S&W 3913 Tactical

[WVgal]

I am thinking about purchasing a 3913 Tactical. Is this a stainless slide with aluminum frame? Could anyone tell me about what I should be paying? I know that regional prices vary. It is being offered for $550. Thinking not a great deal, however, a great firearm. Thoughts?

[GeoJelly]

$550 is what I paid last month for a 3953TSW - mine had the box and the three original mags. The frame is in perfect condition - only minor marks in the mag well. The slide, though, still has a couple of scratches in the BB that I haven't been able to get out. Just a sidebar - I use the emory paper/ball peen hammer technique on bead-blasting. The removed marks are still there - but they look a lot better.



Just noticed your question - yes, the frame is anodized aluminum with a stainless slide. I suggest you ask to pull the slide before you commit to it. The S&W design causes the top of the frame rails to get beat up, from the barrel moving back and forth, a lot more than I care for. SIG did a much better job handling the recoiling parts - no peened or dinged up areas on the P6 I examined recently (wasn't for sale, unfortunately).

[WVgal]

Thanks for the info. The one I am looking at is an earlier model without the tactical rail. Still not sure that I want to pay $550 for an aluminum frame. I have a 3906 that has been shot very little that I did not pay that much for many moons ago. Thinking I would rather pick up a SS model, 39 or 59.

[TercGen]

I would say that $550 is a fair price for a pre-rail 3913TSW in Good condition, not a screaming deal but you wouldn't be over-paying either. The aluminum-framed 9mm 3rd Gens will show some wear on the rails, but will most likely have plenty of life left in them. LEO trade-in 40's with aluminum frames are the models I would be concerned with more that the 9mm's.

IMO the pre-rail 3913TSW is the ideal CC gun - very compact with the recessed 7-round mag and bobbed beavertail, TSW upgrades including thicker frame rails and delayed action for slightly softer recoil, and both of the ones I own have very nice triggers (maybe the best out of all of my 3rd Gens). It will conceal much better than the 3906, 39, or the model 59, especially with light clothing in the Summer months.

If you do pick it up, getting a new $2 factory recoil spring at Midway is recommended, as well as making sure the staked head on your recoil guide rod isn't loose. Some new mag springs wouldn't be a bad idea either.

[dogzebra]

I like that it's a DAO compact. As nice as it is, I'd like to buy two at that price.

[BAM-BAM]

Would be a bit high in W.Pa. as the DOA don't sell as well.

39xx 's guns are great for concealed carry.... one has been my everyday carry since about 1990.

[TTSH]

Originally Posted by dogzebra

I like that it's a DAO compact. As nice as it is, I'd like to buy two at that price.

Originally Posted by BAM-BAM

Would be a bit high in W.Pa. as the DOA don't sell as well.

Come on you guys! The pre-rail 3913TSW is not DAO (or DOA for Bam!)... it's DA/SA (or, if you prefer, TDA).

Stop trying to confuse me!

[BAM-BAM]

Originally Posted by TTSH

Come on you guys! The pre-rail 3913TSW is not DAO (or DOA for Bam!)... it's DA/SA (or, if you prefer, TDA).

Stop trying to confuse me!

TTSH........

Check out the picture.......... 3953....... DOA as a DAO

"My bad"..... not WVgal's picture.....GeoJelly's

[apotter11]

I bought a 3913 with the bobbed hammer, didn't like it and replaced it with a spur hammer. Easy upgrade and make me feel better!

[MattyD380]

Originally Posted by GeoJelly

The S&W design causes the top of the frame rails to get beat up, from the barrel moving back and forth, a lot more than I care for. SIG did a much better job handling the recoiling parts - no peened or dinged up areas on the P6 I examined recently (wasn't for sale, unfortunately).

I wouldn't be too concerned if you see some finish loss on the frame rails. My 6904 shows wear in this area too. Shiny metal exposed, under the black finish. But in 1000 rounds or so, it really hasn't progressed... that I've noticed.

I agree, the "locking insert" design on the Sigs is probably a more robust camming setup--steel on steel (though Sig is now making LIs from MIM ). That said, the frame rails on Sigs often show fairly significant wear... esp. on the undersides of the rails. They can look pretty chewed up--but the guns still run great.

