New (to me) S+W Model 915 shot for the first time yesterday. Got this used recently and cleaned it and put a new (16lb.) Wolf recoil spring into it before taking it out for the first time. This gun shows a few minor scratches and scuffs on the slide, frame and grips but nothing really distracting. Internally it's in very good-to-excellent condition. It came with two factory 15-round mags (one blued, one stainless).

I shot it with a mix of standard and +P ammo and everything was either 115 gr. or 124 gr. Loadings included Black Hills, Federal, Speer and Cor-Bon in profiles of FMJ, JHP and Solid Expanding. It was a pretty good mix of loadings and profiles and a total of around 200 rounds.

The gun performed perfectly with no malfunctions of any kind, even with mixed ammo in the same magazine. Accuracy was very good and the gun did not seem to show a preference for any particular load. I'm not the best shooter in the first place and it's been a while since I've fired anything on the range. Also, I was shooting a 3913 and CS9 during the same range session and transitioning back and forth from the small single-stacks to the full-size double-stack may have had an effect as well. Basically I'm very confident I can do even better with it with more practice. Definitely a matter of the gun being capable of better accuracy than I could wring out of it. (At least at this particular range session.)

I go back and forth a bit on my need or desire for a "Full-Size Service Pistol". I definitely prefer the single-stack models to the larger grips.
I occasionally take friends who are non-gun owners to the range and maybe they will prefer a gun that offers a little more to hang on to. (This is my only double-stack pistol and my largest pistol other than a 1911 .45.)

Overall I think the 915 is a great gun. Light for it's size due to the aluminum frame, but that's plenty of weight for a 9mm - even +P's. It's is also plenty accurate and so far 100% reliable. Pretty handsome, too.

likely it will show a preference of a bullet weight or type of bullet maybe brand if you shoot for groups from a rest on a bench. they're good pistols, hardly ever see ques about an issue with them.

Well said and very true. The 915 is an excellent handgun and every forum member should have one in their arsenal.

I have owned several 915's but none at present. I sell them to non-gun friends who ask me what should they buy. For a double stack, I find them comfortable, reliable and easy to shoot well.

Gongrats on the 915!

I got mine about a year ago and it has been a flawless shooter. Shoots WWB or other range ammo along with any defensive round I've found. I've settled on Remington Golden Saber 124g +P, mostly because i't what I can find these days.

I've seen a few since I got mine and they always show little wear. Guess they were mosly duty guns but don't even show much holster wear.

Dave

D-Rock; there were a few Golden Sabre as well as other 124 +P's in the mix. It's what I usually carry in the 3913 and CS9. A while ago I bought a big mixed batch of 9mm from a member of another forum who was going "all .45". I've shot through just about all of it by now, everything I've saved is 124 gr +P JHP - some Black Hills and Golden Sabres. I'm about to split a case of Golden Sabres with a friend. I feel a 124gr.+P is among the best loads for 9mm and all my carry guns feed it reliably and accurately.

It was the Federal "Solid Expanding" - I don't recall what the correct name on the box was, it was the only time I've fired them - that had me concerned before firing. My impression was the profile could create feeding issues because they have a kind of sharp angle on them. Viewed from the side they resemble the profile of a JHP but the flat point seemed a little larger...if I'm describing it accurately? Anyway, no matter because the 915 ate everything I had without a hiccup.

My meager collection of 3rd Gen 9's continues to grow! (Ooops! How'd I get 5 of these?!)

You are absolutely, 100% right on the money!

__________________
1st Signal Brigade, RVN '70

I bought my 915 in 1994 as my first concealed carry gun. It's been with me ever since. Great gun that eats all ammo. Never a problem.

A very handsome and extremely underated handgun the 915.

Mine is accurate and reliable. If the 915 ever graces the cover of a gunrag, the prices will triple. Enjoy yours! Regards 18DAI.

Denver Dick...sharp. I actually like the look of it better with the curved backstrap, but mine wears the straight style. Maybe it matters, maybe not, but my carry guns all have the straight backstrap so I think I'll leave it that way.

Jeffpo; still carrying the 915 concealed? It's more than a little large for my taste as a concealed carry! (nothing larger than a CS9 or 3953 for CCW for me!)

Well, I still carry it every now and then but I've actually switched to a CS9 for my daily carry now.