3913 vs Shield 9mm

[18DAI]

I've shot both. The 3913 extensively. IMO kind of an apple to oranges comparison as the only thing I see in common between the two models is the 9mm chambering and the S&W logo on the guns.

The 3913 is a bet your life reliable compact 9mm. The rental shield I shot had multiple FTE's.

The 3913 is a tack driver with a great trigger from the factory. The shield has a lousy trigger, which seems to be a current production S&W hallmark, and shot low left. For me, my GF AND the RO.

The 3913's safety/decocker is easy to access and use. My right handed GF had problems putting the shields safety on and off. It seemed stiff to me and too tiny to be of practical use.

The 3913 goes back into battery on its own when deliberately pushed out of battery (as is likely in a close confrontation). The shield does not.

The 3913 is ready to go out of the box. The shield needs expensive aftermarket parts to make it as nice as a used 3rd gen pistol.

My 3913 is a quality built pistol, twenty years old and still had its white dots in the sights.......nuff said.

Make mine a 3913. Merry Christmas! Best regards, 18DAI

 

[petepeterson]

I've posted on this subject before, and I think it comes down to your preference of polymer or steel. I have about 500-700 rds through my friend's (female) Shield, and had no problems with it. It was accurate and pretty user-friendly, but not an improvement over the 3913 that I carry.

She, on the other hand, can't get through a mag without a misfire or a failure to return to battery. The gun runs for me, but not her. Conversely, she's never had a hiccup with any of my 3rd gen's or 1911's. She's going with a Glock 19 instead, and ditching the Shield.

It should be noted that while I like it, I ain't buyin' off her, even though I'd probably get a heck of a deal!

 

[JeepinSoldier]

I carried a 3913 for years and still regret selling it. With a a Trijicon front sight, speed safety lever and a Hogue grips, it was nearly perfect for a compact single stack 9mm.

Did I mention I still regret selling it?

I have been reading up on the 3913 and understand the night sights and grips. Can you tell me about the 'Speed Safety Lever.'?

 

[JeepinSoldier]

I shoot the 3913 a little more accurately as it doesn't seem to snap as much as the shield. (More weight?) So I decided to keep the 3913.

Once I get to really try the guns, this may be a deciding factor. I don't mind a little more weight (Carrying a 3" 65 right now.). The gun I can be faster and more accurate with will be the one chosen if both are reliable.

 

[JeepinSoldier]

Hard to believe that anyone that has carried a 3913 would carry anything else, well except for a 696 maybe.

I would love to have a 696, it would be great in the 3" revolver collection. I also can load for .44 Spl/Mag. However, I'm not paying Gunbroker prices for one. Also would like to have a 547 and 650 but don't see them getting purchased any time soon, LOL.

Mabe a nice used no box specimen will show up at the pawnshop?

 

[JeepinSoldier]

I've shot both. The 3913 extensively. IMO kind of an apple to oranges comparison as the only thing I see in common between the two models is the 9mm chambering and the S&W logo on the guns.

The 3913 is a bet your life reliable compact 9mm. The rental shield I shot had multiple FTE's.

The 3913 is a tack driver with a great trigger from the factory. The shield has a lousy trigger, which seems to be a current production S&W hallmark, and shot low left. For me, my GF AND the RO.

The 3913's safety/decocker is easy to access and use. My right handed GF had problems putting the shields safety on and off. It seemed stiff to me and too tiny to be of practical use.

The 3913 goes back into battery on its own when deliberately pushed out of battery (as is likely in a close confrontation). The shield does not.

The 3913 is ready to go out of the box. The shield needs expensive aftermarket parts to make it as nice as a used 3rd gen pistol.

My 3913 is a quality built pistol, twenty years old and still had its white dots in the sights.......nuff said.

Make mine a 3913. Merry Christmas! Best regards, 18DAI

18 DAI,

Excellent points! While controllability and accuracy are important to me, reliability will be the ultimate deciding factor. No matter how much I like them other wise, unreliable guns do not remain in my home.

Ill try to work problems like magazines and such but after all the usual things have been done, if they still choke with regularity - they are gone.

Had both a Beretta 21 and a HK 4 I tried to love but they malfunctioned too much - even after work was done to them - and went to new homes.

I certainly would not bet my life on a pistol known to have issues.

Also, thank you for informing me of the out of battery issue.

The safety/decocker on the 3913 is also like the one on the Beretta M9 I have trained so much with.

