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Old 06-13-2020, 01:57 PM
josywales josywales is offline
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Default 6946, 3900 series, what parts should I gather, maintenance, etc.?

I just picked up a 6946 and have some 3900 series pistols. I believe I picked up some recoil springs a while back.

- Which springs should I look to replace on the 6946 or the 3953? The trigger is pretty good already and seems to be the same on either gun. Maybe try a lighter spring?

- Springs for the 3913TSW, or other caveats for this pistol?

- Grease, not oil, on the rails. I'll tend to that.

- Mags. Ugh, I just bit the bullet on 5 for the 6946. Cry once and move on. I have enough for the 3900s. But only one or two for the 3913TSW, so I'll need a couple more when I can find them.

Thanks for any other insight into these pistols, maintenance, etc.
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Old 06-13-2020, 03:24 PM
PeteC PeteC is offline
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6946, 3900 series, what parts should I gather, maintenance, etc.? 6946, 3900 series, what parts should I gather, maintenance, etc.? 6946, 3900 series, what parts should I gather, maintenance, etc.? 6946, 3900 series, what parts should I gather, maintenance, etc.? 6946, 3900 series, what parts should I gather, maintenance, etc.?  
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I noticed someone picked up 5 12-rd mags on an auction site today, and was wondering whose wallet was hurting (chuckle)!

I am thinking about the same thing, parts and planning ahead, since I bought a 6906 recently. someone I know in the RT suggested I should just buy one complete spring set, but replace only what seems to need replacing.

If the mags you bought are anything like the ones I sourced from various places, one or two may have new springs already, and one or two may need one.
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Old 06-13-2020, 04:25 PM
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6946, 3900 series, what parts should I gather, maintenance, etc.? 6946, 3900 series, what parts should I gather, maintenance, etc.? 6946, 3900 series, what parts should I gather, maintenance, etc.? 6946, 3900 series, what parts should I gather, maintenance, etc.? 6946, 3900 series, what parts should I gather, maintenance, etc.?  
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Recoil springs are the same on both the 39xx and 690xx compact guns. I make it a habit to change them out on all "new to me" 3rd Gens.

Midway has them for $2.49 each. Last time I ordered, I got 10 figuring I'd use them sooner or later.
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Old 06-13-2020, 05:08 PM
josywales josywales is offline
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Haha. You don’t have to be Colombo to figure out it was me do you!

Do springs on these give up over time more then other brands?

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Originally Posted by PeteC View Post
I noticed someone picked up 5 12-rd mags on an auction site today, and was wondering whose wallet was hurting (chuckle)!

I am thinking about the same thing, parts and planning ahead, since I bought a 6906 recently. someone I know in the RT suggested I should just buy one complete spring set, but replace only what seems to need replacing.

If the mags you bought are anything like the ones I sourced from various places, one or two may have new springs already, and one or two may need one.
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Old 06-13-2020, 06:39 PM
PeteC PeteC is offline
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6946, 3900 series, what parts should I gather, maintenance, etc.? 6946, 3900 series, what parts should I gather, maintenance, etc.? 6946, 3900 series, what parts should I gather, maintenance, etc.? 6946, 3900 series, what parts should I gather, maintenance, etc.? 6946, 3900 series, what parts should I gather, maintenance, etc.?  
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Do springs on these give up over time more then other brands?
Not more, as far as I know. Sweat, moisture, cleaning solution and so on have a way of making their way into small spaces, including where the springs are. After 20+ years springs can corrode even on stainless steel guns. I think I have seen at least two threads here that mention rusted springs.

Some springs also tend to break, or so I have read.

Recoil springs and mag springs are basically consumables, even though they last for thousands of rounds.
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Old 06-13-2020, 06:43 PM
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There are several threads here where factory trained 3rd Gen armorers have stated that the factory recommendation is to replace recoil springs every 5,000 rounds under normal use, more often under heavier use.

As to magazine springs, I replace them whenever I buy used springs. I recently had an issue with a used 3rd Gen magazine where the magazine wouldn't load all eight rounds. As it turned out, one of the springs was too short. I replaced the springs in both magazines and had no further problems.

