How the 3914 should have been made… (Warning- May upset 3rd Gen Purists)

[.455_Hunter]

I got my 3914 back from the gunsmith a few weeks ago with a new feature- a properly spurred non-MIM hammer.

WOW! Talk about an improvement to looks as well as functionality. I have always been a strong proponent of the ability to cock an DA/SA auto for a precise first shot, just like a good DA revolver.

The donor gun was an early 5904 that now sports the spurless hammer and will be sold.

Your thoughts?

Hunter

[BAM-BAM]

Originally Posted by .455_Hunter

I got my 3914 back from the gunsmith a few weeks ago with a new feature- a properly spurred non-MIM hammer.

WOW! Talk about an improvement to looks as well as functionality. I have always been a strong proponent of the ability to cock an DA/SA auto for a precise first shot, just like a good DA revolver.

The donor gun was an early 5904 that now sports the spurless hammer and will be sold.

Your thoughts?

Hunter

H--- I did that to a first year 3913.......over 25 years ago............action all buffed up and it's trigger is like a S&W revolver!!

Add some Hogue checkered wood grips and a flush fit 7 round magazine and you'll have a great gun! A chopped 39/ASP

All that said; my primary concealed carry is a 3913NL with the "no snag" bobbed hammer.... as I carry in a sparks summer special at 4 O'clock......

[Ascension]

Thought about doing the same thing to mine. Looks like that hammer belongs on that gun so---.

[GaryS]

The full size guns were designed with a spur hammer for a reason. The compacts were designed without a spur hammer for a reason.
Fortunately, the parts are essentially interchangeable, so that if you want a compact with a spur hammer, you can easily make that change.

Some of the 3rd Gens were designed to be DAO and I think a few others were modified to be DAO. Again that was done for a reason.

There's a lot of variety in 3rd Gen design to target different needs.

As it happens, the compact 3rd Gen guns are almost ideal for concealed carry by non police officers. That works out very well for some of us.

[Daedalus-NC]

Excellent! I am now looking for a suitable SS hammer for my 3913. Thanks!

[BAM-BAM]

LOL this thread stirred up an old memory.........( see my post above)..... anyway about 1991 I had a local cobbler cut down a Bianchi 19L thumb break holster for a Model 39 from 4" to 3.5" and restitch to carry my modified 3913...... remember thinking it and the modified 3913 would make a good "Chiefs" gun/holster combo ...... the first CS/Chief Special 9.....was born!

Edit: As I recall I'd just got my 3913NL and Hogue grips; my intent at the time was to make the 3913 into kind of a 9mm "Kit Gun"...a small light auto .... 25 oz with 8+1 of 9mm.. for bumming around on weekends and at the cabin.........my other autos back then were a .380 Walther PPK, Sig 220 .45 and a Colt 1911.

[BLUEDOT37]

Originally Posted by .455_Hunter

I have always been a strong proponent of the ability to cock an DA/SA auto for a precise first shot, just like a good DA revolver.

I'm glad you like your new mod.

I've heard this mentioned before & as one who shoots mainly bullseye targets (with his compact SD guns) I usually like to start my string from a cocked mode also.

However I've never found it difficult to slightly squeeze the TDA trigger (of an uncocked hammer) to lift it off it's rest far enough to be able to finish cocking it fully rearward with the thumb of my free hand, while it's safely pointed down range. With this mastered you can still retain the benefits of a spurless hammer & it's concealment properties.

.

[4T5GUY]

Yep, Iv'e "ruined" lots of my concealed carry S&W's. All can
go back in minutes, so I think it will be OK.

Funny thing is, I didn't hammer my 908. I really like everything
the way it is. I did install a 3914 guide rod, flat slide stop and
ambi, cleaned up the trigger, and put in new +&- springs
though.

[GaryS]

I wouldn't say you ruined any of them. You modified them to fit your needs. You did it with OEM parts and didn't "Bubba" anything. If you "ruined" yours, I "ruined" my pre rail 3913TSW by putting in a left side decocker/safety in place of the ambi version. And the guy I bought a 457 left side decocker/safety from "ruined" his by putting in an Ambi decocker/safety.

Originally Posted by 4T5GUY

Yep, Iv'e "ruined" lots of my concealed carry S&W's. All can
go back in minutes, so I think it will be OK.

Funny thing is, I didn't hammer my 908. I really like everything
the way it is. I did install a 3914 guide rod, flat slide stop and
ambi, cleaned up the trigger, and put in new +&- springs
though.

[ISCS Yoda]

I have always been a strong proponent of the ability to cock an DA/SA auto for a precise first shot, just like a good DA revolver.

Not to be the one to bear bad news and cause controversy but the point of a bobbed hammer is concealment, although I am not sure a standard hammer is that much harder to conceal, so accomplishing the foregoing seems pretty much like a good plan in the looks department. However, and more importantly, these are fighting handguns, not target handguns, and getting used to cocking your first round for single action accuracy is simply not a good plan if you get into a defensive situation. If you want that kind of light trigger then carry a single action but the concept of cocking a hammer under duress can only lead to dire results. YMMV but be really careful if it does!!!

[N4KVE]

Did that to my 3913 a year ago. Did that to my 4516 a few months ago. 1000% improvement for both guns. W/o that feature, I might as well carry a striker fired handgun. GARY