Bought this gun in 1989. Old design compared to all the 9's today. Wouldn't trade it for anything! Pre, all the striker fired guns...

Very nice 3953 you have. Although a bit thicker, my 6946 is a favorite of mine and my CCW.

I personally think that DAO is the way to fly with the 3rd generation guns; just my bias, based on my distaste for the slide mounted safety/decocker.

FWIW, that is not pre-striker fired; the G17 came around several years before that and I did my academy with one in 1989.

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NHI, 10-8.

Very nice! The way a handgun should look!

Damn straight! That is one awfully clean & purdy 3953.

The OP says he'll never trade it... but maybe he would consider selling it outright?

There is a pistol that is live on a -big- auction site right now that I really wish I could link this discussion to, but the rules are the rules are the rules and I am prohibited from doing that.

I'm not selling it, I don't wish to own it, but it's an oddball 3rd Gen and if it has been discussed around here, I missed the discussion.

It's recent manufacture and shows a Houlton, Maine production stamped on the left side of the slide and the left side of the frame also. The model number calls it a "3914DAO", and it's not like the DAO 3rd Gen pistols we know, it's not the true DAO that S&W engineered for the 3rd Gen variants like the one that is the subject of this thread.

Instead, this pistol appears to be a regular DA/SA 3rd Gen but S&W took the single action hook off the hammer so that it only runs in double action mode. Unlike the pre-cocked DAO 3rd Gens we are familiar with, this one appears to be a long double action only, with "restrike capability."

Not sure why S&W decided to make these unless it was some specific directive by some LE organization that demanded this odd setup.

It has a UCS-prefix serial number and also unlike every 3rd Gen I have ever seen, the serial number is NOT found on the left side of the pistol. It's on the right side of the frame -- odd and lonely, the ONLY thing stamped or written on the right side of the pistol.

Sorry for any thread drift. I suppose I figured that if I started a new thread, it would simply be deleted immediately due to the rules.

For 3rd Gen fans, this is an interesting item. Sorry that I don't see any box or end label with it, to throw out a six digit product code.

I'm surprised that you don't know about this, as you're very 3rd Gen knowledgeable and it's been covered many times.

The 3914DAO was built for the NYPD as an off duty option for officers. It's covered as much as possible in the current SCSW. I forget the production dates, but they are no longer authorized for purchase by NYPD officers. I think that's why we're seeing some show up on various auction sites.

The main difference operationally between the 3953 and 3914 is that the 3914 offers "second trigger pull" in the case that the round doesn't fire. The 3953 and all other "standard" DAO 3rd Gens require the slide to be cycled if the round doesn't fire on the first trigger pull.

I have no idea why the serial number is on the right side other than "NYPD" and the police, fire, and EMS in the Big Apple have unique (and sometimes weird) special requirements for their equipment and vehicles.

This is one of the 3rd Gen variants I'd buy if it showed up for sale in MA, or if I'm fortunate enough to move out before I run out of "good years" by the Bam Bam definition.

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Can open, worms everywhere.

Oh haha, well don't be surprised at my lack of knowledge! I pursue facts and information to great detail in the guns that interest me highly... which mostly excludes smaller handguns. I actually knew precious little about my own Model 469 until after I got it.

I had a CS-9 for a short time... long enough to soak in a little nostalgia, take it on one range trip and forward it onward to someone that might enjoy it. It was without a doubt the smallest center fire handgun I have ever owned and I just don't have use for small handguns.

I onced owned a 3" J-frame, it was the only sub-4" revolver and also only J-frame I have ever had. Certainly I see the utility... just not for me.

As to the odd placement of the serial number, I would bet that it's a by-product of different manufacturing done in Houlton, ME.

Sorry for my silly thread drift.

I have S&W 910S, 3913, 3953, & 5903. I prefer the SA/DA and probably my 3913 is my favorite.

It's not really thread drift since the two are somewhat related.

I too had a CS9, which I sold when I bought a pre rail 3913TSW. The CS9 was nice, but the 3913TSW is better.

