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Old 09-16-2021, 08:04 PM
Jmg11986 Jmg11986 is offline
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Got my first older Smith auto. A 915! Got my first older Smith auto. A 915! Got my first older Smith auto. A 915! Got my first older Smith auto. A 915! Got my first older Smith auto. A 915!  
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Default Got my first older Smith auto. A 915!

Hi all,

I came into the gun shop and saw this on the used rack with 4 mags total for $350 out the door. I didn’t know much about it but it felt great and the condition was good so I took the plunge. Put 170 rounds through it with no issues. I kept 15 shot groups in 5” groups at 10 yards. I’m guessing the gun is more accurate than me though. Are these mags that are inscribed with Govt warning special? Thanks all!



915 - Album on Imgur
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Old 09-16-2021, 08:26 PM
growr growr is offline
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Magazines so marked are from the Clinton Assault Weapons Ban.....meaningless now.

Randy
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Old 09-16-2021, 08:57 PM
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4T5GUY 4T5GUY is offline
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Got my first older Smith auto. A 915! Got my first older Smith auto. A 915! Got my first older Smith auto. A 915! Got my first older Smith auto. A 915! Got my first older Smith auto. A 915!  
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Magazines so marked are from the Clinton Assault Weapons Ban.....meaningless now.
Randy
Yes for sure except for the delayed roller lock people. Seems that for some reason those so marked mags are selling at a premium for the MP5 and 33’s . That could be true with AR folks also but I’m not interested in AR’s so I don’t pay attention.

“Regular” users don’t care what the magazine states on it as long as it’s unconditionally perfect in function.

Jim
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Old 09-16-2021, 09:26 PM
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jimbo728 jimbo728 is offline
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Got my first older Smith auto. A 915! Got my first older Smith auto. A 915! Got my first older Smith auto. A 915! Got my first older Smith auto. A 915! Got my first older Smith auto. A 915!  
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915 is a workhorse great find.
Jim
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Old 09-16-2021, 09:29 PM
HOUSTON RICK HOUSTON RICK is offline
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Got my first older Smith auto. A 915! Got my first older Smith auto. A 915!  
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The 915 is an excellent pistol. Very underrated, but don't tell anyone.
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File Type: jpg 9mmModel915s.jpg (36.7 KB, 39 views)
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Old 09-16-2021, 10:47 PM
Sevens Sevens is offline
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Got my first older Smith auto. A 915! Got my first older Smith auto. A 915! Got my first older Smith auto. A 915! Got my first older Smith auto. A 915! Got my first older Smith auto. A 915!  
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The 915 gets rave reviews around these pages. I have had three, down to one currently. They only made this model for 2 or maybe it was 3 years — but they made a massive truckload of them in a short period of time.

The 915 was S&W’s first attempt at a “Value Line” 3rd Gen pistol. It has been argued that S&W kind of failed at this attempt. -WAIT!- I don’t mean the pistol was a failure. Quite the opposite, I believe that S&W failed to cut costs as much as they had hoped to do, and their second attempt brought the Models 908, 908, 910 and 410 and these pistols were certainly of a somewhat lower quality.

The closest relative to the 915 was the 5904. The 915 has a flat-sided frame that is arguably a bit more attractive and svelte than the 5904. 915 has much cheaper (but useful) sights also. The 915 lacks an ambidextrous decock lever, and I kinda really like that.

The 915 also has a cheaper finish. In my opinion, that’s the biggest knock on the 915… don’t expect that finish to stand up to wear as it’s just not tough.

You got a fantastic buy at that price with four mags. Enjoy it!
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Old 09-17-2021, 09:42 AM
stansdds stansdds is offline
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Got my first older Smith auto. A 915! Got my first older Smith auto. A 915! Got my first older Smith auto. A 915! Got my first older Smith auto. A 915! Got my first older Smith auto. A 915!  
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jmg11986 View Post
Hi all,

I came into the gun shop and saw this on the used rack with 4 mags total for $350 out the door. I didn’t know much about it but it felt great and the condition was good so I took the plunge. Put 170 rounds through it with no issues. I kept 15 shot groups in 5” groups at 10 yards. I’m guessing the gun is more accurate than me though. Are these mags that are inscribed with Govt warning special? Thanks all!



915 - Album on Imgur

I took the liberty of copying one of your image links and posting it here. Some folks are very leery of clicking on links.









You Model 915 appears to be in excellent condition, so I'd wager it has been used very little. 5 inch groups at 10 yards? I'm thinking two things here. More practice is required and/or your pistol did not like the ammo you were using. It has been my experience that the 115 grain FMJ round, especially the cheap stuff, will provide the worst accuracy. I have had much better results with 115 grain JHP loads. With bullets of 124 to 147 grains, there seems to be little difference in accuracy between FMJ and JHP.

I do recommend a new recoil spring, factory S&W 59/x59/59xx recoil spring or a Wolff 14 pound (factory rating) recoil spring. Take good care of that 915 and it will reward you with decades of service. It might be a bit of a value attempt by S&W, but other than a poor blueing of the steel parts and fewer machining steps, it is the same quality as a Model 5904.
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