|
|
07-29-2020, 10:57 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 4
Likes: 1
Liked 7 Times in 3 Posts
|
|
Picked up a S&W 915
I just purchased a S&W 915 the other day and it seems to be pretty good condition. I ran 50 rounds through without a hitch. I don't really know how many rounds have been through it and I'm still new to firearms. I don't know if there's parts I should replace or really what the availability of 915 parts are. How has your 915s held up for you guys?
|
The Following 4 Users Like Post:
|
|
07-29-2020, 11:08 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: KY
Posts: 2,341
Likes: 1
Liked 2,245 Times in 1,108 Posts
|
|
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
07-29-2020, 11:18 AM
|
Banned
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: SW Missouri
Posts: 2,370
Likes: 15,735
Liked 5,251 Times in 1,622 Posts
|
|
Welcome from the Ozarks of S/W Missouri -via- Chicago.
Just do what jsbethel told you.
915's are great guns.
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
07-29-2020, 11:21 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: New Bern NC
Posts: 2,477
Likes: 7,507
Liked 2,361 Times in 1,113 Posts
|
|
Welcome aboard from coastal North Carolina and I hope you get as much enjoyment from your 915 that I have had from mine.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
07-29-2020, 11:30 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Central Texas
Posts: 7,437
Likes: 13,465
Liked 8,496 Times in 2,835 Posts
|
|
Welcome and congrats on a great gun. Loved my 915, never had any issues, but sold it to fund other things.
Parts wise check the internet, like gun broker, ebay, or first and foremost this board.
__________________
Jorge
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
07-29-2020, 12:10 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: A Burb of the Burgh
Posts: 14,788
Likes: 1,672
Liked 19,897 Times in 8,797 Posts
|
|
Welcome; the 915 is one of my favorite Smith autoloaders.
Mec-gar makes some nice 17 & 20 round mags for those....... $23 at Greg Cote LLC. Been buying there for years.
Last edited by BAM-BAM; 07-29-2020 at 12:11 PM.
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
07-29-2020, 03:15 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 4
Likes: 1
Liked 7 Times in 3 Posts
|
|
Thanks for the reply guys! I really like how it feels nice in my hands. I've been dry firing it a bunch. Are parts interchangeable between the 915 and 910?
|
07-29-2020, 03:28 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: KY
Posts: 2,341
Likes: 1
Liked 2,245 Times in 1,108 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrbubbles773
Are parts interchangeable between the 915 and 910?
|
Yes and no. You have the better pistol. See this thread - $325? Difference between 910 and 915?
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
07-29-2020, 03:54 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Ohio
Posts: 7,858
Likes: 9,476
Liked 14,860 Times in 5,052 Posts
|
|
More parts interchange between 5903/5906 and 915.
For some possible hint at previous use, the frame is aluminum alloy and black and that black is NOT a durable finish, so all frame parts and rails that interact with the steel slide will wear to a bright metal. The more black, the less (possible) wear.
Also, on all 1-2-3rd Gens, the hammer naturally pounds the frame during live fire. Simply drawing the slide back manually won’t smack the frame the way live fire will. So look at the area where the hammer naturally bounces off the frame as it is re-cocked and you will find that new guns barely have a mark and guns that have had lots of love will often exhibit a solid divot in this area.
It seems like everyone on the planet except me wants to chase down and stockpile a slew of parts in case of future failure. For me, I don’t really worry so much about it. If I did, I would buy a second gun. Typically, you’ll spend more money in the ammo it would require to shoot one of these to failure than another pistol would cost.
|
The Following 4 Users Like Post:
|
|
07-29-2020, 04:03 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 599
Likes: 97
Liked 869 Times in 340 Posts
|
|
I just picked up a 915 and retired my 539 as my CCW. Put 50 rds through it and it ran fine with no issues. Now I'm on the lookout for a second mag, it only came with one. Mec Gar mags are out there and reasonably priced but I'd prefer finding an OEM S&W mag. Anybody have any experience with Mec Gar mags in a S&W?
|
07-29-2020, 04:26 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 4
Likes: 1
Liked 7 Times in 3 Posts
|
|
I guess what I'm trying to figure out is if I should be concerned with parts breakage. Like I said I don't know how many rounds have been through it and I don't really know the overall quality of the internal parts. I know I'm probably being paranoid here. Once again I appreciate you guys replying to the thread. I really look forward in owning the 915.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
07-29-2020, 05:34 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 4
Likes: 1
Liked 7 Times in 3 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sevens
More parts interchange between 5903/5906 and 915.