There's a thread from a few years back where Fastbolt talks about putting 30 - 40,000 rounds through a 6906 (I think)... and it still worked fine. I would be surprised if there was any finish left on the camming surfaces in that gun's frame... but apparently it was still going strong.

Long story short: If the alloy is gouged or peened... yeah, maybe I'd pass. But I wouldn't be terribly concerned if you see some finish loss on the frame rails. That's just how the guns work.

[WVgal]

Thanks for all the info everyone! I spoke with the seller today and got him to $500. He purchased to help out a friend(original owner) and has $500 in it so he will take $500. Has receipt, original box, and all paperwork from the original purchase. I think I may have an early Christmas present to me! Working this weekend so will not be able to pick up until next week. Will post pics when I have in my hands.

[03Fatboy]

That is a steal of a price! Enjoy

[GaryS]

I paid $600.00 for an ANIB pre rail 3953TSW a few months ago. A more rare gun than the one you are looking at, so I think $500.00 is right in the ball park. Follow TercGen's advice and don't worry about frame rail wear.

[N4KVE]

Originally Posted by apotter11

I bought a 3913 with the bobbed hammer, didn't like it and replaced it with a spur hammer. Easy upgrade and make me feel better!

Did the same to my 3913, 4516, & 469. I have to have SA on the first round. GARY

[WVgal]

I was able to get my firearm today. Looking forward to shooting it. Nice trigger!
IMG_2477:FA.jpg

[GaryS]

Nice gun. I've found that mine, and it's 3953TSW sibling shoot low with 115gr ammunition. They shoot much closer to point of aim, almost AT point of aim, with 124gr rounds. They shoot best with 147gr, although the difference isn't as much as between 115 and 124.

I'd be interested in knowing what you experience with your ammunition.

Originally Posted by WVgal

I was able to get my firearm today. Looking forward to shooting it. Nice trigger!
Attachment 314700

[Denver Dick]

A 3913 TSW pre rail, I have one and I believe you will not be sorry.
Mine is very accurate and with the low profile grip very concealable. JMHO

[N4KVE]

Any 3913 is great. They don't make them like that anymore. GARY

[Sevens]

Well, 3913's are extremely well regarded -- amongst fans of S&W 3rd Gens, this model gets SOOOO much love.

It's kind of lost on me. Fine pistol but I prefer a double stack for a small pistol, like a 6906.

3913 is a fine one, I just don't get excited over them. "So why even post in this discussion ?!?!" Good question!

I am here to say that your other S&W is the real gem in this discussion! The 3906 is one of the finest of all the 3rd Gens and definitely one of my favorites and you may not realize how scarce this model is, and what a fine deal you got on it.

[GaryS]

I had a 3904 that was a beautiful gun and great shooter. I sold it only because it just didn't fit a niche for me. 8 or 9 rounds in a full size gun just doesn't do anything that either my pre rail or rail 3913TSW doesn't. In fact, I'd suggest that is the reason that the 3904/06 was only in production for a couple of years and the 3944/46 never saw production.

I love shooting my 6906, but for carry on a daily basis, the single stack compacts are more practical. At least to me. If I had a job that required carrying a firearm, I'd definitely carry the 6906, but since I don't, it's the single stack.

BTW, I love the Hogue finger groove grips for the 6906. I just wish that they had made them that way for the single stacks.

Originally Posted by Sevens

Well, 3913's are extremely well regarded -- amongst fans of S&W 3rd Gens, this model gets SOOOO much love.

It's kind of lost on me. Fine pistol but I prefer a double stack for a small pistol, like a 6906.

3913 is a fine one, I just don't get excited over them. "So why even post in this discussion ?!?!" Good question!

I am here to say that your other S&W is the real gem in this discussion! The 3906 is one of the finest of all the 3rd Gens and definitely one of my favorites and you may not realize how scarce this model is, and what a fine deal you got on it.

[GaryS]

I paid $600.00 a few months ago for a ANIB 3953TSW. A bit pricey, but not considering how rare they are and how nice this one is.

