Can any of you tell me the difference between two 9mm 3913 pistols that I'm considering buying?

One has a serial # of TVH 3118. It has fixed sights, ambi slide safety, black grips, and the bottom of the frame beneath the barrel is nearly parallel with the barrel.

The other has a serial # of TJC 3999. It has adjustable rear sights,slide safety on the left side only, black grips, and the bottom of the frame beneath the barrel slopes up considerably from the front of the trigger guard towards the gun muzzle.

Which is the newer gun? Are there other modifications or differences that I should know about on either gun?

Do any of you have preferences towards either of these guns?

Thanks in advance for reading and replying if you have input.

David Young

The first SN sounds like the standard garden variety 3913.

The second appears to be a variant of the Ladysmith. If the word "ladysmith" does not appear anywhere on the gun, it is often referred to as the 3913NL. Some folks consider this to be a little bit better than the regular 3913 and used gun prices usually reflect a small difference.

If the price is the same, go for the second. However the adjustable sights are aftermarket. The left side only safety/decocker is standard on this model.

Without better reference material, I cannot hazard a guess which is the newer gun.

Thanks jaysouth

Now I see that the 2nd gun I'm looking at is a nl model.

Thanks for the helpful information.

I think the sloped dustcover totally ruins the look of the 3913. I'd buy the first one.

I'm in 100% agreement with you. The standard frame just looks right. Hey, different strokes for different folks.

Tom

For what it is worth to your decision, the 3913NL with the TJC prefix is slightly older, but both appear to be shipped in either 1991 or 1992. Unless either of these were ran over by a truck or otherwise abused, both will run just fine and be accurate. Get the one that looks best to you.

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J.D. Roy

For some it comes down to whether or not you want an ambi-safety. I'm left handed so you can guess my decision, although I tend to use the safety only as a decocker so it isn't that big a deal. If the ambi isn't an issue for you, then I would take the one that "speaks" to you, either because you like the looks, it's in better condition, or it's cheaper.

Thanks for all of your input. While I was discussing it, someone else bought the NL model. I'm waiting for delivery of the basic 3913 model.

I'll post some pictures and a report after I receive it and take it out to our range. Again, thank you all. David Young

Great Choice.

In my opinion the 3913 is the ultimate concealed carry gun. The flat grip rounded at the rear and bottom, and the rounded top and rear profile of the slide, make the gun almost "print-proof".

I had the foolish idea to replace mine with an M&P9C but that thing poked out all over the place.

I have both the blued version the 3914 (from new) and the DAO version, the 3953 (a well carried but not abused Police gun). Buy it and enjoy. If you need more than the one stack, you should not be there; in fact could even amend that to "if you need more than 3 rounds, you should not be there"! Dave_n