For some possible hint at previous use, the frame is aluminum alloy and black and that black is NOT a durable finish, so all frame parts and rails that interact with the steel slide will wear to a bright metal. The more black, the less (possible) wear.
Also, on all 1-2-3rd Gens, the hammer naturally pounds the frame during live fire. Simply drawing the slide back manually won’t smack the frame the way live fire will. So look at the area where the hammer naturally bounces off the frame as it is re-cocked and you will find that new guns barely have a mark and guns that have had lots of love will often exhibit a solid divot in this area.
It seems like everyone on the planet except me wants to chase down and stockpile a slew of parts in case of future failure. For me, I don’t really worry so much about it. If I did, I would buy a second gun. Typically, you’ll spend more money in the ammo it would require to shoot one of these to failure than another pistol would cost.
|
This is really helpful, thank you. I'll disassemble the gun when I get home.
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
07-29-2020, 05:34 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Ohio
Posts: 7,858
Likes: 9,476
Liked 14,860 Times in 5,052 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by 67tempest
Mec Gar mags are out there and reasonably priced but I'd prefer finding an OEM S&W mag. Anybody have any experience with Mec Gar mags in a S&W?
|
Yes I do. I have lots of use from Meg-Gar 17-round replacements (I think they are 17, no?) and also with the extended 20-rounders.
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
07-30-2020, 07:06 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Virginia
Posts: 8,777
Likes: 19,550
Liked 11,881 Times in 5,393 Posts
|
|
The one part that you can replace and may prevent other parts from breaking would be the recoil spring. The factory spring is 14 pounds and factory 39/59/x39/x59/390x/590x springs are good quality. I'd say replace the recoil spring every 3500 rounds or so, more frequently if you use 9mm NATO or +P ammo.
__________________
VCDL, GOA, NRA
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
08-04-2020, 02:06 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by 67tempest
I just picked up a 915 and retired my 539 as my CCW. Put 50 rds through it and it ran fine with no issues. Now I'm on the lookout for a second mag, it only came with one. Mec Gar mags are out there and reasonably priced but I'd prefer finding an OEM S&W mag. Anybody have any experience with Mec Gar mags in a S&W?
|
gunprime $29.00 shipped 5906 mag
|
02-26-2021, 08:51 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: massachusetts
Posts: 736
Likes: 2,823
Liked 518 Times in 278 Posts
|
|
good advice
Quote:
Originally Posted by stansdds
The one part that you can replace and may prevent other parts from breaking would be the recoil spring. The factory spring is 14 pounds and factory 39/59/x39/x59/390x/590x springs are good quality. I'd say replace the recoil spring every 3500 rounds or so, more frequently if you use 9mm NATO or +P ammo.
|
A new recoil spring costs about $2.50 on midwayusa.com
It's cheap insurance to buy 2 and save one for later!
__________________
S&W BG380, S&W 915 9mm
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
02-26-2021, 11:02 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: HOUSTON, TEXAS
Posts: 10,184
Likes: 7,178
Liked 14,377 Times in 5,413 Posts
|
|
The 915 when cared for reasonably is a fine pistol as is.Whatever pre-cautions that you take are up to you. Some will talk about the old S&W economy line, but now they do not make them that good anymore. Good for anything that any other 9mm pistol is for. A great underrated pistol.
Last edited by HOUSTON RICK; 02-26-2021 at 11:04 PM.
