Well, it had to happen. Not really needing another handgun but spending an enormous amount of time visiting this forum and a few others on-line, I began to feel the need for a compact 9mm.

In years past I'd owned a Glock 19, 26 and one of the first 200 Beretta Model 92 Compacts to leave the factory after the Model 92 was adopted by the U.S. military in 1984. Nice guns, shot them well but no real character to them, plus the grips angle never really felt right to my hand. Call me antiquated but I've always had a soft spot for metal-frame handguns. Back in the late eighties I stumbled across a used S&W Model 469 when I was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas and bought it. This was a fine compact pistol and although not being able to carry concealed back then, it provided many hours of shooting range enjoyment.

Jump to the present: The itch to own another compact 9mm was not going to go away, hence the reading and research. I knew I NEEDED a compact 9mm but the choice of the offerings was (and still is) staggering in what is available. My focus shifted to a S&W 3rd Generation. Specifically either a Model 3914 or 3913. Call it a fixation. Perusing the usual web sites yielded some nice examples and some not so nice ones, including the price tag. So, on the oft chance of not expecting to find a taken care of S&W, I headed out to visit my LGS and see what they had on hand.

Nothing in the used display case called out to me. There were used Glock's, FEG's, Kel-tec's, and a Star. Heart broken and close to whimpering about my rotten misfortune, I turned my attention to the ammunition counter and then a black pistol placed on the shelf caught my teary eyes. I could tell it was a S&W but what model? 908, 3914?

I asked the co-owner of the shop to look at it. It was a 3914! Fondling over it and not seeing a price, I asked. Maryanne said that it had just come in the previous day as a trade and she'd not yet had time to research and tag it for sale. I went over that 3914 with care. I estimated that it was at least 97%, with a minimal amount of of finish worn showing on the dust cover/front of the slide. The barrel hood looked pristine, as did the feed ramp, bore and magazine well. As I drooled over it, Maryanne said that it would list for $400.00. I asked if it had the box, papers and spare magazine - she said no.

I went home empty-handed. The bug had bit and bit hard. I resolved to return today and offer $375.00 for it, hoping that it had not been sold. Returning to the shop today, the first thing Maryanne asked me was if I wanted to see it again. She then said that it would go for $375.00. I bought it. Then, as we were doing the paperwork, she found another magazine for it! Nirvana!

I'm very happy! Paladin (yeah, I name all of my firearms) will make it's range session the day after tomorrow. I'll post more a few more photos then.



Paladin will become another in my carry rotation, complimenting my Shorty Forty and 5904.

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JWS3
1SG, USA (Retired)

Nice find! Bravo!

SCORE BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Un-Reconstructed Southerner

congrats!!!!...that was a no brainer at that price

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witty signature goes here

It's a great bug to have. Good little find, best of luck.

Nicely done. If you ever find the cure for thirdgenitis, please destroy it.
Richard

Rare single stack - NICE!!!!

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Glen

Good job. Sometimes the gun fates smile on a fella and you've got to roll when they do!

I have one too. Love it!!! Very accurate and controllable. Hides very easy in my Blade-tech IWB holster.

Well, since I had to run to the store today, I decided to take Paladin to the range. Trouble was - I'm getting older and didn't grab a box of 9mm to shoot. Ended up running two mags of my carry ammunition through it which is always required in my opinion.

Set up two targets at 8 yards. The standard target was shot two-handed, first shot double action. The silhouette was shot from concealed carry. Not the best photo I know, but a photo nonetheless.

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JWS3
1SG, USA (Retired)

With no intended disrespect: I would've shot back: "How about $350?"

Still, nice grab!

Perseverance really paid off.

I was tempted to offer $350.00, believe me. However, both of the owners of the shop have always been very good to me during past sales and I know that their business has seen a drop since the economy has slumped. I made out well and they did too.

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JWS3
1SG, USA (Retired)

Kudos to you. Unless the baby doesn't have food or the wolf's at the door, $25 spent on good will is money spent well.