New 3913 vs New M&P Shield my take on them.

[usncorpsman1]

I posted last week about the NIB 3913 that I found in my LGS. Friday I sold my beloved G26 for a new M&P Shield. I am a thin guy and was looking for something a little thinner than the Glock for carry. I should have kept the Glock. More later on that one.

Since both guns were new and begging to be taken out to be shot, I just had to give in and do it. I started off with the 3913 at 10 yds. The very first shot hit the 10 ring. Man this is nice I thought to myself but they just kept going there. After 4 mags there was not one outside the 9 ring. There were no issues period after 100 rounds. The Shield on the other hand was not what I expected. I had heard so much about the accuracy....blah blah blah. It was harder to shoot accurately than the 3913. The trigger was unpredictable and gritty. I had one FTE, 1 FTF, and the slide failed to lock back on the last round twice. I chalk this up to it being a new gun and it ran 100% after those few issues. My Glock on the other hand has never failed from day one. Shooting it was a pleasure and the rounds just seemed to drop right on top of each other. I should have shot the Shield before I sold it.

What did I learn from today's shooting lesson? (1)The 3913 is one hell of a gun and will be my new EDC. The Shield will back it up when I get more rounds through it. (2) Old school 90's technology can still keep up with new modern technology and look good doing it. (3) Never sell one gun before you shoot the new one you purchased to replace it. You may not like the new one as much. (4) I am not too impressed with the Shield (Am I the only one?) (5) Did I say the 3913 is a hell of a gun.

3913 with 4013TSW

 

[Dragon88]

I would add a rule: Never sell a gun. They print more money every day, but a gun sold is a gun gone forever.

 

[Big_gun]

The 3913 is an awesome gun but your experience with the shield is not common, I have had absolutely no reliability issues with mine shooting all types of ammo and mine is very accurate but the trigger is a lot different than Glock which is what I prefer but once you get used to it, it's really not a bad trigger just different.

 

[Matt C.]

Just don't see any handgun being an improvement over the 39XX platform.

 

[18DAI]

New doesn't automatically mean better. In handguns it is usually quite the opposite.

No one makes a single stack 9mm as nice as the 3900 series of pistols. Sig comes close with the 239 and unlike S&W, has not been foolish enough to discontinue it.

S&W evidently forgot how to make a decent trigger, around the same time they forgot how to make good looking handguns.

Those that like striker fired, ugly plastic guns are welcome to them. Make mine a 3900 series pistol. It doesn't get any better than that in a single stack 9mm carry gun. Regards 18DAI

 

[Fastbolt]

I've been running a lot more range time with my 3913 & 4040PD lately.

They're simply enjoyable to shoot, and you couldn't really ask for more in the way of practical accuracy, reliability, ammunition tolerance and decent service triggers (for TDA guns).

I did find the Shield 9 I tried for an afternoon to be a very good subcompact 9, though. Handier than my CS9 (slimmer grip). Every bit as practically accurate as my 3913/CS9 (even when I did some 50yd shooting). Acceptable trigger (for a plastic gun).

I'll be ordering one sometime later this year (it's on my list, although maybe not at the top).

I still think my SW999c (and any P99 AS 9 compact) has the best trigger of any plastic pistol I've ever tried, though. It isn't all that much thicker than the Shield 9, either.

I've also stopped selling/trading off guns to finance the purchase of others. I've regretted it too many times. A gun may languish in the back of the safe for a few (or several) years, but eventually I'll appreciate that I didn't get rid of it.

I'll even keep my pair of G26's. Handy little 9mm bricks. Ditto a G27. Not my favorites among all plastic pistols, and I still find the metal-framed TDA guns to be very practical and useful ... but the chunky little plastic pistols are useful enough.

My M&P 40c has been okay. Better ergonomics than the G27.

I still like the 4040PD & 3913, though.

I still wish S&W had gotten around to making an all-stainless steel compact 9 TDA (call it a 3916, maybe, but their penchant for erratically numbering their guns was always a surprise).

I'm sure the Shield 9 will eventually cause the my 3913, CS9, SW999c & G26's to spend more time in the safe (aside from range time), if only because it seems just about as handy & thin as the 3913 & CS9, the trigger & inherent accuracy are reasonable enough (to me) ... and I'd dislike having my 3913 put away for a few years into evidence/property if I ever had to use it.

Doesn't mean I still won't be carrying one of my several J-frames, either.

 

[usncorpsman1]

Pics added to show the size difference. It is not much especially when you look at the Shield on top of the 3913.

 

[Fastbolt]

Pictures can be handy, but they don't always tell all the story. Especially close up views where one gun "covers" another.

When comparing my 3913 to my CS9 (another 3" 9mm), the relative sizes can look different, or not-so-different. The thing is, though, that there are definitely circumstances in which the CS9 is just enough handier to carry (especially pocket-holstered in one of my jackets) to make it worthwhile.

Just depends.

 

[usncorpsman1]

Pictures can be handy, but they don't always tell all the story. Especially close up views where one gun "covers" another.

When comparing my 3913 to my CS9 (another 3" 9mm), the relative sizes can look different, or not-so-different. The thing is, though, that there are definitely circumstances in which the CS9 is just enough handier to carry (especially pocket-holstered in one of my jackets) to make it worthwhile.

Just depends.

That was my point. The Shield is smaller but not that much smaller. I can easily carry either on my frame and be complety concealed. I shoot the 3913 better, so that is the one I will carry the most. The Shield is a nice gun, but one for when deeper concealment is needed. They will both get the job done.

 

[repawn]

The 3913 looks great - I may need to look for one. I carry my 5944 easily but a smaller single-stack nine may be easier in the summer.