Cheap insurance as far as I'm concerned.

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Haha. You don’t have to be Colombo to figure out it was me do you!

Do springs on these give up over time more then other brands?
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Old 06-13-2020, 07:16 PM
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6946, 3900 series, what parts should I gather, maintenance, etc.? 6946, 3900 series, what parts should I gather, maintenance, etc.? 6946, 3900 series, what parts should I gather, maintenance, etc.? 6946, 3900 series, what parts should I gather, maintenance, etc.? 6946, 3900 series, what parts should I gather, maintenance, etc.?  
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Great thread.



I am doing the same with my new to me 3913. I'm not handgun savvy at all, but deferred this same question to my brother who is quite savvy. He stated the same. Also, knowing these guns are no longer manufactured and haven't been produced for quite some time, I decided to add a few extra "in case" items to have on hand.



Firing pin and spring
Extractor spring
Recoil assembly (includes spring)
Extractor pin-probably didn't need



Also will probably get a couple extra mags just to have new ones on hand as well as do mag springs in my current ones.


Any recommendations of what kind of grease for the rails? I have seen red and tacky used, just wondering if there is a good one, or any no-no variety to stay away from.


Thanks!
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Old 06-13-2020, 08:23 PM
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Weapon Shield? I bought the entire kit a while back and plan on using that grease for the rails
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Old 06-14-2020, 10:51 AM
stansdds stansdds is offline
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6946, 3900 series, what parts should I gather, maintenance, etc.? 6946, 3900 series, what parts should I gather, maintenance, etc.? 6946, 3900 series, what parts should I gather, maintenance, etc.? 6946, 3900 series, what parts should I gather, maintenance, etc.? 6946, 3900 series, what parts should I gather, maintenance, etc.?  
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I actually do put grease on slide rails. A tiny bit of white lithium grease, to be specific. I would be hesitant to switch to lighter hammer springs, S&W invested a lot of development into a balanced spring system to prevent damage to the pistol. Factory recoil spring should be replaced somewhere in the 2000 to 2500 rounds range, always put a new spring in a newly acquired, previously owned pistol.
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Old 06-19-2020, 11:46 PM
Classic Radio99 Classic Radio99 is offline
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6946, 3900 series, what parts should I gather, maintenance, etc.? 6946, 3900 series, what parts should I gather, maintenance, etc.? 6946, 3900 series, what parts should I gather, maintenance, etc.? 6946, 3900 series, what parts should I gather, maintenance, etc.? 6946, 3900 series, what parts should I gather, maintenance, etc.?  
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As far as grease goes, I use Mobil 1 red synthetic grease. It's effective and inexpensive. I bought a can a while back for a few bucks, and it will still be there when I'm gone. I apply a little to the rails with a toothpick, the gun doesn't seem to need much.
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Old 06-20-2020, 12:02 AM
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Maybe a 3900 series extractor. Had one break on my 3906 couple years back. SW replaced it but advised the part supply was nearly gone.
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Old 06-21-2020, 04:16 AM
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Sideplate assemblies. if the flat fingers crack, you're hosed:

Smith & Wesson Sideplate Assembly S&W 3953TSW CS9S 3906 3913 3946 3953
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Old 06-21-2020, 04:39 AM
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The need for replacement parts is based upon your shooting. How many rounds do you plan on shooting - 500 per week or 500 per year? Also, is the purpose of your handgun one in which it needs immediate repair and cannot await the arrive of replacement parts? Buying parts which may never be needed, seems like a waste of money. I'm a firm believer in,"If it ain't broke, don't fix it." If you have a "rare", limited edition handgun put it in the safe and buy a common one in which many thousands were made and use it.
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Old 06-21-2020, 10:40 AM
SWCZSIG-Vinny SWCZSIG-Vinny is offline
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Wolff offers a spring 'Service Pak' p/n 69311 that fits most S&W 3rd gen compacts and some 2nd gens for $14.99. Almost every spring you could ever need are included, other than mag springs. Cheap insurance to have on-hand IMHO.
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