I know the sights are a bit different, that they're Sigma sights for the most part. But can I swap out the mag catch and guide rod for steel on my Model 909?



The rear sight should be a one to one swap for anything made for a Sigma right? what about the front sight?

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GOA Florida State Director

I did swap out the plastic recoil spring guide rods on all my value line S&W's with metal rods without any issues.
I cannot speak as to the metal replacement of the plastic magazine catch....With that said, I have 5 magazine catch retaining nuts that I will make available if someone needs one and at a reasonable price.

BTW: Congratulations on a very nice looking and serviceable pistol!

If you can find 3906 or 3904 parts. The 909 is simply the bargain basement version of these pistols. I do however recommend you keep the original plastic parts with the gun as making it non-factory affects its price. Secondly, since you're swapping plastic for metal, swap the disconnector as well, its likely plastic.

The metal mag release used in the 3rd Gens is different than the plastic ones used in the Value Line versions. Those do not have the frame machined for the spring and plunger that hold the metal nut in place.

I suppose if you have machining skills you could mill that hole, but what would be the point? There are several threads here on the topic and the people with knowledge point out that there have been no problems with the plastic versions breaking or wearing out.

The same for the plastic disconnectors, which have a better reliability record than the original metal ones.

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Can open, worms everywhere.

Thanks for the info. Works for me.

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GOA Florida State Director

The standard Novak rear sight should work on the 909 as it does on the CS9. I believe you are pretty much stuck with the front sight as it is.

Smith & Wesson Rear Sight Novak S&W 3953TSW 4003TSW 4006TSW 4013TSW

You could upgrade to night sights -https://www.trijicon.com/products/details/sa27

Is your actual magazine catch plastic, or just the button? I have a circa-1999 Model 908, and the mag catch is MIM metal, but the magazine catch nut (release button) is plastic. I have a few spare buttons, as it gets destroyed during the process of removing the catch if removal is ever needed. I have never needed to remove the catch. As for the plastic guide rod, I have never had an issue with it, and the reduced weight and inherent "lubricity" is an advantage, IMO.

I know this is apples and oranges, l have a Beretta stampede, and the mim slide rod broke off at the finger pull, my gunny lathed a new one same spec better big time, just a thought, a good machinist can make anything, I also had a firing pin made for a 1940s mossberg 22.