3913 Questions

[tomstib]

Hi,
My name is Tom I am a new forum member. Recently I have been looking at single stack 9mm's 3 1/2-4in. barrels, 25-30 ounces, DA/SA. After some research the choice seems to come down to a 3913 or a Sig 239. At this time the Sig is a bit pricey. I have noticed that GunsAmerica has a slew of 3913's for sale apparently from the Calif. D.O.C.According to the seller most are in 85-90% condition, made in 1991 1st yr production, fewer than 1,000 rounds fired and one mag. for $435. Is this a good deal and where there any recalls on the gun? Also how was S&W quality in the early 90's?

Thanks in advance.
Tom

 

[11e40]

i would take a 3913 over a sig anytime ! hth.

 

[427mach1]

I would not hesitate to get a 3913; I've heard many good things about them and they are GREAT for concealed carry. I have a 4013TSW (1996 vintage), which is similar, and have been very happy with it. I would, however, look around on gunbroker and a few other places to get a feel for prices before I bought one anywhere.

You do realize, however, that you are on a S&W forum, and you might not get a totally objective answer!

 

[Dot_mdb]

You can't go wrong with a 3913. There are very few guns that are as good for concealed carry especially inside the waist band.

Bill

 

[XAVMECH]

Single stack 3rd GENS

I have a 3913 and a 3953 and really like them! I also own a 6904. For CCW I prefer the single stack. If 9mm's your thing - it would be hard to go wrong with a 3913.

 

[Jeb21]

I have owned both. I sold the Sig and kept the Smith. Just make sure that you examine the gun well for signs of excess wear and tear. I am not sure about the price. You might want to check gun broker.com to get some comparisons. $435 seems a bit high to me.

 

[kcode]

The 3913 is probably the best S&W has to offer for concealed carry, in the Generation 3 category. The ones from the Tennesseee supplier all look to be in good condition, there is no reference to being refinished or refurbished in the description. The pricing is about normal for a good 3913. I prefer this design over the "lady smith style" with the angled shrouds and single slide safety, due to being left handed. You can't go wrong with the purchase.

 

[zipg34]

I will pick SW 3913 also... I have been looking for one for a long time.
but I found one early last month.

if U like single stack gun, try Sig P6 ...U can fine one around 350-400 not bad gun at all.
I like it better then P239.
goood luck.

 

[Beat Trash]

I used a 3913 as an off duty gun for several years. I bought mine around 1995ish. Still have the gun.

For me, the stock grips sucked. I discovered the Hogue grips and life was good.

My 3913 is my favorite of the S&W 3rd gen guns, and my favorite DA/SA gun.

The Sig 239 is a good gun, but I much prefer the 3913. The transition from DA to SA is better on the S&W than on the Sig.

If you can find one in good shape, buy it.

 

[Chuck Jones]

You can't go wrong with a 3913. I've held and played with the compact Sig but never shot one.

I've shot the **** out of the 3954 and mine look brand new, one has gone over 6k rounds (I have 2 of them) and neither has ever given one problem with any ammo I've ever put through 'em.

From 90gn soft points, to 147gn+p, 115gn RNL handloads, and 124+P+ it digests everything without a hiccup.

The only mistake S&W ever made with these guns was stopping production.

/c

 

[JamesArthur60]

I suppose you don't need another positive post on the 3913. Nonetheless, PD's around the country have used that model for decades. Mine was built in 1996 and was a LE trade-in. Seems they were built for self defense carry from the start. That price you quoted does seem a little high to me. I paid $330.00 for mine with one mag.

 

[squidsix]

If you can get your mitts on one, look at the 39-2 also. Cheaper than the Sig, and about the same price as a NIB example of the 3913.
Once you shoot one, you will end up with two of them in short order.

 

[rscalzo]

The 39-2 was my first off duty. Nice but buigger and not as relieable. I've carried almost every second and third gen S&W up until mid 200 when the 4013TSW was retired.

The only issues our department ever experienced as a total S&W agency for over 20 years was frames cracking in second gen 9mm's. 659's and 669's were found to have the cracks. While S&W repaired them in the past, that is no longer the case. Not a lot, but more than should have been allowed for relietivly low round count firearms.

Unfortunatly, parts are gone so the Lifetime Warrenty is now meaningless as they will not repair or replace them.

As far as stopping the production, the cost of the last model third generation handgun rose too high and they simply priced themselves out of the market compared to the vastly more popular Glocks.

But I still have my first and last and a few in between (including my 3913) so you can feel confident that it is a good relieable handgun.

 

[Squibb]

Well, I don't think anyone can accuse us of bias here. Did the Sig get any votes? Anyway, the 3913, and it's variations, are just great. However, we all have things that work best for us, and that was obvious.

I like the Lady Smith (LS) for carry and I have two; the 3913 and the 3914. One member opined that the 3913 was the best 3G CC. For me that is the CS9. But that is what makes the world go around.

Another member advised checking out the LE trade-ins before buying. But, I don't think you get to do that. It'd be mailed to you and you'd get whatever was on top. Not necessiarly bad, but how's your karma. It is just a tad pricy for a **** shoot.

I agree you might want to check Gun Broker, and other sites. What's around you locally? Can you run an ad to find one closer to home you can check out? Do you have to have it next week?

I kept a look out for a very good CS45 for almost 14 months before I found what I wanted, and it was local. And given the extras and condition I knew I had found a deal. Good luck.

 

[VTHokiesDuckHunter]

As far as stopping the production, the cost of the last model third generation handgun rose too high and they simply priced themselves out of the market compared to the vastly more popular Glocks.

rscalzo:

Not trying to quibble with you but I'm not sure if that is completely the case. Kimber is selling every Solo model they can make, and Sig, Beretta, and Kimber are selling a a fair amount of high quality metal framed pistols.

Not to mention the brisk sales in 1911's at $800-$1500.

And S&W still makes an expensive yet popular line of metal framed revolvers like the 686.

I just think they wanted to double down on polymer framed pistol sales to the LE and military community and didn't want the distraction of having competing metal pistols to have to explain, and were also too focused on Glock.

A current run of 3913's and 4013's would really shake up the CCW market. Not sure why the boys at S&W won't consider this. Can you imagine the incredible publicity they would get? This would definitely be on the cover of every major gun mag and gun website for weeks.

I'll even give them a tag line: "whether your tastes are traditional or polymer, Smith & Wesson's got you covered"

 

[duster78]

can't go wrong with the 3913. I just picked up this beauty this week...

 

[Joseph Ponds]

3913

Duster,
What a beauty great score.

 

[Maximumbob54]

I would buy another 3913 before buying another Sig anything.

Mine is the 3913NL:

 

[VTHokiesDuckHunter]

Duster:

beautiful 3913- where'd you find it this week? Did they happen by chance to have any more?

 

[hairbag]

I just picked up a 3953 in mint condition did not recieve it yet but I can't wait, I paid too much at $475 but I'm compulsive. They aint makin anymore and the prices just always go up!