I am blessed to have the best job in the world, again. I was rehired as an instructor by the new owners of the local public indoor range. I can't believe they pay me to do it.

And I get to shoot, a lot, everyday, teaching others how to. So I also get to shoot a lot of different guns as well. And on days where I am not instructing, I work the range and counter. Sometimes customers will ask us to shoot their guns to check for a percieved deficiency. I get a lot of shooting in.

And I always keep a couple of different guns in my range bag for customers who want to try different types of pistols. The 3914NL, CS9, 4516, 457 and others are often with me.

A month or so ago I took my early production, flash chromed hammer and trigger, 3913 out of storage and cleaned and lubed it. I purchased it on Black Friday at the local Gander mountain almost two decades ago, with my late father. I used it as my off duty/court gun, till we went to 45s. Then it got stored, for that and sentimental reasons.

I took it back out of storage, primarily because it is a great teaching pistol. Soft shooting, reliable, light weight and "perfect" size, for everybody. And customers love it. It makes them feel comfortable and builds confidence quickly. Everyone of them is shocked when I tell them it is out of print. Hey, s&w, back in my former career we called that a clue.

Anyways, yesterday I had 30 minutes between lessons and decided to shoot a little, for fun. I loaded up the 3913 and put up some 2 inch circle targets to shoot "dot drills". And I was stunned as the 3913 put every round inside the 2 inch circles. Out to 15 yards. Round after round going into the circles. Some on top of others. With cheap (back in March when I bought it!)124 grain S&B ball!

I had forgotten how good the 3913 shoots. I always have thought it was one of, if not THE best pistols S&W ever made (after stealing the design and features from Paris Theodore and Charlie Kelsey ) and it is, IMO, the finest 9mm carry gun made, by anyone. To date.

But I have not been shooting it. Only watching others shoot it. And I have not carried it recently. That is going to change. I broke out all my Ken Null and Don Hume leather, from back in the day last night. Found some 147 grain RA9T too. And the 3913 is back in my holster today. It is probably going to be found there, often, going forward. Simply a "perfect" carry gun, for me. Regards 18DAI

__________________
7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

Funny been carrying my Beretta 92 Compact for the last month or so; 15+1 using a newer Mec-gar flush fit mag plus another 18 rd mag with a Farrar mag collar .

This morning broke out my 3931NL as I'm just running errands in my Burb of the Burgh..... before the Gov shuts us down again!!!!

Milt Sparks Executive Companion Holster and a MS double IWB mag pouch I wear between my Wranglers and a Wilderness Tactical Frequent Flyer belt. I like the Hogue checkered wood grips for a bit fuller grip.

Very comfortable and comforting............. set up

Got a Don Hume 726 coming for my standard 3913 I'm looking forward to for OWB carry w/ thumb-break.... at the cabin or lake.

I really like my 3913 and its stable companion, the 3953. I am actually not sure which I like better.

I'd really like to shoot a 3904/6 to see, hear, and feel what all the fuss is about. It does seem to address the one issue I have with my 3913 and 3953, the grip length is a little too short.

I purchased mine LNIB somewhere over 10 years ago. It has been dependable, my #1 criteria, with any and all of the many types of factory ammo used. Mine was a second weapon before I retired, now a CCW. Just fine little pistols overall IMHO.

Attached Images

3913 (800x600).jpg (137.5 KB, 191 views)

__________________
NRA Life, COTEP 640

Why is the 3913 a better carry than a CS9? capacity?

I have always wanted a 3913 but I haven't been able to secure one, but I did find a 3914 that has been a great companion.

__________________
Patriots Forever!!

washerman - I have a CS9, two actually and they are EXCELLENT 9mm carry guns. I carry one all summer and on occasions I "can't have a gun". I wouldn't part with them.

IMO, what makes the 3913 better, is that it has a little more length and a bit more heft. Easier to point and shoot well, for me. Not that much harder to conceal or carry than a CS9. And one extra round, for those that matters to.

opaul - regarding the 3914, same church, different pew. Regards 18DAI

__________________
7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

Reading this thread reminded me I have a 3913 LS in the safe I've never fired.
If your still looking opaul I could be talked into letting it go.

In case he’s not, I’d be interested in discussing it.