I also have a 3" Model 36 which is going to be part of my carry rotation. Along with the 3" Model 13.

I also like my two Model 10 4" revolvers, but don't carry them.

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Can open, worms everywhere.

I have a 3913 with the bobbed hammer, replaced it with a full size one. It is marked "Cobb County Sheriff".

Nice little gun.

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Al

Maybe it's just me but I would rather have a 3954 than a 3914DAO. Now, bear in mind I've never handled a 3914DAO but if it's the same pull as the DA pull on a TDA then I don't see the attraction. Double strike capability? Ok...if that is a must for someone then I guess, but the actual need for a second strike is rare and it seems to me that the TDA pull isn't worth the trade off. Now a TDA that has that sweet SA and quick re-set follow ups is a package that delivers a nice gun with solid arguments for the platform. I've been lucky enough to find the parts to convert a few of my TDA's to single sided safeties.

For those who like the 3914DAO I say good for you and enjoy, but I'll go 3954 every time...until a 3914DAO shows up locally then I may have to recant.

Attached Images

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	DSCN1917.jpg (54.9 KB, 66 views)
	Single sided safety.jpg (91.5 KB, 74 views)

It's funny, but I think the DA pull on my pre rail 3953TSW is longer than the DA first round pull on my pre rail 3913TSW. Maybe it's just me and I need to put more rounds through the 3953TSW to get used to it.

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Can open, worms everywhere.

I should clarify that I think the TDA DA pull is just fine and no problem, just a bit longer and heavier than the DAO pull. I have a pre-rail 3913TSW but only a 3954 to compare.

Considering the 3914DAO do we now need to say TDAO?

OP, nice 3953. Looks exactly like mine (purchased in 1991).

FWIW, there's hardly a pistol ever sold in America that is "pre-striker fired." The Luger pistol, first marketed in the U.S. in 1900 (117 years ago) was striker fired. And since then, there have been many other striker fired designs, chiefly pocket pistols, like the Browning FN model of 1910.

To be fair, I would guess the OP simply meant that this pistol was from a time when Tupperware wasn't the absolute norm the way that it is today. At least, that's how his post came across to me.

If I could get a exposed bobbed hammer for my CS9 it might try it for EDC. Bought a hammer I thought would accomplish the task but didn't. Really like the 3rd generation Smiths.

Very nice. I just got my first 3RD gen -- a 3913LS.

It's the DA/SA variant.

I posted this some years back regarding my 3953:

I have a NIB 3953 with night sights that has a great backstory…

In 1992, my best friend’s father received a 3953 as a retirement gift from his commander after 30-years on the force. Growing up I had an interest in firearms and my friend’s dad knew it (my buddy didn’t care for them much). On occasion he would bring out his department issued model 10, his backup model 36 (which is the one I remember him having with him as his constant companion on his right hip), and the 3953. He kept the pistol on a shelf in his closet in the box always wrapped in the S&W wax paper and never once shot it (he was a revolver guy).

Sadly, he passed away late summer 2012 – he was truly a neat person with unending stories about his time in the department. He had told my buddy that if he did not want the firearms to make sure they went to me. Well, I was beyond surprised and honored when I was given ALL three of his handguns!!!

I take them all out on occasion to the range (I am of the mind that firearms should be fired). The 3953 is a great single-stack 9mm. It is very accurate and its slim design makes it an easily concealed carry pistol. I carry it on occasion in my rotation, and when I do it always brings back fond memories of younger days at my friend’s house hanging out with his dad!

