3913LS or 908?

[ezb57]

Hello All: I am not shooting handguns much these days, but find myself without any autos, just revolvers.
So I need to do something about that. Being that I am in California, we need to pick from the "Roster of Approved Handguns" or hope for a private party transfer of an unapproved gun.
Also, we are limited to 10 round mags so I feel that might as well be in the smallest possible package.
I have decided that a 9mm would be the best bet for me as it is so plentiful and cheap, not to mention that I have a good stash of ammo already.
Looking at the list I see the 3913LS, 3913TSW, and 908 models approved. The 3913s expire off the list of approved at the end of this year, so its time to make a decision.
I understand the 908 is a lower priced version of the 3913, but my question is how are they different? More plastic and MIM? Are there a few critical differences in parts that can be upgraded in the 908?
Also, is there a good way to remove the Lady Smith etch without trashing the slide?
Thanks

[Rat]

you pretty much answered you own question . more plastic parts, sights etc..

I would go with the 3913

[GKC]

The 3913 has ambidextrous controls, while the 908 doesn't. I've owned both, and to me, there isn't enough "real" difference to make a difference, if you are looking for a good carry pistol. The single stack mag makes a nice grip (I have small hands.)

I kick myself for getting rid of both of them (mine was a 3913 TSW, and I didn't like the rail; I liked the 908 but traded it in a moment of insanity....I went back later to buy it back, and it had already sold.) I found them both NIB, which is very unusual these days, and since then I've only seen used models that were indeed used.

[Tracer_Bullet]

IIRC: The 908 has a plastic disconnector, sights, recoil spring guide rod, magazine release button, and the magazine release itself in the earlier models. They also cut out some machining steps so the slide is more square/blockier, and it only has a safety/decocker lever on the left side. I think (but am not certain) that the disconnector and recoil spring guide rod can be replaced with 3913 parts.
Nothing wrong with the 908 at all (I had my eye out for one until I stumbled upon a very good 3913 for $320), but I personally prefer the 3913 because I like fewer plastic parts in my guns, YMMV. AFAIK, there is no good way to remove the Ladysmith etching from the slide, but most people seem to be willing to live with it as the 3913LS is an excellent gun (as is the standard 3913 and TSW).
There are a few of variations of the TSW, one of which might appeal to you; no rail and short magazine/grip, no rail, and riveted on rail.

[Fastbolt]

The nylon disconnector became a standard part in all the pistols in the late 90's. Nothing wrong with it.

As a matter of fact, it actually improves performance in one respect (smoother & reduced friction against drawbar disconnector tab) and eliminates the potential for one type of (infrequent) problem with the older cast steel disconnectors (long tail). I was told that during extended factory testing the plastic disconnector actually exceeded the steel one in some respects. The only real disadvantage to the plastic part is if you're an armorer and you're inattentive during removal & reinstallation (pushing it around the drawbar's disconnector tab), because if improper pressure is used it can snap off the disconnector's tail (being plastic). (Not the kind of pressure/stress placed on the part during actual use,with the part in the gun, though.)

Personally, I dislike the plastic sights of the 908 and would replace them with suitable steel sights.

The plastic recoil guide rod could be replaced with the 3913/LS/NL/TSW metal unit, but I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for it to break during normal shooting with reasonable care.

The same MIM/cast parts are used in the Value Line/Heritage guns as in the regular guns, except for the mag catch. The less expensive guns get a plastic mag catch nut & steel mag catch body, while the regular guns got the steel catch (button) which was threaded and was adjustable. (The Value Line/Chiefs Special spare mag catch bodies I have in my spare parts collection are steel, and will stick to magnets.) The plastic catch nut should be replaced with a new one if ever removed from the mag catch body (snaps on/off over raised ring of mag catch body).

The finish? Hey, pick whatever suits you. The stainless 908S is probably going to hold up better (slide) than the black 908, especially if it sees a lot of holster wear. My stainless 3rd gen guns have seen a lot of holster wear and show it.

I'd be sorely tempted to pick up any NIB/LNIB 3913TSW, LS or NL I found. Even a 908S would appeal to me. Or maybe a 908, despite the carbon steel slide.

I know a guy who bought a 3913 back when they were still a new offering and his has seen a lot of carry & usage over the years. It's still his favorite off-duty/retirement gun.

I know another guy who similarly bought a CS9C (Carbon steel, black slide) back when they were first introduced. Paid $369. Still owns it and shoots it. (I think I remember him having me install an ambi stainless manual safety on it back then.)

Some parts are going to be tough to find for the 3rd gen guns, though, at least until S&W gets its act together and starts ordering them again. There's far too many of them out there in owner's hands to ignore them, but they've got a lot going on with their newest projects and apparently haven't been keeping up on maintaining parts stock for the 3rd gen guns. Annoying.

[Kara's Hope]

My two cents... FWIW

3913 is a bit slimmer "feeling" and conceals better for me. There are more holsters available that are closely fitted for the 3913 than there are for the 908. My personal preference has always been to avoid "one size fits many" type holsters... All purely subjective, and I don't like plastic sights either...

(Your mileage may vary )

[Fastbolt]

You know, another excellent small 3rd gen 9mm to consider is the CS9.

The newer production CS9's came with ambi manual safeties & steel Novak, low-mount sights.

[Cocked & Locked]

I'll vote in the other direction...908. I've carried this one often since taking the pic. It shows some wear now but nothing bad at all. It was like new in the pictures.

I did replace the sights with Trijicon night sights...expensive but I like them. I view the lack of an ambi decocker safety as a positive. Having that de-cocker on just one side makes the gun nice and flat.

[ugrey]

GunsAmerica auction site has a BUNCH of 3913s for sale from a gunshop in Tennessee. They are California Dept of Corrections guns. They are not giving them away, but they are in very good shape and there are a lot to pick from. One of them ought to go back to California to you. I bought one and it is a great gun.

[Shooting Padre]

I have a 3913 and it is my every day gun. Nothing I have carried works better for me than this gun. I can feed it any type of ammo and no hiccups of any kind. It has several hundred rounds through it and never failed me yet. So my vote is the 3913 for sure. Good luck in choosing.

[ezb57]

I've seen those. I'd love to get one but they're not on the "List", so they can't go back to Ca.
Ridiculous, I know.

[deanodog]

Here is a 3913LS.....Nice guns. I am thinking of selling this one LNIB.

[Cocked & Locked]

That is a pretty Lady...she's a 10.