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

Apologies for piggybacking on this thread. I recently became interested in the 3913 series. I purchased one a month ago at a gun show. My question is does the TSW justify the added cost over the standard 3913 and LS, NL series? They are hard to find at gun shows. Online the prices keep growing. I thought I paid too much for mine but after looking online I guess not.

I intend to buy at least 1 or 2 more 3913's .Just wondering if I should pay the higher TSW price.

Before the recent madness and I guess still in theory the TSW versions usually commanded a premium. The present crazy seller's market has blurred those distinctions. You can expect to pay for either version what the seller can get.

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Added cost...I'd pay extra for one without the rail and the not so subtle TSW markings in similar condition. But then that is a personal preference.

Me too. I don’t like the riveted on almost as an afterthought rail and the gaudy Tactical writing on the slide. Also don’t like two tone guns.

The later (railed) TSW guns had frames and slides that were machined as a set, thicker rails on the slide and frame, and better fit and finish generally.

Because they were the last 3rd Gens in general production they benefitted from all of the improvements since the first versions were introduced.

If that's worth a premium to you, then I guess it's worth a premium. I have a later production 3913TSW which is a very nice shooter. I don't carry it, but shoot it from time to time.

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Can open, worms everywhere.

I need a 3913TSW and a 3953TSW to complete my 39xx collection, but right now the prices are outrageous for any of the 39xx but it seems more so for the TSW. Wait and hope prices calm down or bite the bullet?

For me, this is THE question.

On one hand, declining prices would make it easier to fill holes in a collection. On the other hand, declining prices also reduce the value of an existing collection.

What to do, what to do????

Rare or scarce models or versions or collectibles are not likely to follow the market the same way as more common examples. If you are buying a scarce or rare collectible, and you see one that you like at a price you can afford, I would jump on it. Collectors tend to hang on to their more valuable pieces even in a down market, and may not want to sell at lower prices, even once the general market calms down.

High prices tend to bring out items that people have lost interest in, inherited, or "upgraded" in a collection, so you may be seeing examples that may not be on the market once prices go down.

Something else to consider is that while the 3913TSW may be more inherently accurate due to its build, is it that much more accurate than a "standard" 3913 to justify the increased price?

And will the average shooter be able to see/tell the difference in accuracy shooting both models side by side? I would bet not. Regards 18DAI

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7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

I have to agree with 18DAI. These aren't target guns. If you HAD to shoot at something at a distance, it might make a difference, but generally, the 3913 is a decently accurate gun, but I wouldn't use it in a bullseye competition. I've never had reason to dislike my 3913NL. My 3914 shot well, also, but I sold it to a particularly attractive pistol student that begged me for it. I even made a holster for it. She was VERY attractive.

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Fight socialism. Never stop.

Need to be a more permanent arrangement even with a VERY attractive "student" to get me to give up a 3913/3914.....

Something we often lose sight when buying a CCW gun. It’s of no interest to meet how well it shoots at 20 or even 15 yards. I only care about 10 yards. Anything farther and the self defense becomes questionable. If you in law enforcement it’s a whole different ballgame.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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John 1:17
NRA Life Benefactor

Have to disagree..... if you can make it work at 15,25 or even 50 ...... then 10 is like "shooting fish in a barrel".

Sure having to engage beyond 10yds is a real "long shot" ( pun intended ) but I believe in being prepared for the worst while hoping for the best.....

Same reason I don't just carry 3 bullets ..... while 3 is the average (another thread) ....... I don't want to get caught on the wrong side of the average.......

I like the TSW guns don't get me wrong. Well......the RAIL FREE TSW guns anyways,

In fact, my all time favorite handgun is the 4513TSW, early version, rail free with 6-round mag. It was only produced in the TSW format.

But these ARE NOT Performance Center guns, despite what you may read on this board. They DO incorporate features that were implemented and engineered by the Performance Center (back when that meant something) and found on Performance Center pistols. But the TSW guns are mass produced pistols, not hand fitted custom guns.

And having a large amount of both "standard production" and TSW series guns and having shot far more examples owned by the Agency or students, I have never seen an increase in performance of a pistol that made me think the TSWs were that much better than a regular version of the same gun. Unless you consider durability. The TSWs DID benefit from engineering and design changes that made them extremely durable.

I have seen quotes of round counts from testing and spoken with former employees of S&W who mentioned in excess of 20K round service life for an agency TSW. But who here, including myself (semi retired with no more State provided ammo) is going to shoot that many rounds through a TSW pistol?

Where the TSW series really stands out is in the models that were NOT offered as "standard", like the 4513, 4563 and others. If you want a specific configuration, for example a commander size 45 with aluminum frame, well, then you have to find a 4563TSW. There is no regular production 4563, unfortunately.

And truth be told, the most accurate S&W 3rd Gen guns I own, with the best triggers, are both special LE order pistols. A 4566 and a 4516 "dash 3". Better triggers than my real Performance Center guns AND my TSW series pistols. I guess I would tell someone trying to decide between a standard production 3rd Gen and a TSW series 3rd Gen that sometimes, you don't always get what you pay for. Sometimes, you get more! Regards 18DAI

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7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

If you really want to step up from the 3rd Guns you need to search out a 1990s era Performance Center gun. The PC while building custom hand fitted guns ...... was also a testbed for ideas like the box rails.

The hidden jem in the whole bunch are the 915s IMO..... "great working/carry guns cheap"...... folks like Novak used them to build custom guns.

People use all sorts of reasons to excuse their own lack of ability. This old and very stupid saw is one of them.