One popped up on the website of a LGS I've done some business with. The price was $600.00, which I thought high. Actually, when I looked at the listing, I didn't know if it was an early or late version.

It turns out to be an early version, with box and two magazines. It's in nice condition, but as with all myu guns, I look at it as a carry gun, not a safe queen.

I talked to the owner and asked about a cash price. Unfortunately, it's a consignment gun and the seller is firm on his price. He's asked the seller before on other guns and the answer has been no price reductions.

That's too bad because I think $600.00 is about $100.00 above market, even for an uncommon variant in a state where it's not easy to import 3rd Gens.

So, I'll just sit and keep and eye on the listing. Maybe in a month or two the seller will be amenable to some movement on price. Or someone will buy it.

Sometimes you just have to walk away.

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Can open, worms everywhere.

Actually $600 would be a very fair price, locally, IF you could find one.

Were I to come across one, I would buy it on sight. Especially at that price. My 0.02 Good luck! Regards 18DAI

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7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

You aren't helping. Then again, I'm not sure you're trying to.

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Can open, worms everywhere.

Buy it my friend. I AM trying to help you! That is a fine variant of the 39XX series. At a fair price. It is probably the premier variant for a "gun for when you cant have a gun". And it is scarce too. Those that own them DO NOT usually part with them.

Disappears under a T-shirt. Can be comfortably carried in a DeSantis ankle holster. IIRC it also fits one of those Sneaky Pete belt carriers for the shield.

How about this. You buy it, and if you dont care for it, I'll buy it off you next month for a $25 profit over what you paid and I'll pay the shipping to NC.

Now you have a no risk investment opportunity. Regards 18DAI

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7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

I've got an early 3913TSW pre-rail with the short 7 round mag. I wouldn't let it go for $600.

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My sgntr is mor thn 30 chrctrs

As do I. The 3953TSW will fit my holster and be a nice complement to the 3913TSW. Which makes it harder to resist the urge. My 3953 could be seeking a new home.

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Can open, worms everywhere.

There ya go GaryS! Ya can't lose!

And you don't even have to worry about me getting there before you. I just ordered my next acqusition and I am broker than broke again... actually selling off magazines again just to eat!

It's all yours buddy!

You know you're going to go pick it up tomorrow...coming here for us to say "hold off for a Glock!"??...I don't think so. Better than the railed version IMHO and see how well it fits in with all the other good stuff?

It's a cool gun...buy it.

Attached Images

DSCN2049.jpg (57.6 KB, 36 views)

LOL! We really should ask the management here for a "3rd Gen Enablers" forum. With a warning flag that entering is going to adversely affect your bank account.

I'll post the results of my pondering tomorrow. Probably in the form of pictures.

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Can open, worms everywhere.

I'd say that I came here for someone to tell me that the price was too high, but I should have known better!

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Can open, worms everywhere.

OK Gary, the price is too high.

BTW, where is that shop?

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Tony

I'll tell you... tomorrow!

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Can open, worms everywhere.

If it was at a different dealer that was really too far away to drive to, and you had to have it shipped to your dealer, there would be shipping to pay and probably two transfer fees, one at each end. Money-wise, there goes your $100. Plus, this way, you can physically examine the pistol before making a decision. That is always worth something.

Plus the overall scarcity and the fact that this gun is not on the MA "list" of approved firearms. So, it would be very difficult to bring into MA.

Thanks to everyone for the input. Seriously, a lot of good points were brought up.

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Can open, worms everywhere.

NOT TOO SURE ABOUT THAT TTSH.....
Since I saw Gary's OP I've been searching websites of local shops. LOL

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AKA- Da Plummah
CANCER SUCKS!

Well, he is safe from me sniping it, but there are no guarantees once you've posted about it here on the forum.

I saw that Model 3953TSW posted about a week ago, but it's way too rich for me. All I can say is that it must be in awfully nice shape to command such a high price. But then again, as GaryS said, it's a consignment gun in a state where they can't always be so easily or cheaply imported. There is no real incentive for the owner to give it away cheap.

$600.00 is a pile of money for a pistol of any kind. The S&W DAO pistols are not popular in my area and do not sell fast or bring big money. It took me a good while to sell my 5946 a few years ago. I still have a re-imported 3953, that I truly feel is the best CCW ever made (wish it had a repeat trigger pull). My gun might bring $300.00 if I had to sell it, and it would not sell fast.

There has been a 3953 for sale on a local forum for a few months, with no takers. Consider the lack of parts and no factory support too.

Then go buy it if you must have it.

Here is mine.

Too late! It's essentially ANIB, with the paperwork, extra magazine with the correct baseplates. Also has the warranty card.

Part of a large collection/estate sale.

Pictures later today.

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Can open, worms everywhere.

Good for you Gary! Congrats!!
Where was it?

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AKA- Da Plummah
CANCER SUCKS!

Collectors. They have a number of other guns from the same owner as well. Worth at least a peek at their used gun list.

Gary

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Can open, worms everywhere.

Ya just have to give props to any pre-rail TSW whenever you see one. Yes, $600 is a lot of money -- but not for what you are buying here. I'm glad you are taking the plunge, Gary. And your 3953 can help dampen the expenditure. I'm not a 9 guy but if I were...

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Ukraine -- now more than ever

AS promised, pictures. I have to say that I'm pretty sure that this was never fired by the owner. It's dry as a bone inside, there is no soot on the magazine followers, and there is no wear to speak of. It almost certainly never saw the inside of a holster.



