3913 refresh or no?

[Maximumbob54]

So I bought this 3913 a hand full of years ago and it was already a little used. I have been wanting to clean it up a little more and have been thinking of sending it to S&W for a facelift. The slide could use a bead blasting, the frame could be stripped and coated again, and the stock is wearing a little smooth and has some dings in it. I'm almost scared to call for an estimate but if it is to be done I want it done right by the people that made it. Any thoughts on if this would be a worthwhile endeavor or should I start saving up for the transformation???

[586nickel]

Wow, looks darn good to me as it is! I say spend the money you'd spend on sprucing it up on buying another one.

[BruceB]

Buy a carton of ammo and start shooting it!

[Condition Yellow]

Maxi, it looks fine to me. Having said that, I just received my 686 back from S&W, where it was beadblasted, along with some tightening work. I debated doing it for quite some time, but I am completely happy with the results. Having your handgun exactly the way you want it only adds to the enjoyment. It just depends on what makes you happy.

[bwickens]

Originally Posted by 586nickel

Wow, looks darn good to me as it is! I say spend the money you'd spend on sprucing it up on buying another one.

+1 on that and I say a good metal frame handgun deserves a good leather holster. Or two.

[growr]

Your 3913 looks great to me, I would take the money you were allocating for the refurbishing and buy ammo, magazines and a great holster or two. I carry one daily in a Kramer #3 holster. the more you shoot it the better it gets!
Randy

[Jim PHL]

It depends on what your intentions with it are. Mine looks worse than yours but I wouldn't spend the money on mine. Mine gets carried and shot so it would look the same after a while, anyway. It's listed in the classifieds for sale but not because of the appearance. I love how the 39 - series looks. Nothing wrong with a little honest wear and that brushed finish on the slide is going to polish eventually if it gets used enough. If I didn't carry and shoot them, kept them as safe queens, I'd want them looking pristine and might invest, but again, mine get used.

[ldp4570]

I bought mine back in 1994, and its seen its fair amount of use as a off duty gun, BUG, and now my CCW sidearm. The only thing done to her was to add a regular hammer(I think they look better) an Hogue grips. I've lost count of the number of rounds put through her, she's had springs traded out somewhere around every 5000rds give or take, like I've said I've lost count over the amount fired, and she still goes bang!!


With her buddy an BUG 640ND

Sitting next to my son's 92fs Centurion

My son shooting my 3913.

[586nickel]

Awesome - always great to see the youngsters blazing away! Good job, Dad!!!

[Punisher102]

Max, its your gun, if you want to restore it, then be my guest. If your intentions are to get more for it, then chances are your not gonna recoup the restore cost.

On the other hand, shes a beauty just as she is. And being a 3913NL with the gray grips, just makes her better. Personally I would keep her just the way she is. and shoot the heck out of it!!

[Maximumbob54]

I had thought about selling it a while back. The the idea then was to either sell it OR send it in for refurbishing. As in one or the other. The rails are showing a little wear and I'm not sure how much is ok before it gets bad. So if I keep it I want that taken care of and some cosmetic fixes wouldn't hurt either. I'm also holding out in case Big Dog decides to make an extended stock for this like he does for the CS guns. It's almost funny to me that I almost bought a CS45. I went back to buy it and it was gone...

[Forsmithers]

Maxi, your frame is laser engraved and Smith is the best place for a refinish since stripping the annodizing off of the frame will also obliterate the serial number and other markings. I had a 6450 that I sent back to get refinished and while the new laser engraving was a little lighter than what was on it before it was the closest thing to having it in perfect condition again.

My recommendation would be to bead blast the slide, barrel and slide stop and leave the frame alone. It will be cheaper, easier and you don't have to worry about the trouble of having the markings reapplied.

I hope this helps!

[Tinygnat219]

Depends. If you want to keep it, then by all means send it in for a tune-up. It's not like 3913s are in short supply, and there's not a ton of collector interest yet simply b/c so many were made. They're working guns, not safe queens.

If you want to sell it, I'd clean it up as best you can and then place an ad for it on this site or Gunbroker.com

Either way, that's a nice looking NL you have there. I have a 3913 and a 3953. Had a 3913LS at one point but sold it.

[Detective_Special]

If you want to hang it up on the wall as a show piece, then maybe you can spruce it up. Otherwise, if you want it as to keep it as it's intended purpose, then leave it as is. As others have said, it's in very nice condition. Besides, a slightly worn gun adds a little character.

[carl3989]

There's nothing wrong with that girl. A little wear gives it personality and shows you consider her worthy of her purpose in life.