 

[Fastbolt]

That was my point. The Shield is smaller but not that much smaller. I can easily carry either on my frame and be complety concealed. I shoot the 3913 better, so that is the one I will carry the most. The Shield is a nice gun, but one for when deeper concealment is needed. They will both get the job done.

I can certainly understand wanting to use the one with which you can shoot better.

 

[clum50]

Congratulations

I see we have another happy 3913 owner. You will not be disappointed with this great gun. S&W should bring back these great guns including 6909, 4606, 4013 and CS45. These DA/SA's type pistols were great. I'm not against the M&P line, nor any of today's "black" guns in DAO, but S&W's of the 3913 generations were marvals.

I have carried my 3913 TSW as my off-duty side arm for 11 years and shooting it was and is always easy. It's a natural pointer. I retired my 3913 TSW this year and replaced it with the 4013 TSW. I wanted to stay with the same set up but bump up the caliber. Your 3913 will serve you well, hope you never sell it. Good Luck.

 

[Snakeshift]

Pictures can be handy, but they don't always tell all the story. Especially close up views where one gun "covers" another.

When comparing my 3913 to my CS9 (another 3" 9mm), the relative sizes can look different, or not-so-different. The thing is, though, that there are definitely circumstances in which the CS9 is just enough handier to carry (especially pocket-holstered in one of my jackets) to make it worthwhile.

Just depends.

Your posts on CS9's are always very informative and interesting Fastbolt, I've always felt the CS9 and other CS models are the Rodney Dangerfield of the 39XX series. No respect I tell ya! No Respect!

I've seen and handled the Shield a couple of times, and it seems like a well made pistol. But it does nothing for me that my much-loved CS9 doesn't already do.

 

[ladder13]

I've been running a lot more range time with my 3913 & 4040PD lately.

They're simply enjoyable to shoot, and you couldn't really ask for more in the way of practical accuracy, reliability, ammunition tolerance and decent service triggers (for TDA guns).

I did find the Shield 9 I tried for an afternoon to be a very good subcompact 9, though. Handier than my CS9 (slimmer grip). Every bit as practically accurate as my 3913/CS9 (even when I did some 50yd shooting). Acceptable trigger (for a plastic gun).

I'll be ordering one sometime later this year (it's on my list, although maybe not at the top).

I still think my SW999c (and any P99 AS 9 compact) has the best trigger of any plastic pistol I've ever tried, though. It isn't all that much thicker than the Shield 9, either.

I've also stopped selling/trading off guns to finance the purchase of others. I've regretted it too many times. A gun may languish in the back of the safe for a few (or several) years, but eventually I'll appreciate that I didn't get rid of it.

I'll even keep my pair of G26's. Handy little 9mm bricks. Ditto a G27. Not my favorites among all plastic pistols, and I still find the metal-framed TDA guns to be very practical and useful ... but the chunky little plastic pistols are useful enough.

My M&P 40c has been okay. Better ergonomics than the G27.

I still like the 4040PD & 3913, though.

I still wish S&W had gotten around to making an all-stainless steel compact 9 TDA (call it a 3916, maybe, but their penchant for erratically numbering their guns was always a surprise).

I'm sure the Shield 9 will eventually cause the my 3913, CS9, SW999c & G26's to spend more time in the safe (aside from range time), if only because it seems just about as handy & thin as the 3913 & CS9, the trigger & inherent accuracy are reasonable enough (to me) ... and I'd dislike having my 3913 put away for a few years into evidence/property if I ever had to use it.

Doesn't mean I still won't be carrying one of my several J-frames, either.

Great post fastbolt! Very objective.

 

[EdSy]

I love the used 3913 that I recently purchased. So far, over several range sessions, it has happily fed, fired and ejected everything from very light cast bullet loads to full +P self defense loads. The only complaint I had was that all loads grouped low at 15 yards. I ordered a "Novak" adjustable rear sight, but when it arrived it was way too big for this pistol. So, I sent it back and bought a shorter front sight. Voila, my 3913 now groups at POI at 15 yards. Happy Shooter! -Ed

 

[Zebulon]

New merchandise keeps companies alive. If all you had was 3rd generation S&W pistols and everyone had one, it would be time to buy from someone else. Guns are like music...the market requires new and more. Not better, just new and more...Not to mention the huge numbers of folks new to guns....Massive numbers since I got involved 25 years ago........Zebulon

 

[REDTAIL]

Dragon88 Is right about that I sold a 1970's Mod 29 with a 81/2" bbl That was in near mint condition for apx $275.00 about 6 months ago,Now I am kicking my self you know where for doing it at the spur of the moment.

 

[CREEDMAN]

Dragon88 Is right about that I sold a 1970's Mod 29 with a 81/2" bbl That was in near mint condition for apx $275.00 about 6 months ago,Now I am kicking my self you know where for doing it at the spur of the moment.

Man,that would make anyone sad..

 

[SWTIM255]

Thanks for the post, I have been debating with myself on what to replace my "chopped and channeled" model 39 Scorpion with and it was between a 3913NL ( if I can find one) and a Shield. I think now the search will be on for the 3913 as I can use the extra mags I bought for the scorp with it. Thanks again

 

[spad124]

Just don't see any handgun being an improvement over the 39XX platform.

I agree that not all "improvements" ultimately improve the breed.

There are some great older models out there that are a lot less chunky, better balanced, and more ergonomic than the new poly-wunders--and have much better triggers Two of my favorites are the S&W 39 series and the Sig P225 (also the P6 with a P225 mainspring).

My brother has a 3913 that I've shot and it is also very good. The finger extension on the mag helps a lot. But it is reliable (my first consideration), accurate, and decidedly less bulky than the poly -wunders.