The better left side picture.




The 3913TSW that I carry most days besides it's new brother. I bought both from the same LGS, but about 4 years apart. I guess it balanced out because I paid $425.00 OTD for the 3913TSW.

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Can open, worms everywhere.

Congrats!! She is a beauty!! Regards 18DAI

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7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

Thanks! I couldn't have done it without you.

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Can open, worms everywhere.

All I can say is WOW!!!!! Your stable is looking mighty good this morning.

Congratulations GaryS!!! I think I can say in no uncertain terms that it meets and exceeds the infamous "TTSH Standard" for an exceptionally clean gun!

You are damn lucky that my attention and procurement budget were/are both currently focused elsewhere!

Well played GaryS! Enjoy it!

I'm hoping to get it to the range this week for a test run. I'm not even sure that I'm going to do my usual replace the recoil spring since the one in it looks like new. Same with the magazine springs. I'm going to give it a good lubrication, especially the frame rails and barrel lugs, but that's about it.

I'd like to give special thanks to the "3rd Gen enablers club" for showing me the error of my ways and convincing me to buy this little gem.

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Can open, worms everywhere.

Ha!!! And you can also thank my drained-down Gun Acquisition Budget too or this thread would be all about MY 3953TSW instead of yours!

My day will come too. I just need to dump some plastic first!

NOOOBODY told you to invest in "injection-molded, CNC-machined firearms that are assembled like so many happy meal toys today."

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Can open, worms everywhere.

Oh man, that hurts.

With the exception of a pre-rebate Shield .45 (a huge mistake for poor old TTSH ) and a replacement micro-mouse pocket gun, all of my other handgun acquisitions this year have been 100% ALL-METAL!

Furthermore, all remaining planned or possible HANDGUN acquisitions for this year are also ALL-METAL! That includes another 3rd Gen that I've got my eye on as we speak.

So call me a plastic kind of guy? No way José!!!

After all you did say "dump some plastic first".

I've got two 39xx guns for sale, but I'm in no rush. I've found in the past that it can take a while to find the right buyer for 3rd Gens, but they do sell sooner or later.

I'm not looking for anything in particular right now and will probably shed a couple more Safe Queens over the rest of the year.

Then again, I might have "3rd Gen ESP" in that I say to myself "If a -------- comes up for sale, I'd love to buy it.", then wham, that gun comes up for sale. As with the 3953TSW and the 36-1 that I bought a few weeks ago.

And yes, for those wondering, I realize how fortunate I am to have the free cash available for such purchases.

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Can open, worms everywhere.

Free cash is VERY cool. Wish I had some!

The plastic I have to dump was all acquired in 2015 or earlier... plus I will try to dump that brand new Shield .45 as well. Only problem there? It's a non-compliant "free state" version so I can't just consign it. I'll have to use one of my 4 allowed F-T-F transfers to get rid of it... or maybe sell it out of state?

I know I'm going to take a beating on all or most of this plastic I'm dumping but I have little interest in it any longer. I'll save a few, but no more for me. All-metal holds its value. Plastic doesn't. That's very important to me.

I think it might be worth is to sell that non MA Shield using a FTF transfer. People in MA seem to be eager to guy "free state trigger" versions of newer firearms.

You could list it here or on that other forum we know about and it will likely go pretty quickly.

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Can open, worms everywhere.

Yeah, I haven't decided yet. I hate to waste a FTF transfer on a gun that shouldn't have ever needed it... but selling the gun out-of-state I'd be up against crazy low on-line prices plus the rebate.

There is more to my madness than just that. I'm trying to support a local dealer with some consignment sales. The Shield .45 was supposed to go to him but then we found out it is non-compliant. Oh well.

I got to the range yesterday to try out the 3953TSW. The trigger is smooth, but the trigger pull is lonnnnngggg. Longer, it seems, than the DA pull on the 3913TSW. That took some getting used to. Actually, it's still going to require some more range time before start to carry it. Tough job, but someone has to go the range.

Reduced size target at 21 feet, shooting 124gr Winchester White Box FMJ.

As you can see, the first few rounds were low and to my left. That was just because of the trigger pull, the gun is fine. As I got more used to the trigger, my hits started moving up, but still to my left. That part I attribute to the loosey goosey nature of the Delrin grips. I'll put on a Pachmyar rubber grip sleeve and try again. Those work well on my other 3rd Gens, including the 3913TSW, so I expect that will help here.

The last several magazines resulted in that ragged hole bridging the X-9 rings. Pretty consistently accurate once I got used to the trigger pull.

Because I didn't want to go cold range for my last seven shots, I aimed at the head. Rounds were Hydro Shock 135 JHP "low recoil", which I'm considering as the carry round. Grouping was okay, but I still need to work on the pull to my left issue.

Overall, a satisfactory day at the range. I also got to do the same thing for my new to me 36-1 3". I'll post about that over in the revolver forum.

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Can open, worms everywhere.

Another range trip with the 3953TSW today. This target was with Browning 147gr FMJ at 21 feet. Hit's pretty much where I aim, minus that still annoying slight pull to the right. I still have to get the Pachmyar grip sleeve on.

This gun sure seems to like 147 gr ammunition. I think I've found my carry weight ammunition.

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Can open, worms everywhere.