What the title asks, what does the NL in the 3913NL's model number mean? Non-Lady Smith?

While I don't recall ever seeing an "official" explanation from the company, prevailing opinions are that the NL means either "no logo" or non Lady Smith.

Either way, a very nice 9mm carry piece. Regards 18DAI

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7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

I was told it means "New Look."

For some odd reason, the SCSW 4th doesn't address it . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

Archived S&W forum threads a 3913NL is a LS with no markings

That's what SCSW 4th says as well, but unlike other abbreviations on model numbers (LS for LadySmith, TSW for Tactical Smith & Wesson, etc.) there's no mention of what NL actually stands for. Since by definition, a LadySmith is a pistol marked "LadySmith", with few other cosmetic differences, it's a mystery . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

It seems odd they'd bother, but then again, taking a popular model conceal carry like the 3913 and gender assigning it was truly a bone-headed move by marketing at S&W. Its obvious that mostly guys would be wanting to tote this model and the Lady Smith logo detracted from that market. Just like the pink and powder-puff blue guns you see today. Granted they're junk guns, but its the same mistake.

Have also heard "New Line"........


SCS&W 4th page 365-367

Production years.

3913 1989-1999
3913LS 1990-2006
3913NL 1991-1994


3914 1990-96
3914LS 1990-91
3914NL 1991

Always found it strange they offered the same gun with 2 different frames over different production years.

The 3913 had a 10 year run....... 3913LS was offered for 16 years while the 3913NL only 4 years.

NL?

Not Likely to find one.

I thought it meant "not lady"

Along the same lines - I thought "No Lady" as in: "This gun is no lady!".

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So many S&W's, so few funds!!

You beat me to it.

I almost literally stumbled across mine and didn't know what it was until after I bought it. Mine just says "3914". It has a TJD prefix.

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Can open, worms everywhere.

So, if you didn’t know what it was, you won’t miss it after selling it to me...right?

Actually, I’ve been lucky enough to land both a 13 and 14 NL.

No sale! Apparently, the shop I bought it from didn't know what it was either. I think I paid $325.00 with two magazines. That was probably close to 10 years ago. It's in very nice condition, but no box, papers, or any of the TTSH required accoutrements to make it collectible.

I'd love a 3913NL, but I never seen one in a LGS around here. Have seen a couple of Lady Smiths, but too expensive for my taste. Besides, I have nothing that matches that hand bag.

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Can open, worms everywhere.

Beware of the Jep and his offers GaryS! Instead, you should sell it to me! How's about a nice, quick $25.00 profit!

Au' contraire, my friend. Keep your eyes wide open for a nice one to appear in the classifieds soon. ;-)

My understanding is that it means "No Logo", as in no Ladysmith logo.

In my opinion, the Ladysmith model of the 3913 was the best discreet carry compact 9mm pistol ever made. For those hairy-chested men who would refuse on principle to carry a gun designed for ladies, the 3913 Ladysmith was also produced at the factory without the Ladysmith logo. Hence, the 3913NL letter suffix is pretty universally believed to represent No Logo. Accordingly, I bought one these a number of years ago, and it's one of my favorite S&Ws. My only custom change to it was to install tritium sights.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

Not Naked Lady? lol......No Logo, Nice Legs, we could be here all day...in the end it's just the same pistol without the Lady Smith on the side. It opened the market up to men to carry it...too and not look like a girl.

I have a 3913 that I love. It's on my vest as a backup and on my hip for off duty carry as well. They are outstanding guns period. I don't know how I ever lived without a 3913.

When I once asked someone from the factory about the non-Lady Smith 3913 variant being offered, I was told the NL just meant No Logo (meaning it lacked the Lady Smith logo).

Lady Smith models got the Lady Smith logo, and the guns made without the Lady Smith logo were ... no logo models.

I never asked further, as I hadn't planned to order one. I almost ordered the light grey grips, though. But changed my mind. Black shows fouling and grime less easily than a light color, and my off-duty weapons saw a lot of use at the range.

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Ret LE Firearms inst & armorer