans, et al all over 3 day format classes across the country. Learn how to use the tool.

 

[Alan Fud]

Posted by : ... I personally do not like the 3913TSW with the 7+1 capacity (sorry about that 'Alan Fud'), partly because of the reduced grip frame ...

Different strokes for different folks.

The current 3913TSW is slightly larger and has a 8+1 capacity so the grip frame might not be an issue for most. I, however, prefer the older/smaller model which is the MAIN reason why I own three of them. When I saw that the older model was being reconfigured, I purchased as many of the older models as I could afford at the time.

 

[tiberius]

I inherited an older 3913 that pre-dates the Lady Smith line, but is in same configuration as the Lady Smith (grey gip and angular frame). It is a great shooter and very compact with the excellent Novak sights. I have disabled the magazine disconnect so only my bias against backwards working, slide mounted safeties is keeping me from absolutely loving it.

 

[fastbolt]

I have to agree that the 3913 platform ... in all of its model variations, 3914, 908, 908S, 3913LS, 3913NL, 3913TSW's, 3953 ... is probably as close to state-of-the-art for a single column compact 9mm pistol as has been produced to date. It's my hands-down favorite.

While I really like my late-production 3913 (wide barrel tab), I also like the 3913TSW, in either grip frame configuration. A close friend with another agency bought one of the first 3913TSW's with the shortened grip frame. I installed an adjustable LPA rear sight, and modified a set of Hogue grips to fit, and while it's not his primary carry or practice weapon, he's fired several thousands of rounds through it without any malfunctions or significant problems.

If I were going to replace my 3913 with a current production model it would be the 3913TSW, even though I have no personal need for an accessory rail, simply because of a couple of the other features present on the TSW line ... such as the delayed unlocking and the little visual chamber inspection port. The 908S model would also be an excellent choice, however, and with the continual upgrades in CNC & ISO production methods the current 908S models are even better finished than my 3913 produced several years ago.

I currently have a front night sight and a Novak Ghost Ring rear sight, since this is a defensive off-duty weapon and not a "target" pistol. If I were to buy a new model I'd get it already equipped with the standard Novak-style Trijicon night sights installed at the factory.

I like my CS9 ... it's every bit as accurate as my 3913, and has been just as reliable with all of the standard pressure, +P and +P+ ammunition I've fired through it. Comparing the 3913 & the CS9, though, I'd have to say the 3913 simply "fits" my hand as if made for it, and "balances" as close to perfect as I've ever experienced in a compact defensive weapon.

If for some reason I were to be limited to owning only ONE 9mm pistol to be used for lawful concealed carry ... it would be one of the many 3913 variations.

 

[Poohgyrr]

I bought (from S&W) an early set of Trijicon made night sights for my 908. They are pretty good. I also put Hogue rubber grips on it. This pistol isn't pretty, but it makes me look more accurate than I am

 

[Alan Fud]

Since we're talking about it, here's an upclose photo of one of mine ...

 

[bernie]

Alan Fud, I have an exact duplicate to the one in your photo! Several years ago I decided I needed a small 9mm and settled on the 3913. At the time, I could barely find one, even new, and there was talk that S&W may have discontinued them at the time. It is a great pistol! Significant caliber, small and concealable, reliable as an anvil. I even carried mine today on a business trip. They are great pistols!

 

[Snoogens]

Have a S&W 908, and it is super-reliable, accurate, easy to clean and a pleasure to shoot (we have put thousands of rounds through it). It is not as fancy as a 3913, but every bit as well made, as it is basically the same gun. Recently jumped on the Sig P6 bandwagon, and I am handing down the 908 to my oldest son for Christmas to use as his CCW...that is how much faith I have in this metal-framed classic. Got mine (his) for $395, and it was some of the best money I ever spent!!

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

Even though this thread is nearly six years old, I still like my 3913LS very much.

 

[Runningman]

The 3913 is an excellent platform.