My 3913 had a curved base plate on the single magazine included when I bought it. The curved base plate gives the little finger extra space to grip. I thought the flat base plate would conceal better so when I bought two new S&W magazines I ordered the curved base plate version but added the flat base plates to the order so I could have the option. I find that the flat plate gives my fingers just enough room to get a good grip and does seem to make the pistol print a bit less. I like it.

So my question to everyone is which magazine base plate do you prefer? Do you switch base plates depending on the use of the pistol?

I have one of each. When I carry, I use the flat for the same reasons you do.

Flat, I switched 'em all.

/c

My wife's 3914 is usually carried with the flat base pad only. We have several magazines for the pistol (5 with flat base pads and 1 with the pinky rest) and the one with the pinky rest gets used only occasionally. The flat base pads are plenty long where our hands are not falling off the bottom of the grip and they conceal much easier than the pinky rest magazine. About the only time the pinky rest magazine gets action is when we have a friend with larger hands shooting the pistol.

Like most here, my 3914 is my primary CCW weapon for the same reasons you all own one. Reliable, accurate, fast handling, light, relatively powerful, and, did I mention- reliable!!! I use the curved mag as my first in that I generally keep it in a pouch or duty bag. The two other mags are flat, to seat home better (IMO) on the reload.

I have never been a 9mm fan, but after purchasing it new in the mid-90's, the accuracy and reliability won me over. The fixed sights shoot a perfect 6 o'clock for me, and it fits and I shoot it so well, I decided I could live with the 9mm. I purchased a 4040 when they first came out, the identical frame size as my 3914, in 40 S&W caliber to resolve my 9mm issue. However, it is a hard shooter with stout loads, so I have continued with the 3914 for now. The 4040 has 4 mags, two of each.

Curved. I find that it makes the draw just a bit more consistant.

I prefer flat, but not enough to pass up a curved at the right price.

Chuck, I love those 3954's! I think that yours are the only ones that I have seen.

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Stu

Curved...I have hands like Virginia Hams. Also, I notice my reload times are just a tad bit faster with the curved butt plate.

That being said, if a flat base magazine is at the top of the pile, I use it with out a second thought.