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Smith & Wesson Semi-Auto Pistols Other Smith & Wesson Semi-Automatic Pistols from the 1950's to Present


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Old 06-19-2018, 05:09 PM
mikem mikem is offline
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Default Model 659 or 915?

Hey,

All things being equal condition-wise, which would you buy? Good+ condition Models 659 and 915.

And yes, I'd like to buy both but I can't afford to at the moment.

No box, papers, nothing but the pistols. Each comes with two non-original mags.

I guess a simpler way of asking is, which is the better pistol, the 659 or the 915?

Thanks

Last edited by mikem; 06-19-2018 at 05:23 PM.
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Old 06-19-2018, 05:52 PM
N4KVE N4KVE is offline
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They are both equally good. The 915 is the value line. Less features, & less machining steps = less retail selling price. GARY
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Old 06-19-2018, 06:07 PM
jdeuser74 jdeuser74 is online now
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Me personally like the 659 but I have the 645 plus Miami vice was my favorite show in the 80s and both 645 and 659 was on the show and I like stainless

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
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Old 06-19-2018, 07:07 PM
Sevens Sevens is offline
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The 659 is a more stout, more durable handgun than the 915. The 915 is absolutely a better handgun for all day/every day carry, hands down, no contest.

Both were made in high volume and are relatively easy to find and buy.

--IF-- the price is the same, the 659 is more gun for the money but if you need, want or intend to carry it often, the 915 is better for that job.

Just a fun shooter? 659 wins this showdown.
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Old 06-19-2018, 07:30 PM
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You can never have enough model 915's
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Old 06-19-2018, 11:36 PM
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I think the 659 is worth more
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Old 06-20-2018, 08:32 AM
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The 915 is one of S&W's most underrated pistols of all time. All you need and nothing you don't. Don't let the value line BS worry you, the 915 was more of a transition pistol not a value line pistol like the 908, 909 or 910. There's no plastic parts in it. The only real concession to price were the finish and the sights. I don't care for the term "tack driver" but if you look it up you'll see a picture of my 915 next to it.
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Old 06-20-2018, 10:15 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sevens View Post
The 659 is a more stout, more durable handgun than the 915. The 915 is absolutely a better handgun for all day/every day carry, hands down, no contest.

Both were made in high volume and are relatively easy to find and buy.

--IF-- the price is the same, the 659 is more gun for the money but if you need, want or intend to carry it often, the 915 is better for that job.

Just a fun shooter? 659 wins this showdown.
Ditto what Sevens says.
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Old 06-20-2018, 10:28 AM
BAM-BAM BAM-BAM is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sevens View Post
The 659 is a more stout, more durable handgun than the 915. The 915 is absolutely a better handgun for all day/every day carry, hands down, no contest.

Both were made in high volume and are relatively easy to find and buy.

--IF-- the price is the same, the 659 is more gun for the money but if you need, want or intend to carry it often, the 915 is better for that job.

Just a fun shooter? 659 wins this showdown.

Double ditto..........................

That said try the grip on each.....it's been decades (early90s) but the grip on the compact 469 I had felt like a 2X4.... I still have a couple of 915s .
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Old 06-20-2018, 12:18 PM
Sevens Sevens is offline
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That's a really good point that I failed to mention...

The 915 is a 3rd Gen and it has all the ergonomic enhancements that the 3rd Gens brought to this line of guns. It feels slimmer in the hands and some of the sharp edges have been worked a bit. My favorite ergonomic enhancement is probably the area where the bottom of the trigger guard meets the grip frame of the pistol. The 3rd Gens just give you a bit more room in this area. (actually I believe the TSW-series went even a bit further here)

The 659 is definitely an "80's gun" and lacks many of these refinements.
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Old 06-21-2018, 05:18 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TNZ71 View Post
I think the 659 is worth more
Agree 110%. I'd take my 659 over a 915 any day.
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Old 06-21-2018, 11:42 PM
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. . . Nope, ain't gonna go there.

With all due respect to all of whom about to be insulted:

Although certainly sharing a leading "9" and thus easily confused with, the 915 isn't among the "Value Series" sidearms 908, 909 and 910 even though one of my favorite references, The Blue Book of Gun Values, states the 915 as being among that series' offerings.

But, speaking of "favorites," The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson No. 4 states that the 915 is, dimensionally speaking, is your basic 59xx and is not a Value Series member.

All things not being equal, I gotta go with Messrs. Richard Nahas and Jim Supica, authors of the handy Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, Edition Nos. 1-through-4, and as a result have become particularly knowledgeable in All Things Smith & Wesson since copyrighting their first SCSW in 1996 and, by all appearances, they're sticking with their 915 take.

While the Value and Sigma series are among S&W's response to the plastique revolution of the early 1990s, SCSW4 says the 915 is sort of a "matte blue" version of the fourth-generation S&W semi-auto handgun and isn't especially valuable, ahem, er, 'scuze me, isn't among the Value Series.

The biggest difference between, say, the fourth-generation 59xx and 915 is about 10 ounces, most likely extracted from the frame inasmuch as the 915 has an aluminum alloy frame versus a stainless steel frame of the 59xx.

The slide of both is made of steel: the 915 is carbon steel vs. the stainless steel mixture of the 59xx.

Also, the 915's rear sight is fixed whereas the 59xx's can use whatever will fit the slot in the satisfaction of the shooter.

There are other differing aspects, according to SCSW4, but I'm a tired old man who desires a comfortable bed right now. Should anyone desire to know those differences, get The Book.

Honestly, I've only handled, not shot the 915 in my collection. I have shot the 659 and, like the 59xx, I favor a heavier gun's stability for following shots. The 659 weighs in at 40, count 'em, forty ounces.

Besides, by way of disclosure I just two days ago scored yet another 659 - a later, square trigger-guard design - it joining this S&W fan's 659 collection; which includes a rounded trigger guard 659, and "cousin" Models 6590, 6591 and 6592 (x2).

Sweet dreams are made of these . . .

Later.
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Old 06-23-2018, 12:58 AM
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My department transitioned from wheel guns to pistols in the mid 70's. After evaluating a few brands and models we settled on 59's. I carried a 659 for years and still own, carry, and shoot my duty weapon. The first thing that comes to mind when describing the 659 is that "it is heavy". On the street that is a good thing. One knows its there. Never a doubt when in a foot pursuit or jumping fences or in hand to hand combat that you still have control of your firearm. I would characterize the stock 659 as a working mans pistol. Rock solid reliable. Thousands of rounds through her with zero fail to fire, eject, or load. The safety features, ie mag drop, barrel detent, and safety are very important in wrestling matches. There are some "howevers" though. Stout double action first round. Trigger pull , take up, and reset are on the rough side. I notice this particularly when at the range shooting with other 9's like a Browning Hi Power. I am certain folks here could comment on measures to refine its clunkyness. Writing this reminds me of my interest in improving the trigger function. My 659 never let me down. Not only would I bet my life on her. I did.
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Old 06-23-2018, 09:58 AM
stansdds stansdds is offline
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They are both fine pistols. Both are a little on the large side for CCW, but either can be worn on a sturdy belt. I suggest handling both, dry fire both using DA and SA modes and see which one feels best in your hands.
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