I sure love mine.



It was a police trade in. Got it at Lou's Police Supply in Hialeah, FL back at the start of the previous decade. Paid $125 for it. It hasn't skipped a beat. Shots nice, handles real well, and is comfortable to carry.

But I just dug out my Beretta 92FS Centurion from the back of the safe and I remembered why I sold my 5926, 59, and 5906.... the Beretta is just that nice of a gun. It is just about perfect for a duty size 9mm DA/SA gun. But the 3913 and 6906 are just fantastic compact pistols. Something that Beretta couldn't do with their design. Even the 92FS Type M was a thick and bulky gun for a single stack.

3913............yeah it's THAT good!!!

all hail the king of CCW.............

Randy

Amen brother growr! I'm a witness!

Miami_JBT mine is identical to yours in the pic.

Since thread drift, in my threads, is not only 18DAI approved, but encouraged - and the 3913NL models as well as the CS9 have been mentioned, allow me to drift this topic a bit.

I had to run some errands this afternoon and it is a bit warmer today. The CS9s are cleaned and in storage for the winter. I had the 3913 apart to clean it after shooting it this week, so I opened the "dirty gun drawer" and picked up the 3914NL. Back when I was still a young man and working investigations, I could not go to sleep with a dirty gun in the house. I had to clean them after using them.

Now, decades older and semi retired......I clean the guns when I get around to it. I am fortunate to have enough guns where finding a cleaned and lubed pistol to put in my holster is never an issue. And today, even though the 3914NL was a little dirty from running a few mags through it, I had no doubt it would function, reliably as it always has.

So in the holster it went and I carried it around town this afternoon. And as I did so, I realized that the factory OEM grip, with a rubber grip sleeve over it, combined with the single sided safety/deocker (which I only use as a decocker) makes the NL models carry/conceal even better than all the other 39XX series guns - including the CS9, for me.

Keep in mind I am left handed so the single side safety/decocker is away from my side when holstered. And as I gained weight from sitting around for 6 months after I quit working at the Godforsaken gun shop during the Wuhan plague....and being old, IWB carry is not as comfortable for me as when I was young and fit.

My 3913 wears Hogue rubber grips, like the one in the photo above. It fits my hand as if made for it. And that contributes to the ease of accurately shooting that pistol. The factory OEMs, being thinner, which are on my 3914NL make a good grip while shooting somewhat more difficult. So I installed the textured rubber grip sleeve to help anchor it in my hand better. But I still don't shoot the 3914NL anywhere near as well as I do the 3913.

I think after...if, the current stupidity ends in the gun market, I am going to try to locate a clean 3913NL. So I can put my 3913 back up and won't have the rust issues with the carbon steel slide of the 3914NL. Yes, if not wiped down, every couple of days with 3 in 1 oil, my 3914NL gets surface rust. I think the screwed up the steel and carbon content mix in the batch of slides that my serial number fell in. Got to keep up on maintenance to avoid that problem.

But, that is the ONLY issue with that gun. And all the good about it FAR exceeds that one small problem. Great pistol. Yea, if I was only going to have one 9mm carry gun, a 3913NL model would be the best all around choice. For me. Regards 18DAI

__________________
7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

I scored a like new 3913 on THE OUTDOORS TRADER here in GA. Met up with the fellow; turns out he was a retired Trooper and we knew lots of folks in common. I got a NIB 908 mag and fit the sleeve on the bottom. That's the mag I keep in it.

I kinda have a similar situation, except mine is with a 4040PD.



It has a similar profile to the LS/NL guns but in .40 S&W.

Yeah, the Carbon Slide is known to get a bit scruffy and grow a five o'clock shadow if I don't wipe her down. Same with the P239, also in .40 S&W of course.

I'm a righty, so the safety/decocker always pokes me. But I understand having the extra padding around the middle. Spent the last five years pushing a desk instead of a marked unit as a detective. Since I've hanged up the badge, it has gotten a bit worse due to COVID-19. Well, my fatness is gonna get in shape soon enough since I figured I can't stay away from the badge for long. I put in for a Reserve slot with a local agency. So I have to fit back into a duty belt and uniform.

Oh well.... nice thing is they have a pretty liberal firearms policy. Gonna qual with the WVSP 4566TSW as my duty gun. Spoke with Safariland, they still make the holster that WVSP used. So I can carry with a weapon light.

So, are Congrats or Condolences in order Miami_JBT ?

The WVSP 4566TSW is a VERY nice duty gun! The 4040PD would be a fine back up or off duty too.

Nice that an agency realizes that choice is good. Stay safe! Regards 18DAI

__________________
7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

Wife says I have to get out of the house. Something about forming a symbiotic relationship with the recliner and the remote starting to graft to my hand.

Keeps my cert active, I can work off duties for fun money, and if needed due to unforeseen circumstances I can go back fulltime to support the family.

Yeah, the 4566 is a nice gun. I'll mostly be using my G17 but I'm going to qual with the 4566 so when I'm feeling frisky I can be different and show off at the range when the younger just graduated the academy hires what a duty gun was before the age of plastic fantastic completely took over.

............I feel ya brother.......it's akin to a security blanket ...................

__________________
witty signature goes here

..................and with my giant paw the 6906 is a close second with 7 more rounds ...........

__________________
witty signature goes here

I played mix and match with my 3913 and put a longer slide on it. I carried it a lot in a IWB Leather Arsenal holster made for a 5906. The longer sight radius helps with my old eyes. I agree it is a very dependable auto, probably the best CCW auto Smith ever made, even so I still carry a J frame BUG. The long slide 3913 is on the lower right corner. The upper right corner is my single stack 4013.

Attached Images

20 02 18 4 retired LE S&W autos.jpg (77.0 KB, 85 views)

__________________
SWCA 3417 HF 642 NRA-TC

I don't mess with "perfection"..... aka..... the 3913/14/NL

If you're going to mix and match 3rd Gen parts.....might I suggest you build yourself a 6915....... my answer to the 80s Colt CCO.

6906 frame mated to a 915 barrel and slide..... Gives you that longer sight radius you want and is 12+1. IMHO , after 30 years of doing it, the butt of a 6906 is no harder to conceal than the 3913's. I've got two. One I built and one I got from Squidsix. One with front night sight and the other with fiber optic front sight.

I noticed that some of you are now using the Hogue rubber grips..... FWIW I find the Hogue checkered wood grips don't grab on the cover garment as much and don't add any bulk. And while we carry concealed the wood adds a real touch of class;especially to the 3913NLs and 3914s!!

I see you got one of the flush fit 7rd magazines.

LOL Bond went to an ASP in the Books.... that^^^^^ would be the prefect gun for the movies!!!!!!

Jeppo if you want pics I can email them.
Your PM box is full.

[email protected]

BAM BAM

I have small hands. The 6906 doesn't fit my hand. I made one up before the 5906/3913. I couldn't shoot it nearly as well so I reassembled the original 6906 and 915 and sold them.

__________________
SWCA 3417 HF 642 NRA-TC

Yep, it only takes a range session to refresh the reason of why a 3913 is such a great single stack compact.

I've been carrying my original 3913 recently, after finally getting around to cleaning it from my last range session.

I installed the optional spring-loaded decock-only assembly in mine. For some mysterious reason my slide came machined for it, back when it was a new option only being offered to LE and the machining was only done at the Performance Center. When I called to order the decock-only assembly, nobody with whom I spoke on the phone could explain why my slide had had the machining done. Best guess I was given was maybe the PC had modified the slide for a special order or some project, but then it was canceled and the machined slide was sent back over to Production and just ended up in the 3913 I ordered.

I've gone through some different sights on mine, including the discontinued Novak Ghost rear sight, but the factory (Trijicon) nights I last installed are old enough to have finally gone completely dark. Before my last range session I dabbed some bright neon orange nail polish in round circle making up the front night sight, and it really helped the front sight to stand out to my senior citizen eyes. Similar to the way the big orange front ring of the Ameriglo Agent Pro NS catches my eyes on my G27.

While I have a couple other holsters for my 3913, I still prefer my old Hume H726 semi-open breakfront belt scabbard. I used it for my issued 6906's, as well my 3913, CS9 and 4040PD. (I have models of the holster for my 4013TSW, 4513TSW, 3913TSW (railed, late production), CS45 and a couple other brands of guns.

