Hello,

I have a DAO S&W 3953 and a spare manual S&W slide safety.

Can one install the safety and it work with the DAO system?

I see the slide has what seems to be the same holes as on the 3913 and I though maybe I could fit the safety and if needed replace any parts in the frame to get the safety to block the hammer and disengage the trigger linkage.

Thanks!

__________________
Deaf

I don't know for sure the answer, but after years of gunsmithing, I have come to the conclusion than anything you want can be accomplished by someone for enough money.....BUT, why would you want to do that? The design is perfectly safe without a manual safety. IMHO, You just need training and enough rounds down range to become accustomed to the features of the really nice handgun you own. ...

Not wanting to do that, I suggest just selling yours and purchase of a nice 3913 or 3914. ....

If I remember correctly, you can't switch from DAO to TDA on the regular models. Only the TSW. The frames were different and the early slides were only machined for the DAO firing pin retainer or the manual safety. Now for the TSWs you would need a TDA trigger, manual safety, sear release lever(instead of firing pin spacer), and a TDA hammer. I would recomend finding a 3913. But I love all of my 3rd Gen DAO. Like it was said in an earlier post, once you are familiar with it, you won't need the safety. And with me being left handed, the slick side makes it easier for CCW.

I couldn't agree more Big Cholla, why take a perfectly good design and make it something it isn't? That is unless you gain something from it, like my 4013/1013 conversion.

I prefer DAO guns. A revolver is often my primary defensive weapon and I shoot double action autos just as well as TDA models. In fact the first shot of a DAO is superior to the TDA models, and every shot thereafter is the same.

digiroc

It's not me being familiar with DAO (I have lots of trophies at IPSC/IDPA and have used DA/SA, DAO, SA actions in competition.

It's the idea of having a safety on the weapon for my wife. She would like the DAO and a manual safety.

Now I don't see why the firing pin would be any different only the lockwork in the frame (it still has it's firing pin lock but no magazine safety is in this piece.)

I notice the slide where the safety would be is perfectly round on both sides. I might try tomorrow and see if the safety would fit. I know 3 gen disassembly very well but would hate if there is just some slight dimension difference that might cause the new safety to not work or even come back out of the slide.

Thanks.

__________________
Deaf

Best thing to do is sell the 3953 (easy here) and purchase something more suitable for her needs.
Or invest in some proper training.

__________________
-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

Also remember that the slide of a 3953 (at least mine) are somewhat longer/different then a 3913, etc.

As I remember, someone tried this before and was unable to make it work, but my memory is "hazy" about who or when (sorry, I've owned my 3953 since 1991 and as I remember this was tried in the 1990's).

Hello Deaf, I am not sure what you are asking. If you have all the parts, then by all means try it. If what you are suggesting requires machining of the gun, then I would probably follow others advice here. I have no issues modifying any of my possessions, but there is an effort/reward ratio in play. For some, future value is also a consideration.
If it is simply attempting to swap parts, then, if you have the skill then go for it.

However, and this is big, if your wife likes everything else about the gun,and she shoots it well, then do what ever is necessary to give her what she requests, as long as it doesn't leave the gun inoperable.

Good luck

Rich

Sorry to say, but this won't work. Safety body will not fit all the way in the round hole, and even if you had the slide milled out to accept it I believe there would still be issues. Your best bet is to find a TDA 3913/3914/908 and have your Wife get used to the DA/SA trigger.

Maybe.

She might be better off with the DAO, some education about the realities of safe firearms handling, and a good holster (trigger covered, at least) appropriate to her needs. (Women's bodies are different, and if she has any shoulder issues her shoulders may not like a real high riding holster, etc.) The ergonomics of a slide mounted safety that has to be flipped up to shoot are not real good for a lot of us; I had an issued 4566 (decocker only), and that aspect of it was a complete disaster.

__________________
NHI, 10-8.

3953 slide must be inlet milled on left hand side to accommodate manual safety body and detent plunger.
No other internal or external changes required.
Still no decock function, of course but you would have a hammer block safety.

I'll leave it to others to voice their personal philosophic opinions on practicality.

John

That's what a safety does, and that's why I don't like them.

digiroc

Try Rick Devoid at Tarnhelm Supply. He was adding manual safeties to 3rd gen DAO pistols a few years back. He may still. Good luck! Regards 18DAI

__________________
7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

Wow, great info 18DAI, I was unaware of anyone doing this effectively.

Thanks for sharing.

I knew Rick was turning 3913's into 3953's...but I was not aware that he was doing the opposite as well.

Sam

Yep.. No joy... The slide as no cut for a 'flange' that is on the safety.

I took the 3953 apart. I see one would have to mill just a slot in the slide so a regular safety would fit (or mill of the part on the safety that prevents it from fully being inserted.

I presume Rick does one or the other.

Guess I'll have to try Rick Devoid at Tarnhelm Supply. Maybe just send him the slide and the safety I already have.

__________________
Deaf

I'm with the crowd that says if you want a safety on your 3953 then you don't want a 3953...you want a 3913. Not the same gun I know but if you really must have a safety then I think it's better to go with the guns designed with them.

I love the DAO's just the way they are...but of course you may pursue things as you please.

Attached Images

DSCN2058.jpg (69.6 KB, 12 views)