quote:

Originally posted by Denver Dick:
$2Ray wrote:

quote:

I'm now looking for a 6906.

I have two of those, too, 1992 and 1997. They, too, are great pistols. A little more bulky, but nonetheless nice.

I forgot to mention in my earlier post that cops really liked, and I believe some still like, the 3913. Both mine lettered to the Los Angeles Police Revolver Athletic Club.

Heck, now that I think about it, all twelve of my 3rd generation pistols shoot great.

Dick,
At the last Rochester gun show, a dealer had a really nice 6904 with box & papers. I really loved the fit of the double stack grip in my hand & I thought about it as I walked the aisles. The only reason I hesitated was because I stay with stainless if I can. So, as much as I liked it, I knew the 6906 was the one I'd really want. Sometimes I think I should have grabbed it anyway, (& a 6906) but I'm not losing any sleep over it.
I read on another thread someone mentioned the Hogue wood grips for the 3913 are wider than the factory grips & give it the double stacked feel. I'm fine with the factory grips, but may give the Hogues a try. Plus IMO, the wood looks nicer.

$2Ray wrote:

quote:

At the last Rochester gun show, a dealer had a really nice 6904 with box & papers.

I have one of those, too. It was an "accidental pick-up." I wasn't looking for one when I walked into a local gunshop one day and the owner said to me as he pulled it out of plastic shopping bag, "Hey look what I just took in on consignment." It had no box but was in like new condition (a real beauty) and priced right, so . . .

You should have jumped on it if the price was right. I think they're harder to find than the 6906. It's a great pistol and adds a little color to my otherwise stainless S&W pistol collection. But, you cannot go wrong with a 6906.

I had a 3913NL and stupidly traded it for something else years ago. I always regretted it like most of my past trades. I looked for another 3913 and all I seemed to find was dealers with such guns in terrible condition trying to sell them for much more than they were worth.
I was in a gun shop one day on a weekday morning when the place was dead. A young guy came in walking with a limp and a cane. He had a 3913 in nice condition and asked the guy behind the counter if they might buy it. The idiot behind the counter said he didn't have a Blue Book there and wasn't interested. The young guy then said he had a nice, clean 3913 to sell and only wanted $150 for it. The guy behind the counter then suddenly looked very interested and asked the young guy to let him look at it. Before the young man took it to the idiot, I asked him if I could see it. It was in very good shape. It was a bit scratched up. He had no box or papers. I told him I would buy it. The guy behind the counter looked pissed.
We went outside and talked. The young mad was a Marine who had been wounded a year earlier in Iraq. His pension wasn't enough to pay all his bills. He badly needed some cash. I was working a part-time job for spending money and had some cash.
So, I went home to get some money while he waited for me with his wife in an old car in the parking lot. When I came back, I gave him $350 for the gun. I spoke with him and his wife for awhile. They were nice young people. I was convinced that he was the real deal. He was very appreciative for the money.
Later, a relative suggested that I might have been conned. I was sure I hadn't been because I offered to give him the cash and let him keep his pistol. He refused and said it would then be charity and he didn't take charity.
I really like the pistol and to speak to your question, I would hold out for a clean 3913. It is one of the best pistols ever made in my opinion. The one I have now is very special to me. My story proves that you never know when something like that may show up...Good Luck

Frizzman:

Either way, you can't lose. After all, if the guy's story is true, you did a good . . . no, a great thing. If not, but it sounds like it probably was, you got a great pistol for a very fair price since you did not have to pay any tax or registration fees.

I don't get relative's comments about you being conned.

Frizzman I am glad I started this thread after reading your post. Your story was worth more than the advise I was seeking. I am like Denver Dick and don't get the conned remark. How can someone you does good ever be conned.

The relative I got that remark from said that I did not know that the young guy was really a wounded vet. I told her that I did not give him a polygraph but being an old veteran myself, I believe I can tell a phony. Anyway, as you folks said, I got a nice pistol that I had been wanting for a fair price. I hope my actions helped a young man that is owed much by all Americans for his service. I am glad I could keep some jackal from taking advantage of his plight. I think the guy in the shop intended to buy it off him for the $150. I didn't think that was right. I prefer to believe in a person telling me the truth unless there is good reason to doubt them. I feel good about what I did and that is all that matters. So far as the relative goes, she is just someone who likes to rain on one's parade. I am glad you folks liked the story. I will always consider that that pistol was owned by a hero and it means a great deal to me. I also gave the young fellow my phone number in case he ever wants his pistol back. That was about a year ago and he has not called yet...Thanks

Frizz, You did good either way! Now as for the OP on the 3913. Take your time and get one of the best CCW auto's on the market. You'd be hard pressed to find one better! OH yeah I like the 3913!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Denver Dick:
$2Ray wrote:

quote:

At the last Rochester gun show, a dealer had a really nice 6904 with box & papers.

I have one of those, too. It was an "accidental pick-up." I wasn't looking for one when I walked into a local gunshop one day and the owner said to me as he pulled it out of plastic shopping bag, "Hey look what I just took in on consignment." It had no box but was in like new condition (a real beauty) and priced right, so . . .

You should have jumped on it if the price was right. I think they're harder to find than the 6906. It's a great pistol and adds a little color to my otherwise stainless S&W pistol collection. But, you cannot go wrong with a 6906.

Don't remember the exact price, but it was either $425 or $450. The gun looked like it sat in the safe for the most part & like I said, had original box & papers. The previous owner installed adjustable sights, which I really didn't care for. Didn't think they looked right on that gun, but that obviously could be changed out.
Yeah, maybe you're right about getting it, but I really do prefer stainless.

Great story Frizzman & very nice gesture on your part. You did good.....

Thanks guys, but the real hero was the young, wounded veteran. As I am sure you will agree, it is people like that who keep our country free and they all deserve much more than they get. I am a Viet Nam era veteran and well remember how little respect we got back then. I am glad that seems to have changed. If you can, do something for one of our precious veterans as much as possible...Thanks

Frizzman, thanks for sharing your story.

I have a 908S and love it. It was an impulse buy I picked up when I first got hooked on S&W auto pistols. Id like to eventually get a 3913 but my 908S has been working so well I have really stopped looking.

What is the real difference between the 908 and the 3913?? Aren't we making a lot of nothing? As far as I know, the 908 has a polymer recoil spring guide instead of metal and the ambidextrous decocker/safety has been eliminated (but still exchangeable.) Otherwise, I believe all the other parts are identical/interchangeable.

Mountaineer, the other differences are that the 908 has a plastic magazine catch/release and a less rounded or machined slide which gives it a blocky appearance (which I actually have become fond of) when compared to the 3913.

I like the feel of the "more blocky" slide when racking it!

quote:

Originally posted by Mountaineer:
What is the real difference between the 908 and the 3913?? Aren't we making a lot of nothing? As far as I know, the 908 has a polymer recoil spring guide instead of metal and the ambidextrous decocker/safety has been eliminated (but still exchangeable.) Otherwise, I believe all the other parts are identical/interchangeable.

You cannot change out the barrel and slide due to the different type of lockup they both have. The 908 series uses the SIG/Glock type, where the 3913 series uses the more traditional 1911 style lockup of the barrel and slide.