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
02-27-2021, 01:11 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Kansas
Posts: 885
Likes: 557
Liked 2,656 Times in 611 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrbubbles773
I guess what I'm trying to figure out is if I should be concerned with parts breakage. Like I said I don't know how many rounds have been through it and I don't really know the overall quality of the internal parts. I know I'm probably being paranoid here. Once again I appreciate you guys replying to the thread. I really look forward in owning the 915.
|
The 915 was one of the last quality pistols S&W made before they started down the polymer rabbit hole. There aren't really any parts that are known for critical failures. Just change the recoil spring, as you should do with any other used handgun. You're right that you don't know the round count on the gun, so don't obsess over it and enjoy it.
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
02-28-2021, 03:43 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Virginia
Posts: 8,777
Likes: 19,550
Liked 11,881 Times in 5,393 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrmike7189
A new recoil spring costs about $2.50 on midwayusa.com
It's cheap insurance to buy 2 and save one for later!
|
They are inexpensive, so when I buy them from Midway USA, I buy a bunch of them, maybe enough to claim as supply for the rest of my life.
__________________
VCDL, GOA, NRA
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
03-02-2021, 07:51 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: USA
Posts: 1,111
Likes: 5,684
Liked 1,665 Times in 730 Posts
|
|
Congratulations on the new 915! Great model, dependable as any other S&W 3rd Gen, lightweight, and accurate.
As has been mentioned, a new recoil spring is a must, and really the only other part I personally like to upgrade is the guide rod. The staked-head guide rod that came with it can come loose over time (to check, gently try to twist the head and see if it moves). A one-piece guide rod you will never have to worry about : Smith & Wesson Recoil Spring Guide Assembly S&W 4003TSW 4006TSW
Mec-Gar mags are 100% good to go in my experience as well, love the 17-round flush-fit mags.
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
03-02-2021, 09:10 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Hills of North Georgia
Posts: 5,131
Likes: 1,854
Liked 12,482 Times in 3,413 Posts
|
|
One of the most underrated pistols S&W ever made. Mine is a joy to shoot. The only minus is the finish, they can develop character quickly.
__________________
LIVE FROM THE DAWGHOUSE
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
03-03-2021, 09:13 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 150
Likes: 59
Liked 88 Times in 35 Posts
|
|
Very nice. I have it's first cousin, a 5904. I wish you great luck with yours.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
03-04-2021, 02:13 PM
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Foothills of the Ozarks
Posts: 3,596
Likes: 10,678
Liked 5,588 Times in 2,179 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by threefiftyseven
Very nice. I have it's first cousin, a 5904. I wish you great luck with yours.
|
Wow, threefiftyseven!
You've been a member since 2008 and only posted 3 times!
You have exhibited an herculean level of restraint!
John
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
03-05-2021, 08:25 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 150
Likes: 59
Liked 88 Times in 35 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnHL
Wow, threefiftyseven!
You've been a member since 2008 and only posted 3 times!
You have exhibited an herculean level of restraint!
John
|
Ha. Actually, a long boring story, John. Short version , a little less boring...Last week on a firearm auction site my acct. got hacked several times resulting in me having to ax my acct there, PayPal acct, credit card cancellation, email address killed, Ebay too and computer guts redone . I could not log back in under my name, geo57 so had to temporarily use an old handle I used briefly. The mod here graciously restored everything.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
03-05-2021, 10:25 PM
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Foothills of the Ozarks
Posts: 3,596
Likes: 10,678
Liked 5,588 Times in 2,179 Posts
|
|
Still, with only 85 posts since 2006, you ain't exactly setting the keyboard on fire!
Then again, maybe you're just a person who chooses their words carefully.
John
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
03-05-2021, 11:23 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 150
Likes: 59
Liked 88 Times in 35 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnHL
Still, with only 85 posts since 2006, you ain't exactly setting the keyboard on fire!
Then again, maybe you're just a person who chooses their words carefully.
John
|
I've recently retired. Before that I had far less time to spend online.
|
The Following 3 Users Like Post:
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
|
|
|
|