I saw a thread on another board the other day. A NYPD officer picked up a new production 3914DAO for off duty use. Yes, S&W is still currently making these at their Houlton ME plant - for the NYPD - and no, you don't have to be a cop to buy one. S&W won't advertise the fact that these are available. Why? I guess they want to sell some "shields".

The 3914DAO example I saw was all black finish with the cheesy tan colored laser etched markings. On the left side of the slide is "Smith & Wesson Houlton ME" and the S&W logo. On the frame is the three line S&W Houlton ME, Model 3914DAO and the serial number. The checkering is still on the fronstrap but looks like it has been deleted on the front of the trigger guard. Standard Xenoy grips on the example I saw.

Blue plastic box with three mags. One mag has the flat base plate. I haven't gotten the product code or a pic of the label yet.

Anyone here have one of these? What is the trigger like? Is it of the same quality as the discontinued 3914's? How about the finish? Is it durable? What kind of MSRP is on these?

Anyone know a shop in NY that has any available? Regards 18DAI

I was psyched when I saw this as well, John. Hope you find one!

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Hi Erich!

I found a cop shop in my old NY hometown who is taking deposits on this model. He ships out of state too!

$729 + $25 shipping. Kinda steep, but these are likely the last of the breed. NIB with three mags. He says that "..it could be six days or six months till he gets them in.." $50 deposit gets you one. PM me if you are interested. Best regards, 18DAI

Hoo, that's a lot of bucks. Thanks for the heads-up (!), but I'm going to have to pass . . .

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Jeez. $730 for a 3914? That's WAY too high.

Glad to hear they are still making 3rd gens, advertised or not!

Really? That would be neat.

I've seen 3rd gens with Houlton, ME fired casings but they said Springfield, MA on the pistol.
Wouldn't mind having a 59 series with Houlton, ME on it.

It is neat looking snw19_357. I didn't notice it at first. If you Google NYPD 3914DAO you can see a pic.

Yes, over $700 might be "too much" for a current production 39XX series pistol. Then again, if you buy a 9mm striker fired tupperware S&W, then replace the trigger with the Apex parts - so its useable - and replace the barrel with an aftermarket barrel - to make it as accurate as a 39XX series - how much do you have in that gun?

I have not ordered one of the current production 3914DAO's........yet. I just picked up an original 3914, NIB unfired from the factory. Forged parts, roll marks, original box, three mags. I will have $650 in it after shipping and transfer fees. Yes, I feel it was worth it. Regards 18DAI

I have one the trigger is great. You also have double strike capability. The only thing I don't like is the Mag safety. I don't know why it has this since the three duty weapons (5946, 226 DAO & Glock 19) all don't have it. Very accurite. Its marked 3914DAO on the frame. Ill have to pull it out and get the production # off the box.

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NEVER FORGET SEPT. 11th 2001

Really? I haven't seen a 3rd gen DAO before that did. Interesting!

Is the 2nd pull a DAO pull or a full length TDA one?

The second pull is the same DAO as the first pull. This is not like a 3953. It is basically a standard 3914 that has the single action capability removed. Also it has no safety lever on the slide.

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NEVER FORGET SEPT. 11th 2001

You can pick one up from Standard Law in Roslyn Heights for $699.95. They are a S&W distributor that deals mainly with LE buyers, but will do civilians sales as well. Ad with pic on their home page found here:

Standard Law Enforcement Supply Company

You mean 3913 instead of 3953, right? The 3913/3914 are DA/SA whereas the 3953/3954 are DAO.
Which leads to the next question - the 3954 is the 3914 that has the SA capability and decocker removed. Why did they designate it "3914DAO" when it is a simply a 3954?
(Was) my 3954 below.


*edit - followed Desert dog's link - it is a 3914 DAO as it has the decocker/safety. (Gotta love New York logic!) - no way I'd pay $700 for that gun.*

blujax01 While both the 3914DAO and the 3953/4 are "DAO" pistols, the 3914DAO has a different action than that of the 3953/4. There is no precocking on the 3914DAO. There is also second strike capability, unlike the 3953/4.

The extended frame on the 3954 pictured above is different from the 3914DAO frame. The early DA/SA 3914 and the current 3914DAO frames are identical in size. Regards 18DAI

I do not think the entry price is that out of line with new-production, metal-framed pistols.

Of greater concern to me is the quality control on what is likely sporadic production runs and the long-term availability of parts. I am growing weary of investing in firearms in which I am at the mercy of one manufacturer (and it's latest, greatest marketing plan) for long-term support.

If someone could post a detailed review on one of these, I would be appreciative. Maybe if they are good enough, I will buy 2 to ensure I have at least one set of spare parts.

Blue19 the quality is of concern to me as well.

I found a May 2011 post on Long Island Firearms board from the father of an NYPD officer. He had purchased one of these 3914DAO's for his daughter and was asking about a recall of the model.

It turns out that there were some milling and sear issues with a few batches. These 3914DAO were not to NYPD specs and were returned to S&W for repair.

Based on information in his post, it appears that there was a meeting at S&W in May 2011 to address a lack of quality control at the Houlton ME plant.

I noticed in the photos of the 3914DAO I saw that ther black finish wasn't applied to the bottom of the slide on the left side.

My spare, 1999 Melonite 4566 has a similar problem. This lack of attention to detail appears to be industry wide, based on numerous posts on this and other gunboards. Caveat emptor! Regards 18DAI

Thanks, 18DAI, for the info.

2 of my last 3 current-production Smith's are gone, because they appeared to be of lesser quality than a Glock 26 (which is not saying much).

I wish Smith & Wesson would stop trying to beat Glock at Glock's game, and start trying to distinguish itself by building a superior product.

Congrats on the NIB 3914 with forged parts!

Thanks for straightening me out. I always appreciate a little more education.

blujax01
The gun pictured in the Standard Law Enforcement Supply Co. web site is not a 3914 DAO it is a 3914. The DAO gun does not have a safety lever. They must not have had a DAO gun to use for the picture.

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NEVER FORGET SEPT. 11th 2001

Very interesting that they are making the 3914 and (I guess) the 5946 as well still. Seven hundred bucks actual price, (vs MSRP), that's a little rich for my blood, especially with used S&W autos at such reasonable prices.

I still feel like I should buy one though, kinda like when the 642/442's came out without locks.

First there was the orignal 3/4 pre-cock DAO. Than there was the second version, about 1/2 pre-cock. Now we have the lawyer version of gun with no pre-cock. I won't have any problem not buying this particular version.

Bill

I know this is an older thread but found it interesting reading since I just purchased one!!

Attached Images

image.jpg (84.1 KB, 117 views)

....and once again, I have posted a "like" to a zombie thread without realizing it until five or six posts in!

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Lol me too but Dparker brought it to life with his new toy. All good info though.

Congrats!!!

I like that. I wonder if they are still being made now. I thought I heard NYPD was going was from the S&W's. Shame if it's true.

I would love to find one of those.

Jerry

Where did you buy the 3914DAO?

From Standard Police Supply?

Practical

I found it on one of the larger auction sites

Cheers!!!