A couple months or so ago I purchased my first semi-auto, a model 3953. It fits my hands like a glove and I've put probably 300 rounds through it without a single problem.

I had read good things here about the 3913, 3953 and other 3rd gens and was hoping to see how one felt in my hands. I ran across this one at a local gun shop and it felt great. I figured it would be a good first semi-auto for me as it is simple without a safety and/or a decocker lever or anything else and it reminded me of my revolvers in double action. After talking with the owner of the store for a bit, I walked out with the gun, 2 boxes of ammo and an extra mag.

My only question is, is it normal for the chambered bullet to be damaged a bit when chambered? See the last picture below. There are nicks or dimples where it looks like it's hitting something when being chambered. I've chambered this one a few times.

Attached Images

	3953a.jpg (288.6 KB, 94 views)
	3953b.jpg (285.4 KB, 81 views)
	3953c.jpg (196.3 KB, 94 views)

This is an easy test that will eliminate the chamber as the cause. Take the barrel and drop a cartridge into the chamber. It should 'plunk' right into the chamber at the proper depth without having to push it it. When you drop it in, take it out and see if the marks are there. If the round won't plunk right in, push it in and examine it again. Are the marks there? If not it narrows it down to the feeding of the round into the breech.

With the gun assembled, you should be able to look into the ejector port and watch as the round is chambered. You may catch something there.

My money says that if this isn't the cause (and it's probably not) those marks are caused when the round either engages the feed ramp or when the bullet hits the top of the chamber and slides into feeding position.

If this isn't the case, the bullet is hitting something as it enters the feed ramp. If a round gets hung up it can be pinched between the bullet nose and cartridge base. Usually this results in a misfeed though.

Maybe someone with more experience will come up with something and be able to use the right terms to describe it.

Get 2 more boxes of 9mm go to the range and shoot the 200 rds. Remember to lube it , see how it works . Then tell us how great it is.

Brandon, welcome to the world of S&W semi-autos! It's a highly addictive place, so forewarned is forearmed (so to speak!).

You'll get good advice here about the issue you're having with chambering. One thing to remember, just FYI: it is not a good idea to re-chamber the same round over and over. Other threads on here have pointed out that it's a good idea to change your first round whenever you re-insert a loaded mag for Condition 1 use.

You've done a good job here by noticing the deformation in your chambered round. Paying attention, especially to the "little things," is a great habit to get into when you carry any kind of weapon.

Good luck to you, and good shooting! You've chosen a great platform for your first S&W semi-auto. When your're ready, "slide on up to forty-five."

__________________
Ukraine -- now more than ever

Thanks for the pics and info. Best of luck and enjoy your new toy.

Considering the route it makes from magazine, to feed ramp, up, over and into the chamber ...it's a wonder it's not beat up more. Yes they do get a bit battered, but yours look good. If this round has been chambered a few times it looks great. The dimples are OK, not to worry. Most guns, upon chambering the same round more than once, will tend to drive the bullet back into the case. Its a hard trip for the bullet to make, especially a jacketed hollow point. At one time only round nosed hard ball were considered 100% reliable in semi-auto's.
Go shooting, if she feeds, fires and extracts you good to go.
Welcome to the club...Gary

rwsmith: I did the plunk test. It dropped right in. Upon closer inspection, I believe you are correct. It is happening either when hitting the feed ramp or when being chambered. I can't quite tell which. Maybe both.

cpeblue: Done, done and done. It shoots great! I'm not quite as accurate in double action as I am in single action, but I believe this was a great first semi auto. I'm very happy with it and it's doing everything I wanted it to do plus more.

vigil 617: Thanks for the advice and the kind words. It is greatly appreciated. Oh, and I'm way ahead of you. I picked up a 4506-1 in the classifieds here just a couple weeks after getting this 3953! That gun made me smile big the first time I shot it. I plan on starting a thread about it soon.

t-bird: Thank you.

gwpercle: Thanks for the info. It makes a lot of sense and makes me feel better. I'm not worried about it if ya'll aren't.

Happy shooting everyone!