I'm really searching for a nice one but I can't seem to find any in decent condition. I did source one that looks to be in good shape but the seller wants $550 PLUS shipping. What are these things going for and how often do they pop up?

I looked locally for about four years before I found one. Then I found another, more rare variation, a couple of months later.

I live in a restricted "roster" state, so importing guns is sometimes a problem, so it's not typical.

About a year and a half ago a bunch of late production 3953TSW guns showed up at various FFLs around the country. They were going for about $600.00 NIB.

These apparently were production over runs for a LE agency that never issued them. All of them went pretty quickly.

So, how often they pop up can vary quite a bit by part of the country, which agencies might be trading in, and other factors.

There were fewer DAO 3rd Gens made than TDA versions, so they aren't seen nearly as often as say the 3913.

As to price, that seems a bit high, but depending on the condition and what comes with the gun, might not be out of line.

That really clarified things, didn't it?

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Can open, worms everywhere.

I'd probably spring for it if it came with it's box and stuff but it's just the gun and one magazine.

I think that's high for the gun and one magazine. The magazines for those guns are becoming more expensive and a bit harder to find.

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Can open, worms everywhere.

I am not into Third Generation pistols like I was (and still have several), but I would cheerfully sell my 3913 and 3914 before I got rid of my 3953. It is my only DAO pistol and because of that, really like the challenge of shooting in that mode. I can't blame you for wanting one.
This particular pistol was one of a bunch of PD surplus that Sportsman's Superstore was selling some years ago (I think they were about $380 at the time) and if I had known then what I know now, I would have bought a spare.

I remember when these were $300 at CDNN. I bought a 3" Model 65 instead. I should have bought both.

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Release the Kraken

I bought two 3953s last year for around $325. They show up on the auction sites but lately have a start bid near $400.

I got one from a Forum member off this site and the other off GB. Both 3953s are great shooters. I carried a model 15 and model 19 for 33 years so I love the DA trigger on these 3953s. One is my CCW when I want to carry a 9mm.

I bought one last week on a popular auction sight. I thought I had overpaid but I really wanted it. It’s a 3953TSW pre-rail and was in better shape than I hoped. The slide and grips shows wear from carry or being banged around in a safe but the internals, rail, etc. make me think it’s really low on round count. It cost me $640 shipped and I know that seems crazy but with three TSW mags and the box I’d happily have paid 750 in a shop locally. It’s just a matter of what it means to you.

I’ve gone completely to hammer fired with a HK P30 Lem and USP Lem. The 3953tsw was the smallest single stack carry gun I can think of that has similar controls to those guns. Good luck you’ll love it when you get one.

They can be hard to find if you are talking about one in top cosmetic condition and not agency marked. I sure haven't come across any lately. I'm fortunate to have one and that's probably going to have to be it.

This is reminiscent of my similar recent search for a top condition Model 6946 (also DAO). I had to import one the hard way and it cost me a small fortune... and I didn't even get mags or a factory box.

There was a pristine perfect nice one (6946) down in CT with its factory box and one 10-round magazine, but the shop wanted $575 cash plus what it would have cost me to do another challenging import. I had to walk away from that one. Interestingly, it did apparently sell at that price as it is not showing up in the shop's current inventory.

I love mine! However, I'm not like most folks, every gun i own can get a new home. If you happen to be a Floridian and would like to look at and play with my 3953 let me know.

I picked one about four years ago for $300 with one magazine. After a good cleaning and some new springs it was good to go. If you watch Midway and brownells websites they have the magazines with the extension sometimes.
Chuck

When I was a Special Agent for U.S. Customs, I worked on a multi-agency task force. One of the Nevada State agents had a 3953. He let me shoot it at a range day, and I was hooked. A couple of weeks later I was talking with our District Range officer, and I mentioned I was looking for a 3953 to buy. He then tells me he has several to issue, and asked if I wanted one. Of course I said yes, and the next day FedEx delivered my issued 3953.

I went to the range and shot nearly 500 rounds of issued JHP ammo through it with zero malfunctions. It was my EDC and undercover carry gun for the next two years. Then in 2001, the agency went to Glocks, and I had to give up my beloved 3953.

About two years ago I picked one up locally here in Las Vegas. I had served me well, and will always have a place in my tool box.

DAO semi auto’s are for discerning shooters.

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That's not a very nice switch! I had a Glock 17 for a while, many years ago. It was a decent shooter, but I have no regrets today.

I've found that over my many years in public safety, it can be rare that the people in the field, the ones who actually use the stuff day-in and day-out, get to spec and select what they prefer and functions the best for them. Things like vehicles, weapons, radios, and protective clothing.

About a year ago, I was picking up my new Ruger 9MM carbine. They had just come out and were hard to find. I waited six weeks for the one I was picking up. As I walk in the shop, there was a used but brand new looking 3953 in the case. Box and docs and THREE factory mags. The box didn’t even have a mark in it I like 3rd gen guns but only have one DAO, a 5946. I passed on the gun because I was already spending over 500 bucks to pick up the Ruger. Price? $299. I very much regret not grabbing it.

You could look at it as just "buying early".

Even if the price is on the higher side, it will be worth that in the not too distant future.

Yeah, I'm the king at justifying my gun buying habit.

From what I'm gathering the prices on these seem to be going down, not up. Recent auctions average not even $400.