Info on the S&W 908...

[Gangplank]

Just joined, I recently picked up a S&W model 908 for an edc gun. Planning to get it to the range and test it out soon.

Any info people can share on them would be appreciated.

What I know so far:

The 908S was part of S&W's "Value Series."
It is the "value" version of the 3913 w/ less slide machining, a plastic guide rod and plastic sights. From what I see online the plastic guide rods hold up well but you can swap them for a steel version from the 3913/14. The plastic sights are mainly a cosmetic issue and you can replace them with night sights by Trijicon.

The 908 also has no RH-side/ambidextrous safety/decocker. Neither of which bother me right handed.


The 908, 3913, 3914, 3953, and 3954 take the same mags. Two magazine buttplates are avail. A flat one and one with a finger rest.

Aftermarket grip selection is limited but there are rubber hogue & possibly some wood ones available.
Hogue Handall grip sleeves fit.

Field-stripping procedure hold slide partway back while withdrawing/inserting the slide-stop takedown pin, and 3 fiddly little levers must be manually held down to reinstall slide. Not a big deal. Easier than the Khar or M&P Shield IMO.

Anyone have a good recommendation on IWB holster or grips? Good source for magazines?

Looks like this:

and this:

And... came across this just now

 

[Guevera]

Mine didn't come with a chick in cut-off jeans. I guess somebody ran off with that when they got the box and manual. Nevertheless, the 908S and 908 are solid values. I carry mine in site supporter Theis Holsters IWB and it is perfectly comfortable, well priced and not a hell of a long wait. For OWB, I like the "Cuda" holster by "Simply Rugged."

In my experience, the stock plastic grips are far superior to the grotesque "BF Goodyear" grips sold by Hogue and don't stick to fabric like the Hogues do. Magazines can be had fairly reasonably on Ebay, just DO NOT buy the Pro Mag brand. You'd be better off (and probably faster) feeding the rounds by hand.

The 908 and 908S (and I have had both) are supremely reliable, accurate, and great pistols. I prefer my 908S over my (much more valuable) CS9 and for some reason I like it better than my Walther PPS, which is saying a lot.

At one point, I tarted mine up with a set of grey "Ladysmith" grips, which I kind of liked:

 

[Hill_Country]

Welcome to the forum.

Sounds like you've got a pretty good handle on the 908. One was my first 3d Gen and they are addictive. Beware. <G>

RE: the plastic parts. I replaced my guide rod with a steel part from a 3913, but it's no big deal. One of the forum members who should know has said he's seen fewer problems with the plastic parts then the steel ones so I'm in no hurry to change out the mag release or mag disconnector.

RE: holsters - I carry in the same leather I use for my 6906 and CS9, all three fit well. Try Tucker Gunleather. Unless you find something that is *really* tight, a 39xx holster will fit a 908 well.

I think you're right about the Trijicon night sights, but be sure they are specifically for the 908 as it has a different dovetail than other 3d Gen slides.

Not many options for grips - Hogue is about the only game in town.

 

[growr]

My 908 rides in a Kramer or a Milt Sparks VM-2 same one I use for my 3913....I have also found that Sig 239 holsters also work well

Great gun!
Randy

 

[Gangplank]

Here is a pic. Lighting not great.

 

[Gangplank]

I'm looking for a tuckable IWB holster.

A friend recommended the Kramer as above. I looked on their site and they make one called a Fits All/Tuckable Gun Holster. Looked for a picture online. This was the only one I could find. Looks interesting... $65?

Another is the High Noon brand - $125
Highnoon Tailgate

Highnoon Closing Argument

Tucker Gunleather - the Coverup $100

Frontline HIWB Tuckable - $60-$75 for the lined version. Kinda like this one.

 

[growr]

Tuckable is SO over-rated.....get a high quality IWB and start dressing around it.

Randy

 

[Badkarma 1]

Welcome to the forum! Midway and sometimes CDNN have mags for the 908, price was $33.00 last time I checked.
Dale

 

[Gangplank]

Tuckable is SO over-rated.....get a high quality IWB and start dressing around it.

