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The BEST S&W 9mm discreet carry pistol is...
- Thread starter PALADIN85020
- Start date
Any Smith can be converted to de-cock only if that's what you want but the 3953/3954 DAO might suit your needs. It does away with the safety AND de-cocker because neither is needed. Slims the pistol down and cleans it up while simplifying the handling. Draw/Shoot/Re-holster,.......you don't need to do anything else. It's my vote for best carry 9mm.
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Aussie Collector
Member
Where is the 469.......
I had the same issue/disappointment when I got my 1st year 3913. I suffered for a year or so....... hoping to find a Sig 225.
Check out the Hogue grips for the 39xx guns..... yes;a bit thicker, IMO a good thing: and they give you a curved backstrap......neither of which hurt concealed Carry IMHO and 25+ years of CC experience.......
The result is a " mini-chopped 39"........ like the ASP or Devel guns of the 80s......... that inspired the 3913....with all the improvements of the 3G guns!!!!!!
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DD357
Member
I will go 3953 but I can live with the OP's choice!
JohnHL
SWCA Member
I picked up a 3914 because it was small, narrow, light, and the price was good.
I do not, however, like carbon steel on a carry piece because carbon steel rusts very easily where I live (the locals call this place "Earth").
I replaced the slide with one made of stainless steel and now I like it much better.
John
I do not, however, like carbon steel on a carry piece because carbon steel rusts very easily where I live (the locals call this place "Earth").
I replaced the slide with one made of stainless steel and now I like it much better.
John
OP
This thread is made of WIN! 
Seriously, the 39xx compact guns are a great choice for concealed carry.
Sadly, they are no longer produced (yeah, we've beat that to death) and ironically seem to be more popular as time goes on.
Seriously, the 39xx compact guns are a great choice for concealed carry.
Sadly, they are no longer produced (yeah, we've beat that to death) and ironically seem to be more popular as time goes on.
digiroc
Member
CS9 for the Win!
Best discrete carry because it is slightly smaller (except for the grips on the std CS9). Looks like you replaced the rubber grips with std plastic grips. from a 3913?
Here is my contender just purchased and looking for tips and parts:
Digiroc
I don't have a 3913 yet, looking forward to owning one soon. All I have to get me trough is a lowly CS9It's small, thin, accurate and easy to carry with 8 rounds.
Best discrete carry because it is slightly smaller (except for the grips on the std CS9). Looks like you replaced the rubber grips with std plastic grips. from a 3913?
Here is my contender just purchased and looking for tips and parts:
Digiroc
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ColbyBruce
Member
I prefer the 3953 and the Shield.
OP
Smith357
US Veteran
I made up a set of Bog Dog grips for it from a $10 set of 3913 grips I found on that auction site. I like the fat rubbers for shooting, but they are too bulky and tend to get hung up on clothing for CCW.
Mikedtkd
Member
I completely agree with the OP! For the past 2 years I carried my M&P Shield 9mm in a Alien Gear Cloak Tuck 3.0. It's a very comfortable combination and I shoot the Shield well.
This year after countless dead ends I finally found the deal on a VG COND 3913LS Ladysmith I have been looking for. I carry it in a Soft-Tuck #106 Holster. I actually use the Chief's special 9 version of the holster because the Ladysmith sits a bit deeper in it, lessening the printing on my clothing.
I shoot the Shield well, but the 3913 is a whole different animal. I shoot the Ladysmith like a pro. I love it! Smooth double action and super short single action, I can double tap like a pro.
Also even though the Shield isn't a bad looking gun it lacks the soul, charm, character of my 3913.
All in all its not only my favorite carry gun but one of my favorite guns to shoot.
This year after countless dead ends I finally found the deal on a VG COND 3913LS Ladysmith I have been looking for. I carry it in a Soft-Tuck #106 Holster. I actually use the Chief's special 9 version of the holster because the Ladysmith sits a bit deeper in it, lessening the printing on my clothing.
I shoot the Shield well, but the 3913 is a whole different animal. I shoot the Ladysmith like a pro. I love it! Smooth double action and super short single action, I can double tap like a pro.
Also even though the Shield isn't a bad looking gun it lacks the soul, charm, character of my 3913.
All in all its not only my favorite carry gun but one of my favorite guns to shoot.
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Being a revolver guy I have a Model 10 2" snubbie IWB with me presently so I can't actually get into the pros and cons of the 3913 in this context. I will note that carrying my CS-45 (okay, NOT a 9, it doesn't count here!) is quite easy, too.
However, there are bests and there are bests. Paladin could easily be correct except that when I carry a 9mm I don't want 9 rounds, I want at least 12. Because I only carry a 9mm at very specific times* and for very specific reasons* and under those circumstances I want all the firepower I can possibly have in a discreet package and my S&W 6906 fills the bill perfectly.
*Without elaborating in too much detail, those times and reasons are when I am going to be somewhere that is ordinarily considered safe but that I consider a target rich opportunity for extremely bad actors on the world's current stage. Make of that what you will.
However, there are bests and there are bests. Paladin could easily be correct except that when I carry a 9mm I don't want 9 rounds, I want at least 12. Because I only carry a 9mm at very specific times* and for very specific reasons* and under those circumstances I want all the firepower I can possibly have in a discreet package and my S&W 6906 fills the bill perfectly.
*Without elaborating in too much detail, those times and reasons are when I am going to be somewhere that is ordinarily considered safe but that I consider a target rich opportunity for extremely bad actors on the world's current stage. Make of that what you will.
Fastbolt
Member
Discreet carry for a 3rd gen 9mm?
For me, it would be, in descending order ...
CS9
3913TSW
3913
6906
I own the first 3 models listed, and I carried at least a couple 6906's as issued guns. I've fired a few ten's of thousands of rounds through a couple of the early production 6906's, combined. I rather liked the chunky grip profile of the 6906, especially when fitted with the wrap-around Hogue grips. Nice handling, easy recoiling 9mm compact.
The slimness of the 3913 was handier for long hours of carry, especially while seated, though.
The CS9 is a dandy little subcompact option, and is fun to shoot. A little more snap than the heavier 3913 models, but the cycling of the slightly shorter and light slide was faster, bringing the sights back on-target a bit quicker, and the rearward shift of balance of the shorter gun made for what I like to describe as faster and "more lively" handling and balance during shot strings.
It's all about personal preference, though.
For me, it would be, in descending order ...
CS9
3913TSW
3913
6906
I own the first 3 models listed, and I carried at least a couple 6906's as issued guns. I've fired a few ten's of thousands of rounds through a couple of the early production 6906's, combined. I rather liked the chunky grip profile of the 6906, especially when fitted with the wrap-around Hogue grips. Nice handling, easy recoiling 9mm compact.
The slimness of the 3913 was handier for long hours of carry, especially while seated, though.
The CS9 is a dandy little subcompact option, and is fun to shoot. A little more snap than the heavier 3913 models, but the cycling of the slightly shorter and light slide was faster, bringing the sights back on-target a bit quicker, and the rearward shift of balance of the shorter gun made for what I like to describe as faster and "more lively" handling and balance during shot strings.
It's all about personal preference, though.
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We know exactly what you mean. 
policerevolvercollector
Member
Another vote for the 908 !!
