Convert a 908 to Double Action Only?

[Guevera]

I have a couple of model 908s that I am very fond of, but never really cared for the slide-mounted safety. I understand from Smith & Wesson they can convert the pistol to double action only for $125.

In light of the fact that 1. I don't want to buy another pistol right now but am bored, 2. I'd like to get rid of that safety and make this pistol as flat as possible, replacing it with just a flat circular part, and 3. I'd like to practice with a DAO pistol, not as a range item but a carry weapon, and 4. I think it would be an interesting conversion, and 5. I'd in effect be getting a "new" pistol for the price of the conversion, and 6. I even have another 908 if I don't care for the results of this experiment, is there any reason why I shouldn't do this?

Do I not recall that there was a DAO version of the 3913 at one time in the S&W catalog?

Anybody with experience with DAO S&W pistols, or DAO in general - your thoughts would be appreciated.

[Jim PHL]

Based on your post I'd say go for it - especially if you have another 908 in standard configuration. I had a 3913 and added a 3953 (factory DAO version of the 3913 you asked about). I like having both. The 3953 is a little slimmer overall and I prefer it to the 3913 for carry. I don't think it's the absence of the safeties that make the difference - they're not that big an obtrusive - I think I just like the DAo trigger a little better.

[KurtC]

This is a CS45 that was factory converted to DAO. The safety was replaced with a Firing Pin Retainer that fits flush with the slide.

[jaysouth]

I think that I would leave the 908 "as is". Find a 3953.

[Guevera]

Originally Posted by jaysouth

I think that I would leave the 908 "as is". Find a 3953.

I expect easier said than done.

[Cruiser RN]

Hi I am a long time Double Action revolver shooter who came into the world of Semi Autos with the Chief's Special 9mm that I had a trigger job done and conversion to DAO.The DAO trigger pull is crisp and very smooth and it is like my other revolvers with the safety located between the shooter's ears.Ask for Carmine @ S+W to do the work for you because his work is top rate........Mike

Originally Posted by Guevera

I have a couple of model 908s that I am very fond of, but never really cared for the slide-mounted safety. I understand from Smith & Wesson they can convert the pistol to double action only for $125.

In light of the fact that 1. I don't want to buy another pistol right now but am bored, 2. I'd like to get rid of that safety and make this pistol as flat as possible, replacing it with just a flat circular part, and 3. I'd like to practice with a DAO pistol, not as a range item but a carry weapon, and 4. I think it would be an interesting conversion, and 5. I'd in effect be getting a "new" pistol for the price of the conversion, and 6. I even have another 908 if I don't care for the results of this experiment, is there any reason why I shouldn't do this?

Do I not recall that there was a DAO version of the 3913 at one time in the S&W catalog?

Anybody with experience with DAO S&W pistols, or DAO in general - your thoughts would be appreciated.

[Scotter260]

Your logic sounds good to me.

I don't recall who the resident Smith genius/armorer is but perhaps you could look into converting it yourself if the conversion isn't that involved and if Brownell's has the parts. I do know Brownell's had S&W DAO parts listed in the Factory Part section of their last catalog.

I wish you well with your project, please post pics when you're done,
Scott

[KurtC]

These are the DA/SA parts that the factory removed from the aforementioned CS45, if that helps.

[Guevera]

Originally Posted by Scotter260

I don't recall who the resident Smith genius/armorer is but perhaps you could look into converting it yourself if the conversion isn't that involved and if Brownell's has the parts. I do know Brownell's had S&W DAO parts listed in the Factory Part section of their last catalog.

It is an intriguing idea that I could simply swap out parts and perform this myself. I can sure take things apart and put them back together, but don't have enough knowledge to know what parts might be needed or ordered from for the 3953, for example, and slammed into a 908. If that S&W genius / armorer is on board, I'd sure like to know if this is feasable and what parts I should look for either at Brownells or at Smith and Wesson.

[novalty]

The armorer on the board, who I'd go to for advice or questions on all things Smith & Wesson related, goes by the name of Fastbolt. He is extremely informative and helpful.

[george minze]

Get a 3953. Both Novak and Actions by (T) do a great job on trigger if it doesn't suit you. Flat and proven. SW should still make the 3913,14, and 53 IMO....Good luck

[Scotter260]

Originally Posted by Guevera

It is an intriguing idea that I could simply swap out parts and perform this myself. I can sure take things apart and put them back together, but don't have enough knowledge to know what parts might be needed or ordered from for the 3953, for example, and slammed into a 908. If that S&W genius / armorer is on board, I'd sure like to know if this is feasable and what parts I should look for either at Brownells or at Smith and Wesson.

I did a DA/SA to DAO conversion on my Sig P220 with the help of folks at the sigforum, an overpriced-shipping-charge DAO hammer from CDNN, and additional parts and Armorer's DVD from Brownell's. Let me explain something, I'm about as mechanically inclined as a stone so if I can do that, I'm positive you could do this. One of my reasons for doing it was along your lines of thought, getting essentially a new/different pistol without having to fork out the money.

I had a genius in mind from a post I read just the other day. I went back and it was definitely Fastbolt as novalty indicated. The post was specifically about a DAO Smith and he really got in depth.

I also just checked Brownell's catalog # 62 and they have a rather large 3953 section in the factory parts portion at the back of the catalog.

I really hope this is as simple as the Sig conversion and look forward to the progression of your project.

Scott

[Fastbolt]

You guys need to remember that I'm just a factory-trained LE armorer, and not a factory technician or gunsmith.

The DAO conversion of a S&W tradition double action pistol requires the use of new style DAO parts.

This is essentially a 'drop-in' parts conversion, but it requires some knowledge and preferably some experience in completely disassembling the frame and then reassembling it with the new parts.

While the new parts aren't 'fitted', they do require bench checks for normal fit & function in the gun. Occasionally in an older gun more than one of the existing or replacement parts might need to be replaced with another during such bench testing because of normal tolerance issues and how the old & new parts work together. "Parts is parts" is often the case, but sometimes it's handy to have more than a single part of one type available for installation when doing such work.

If I weren't an armorer, and I wanted my 3913 converted to the new style DAO configuration, I'd send the gun back to the factory and let them do it. It's not that it's difficult to do, but why risk not doing something the right way which will either unintentionally damage something or have an unexpected (and obviously undesired) effect on the safe, normal operation of the gun.

For example, the disconnector is installed in a different sequence in relation to the drawbar when reassembling a DAO frame than when reassembling a TDA frame. This is very important when the gun uses one of the new style plastic disconnectors because the tail can be broken off if improper leverage or force is used on it.

BTW, the plastic disconnectors have been working just fine in normal shooting conditions and factory testing has found that they withstand the pressures of normal functioning as well, or even better, than the previous steel part they replaced. It's when they're subjected to improper handling by inattentive or inexperienced armorers that they can be damaged (usually it's the tail being broken off). There are advantages to using the plastic (nylon) disconnectors, too, such as in no longer having to worry about a potential 'long tail disconnector' condition and having less friction naturally occur when the tail is riding on the drawbar's disconnector tab.

Personally, I'd recommend sending it back and letting them do it for you.

[Guevera]

Thank you for that reading on this proposed modification. After reading it, I was immediately reminded of my experience of twenty years ago, building my first "shadetree gunsmith" 1911, and how many parts I screwed up and discarded in the process.

I think I am going to start looking around for a suitable sized shipping carton to send this 908 back north.

Thanks again to all for their thoughts and encouragement. I'll post the result when I get it.