There's a Model 915 listed for sale locally. Judging from the pics, it appears to be 95-98% with box and papers. Asking price is $290.
I read up on it in the SCSW and know its an economy model of the 5900 Series made 1992-94.
I also checked GB and found a bunch of surplus 915s are currently on the market. Not near as nice as this one, but also considerably cheaper.
I don't really need it as I have a Model 59. But I'm just a sucker for any good serviceable gun for under $300.
So tell me about them.
Does that plain finish hold up?
I'm guessing standard 5900 mags fit it?
Any known problems?
How's the price?

You've found one of Smith & Wesson's best kept secrets!

Though it is true that it is an economy clone of the 5904, no corners were cut where it counts. Ambidextrous controls were removed, the slide machining is less rounded, and the finish as you noted is not polished but rather more of a satin. Inside though, the 915 is every bit of a third gen and has all the reliability and finesse you'd expect from it.

To answer your questions, the slide finish holds up fine, but the aluminum frame does scratch easily. Not so much from holster use but with metal to metal contact, such as with keys, etc. I think that may just be the nature of the beast with aluminum, but Birchwood Casey's Aluminum Black is your best bet to get the frame looking new again.

Any mags from the 5900 will fit, the standard Mec-Gar 15 or 17 rounders work great.

Known problems? Just that they are waaay too cheap and tempting to buy, but no...they are every bit as well built as the 5904 they came from.

That price for LNIB as you describe is fantastic! If you added $100 the price would still be pretty fair.

I think you'll find most see the 915 as a no-nonsense approach to the third gen platform, but they sure are nice. I carry mine frequently and it sure has been great. Trigger and accuracy is amazing for any price and it has been infallible as far as reliability.

If you do get it, don't tell anyone how much you like it...I don't want to see these prices go up!

__________________
-Dan-

First handgun I ever owned. It seemed smaller than a 5906. MecGar still makes brand new 59 series magazines. I'd buy it.

__________________
Retired Career Security Guard

Neighbor's step father passed away recently.
Gifted him (non-shooter) a trunkfull of LOADED guns.
Thankfully, he phoned me before messing with them.
Among the cache was a like-new 915 along with a full box of Black Talons. Gun may have never been fired.

Sold it for him, got $400 for it.

__________________
-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

Darn! Too late, its gone.
Guess I shoulda gone with my first instinct and got it as soon as I saw it. But NOOooo, I wanted to check 'em out first. That'll teach me.

There will be others. And I don't know that I would worry I mean as long as it's in reasonable shape I would buy one as a shooter not a collector because these aren't collector's item guns.

__________________
Retired Career Security Guard

I responded to that add early about 9am, no response and the add was pulled by noon. I've been on the prowl for a 915 and that was a good price. But hey I've got a 910 being shipped to my FFL, got it for $245 shipped with 7 mags.

The mags alone were worth the price you paid.

I've got a couple of 915's one for the range and one to carry:



digiroc

Got one in 92/93 as a "beater/truck gun" because of the price..................but fell in love with it on the first range trip.... a 915 is my go to full size 9mm carry gun.

Great gun generally still at a great price.... ditto everything above

Will add that Novak used the 915 as the basis to build some great custom 9mm's in the 90s

There are nice collectable guns that people put in the safe, & would never consider carrying. Then there are reasonably priced, reliable guns which people buy used that already have a few scratches, that are perfect for carrying. That's the 915. GARY

A number of 915's on Gunbroker recently are Israeli police trade-in's. They don't bear any import marks since they are US-made. Their condition runs the gamut and they don't have any IDF or markings of their service except for the odd fact that they will time to time have stainless 5906 parts installed on them. Things like the hammer and slide hold open. I picked one up at a reasonable price in excellent condition that was factory original. Theyre solid and good reliable firearms, mine has yet to demonstrate issues. I'm not certain I'd be enthusiastic to get a 910 however, this is where Smith decided to cut corners on materials for their value line pistols. I understand they have polymer where the 915 has steel/aluminum.

I at one time owned a 910 and a 915, both very good shooters. Only real difference I could tell was more plastic on the 910. Don't recall ever having a FTF on either one. Under $300 I don't think you can go too far wrong.

S&W59, pull yours apart and look the barrel, I think you will find an import mark, out of sight when the pistol is assembled.

__________________
Bill
NRA Lifer

I'll have to disagree with this as well, does not matter where the firearm was made, it won't come in the country (legally) without an import or re-import stamp on it, usually denoting the company that actually handled the importation and their location.