Randy

Prof. dress code. Dress shirts every day at the office. Tucked in so it's pretty much needed.

Welcome to the forum! Midway and sometimes CDNN have mags for the 908, price was $33.00 last time I checked.
Dale

Good to know.

 

[ColbyBruce]

I had two S&W 908 pistols a few years ago. I let my brother talk me out of the one on the right, and I kept the one on the left. Great guns, unfortunately I sold mine and replaced it with a S&W 3913.

The one my brother got.

The 3913, I did not like it as much as the 908. It was wider and heavier. I traded it for a Glock 17, which I do like.

I swapped a S&W 39-2 for this S&W 3953 and it is my favorite carry gun. I did buy another 3913 back in February, just to give it a second try. The 3913 is my least favorite of all the above guns.

 

[tom-tom]

It's a great carry piece and all most people could ask for. If I didn't have the slightly smaller CS9, I'd still have a 908.

 

[Gangplank]

Maybe we should have a dedicated 908 thread.

Anyone have the hogue wood grips on theirs & want to share a pic?

 

[ColbyBruce]

I have a friend who put the wood Hogue stocks on his 908s. He has big hands, and likes the stocks, but I find them too wide. They make the gun more difficult to conceal.

 

[Gangplank]

I have a friend who put the wood Hogue stocks on his 908s. He has big hands, and likes the stocks, but I find them too wide. They make the gun more difficult to conceal.

I was wondering about that. They do look wide. I might stick with the stock grips which seem pretty good.

I got it to the range yesterday and really like this gun. I've shot a Karh TP9, Sig P290, M&P Shield9, Beretta PX4.40 and this is much more to my liking and I am more accurate with it than any of those. For the first time out with the gun at 10 feet my groupings would ea. be covered by my hand. There is something about the frame & grip that seems to handle the recoil very well.

 

[Gangplank]

Can anyone confirm if Serial VDK28xx, Spec. Order code 6016, Product Code 103882 was made Jan 16, 2006 correct?

 

[beuford]

S&W 908

The S&W 908 is bit different than the earlier 3rd gens. Their slides do not ride on the dust cover edge as well as the rear slide rails like the earlier models, but only on the rear slide rails. However, as a result their slide actions are very smooth.

In addition, I have found that their triggers are much smoother than earlier 3rd gens. Could be due to the MIM parts, which are smoother than non-MIM parts. Doesn't matter, though - the triggers are smooth, which is what counts.

Very nice and reasonably priced carry pistols.

As for the pictures: Gun? What gun?

Beuford

 

[Gangplank]

Welcome to the forum! Midway and sometimes CDNN have mags for the 908, price was $33.00 last time I checked.
Dale

Checked and they don't seem to have any in stock. Looks like they are available on the S&W site currently maybe for $41.82 + shipping.

9mm Magazines

SKU: 200770000 - Fits models 908, 3913, 3914, 3913TSW, 3953, 3953TSW and 3954. Curved butt plate.

SKU: 200820000 - Fits models 908, 3913, 3914, 3913TSW, 3953, 3953TSW and 3954. Flat butt plate.

Also saw one on fleabay for $50+. Not sure why I would pay more for less. LOL

 

[cpeblue]

That's what I though Beuford. Where, what guns, are there guns in this post.

 

[Guevera]

While we're on the subject, I can't resist posting a photo of two 908s I used to own. Naturally, I repented and bought another 908S years later. Wish I still had the blued one...

For those of us who own 908s and don't have the fancy checkering on the front of the grip that you might find on a 3913, the old Shadetree Gunsmith technique of 3M tread tape works great.

 

[Gangplank]

Nice guns there... I seem to be suffering from 908s envy. I really like my 908_. I'm waiting for the wife to come along shooting... she'll like it and then maybe we'll adopt another child from the used gun store.

BTW I thought they stopped making them in 2006. I just saw one listed in GB with a special order code that seems to imply 2008 mfg date: