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I LIKE Third Gen pistols.
I LIKE Third Gen pistols.
Is a 3913 a good gun?
- Thread starter Inkgardener
- Start date
Doug M.
Member
Third generation (4 digits) S&Ws are generally good platforms. The Illinois State Police did a lot of the development work for the evolution from 2nd to 3rd generation, using stout ammo. I do not like or work well with the slide mounted safety/decocker, so I would go with a DAO.
The concern I would have if one shoots are much as they should is that parts and service support are minimal and may be expensive. I only own 1, a 945-1 compact. It is similar operationally to a 1911. It is carried a lot, but not shot much. If I needed work done on any 3rd generation S&W, it would go to member BMCM, now a gunsmith.
The concern I would have if one shoots are much as they should is that parts and service support are minimal and may be expensive. I only own 1, a 945-1 compact. It is similar operationally to a 1911. It is carried a lot, but not shot much. If I needed work done on any 3rd generation S&W, it would go to member BMCM, now a gunsmith.
squidsix
Member
If you are worried about parts, just go ahead and get them now from the various gun breakers out there. The only part you cannot really get today is a new frame. Everything else is out there. I have bought several "kits" of parts and cannot picture taking one of my S&Ws out of service for lack of parts any time soon (like my grandkids will MAYBE have trouble)
I carry/shoot/abuse these things and I am NOT worried about longevity. They are exceptionally good.0
I carry/shoot/abuse these things and I am NOT worried about longevity. They are exceptionally good.0
I have a rack of little drawers with various parts for my 3rd Gens. I've bought most of those parts off of Ebay both used and new.
Funny thing is that other than recoil springs and parts to rebuild magazines, I never seem to use any.
Funny thing is that other than recoil springs and parts to rebuild magazines, I never seem to use any.
Concur
Recoil Springs.
Magazine Springs.
Occasionally a magazine follower.
I have heard of extractors on the 5906.
That's about it. No?
I agree or so I have always heard. You would know better than I do.I have a rack of little drawers with various parts for my 3rd Gens. I've bought most of those parts off of Ebay both used and new.
Funny thing is that other than recoil springs and parts to rebuild magazines, I never seem to use any.
Recoil Springs.
Magazine Springs.
Occasionally a magazine follower.
I have heard of extractors on the 5906.
That's about it. No?
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Pretty much it. I've also swapped out the ambidextrous safeties for left side only, but that's neither repair nor maintenance, more modification.
3913 Obsolete?
Suppose I said that the Sig 365 is
-smaller than it needs to be, and
-lighter than it needs to be, and
-it holds more ammo than you will ever need, and
-it is made more cheaply than it needs to be, if that is what is important to you.
It will do the job just fine.
None of this makes it better...
...because none of this makes YOU better when you shoot it in a self-defense situation.
The polymer striker-fired guns were adequate for the job and cheaper (by $100 per unit at the time) when society transitioned to Glocks away from the metal framed S&W 3rd Gens. Jeff Cooper taught that we have no need to place ourselves under the burdens and restrictions of Police Department and Military procurement offices. He was referring mainly to two phenomena, the use of ball ammo, and the switch over to the AR15 rifle. You will understand me if I thought what he was saying about rifles should also inform my thinking when it comes to handguns also.
Skills not gear!
Kind Regards!
BrianD
Your analogy does not quite work in my mind. I can sort of see your point, but the concept of obsolescence is more complicated. Perhaps if I told you more my thinking you could elaborate for me, or not as you like. I do appreciate your contribution here.
Suppose I said that the Sig 365 is
-smaller than it needs to be, and
-lighter than it needs to be, and
-it holds more ammo than you will ever need, and
-it is made more cheaply than it needs to be, if that is what is important to you.
It will do the job just fine.
None of this makes it better...
...because none of this makes YOU better when you shoot it in a self-defense situation.
The polymer striker-fired guns were adequate for the job and cheaper (by $100 per unit at the time) when society transitioned to Glocks away from the metal framed S&W 3rd Gens. Jeff Cooper taught that we have no need to place ourselves under the burdens and restrictions of Police Department and Military procurement offices. He was referring mainly to two phenomena, the use of ball ammo, and the switch over to the AR15 rifle. You will understand me if I thought what he was saying about rifles should also inform my thinking when it comes to handguns also.
Skills not gear!
Kind Regards!
BrianD
I carried daily (as a civilian and school teacher) a 908, which is the value line version of the 3913. Different sights, a flat top instead of a machined and curved slide, and some plastic parts. The gun never disappointed me. Then I had a health scare and disposed of the 908, 469, and 6906 to some favored younger relatives. To make a long story short, I survived and sorely miss those pistols. If I could find a 3913 or 908 for less than $500, I'd have a hard time turning it down, especially if it came with a spare mag or two; lack of affordable magazines is the only downside to the models.
Yes! One of the classic best of Smith. I looked for one for years. Finally found one, and after shooting it a bit, mine likes 115gr fmj. Fine, it's still good ammo. Shoots steel case as accurate as brass case that cost twice as much. (I reload, but not 9mm.)
nocents
Member
Yep..."18".....was the reason I bought my 3913NL many years ago
and 3 others in subsequent years. those are since gone but the original NL is still in my EDC rotation.
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My biggest concern about any of the S&W 3rd Gen autos is that S&W no longer services them and routine maintenance parts and "wear parts" are hard to find and when you do, they are pricey. Not to mention magazines.
Uh, yes they do. I have sent one back for repair in the last year. Have sent several in the past 5 years for minor things such as trigger play spring. Did have a broken ejector in my 4516 replaced a few months back. They did a warranty upgrade on my 581 (circa 1982 or so) last year also. I have never been charged and they pay shipping both ways.
If they don't have parts, then they will send it back. They didn't have a grip for my 3904. I had to buy it from Midway. And it wasn't broken, just wanted the recall grip replaced. The 3904/3906 were only made 2-3 years I think, so those grips are not as common.
Rosewood
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Smith still does some level of service, but a frame issue is a death knell for a 3rd Gen.
Parts can be found, but you have to shop carefully.
Parts can be found, but you have to shop carefully.
I have a 3953 that was my issued sidearm while working a 2nd career at an armored car company. While we issued revolvers, there were 4 model 3953s that were acquired during the purchase of a smaller company on Long Island in 1998. Because of my position I was able to request one be issued to me. I put Hogue grips on it and carried it in a DeSantis Viper or DeSantis Speed Scabbard. Later I was able to obtain spare mags and a nice Alessi holster through the classifieds here. I also have a similar Sig P239 DAK. Both are excellent with only limitation (IMO) being magazine capacity.
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I totally agree. A 3rd Gen S&W pistol? Oh, yeah..........
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Sorry. Perhaps I should have said that service on 3rd Gen autos is hit or miss based upon parts.
As to the 581, of course they would still service it as they still make L Frame revolvers and most of the parts interchange with the 686.
Erik Pakieser
Member
Carried one for 14 years before switching to the M&P (which I've been carrying for 18 years now)
They are good guns. Buy a recoil spring right away and install it. Pick up some mags also.
You have no idea how many rounds have been shot thru it. I have 5906 I bought when they first came out. After who knows how many (1000s) of rounds thru it the extractor broke. No one sells them but S&W, but you have to send it in to them. They paid shipping both ways. There was a lifetime warrantee but they said it was a wear part. They fixed it but charged me. I can't remember how much. She is still banging away.
You have no idea how many rounds have been shot thru it. I have 5906 I bought when they first came out. After who knows how many (1000s) of rounds thru it the extractor broke. No one sells them but S&W, but you have to send it in to them. They paid shipping both ways. There was a lifetime warrantee but they said it was a wear part. They fixed it but charged me. I can't remember how much. She is still banging away.
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I can't find fault with how Smith handled that. These pistols have been out of production for a long time. Extractors are wear parts and I would expect to have to pay for that repair, Lifetime Warranty or not. That they covered shipping both ways speaks well of their customer service. I know sometimes it might depend on the Rep you talk to.
