Underrated fighting tools, part XIV: S&W 908

[Marko Kloos]

Here's one that never catches the fancy of the "high speed, low drag" crowd: the S&W 908.

It's a single-stack 9mm, the budget version of the S&W 3913. The factory cut some corners by leaving the slide and frame more squared than on the rounded 3913. It also has a single-sided safety, and plastic sights instead of steel ones. Other than that, it carries and shoots just like the more expensive 3913 and 3913LS.

These are highly underrated guns: they don't look "sexy", they're not adorned with tactical doodads, and they're thoroughly average in every respect. On the plus side, they put the bullets where you want them, they have a slim grip profile for easy concealment, and they're boringly reliable. Here's a perfectly serviceable and competent little carry gun that doesn't get a lot of fanfare due to its "budget" nature.

 

[JohnGill]

S&W 908

Actually I've been interested in this pistol for sometime but see very little information on it. What I do find is always positive. Now
I see where they have a stainless model too. I'm in the market for a second ccw piece so I'll take a closer look. I like 'em. What are the prices like and what do you think of the magazine safety?
Best,
John

 

[Tamara]

On the plus side, they put the bullets where you want them, they have a slim grip profile for easy concealment, and they're boringly reliable.

...and truthfully, what more do you really need a gun to do?

I think it's a swell little pistol, but you already know that.

 

[itgoesboom]

I was just checking one of these out a couple weeks ago, and i was very impressed. Very thin, points naturally, and seems very well built.

Only thing i didn't like was that its only DA/SA, i would much prefer something that can be carried C&L.

I.G.B.

 

[Spackler]

Love the 3913/3914/908. I've always thought the 3913 was the best semi-auto S&W ever produced.

The 908 is now available in stainless, as the 908S. I prefer it over the new "TSW" 3913 with the accessory rail doodad. I like the single-sided safety, and although I like Novak sights, I don't think the plastic Smith "value" sight is all that bad, and they certainly shouldn't be hard to replace for something a little more durable.

 

[DeltaElite]

I think the Smith autos are good guns, but they don't fit my hand well at all, so I haven't owned one in over a decade.
I do see a Smith 10mm auto in my future though.

 

[Longbow]

I like the 6906! Lots of quality used ones at the shows. If I haven't got my keltec, I'll definitely get one. Oh ...what the heck..I'll get one someday!

 

[Schuey2002]

Hmmm,

That knife looks alot like the one Tamara posted awhile back.

These are highly underrated guns:

The same thing also applies to the 59 series as well.

 

[SouthpawShootr]

Several years ago my dad had a 4516 that I liked. He didn't want to part with it and I didn't want to pay a mint for a new one. Then I ran across a 457 (value series version of 4516 only with aluminum frame). I bought it, thinking it would probably make a good beater. I don't think that in the 5 years that I've had it, it has ever jammed. It is extremely reliable and I still like it. I still carry it from time to time. It now wears a set of PT night sights. Other than that, it is all stock and original.

I was going to get a 908, but before I found one, my regular dealer got a new 3913TSW (no rail) that he was trying to unload for a steal. I may still pick up a 908 if I find the right one. Smith's value series guns, in my experience, are definitely good values and they are starting to make them with stainless slides, too. About the only problem one could encounter is if you should left-handed (I'm left-handed, but shooting is the only thing I do right-handed - the early corrupting influence of conformist minded right-handers).

 

[Kahr carrier]

I like the S&W autos,especially the 3913 reliable and small.

 

[LIProgun]

Another vote here in favor of the 908. A good gun at a good price.

I wasn't wild about the plastic guide rod, and replaced it with a steel one made for the 3914. It worked just fine with the plastic, but I felt the steel would be more durable in the long run. (Then again, plastic guide rods work just fine in Glocks).

The 908 doesn't have the grace of the 3913NL, but the 908 is functional. I like the idea of it in stainless even better.

 

[Erich]

Smith & Wesson autos are indeed underrated!

 

[dude]

even though I am a certified P7 snob...........I have to admit that a S&W 910 that I ended up with for a few years in a trade deal actually worked great, never jammed and was reasonably accurate. I got ahold of some 59 hi-caps and a Hogue slip on grip and she was a weapon I would trust my life to anytime.