Greetings, was wondering if anyone on here might help me with some questions I have regarding my S&Wmod 3953 Double action only Pistol. I inherited this handgun after my father passed and it was his carry piece as the Undersheriff of the dept he worked for here in Western Wa. The gun is interesting in that the box and all accessories and printed materals are present including a letter on Smith and Wesson letterhead dated December 5 1990 from Herb Belin, T&E program manager. The letter explains that the test and evaluation period is for 30 days and requests an included evaluation form be filled out and a company rep will contact for pricing info etc, etc. It is also interesting in that the instruction manual included with the pistol is for models 5944, 5946, 6944, 6946 and 4546. There is no mention of the 3953. The serial number starts with TJB and is in the 1600 range. I am curious if any of this might add collector value to the gun and It is just my assumption that this model had not yet reached the public market as of the Dec 1990 letter date as my own research shows the production run to have started in 1991, and the lack of this model mentioned in the instruction manual. Any info about any of this would be greatly appreciated!

Since you have it’s original box, it’s production date is printed on the box end label under SPEC ORDER. Should be a four digit number. The first digit is the year, if it says 0 then 1990, if it’s a 1 then 1991. The last three digits are a Julian date.

So if it says 0005, then it was made on Jan 5, 1990. And if it says 1365 then it was made on December 31, 1991. And so on.

Thanks, number under 'Spec Order' is 1032. Which according to your advice would give it a birth date of 1991? With the letter dated Dec 5, 1990. Do you know if this being an evaluation firearm gives it anything more than a little interest? I have had this firearm well over ten years and never scrutinized the box contents! It also came with two boxes of Federal Red box 9mm+P+ ammo marked 'FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT USE ONLY' Very hot stuff. Wrote S&W recently as to the adviseability of using this ammunition and they recommended against it. All very interesting as this was the dept issue ammo that my Pa was issued at the time.

S/N indented on right side of frame began in Houlton ME guns as far as I can tell, but there are a few very late Springfield MA marked guns after 3rd Gen Production at Houlton ended - mostly 3914DAO UCW, and high UCV prefixes with S/N indented on right but Springfield marked on Left. Also some 3914DAO UCZ Springfield on Left and non-indented s/n on right. And oddly enough there is a 5946 UCY4867 in middle of S/N prefixes still marked Houlton, ME

S&W will never recommend a non-SAAMI compliant ammo. 9mm and 9mm+P are SAAMI compliant, 9mm+P+ is NOT compliant. This is just a clear way of saying that SAAMI has not listed specifications for this round, and therefore only the manufacturer has any idea what pressure this round operates at.

In a simple risk/reward scenario, there’s no good reason to shoot this ammo unless you are fumbling for your life at that moment and it’s the only ammo that you have.

With that said, it’s not likely to hurt a modern 9mm, as a modern 9mm handgun is proof-tested at pressures (likely) beyond that old box of Federal ammo.

Keep the ammo as a curiosity or sell it to a collector, but not much good reason to shoot it.

I have a TJA94xx 3953 from Newark PD that SW dates at 6/1991. Also have TJB33xx also NPD that SW also dates 6/1991. I have a record of another TJA92xx with Box End Code of 0351 (Dec 1990) and a 3954 TJA88xx date code 0353. So you no doubt have an early 3953, but I would guess its same as Production guns. There are also 3913, 3914, 3954 in TJA and TJB prefixes. And FYI, my 3953s had the recalled grips (no dimple) so if you are going to use it, you might see if SW will provide replacement grips (see attached).

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From 1989 to 1994, the U.S. Customs Service issued S$W Model 6906 as the issued duty pistol. They also purchased several hundred 3953's for Agent that had smaller hands.

I was working a task force, and one of the State officers was carrying a 3953. He let me shoot it at the range one day, and it was just an awesome concealable pistol with a great DAO trigger.

Soon after I contacted out District Firearms Officer and inquired if there were any 3953's available. Two days later I had a brand new 3953 delivered to my office. I immediately took it to the range, fired 300 rounds of duty ammo through it, and for the next three years it was my EDC pistol of choice.

I unfortunately had to turn it in when the Glocks became the issued pistols. I hated to see my trusted friend go away.

I retired in 2005, and in 2015, I found a 3953 here locally for sale at a good price. It is again in my EDC rotation.

One of my greatest regrets is not snagging a 3953 when they were $300 at CDNN. I bought a Model 65 instead.

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Release the Kraken