Frame rail wear can be mitigated by good lubricating practices and making sure the recoil spring is fresh. I think the official recommendation is 5K rounds, I think. Even though my 3953TSW had hardly been shot, I put a new spring in. Cheap insurance.

Originally Posted by GeoJelly

$550 is what I paid last month for a 3953TSW - mine had the box and the three original mags. The frame is in perfect condition - only minor marks in the mag well. The slide, though, still has a couple of scratches in the BB that I haven't been able to get out. Just a sidebar - I use the emory paper/ball peen hammer technique on bead-blasting. The removed marks are still there - but they look a lot better.



Just noticed your question - yes, the frame is anodized aluminum with a stainless slide. I suggest you ask to pull the slide before you commit to it. The S&W design causes the top of the frame rails to get beat up, from the barrel moving back and forth, a lot more than I care for. SIG did a much better job handling the recoiling parts - no peened or dinged up areas on the P6 I examined recently (wasn't for sale, unfortunately).

[Denver Dick]

Originally Posted by Denver Dick

A 3913 TSW pre rail, I have one and I believe you will not be sorry.
Mine is very accurate and with the low profile grip very concealable. JMHO

In follow-up to my earlier post, I offer this target I shot in 2008 with my 3913 TSW pre rail. As you might expect, I still have the little guy.

[WVgal]

Nice! I was told that 124gr is a better option for this firearm. Have not been able to take mine out yet. I have both 115/124gr FMJ remanufactured from Freedom Munitions. Anyone use this brand ammo? I normally use white box Winchester or Federal.

[N4KVE]

I shoot 147 go out of mine. Never a problem. GARY.

[petepeterson]

Originally Posted by WVgal

Nice! I was told that 124gr is a better option for this firearm. Have not been able to take mine out yet. I have both 115/124gr FMJ remanufactured from Freedom Munitions. Anyone use this brand ammo? I normally use white box Winchester or Federal.

I find that the 147s hit closer to the sights out of the 3913/14, and the CS9. Not sure why.

[WVgal]

Thanks! Got out early and am gathering my ammo and bag and heading to the range. So excited!

[GaryS]

I brought this up a couple of years ago. One of the answers was that the 124 and 147 have more recoil, so the muzzle rises a bit more and thus the rounds hit closer to where you aim. The speculation being that in the late '80s and early '90s 147 was the standard LE ammo and that's what the guns were designed around.

Take that for whatever it might be worth, but in my 3913TSW and 3953TSW, the 115gr shoots very low, which it hits at point of aim with the other two. The 3913 has Meprolight night sites, but the 3953 is stock.

Originally Posted by petepeterson

I find that the 147s hit closer to the sights out of the 3913/14, and the CS9. Not sure why.

[ISCS Yoda]

I love shooting my 6906, but for carry on a daily basis, the single stack compacts are more practical. At least to me. If I had a job that required carrying a firearm, I'd definitely carry the 6906, but since I don't, it's the single stack.

I agree. I only carry my 6906 to certain places where I feel the need - think holidays and crowded places that attract bad guys' attention. Otherwise, I stick to a single stack CS-9 or a snubby K frame. The CS-9 is ever so easy to carry concealed; big favorite!

My picture:



A better picture:



Other gun:

[GaryS]

If I think there's a higher likelihood that I'll need to shoot, I bring my 457.

Otherwise, it's usually one of the 39xx compacts.

Originally Posted by ISCS Yoda

I agree. I only carry my 6906 to certain places where I feel the need - think holidays and crowded places that attract bad guys' attention. Otherwise, I stick to a single stack CS-9 or a snubby K frame. The CS-9 is ever so easy to carry concealed; big favorite!

[nocents]

Originally Posted by WVgal

I have both 115/124gr FMJ remanufactured from Freedom Munitions. Anyone use this brand ammo? .

Yes......I have run right at 900 trouble free rounds of Freedom ammo of the 147 gr. flavor in my 3913NL, HK subcompacts, and a SP2022. When the need arises for more paper punching ammo I would buy more without hesitation.