Mabe getting handed the 3913 cheap at the pawn shop was a sign!

 

[JeepinSoldier]

I've posted on this subject before, and I think it comes down to your preference of polymer or steel. I have about 500-700 rds through my friend's (female) Shield, and had no problems with it. It was accurate and pretty user-friendly, but not an improvement over the 3913 that I carry.

She, on the other hand, can't get through a mag without a misfire or a failure to return to battery. The gun runs for me, but not her. Conversely, she's never had a hiccup with any of my 3rd gen's or 1911's. She's going with a Glock 19 instead, and ditching the Shield.
It should be noted that while I like it, I ain't buyin' off her, even though I'd probably get a heck of a deal!

Sounds like she is limp wristing the gun? Has somebody shown her how to gently squeeze the pistol between both hands, pushing forward with the dominant hand and pulling back with the off hand - firm enough to hold the pistol but not hard enough to cause shaking?

Not trying to be condescending if you know this, and have shown her already.

I taught several people in the Army (Male and female) who could make a Beretta M9 jam because they were limp wristing it and then they blamed the gun!

 

[BigCityChief]

Shield - for an everyday carry weapon, most people are better off without a DA/SA setup.


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[JeepinSoldier]

Shield - for an everyday carry weapon, most people are better off without a DA/SA setup.


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I agree that most people who are generally not familiar with guns and will not train or shoot extensively - are better suited with a single trigger pull. I'm sure that is why many police departments went to DAO first, then striker fired guns.

I have trained and shot extensively with the DA/SA M9 so its not a problem for me. I was the 20th Engineer Brigade Master Gunner and trained many officers and Senior NCO's on this trigger action as well.

 

[petepeterson]

Sounds like she is limp wristing the gun? Has somebody shown her how to gently squeeze the pistol between both hands, pushing forward with the dominant hand and pulling back with the off hand - firm enough to hold the pistol but not hard enough to cause shaking?

Not trying to be condescending if you know this, and have shown her already.

I taught several people in the Army (Male and female) who could make a Beretta M9 jam because they were limp wristing it and then they blamed the gun!

It's her and not the gun, for sure, but when she has no trouble with any other autos, one begins to wonder. It's just not a good combo. You can't expect your grip to be perfect in a defensive situation, and she shouldn't have to try that hard to make it run correctly.

 

[tom-tom]

I've been able to shoot some M&Ps and Shields borrowed from friendly LEOs. Frankly, while those pistols can get the job done, I don't see them as any great advance over the 3rd gen guns. The weight difference doesn't add up to much of an advantage, nor do the differences in sights or grips. I can see some advantage in a consistent trigger, but all the plastic Smiths I've shot ( an admittedly small sample of 4) had crappy triggers. I much prefer the switch from long but smooth DA pull to short, crisp SA squeeze.
If I were starting out, the lifetime warranty on the new guns would be an advantage. However, I've owned six 3rd generation 9mms in the past five or so years (a 3913LS, a 3953, 908 x 2, a 6906, and a CS9.) I've never had a warranty issue, nor a failure to function when shooting them. At the same time, I've owned some plastic, such as a Glock 26, and have been unswayed in my (bigoted?) dislike of plastic, striker fired guns.
I currently have 3 of the metal semis and I'm not planning on switching my carry and house guns.

 

[JeepinSoldier]

It's her and not the gun, for sure, but when she has no trouble with any other autos, one begins to wonder. It's just not a good combo. You can't expect your grip to be perfect in a defensive situation, and she shouldn't have to try that hard to make it run correctly.

Absolutely true! I would assume that she is also not in a military or LE position where she is forced to carry a certain gun. She should use whatever is most comfortable for her that is reliable.

I was just commenting because I had seen this sort of thing so often and that it can be overcome with training. The Soldiers I trained had to carry the M9, had to qualify with it or face the consequences, and the M9 was the pistol that they would be trusting their lives to in combat.

In Iraq I trained a young Air Force Sergeant. She was from NYC and not a 'Gun person.' She did fine with the M-16/M4, but got assigned to a joint staff position with us and was given an M9 with little training.

She shot it way low, and it failed to feed/eject often. The M9 was in otherwise good condition. If Camp Victory were to be attacked, she would have to defend herself with this pistol, was not comfortable with it, and was very frustrated.

The SGM and I took her to the range, and I shot the pistol first. No issues. We then taught her proper grip and handgun fundamentals. The reliability issues immediately went away, and she was hitting center mass from 5 - 25 by the end of her third practice session. She was very happy! (So was the SGM for that matter.)

 

[BigCityChief]

I agree that most people who are generally not familiar with guns and will not train or shoot extensively - are better suited with a single trigger pull. I'm sure that is why many police departments went to DAO first, then striker fired guns.



I have trained and shot extensively with the DA/SA M9 so its not a problem for me. I was the 20th Engineer Brigade Master Gunner and trained many officers and Senior NCO's on this trigger action as well.

A professional with your qualifications would have no problems whatsoever. I personally love the DA/SA action in my Bersa and Sig pistols.


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[GaryS]

Every so often I get it into my head that maybe I'd like to add a Shield to the stable. Then 18DAI posts something like this and the thought is erased.

If anything, I'm now inclined to put money aside for the day that a 3913/14 pops up on the shelf of a nearby LGS.

Thanks!

I've shot both. The 3913 extensively. IMO kind of an apple to oranges comparison as the only thing I see in common between the two models is the 9mm chambering and the S&W logo on the guns.

The 3913 is a bet your life reliable compact 9mm. The rental shield I shot had multiple FTE's.

The 3913 is a tack driver with a great trigger from the factory. The shield has a lousy trigger, which seems to be a current production S&W hallmark, and shot low left. For me, my GF AND the RO.

The 3913's safety/decocker is easy to access and use. My right handed GF had problems putting the shields safety on and off. It seemed stiff to me and too tiny to be of practical use.

The 3913 goes back into battery on its own when deliberately pushed out of battery (as is likely in a close confrontation). The shield does not.

The 3913 is ready to go out of the box. The shield needs expensive aftermarket parts to make it as nice as a used 3rd gen pistol.

My 3913 is a quality built pistol, twenty years old and still had its white dots in the sights.......nuff said.

Make mine a 3913. Merry Christmas! Best regards, 18DAI

 

[vegasgunhand]

During my 33 years as a law enforcement firearms instructor, I have carried many different types of pistols. I have owned a couple of different 3913s and they were good seviceable pistols.

As a firearms instructor for U.S. Customs, we issued the 6906 and the 3953 to our Special Agents. The problem that I saw in many shooting incidents was the effect the two different trigger pulls the DA/SA action caused. Under stress many of the follow up shots were way off from the initial shot. Many of the second shots were higher on or completely off the target because of the completely different trigger pull of subsequent shots. Because of this, I'm not a huge fan of the DA/SA trigger. We had much better results with the 3953 DA only tirgger, than the DA/SA.

I have owned my Shield since the first week they were released. I find the simple point and shoot of a striker-fired pistol, a much better under stress defensive pistol. (I do not use my thumb safety on my Shield. I carry it like all my other M&Ps without any manual safety engaged.)

I have said many times the best gun for you to carry is the one you are most comfortable with, and is the most reliable.

Both are great carry pistols, so whichever one you like the best, is the best one for you.

 

[F224]

I have been reading up on the 3913 and understand the night sights and grips. Can you tell me about the 'Speed Safety Lever.'?

I think it was an Ed Brown product. An over sized left side only safety lever. Not sure if they are still made or not.

 

[JeepinSoldier]

I think it was an Ed Brown product. An over sized left side only safety lever. Not sure if they are still made or not.

Thank you! I research it a little more.

Really liked the Ed Brown 'Wedge' mainspring housing for the 1911 but they stopped making it.

 

[firescout]

I 'had' a Glock many years ago. Sold it, went 'nine-less' for several years, then bought a new 3rd gen 908. The 'manual of arms' of the TDA 3rd gens are perfect for me. For consistant punching of paper, the Glock trigger worked great. I shot it very well. But I prefer the heavier/longer DA pull of my 908, for a gun that is intended for use in a stressful situation. I also favor the 3rd gen safety/decocking lever that can be left down in the 'safe' position, to slow down any 'unauthorized user' that may get ahold of the pistol. Finally, I like having the magazine safety feature.

The stock 3rd gen grip unit works well for me: a good grasping surface, but not too sticky as to grab clothing or to prevent a slight adjustment in the hand if the grasp out of the holster isn't quite good enough.

The only way I would own another striker-fired pistol again, is if it could be equipped with a significantly heavier 'duty' trigger, like the Glocks can be.