Smith 915

[BattleChimp Potemkin]

I have put a very well used Smith 915 in lay away here for practically nothing. Comes with three magazines, a worn out finish (but i do love the plum look older smiths get with their bluing), but the trigger is incredibly smooth, especially in double action. Looks bad, will most certainly run well!

My questions:
1. Is this weapon considered third or second gen? I cant find any information on this, just info on the 59 and 910.
2. Sights: Can this weapon (depending on above) take third gen sights? I would love to get some adjustable target ones (NOT MILLET! Yikes!).
3. Parts compatibilty: What other models will this weapon have compatibility with (hammer springs, etc...)?

I am interested in making this a "sub-pro" gun, not a target model, but very very close.

 

[BattleChimp Potemkin]

Anyone? Man!

Okay: Does anyone own one? What am I to expect in accuracy/reliability?

 

[NGIB]

All I can help you with is that it's 2nd generation. 1st gen was 2 digits like the 39 & 59; 2nd gen was 3 digits like your 915 and my 645; and the 3rd gen guns are the 4 digit series like the 4006 I picked up this weekend.

I know that S&W also liked to make "economy" versions of their stainless "flagships" in blue finish.

This link is about the best I've describing S&W autos:

http://www.pmulcahy.com/pistols/us_pistols_smith-wesson.htm

Saw on another site that the 915 is the economy version of the 59XX series so sights, etc, should interchange...

 

[10X]

The 915 was renamed to the 910 after the 1994 AWB took affect.
Anything you read about the 910 would apply to the 915.

 

[18DAI]

The 915, while similar to the 910, actually had many desireable features that the 910 does not.

Don't get me wrong, I own both a 915 and a 910, and like both, but the 915 is a keeper.

The 915 had metal sights, guide rod, mag release, and ejector. The 910 has plastic parts.

The 915 has additional machine cuts on the slide and frame, making it more asthetically pleasing, to me.

Most importantly, the 915 posseses an additional lug on the barrel, and coresponding cut in the slide, which improves lock up, and accuracy.

A 915 also has rails through to the dustcover, and a cut to the muzzle, on the slide. Hence, a 910 slide will not go on a 915 frame. Overall the 915 is a superior pistol, IMO. Hope this helps. TJ

 

[Moonclip]

You were given wrong info,it is a 3rd gen pistol. Some guns still have 3 digit numbers that are 3rd gen, especially in the value series like yours is. The mod 457 is another example of a 3 digit 3rd gen.

I'm surprised somewhat how different the 915 and 910 are. I wonder if the same differences between the 410 and 411?

 

[rocinante]

Chimp I have a 915 and think it is a very fine gun. It shoots everything I have put in it. It is the pistol I keep at ready at home.

It is a 3rd gen. If you can get some answers on the sight options you would be lucky because I have asked and get nada info.

915 is considered budget but from what I have read it is much nicer than the 910 which they changed to please Clinton round one.

 

[18DAI]

Sorry, I neglected the sight question.

To get Novak low mount sights, the slide must be cut. I have Novak low mount NS on mine, but they were installed by the Performance Center at S&W, while it was getting a trigger job.

I'm not sure if there are any after market sights which will fit the cut in the slide.

Novaks used to offer a "full house 915" custom package, which included cutting the slide, installing low mount sights and refinishing the slide. I don't think they still offer the package though. Hope this helps! TJ

 

[Tom Fury]

Internal Parts compatibility then should be addressed primarily to the 5904.
Novaks may not offer the package, but as he was the man who advised S&W on most of the features that made the 2nd and 3rd gen guns rock and roll, I still think he's the man to ask.
Cheers, TF

 

[edrice]

I'm surprised somewhat how different the 915 and 910 are. I wonder if the same differences between the 410 and 411?

Yes. I have the 411. the model difference between the 915 and 910 are the same as the model differences on the 411 and 410.

Ed

 

[Moonclip]

Thanks for the info. I had always assumed the only changes in these pistols was to a 10rd mag supplied and a name chance to be politically correct.

 

[BattleChimp Potemkin]

If it is a third gen, I may just send it off to Smith's PC. I have always dreamed of a semi-custom pistol (not one I messed with ). For the price I'm getting it for, I would be remissed in NOT sending it in!

 

[Cliff47]

The 910/915 were part of the "Value Series" of pistols that were brought out during the 3rd generation of S&W SemiAuto pistols. Just when you thought you had the numbering scheme figured out with the 4-digit designations, they sprung the 3-digit model numbers on the buyers. While looked on as "budget models", and more often picked up by the budget concious, the "Value Series" were popular with some police departments. This was during the period when S&W were bringing out a model of the week in 9mm, 10mm, .40 S&W and .45 ACP, no wonder people were confused.

 

[Phil DeGraves]

It is a third gen gun, a lowbuck version of the 5904. Anything that fits on the 5904/06 guns will fit on the 915 (except the ambi decocker).

 

[chubbmann]

I love my S&W 915

It has been fun to shoot and lacks the plastic and cosmetic crap that weekend enthusiasts seem to be drawn too. I have ran well over 2,000 rds through it and the gun can still group beautifully at 75ft so I am happy all around.

 

[winddummy]

S&W Model 915

It was manufactured between 1992 and 1994. 9mm Alloy frame with a carbon stel frame. It was dveloped as an encomey version of the 3rd generation auto's. suggested retail was $467.00 per the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson.