What is the difference between a regular 3913 pistol and the 3913 TSW tactical pistol? terry

Two tone hardware, most have an accessory rail, supposedly better matching/machining of frame to slide. Great guns in either dress

And there can also be a one round difference in magazine capacity.

So would one without the rail be an early or rare one?

Earlier. I have one.

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Jim Sebring

I’m not sure the earlier non railed ones are rare, the problem is people that have them will not part with them.

It took me a very long time to find one in the condition I wanted for the price I was willing to pay, (@ $500.00 +/-.) I did get lucky and held my breath until I received it from an off the wall auction house a while back.

I’m glad I waited years to finally get one. I’m real happy with it. They are out there and you don’t have to pay $800-$900 for one.

Jim

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Early 3913TSW were 7 round - later 3913TSW and as far as I know all regular 3913 / 3914 were 8 round except some of early Lady Smith

The 3913TSW came in 2 versions. The original version with the cutaway grip frame, which uses 7rd mags ... and the later version with the full length grip frame profile, which uses 8rd mags.

The early TSW's lacked the later accessory rail; the slide being machined for the optional decock-only assembly; and the visual loaded chamber inspection port machined into the rear of the barrel hood.

The later production 3913TSW's could be special-ordered without the accessory rail by LE agencies, if desired.

Now, the TSW's themselves incorporated some refinements not present in the standard 3913/14/908's.

Just off the top of my head, the most notable refinements included:

They had Box-type frame/slide rails versus the step-type rails. The Box-type rails were larger and made to slightly tighter tolerances. This included beefier frame dustcover rails, as well. These larger rails were claimed to benefit accuracy.

They had delayed unlocking of the slide/barrel, which was claimed to reduce felt recoil (by letting more pressure drop before the barrel unlocked and dropped).

Now, there were still some ongoing refinements in manufacturing occurring after the TSW line was expanded from just the original compacts to include full-size models. Some were easily visible, and some required disassembly of the guns and knowing what to look for.

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Ret LE Firearms inst & armorer