Not the smallest pistol in the world but plenty reliable.

 

[buzz_knox]

My favorite economy Smith was the 909. A full size single stack. Never got to try one but it had an incredibly sweet grip.

 

[Serpico]

They are good guns....but if money isn't a ;roblem, the 3913 is the one to go for..or at least the 908 stainless...the finish on the standard 908 comes off if you look at it too hard....at least mine did...

 

[Ian11]

I like so many others have had an aversion to S&W autos for many years being so enamored with SIG, Glock, and Colts. I don't currently own any S&W autos but am seriously considering the 3913 and now the 908 or 908S instead of a Glock 26 or SIG P239.

 

[jdhermit]

but...

how do you get used to the backwards safety?
Not trying to start any arguements (sp?), and I've only shot one S&W auto, so really can't comment from experience, but it just seems like it would be difficult to get used to an "up to fire" safety...

I'd like a S&W, just have to convince myself that would be ok, or get one in DAO.

jdhermit

 

[Spackler]

The easy way to get used to it is to leave it as lendringser has it in the photo - off. The factory will spring-load it for you if you'd like. It'll flip itself up after a decock that way.

I carry mine with the safety on. My first semi-auto was a S&W, so there was nothing to get used to for me.

 

[flinch]

Hello,

I was wondering about the bobbed hammer. It prevents a S/A first shot if so desired. Could a replacement hammer be exchanged so that a thumb cocking hammer could be used? That is my only objection to the 908. Thanks .

 

[makarov]

Is there a quick way to tell by series number which guns have steel frames and which have alloy?

5900
6900
3900

etc..

I'm interested in the Smith autos, but don't know much about them. They have a lot of different model numbers.

 

[hansolo]

S&W 910s

I fired a few S&W autos -- mainly Police trade-ins -- in 9mm and .40s&w and liked the pistols. About six weeks ago I saw
the new stainless version of the value line 910(about 1/2 the price of the 5906): It's a double stack, full size at about $400.00.
I needed another 9mm to share the shooting load with my CZ 75B. I'd tried the Ruger P89, SA XD-9, FEG HP(not CA legal), and impulsively went for the S&W. Since the first magazine, the 910s is, indeed, "boringly reliable" with zero hiccups and good-very good accuracy for a 4" barrel. Being used to a frame-mounted safety(CZ), I was a little leary about the slide decocker/safety....I got used to it in about two or three range outings. It has a BIG ejection port and I haven't had any problems with several brands of ammo. It just "eats: anything...plus, it keeps my S&W revolver company!

P.S. Makarov: go to S&W Forum for all detailed info on S&W model #s.

 

[Spackler]

Is there a quick way to tell by series number which guns have steel frames and which have alloy?

As a rule of thumb, the last digit of the model number will tell the tale of the pistol's construction.

xx03 - stainless slide, alloy frame
xx04 - blued carbon steel slide, alloy frame
xx06- stainless slide, stainless frame

So, the 5906 is a full-size (59-series) with stainless slide and frame. The alloy-frame version is the 5903. Sadly, they no longer produce the blued steel and alloy model 5904.

There is at least one exception - the 6906 is a compact 9x19 with a stainless slide and alloy frame. Using S&W's usual naming conventions, it should probably be called 6913.

The value series guns (910, 410, 457) have carbon steel slides and alloy frames. They have just introduced stainless versions, and have simply added an "S" to the model numbers for those versions.

 

[MikeJ]

I own a 5906 that is a fantastic gun. I bought it in 1989 from a special run that had polished flats and horribly ugly fake wood Delrin grips which I replaced with their standard black ones. This is the double stack all stainless 9mm and I will put it up against my Sig 229, Glock 23, Beretta 92 etc. The trigger is buttery smooth and the easiest transitioning from DA to SA gun I haver ever shot. It also has NEVER had a malfunction in all these years. I have found that virtually every negative comment about S&W autos, in terms of reliability and quality, is a carry over from the first and second generation guns and made by someone that wouldn't give the third generation series a fair chance. These are top notch firearms. Mike

 

[Al Thompson]

I agree with MikeJ. I allso found that on the double stacks that S&W can sell you the flat grip which makes them better for me.

 

[Serpico]

I miss my 6906 now....