I've used that first 3913 for enough years on our range for me to have replaced the recoil spring a few times, and I forget how many magazine springs. Our previous duty ammunition has included assorted 147gr standard pressure loads, as well as a couple 124gr +P loads and the W-W 127gr +P+ RA9SXTP and RA9TA (different vintages). I replaced the recoil spring more often when using the +P and +P+ loads.

While I have Hogue rubber grip stocks on my 3913 (at present), I still run the factory grip on the 3913TSW. No particular reason, and both types of grips have their pro's & con's.

Matter of fact, today I'm going to belt on that original Hume leather scabbard and carry my 3913, loaded with 127gr +P+, as I go out for the afternoon.

One of the best 9's S&W ever produced, and among the all-time best compact, metal-framed defensive single stacks ever made. In my opinion, anyway.

__________________
Ret LE Firearms inst & armorer

This discussion has gotten me going. Given the amazingly warm weather here, I believe I will break out my 3914DAO and give 'er a run tomorrow.

I normally carry one of my 39xx guns for the majority of the year, though for 2020 it's been a 45ACP every day, since society has gotten a bit crazier this year.

I still consider the 3913 and it's relatives to be the best carry guns ever made, in any caliber, period. Especially with modern defensive ammo, they are simply the easiest to shoot, control, conceal, safely carry, and effectively defend yourself with.

I shoot my 39xx guns better than the rest with my off-hand, and I would imagine that they would be the best choice if I was winded from a struggle or running, dazed from a blow to the head, or shaky from an adrenaline dump. At the end of a range session I'll tend to not shoot as well with my larger calibers due to fatigue, but pull out the 3913TSW again and it just seems so easy.

If I could only have one, it would be my 3913TSW.

I thought about selling mine a few months back and I'm glad I didn't; I don't know what I was thinking.

The only issue I have is that I can't get Hornaday Critical Defense FTX to feed reliably, so I have to use a different brand and type of carry ammo. Anyone else have that issue?

I've never heard of that issue before. My 39xx guns feed everything, but I don't use Hornady FTX (though I see that it does perform well in tests). How long has the recoil spring been in your 3913? It is recommended to replace them every 5 years/5,000 rounds.

The first 9mm I EDC'd was a 908. I own a 3913LS and a 3913NL along with several 3953s and a pre-rail 3953TSW. The 3900 compacts are fine shooters, have a nice balanced feel, and just the right amount of heft to keep them at the top of my EDC charts.

For me, "the perfect carry gun" is the 3953. The DAO preference is due to carrying and training with revolvers exclusively for more than 3 decades. I like the 3953's trigger which reminds me of my S&W 19.

I picked up this 3913NL. It had FTF/FTE issues. My bad for not field stripping it before shooting it.

After posting about it, a fellow member suggested changing the recoil spring.

After giving it a through cleaning, and replacing the recoil spring, the 3913NL runs like a top.

It prefers 124gr or heavier ammo. I never had a problem with that Hornady ammo. Mine eats it up.

The 3913 is a great carry pistol.

Attached Images

20201207_193933.jpg (121.5 KB, 37 views)

__________________
BTDT, Got The T-Shirt

Forgot how good a 3913 really is. Seriously? My notched grip 3913 tactical is on my hip as I type and only forgotten when I'm carrying due to it's small size and weight.

If you're referring to the 7 shot pre rail 3913TSW, I’m right there with you. Mine is sitting in an IWB holster as I type.

__________________
Can open, worms everywhere.

Remembered how good the DAO version is today. Carried this one most of the day. A 3953.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes I’m a firm believer the 3913 & 14 are arguably the best 9’s ever made. I’ve carried a 3914 every day for years with a Remora iwb and an extra mag pouch, and have a matching setup as back up in the event the primary is ever stolen or confiscated for any reason. Both also have hogues. I’ve never had a problem with the finish getting any surface rust and I’m in the south so carrying in high heat and humidity. I’ve never had either hiccup on any ammo - period. And yes very accurate. They are so well balanced too compared to so many other single stacks. Yep - I love metal. I can’t see ever changing my EDC

I should carry mine, but it's so nice in the box that I just haven't yet.

BTW, what is that grip sleeve on yours?

