3914DAO Slide Swap w/ 908?

[Classic Radio99]

As I was cleaning guns after a range trip this afternoon, I started to notice that the slide & frame on my 3914 DAO and 908 look nearly identical (except for the safety lever on the 908 slide).

The frames look identical, both have the same three actuators back near the hammer, and both hammers look identical. The only difference in my non-experienced mind is one had the orange dot to indicate the 'fire' position.

The slides look identical, on the bottom they have the same two little buttons (magazine safety and I don't know what), and if I put the safety on the 908 to the fire position, the bottoms of both slides look identical.

The triggers in both guns feel the same, especially if in DA mode, you don't let the trigger all the way out, it feels like it slips off a pin or something..

I compared the frames to my 3953 and those are definitely two different guns. It seems to me that if NYPD ordered a DAO version of an existing gun that Smith would just modify the slide which is where the safety/decocker is. They wouldn't want to redesign something if they didn't have to.

So, before I try to do something that I'll have to take to a gunsmith to undo, what do all the gunsmithing experts on the forum say? Can I do that slide swap and everything will work OK, or will this just turn into an embarrassing mess?

[JohnHL]

Originally Posted by Classic Radio99

As I was cleaning guns after a range trip this afternoon, I started to notice that the slide & frame on my 3914 DAO and 908 look nearly identical (except for the safety lever on the 908 slide).

The frames look identical, both have the same three actuators back near the hammer, and both hammers look identical. The only difference in my non-experienced mind is one had the orange dot to indicate the 'fire' position.

The slides look identical, on the bottom they have the same two little buttons (magazine safety and I don't know what), and if I put the safety on the 908 to the fire position, the bottoms of both slides look identical.

The triggers in both guns feel the same, especially if in DA mode, you don't let the trigger all the way out, it feels like it slips off a pin or something..

I compared the frames to my 3953 and those are definitely two different guns. It seems to me that if NYPD ordered a DAO version of an existing gun that Smith would just modify the slide which is where the safety/decocker is. They wouldn't want to redesign something if they didn't have to.

So, before I try to do something that I'll have to take to a gunsmith to undo, what do all the gunsmithing experts on the forum say? Can I do that slide swap and everything will work OK, or will this just turn into an embarrassing mess?

Interesting question!

First, let's talk about fitment...

The slides and frames are less "identical" than you might think.

If you look closely, you'll see that the 3914DAO frame and slide has front rails, whereas the 908 does not.

Consequently, the 3914DAO slide will fit on the 908 frame, but not the opposite.

After you put the 3914DAO slide on the 908 frame you will realize that the 908 frame still is DA/SA meaning that when the hammer is cocked in SA, there will be no way to decock the hammer without pulling the trigger.

That is probably something you wouldn't like.

The 908 slide will not go on the 3914DAO frame because the slide lacks the machining for the front rails.

If you swap the DAO hammer from the 3914DAO in to the 908 frame, and THEN install the 3914DAO slide, you will have a 908DAO.

Only you can decide if that is worth your time.

I hope this helps.

John

[Classic Radio99]

Thank You, that was excellent!

Just goes to show the difference between an expert and a hobbyist like myself.

Whether I decide to put together a "908DAO" is another matter.. After all, if I have to ask about the possibility, then I would probably have a hard time with switching the hammers.

Thanks again.

[JohnHL]

You're welcome!

But I'm hardly an expert.

Actually, I'm just like you: an enthusiastic hobbyist.

John