__________________
Can open, worms everywhere.

Gary,

I do not remember who manufactured the grip sleeve. They are meant for a smaller pistil but provide just enough extra purchase on the 3953 without adding any bulk. It's super thin. Somebody on here turned me on to the product. Actually, I think it was 18DAI. 18DAI, was it you?

Ryan

I like mine. It would have been nice if Smith & Wesson would have made the shield take the same magazines

NCBeagle I think it was......

That appears to be a "The Gripper" grip sleeve. They were sold by Dana Safety Supply. A local cop shop. They had a website address on the plastic bag they came in - but it was never set up or activated.

I have them on the majority of my carry guns. And they are durable. The ones on my CS9s have been on there for years and have yet to wear out. I am not sure if they are still produced. Regards 18DAI

__________________
7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

Dana Safety Supply is apparently a national company with one location in NC. I checked their website, but they don't list any grip sleeves. Pachmyar makes a "The Gripper" but it doesn't look like the one in the photo.

I use the Pachmyar one for my "full size" compacts, but the pre rail TSW pistols require cutting. I think I finally got mine to fit properly, but it looks a bit hacked up.

If anyone has any idea what size fits those guns without cutting, I'd appreciate the information. Since the 3rd Gens aren't in production, none of the grip manufacturers include them in their sizing. Most sizing information revolves around Glocks. Maybe the Glock 43 size?

Sorry to ramble, but I'm listening to a fairly boring Covid Vaccine lecture.

__________________
Can open, worms everywhere.

We have a Dana Safety Supply here just north of Ft. Lauderdale. Last year I delivered to them some brand new Dodge Chargers I picked up at the Dodge dealer. They were police pursuit models, & Dana was adding the lights, & 2-way radios getting them ready for the police department who purchased them. There must have been 100 brand new Ford, Chevy, & Dodge police cars in their lot ready to be picked up. GARY

Gary, the Gripper sleeve comes in 3 sizes. Sm, M ,Lg. I use the large on the 4566, the med on the 39XX guns and the small on the CS pistols.

I do have some Hogue rubber grip sleeves on a couple of guns, my rail free 4513TSW and BMCM 457. For those I bought the "Glock full size" and after working them onto the gun.......and cussing profusely , I cut them to exact fit with an Xacto knife and surgical scissors. Good luck! Hope this helps.

Oh, BTW, I opened a fortune cookie last night. It said "You no hab COBID!" No, really, it did. Regards 18DAI

__________________
7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

Thanks, that makes sense. I'll look at using a "small" on the pre rail TSW as the grip is essentially the same size as a CS. The on I have on now looks like it was hacked up... because it was!

I'm planning to steal your fortune cookie story, it's just too good not to!

__________________
Can open, worms everywhere.

The 3913 is a good, Proven design and does everything that it was designed for. Probably the most enjoyable compact model to shoot.

Attached Images

9MM3913TSW (2).jpg (30.1 KB, 25 views)

that's a nice piece you got there. What's the difference between this one and a 669? I have one but haven't even had a chance to shoot it (like many of my other guns).
ETA: Ok, just found out it's a single stack.

I received the grip I ordered yesterday. It's a Pachmyar Slip On Pistol Grip #4. It seems designed mostly for .380 sized guns, but does list the Kahr PM9 as well.

It sure looked small compared to the grip on the 3913TSW. I half expected it to tear when I tried to put it on.

I put the gun in my vice (using padded jaws) upside down, gripping the slide.

It took a bit of tugging and pulling, but it went on. It's really tight, but that just means that it doesn't slide along easily. The length of the grip is just right for the shorter pre rail grip.

I took the gun to the range today and put three magazines worth of ammunition through it. Grips worked fine.

In the course of shooting, I noticed that when I did a reload I had to push the slide forward to get the first round to chamber. The ammo is Maxx Tech 124gr Jacketed Round Nose. The 147gr JHP I carry for PD never has a problem and neither does the Blazer Brass 124gr or even the S&B. It's the shape of the round, not the gun.

Once the first round fires, the ammo cycles fine and so I'm not worried about it. I have plenty of other range ammo, so I can save this for one of the other 3rd Gens that might not be so fussy.

Anyway, the grip does what I want, so I'm happy with it.

__________________
Can open, worms everywhere.