Smith & Wesson 3913 vs XDS or Shield

[SpecRacer]

Thought I could heat up the conversation with this comparison. I am not interested in XDS vs Shield comparisons. That has been done. The question is, given access to a very good condition 3913 would you pick it over the XDS/Shield for concealed carry and why? 20th Century vs. 21st Century.

[Engine49guy]

There are several 3913 variations and they are not all created equal in appearence or value but condition and originality of package would be the most important features as well as intended use.
IMO Polymer guns will never reach the level of collectability that the 3913 will someday but the Shield has a lifetime warranty with better parts & accessories availability,
Bottom line is if your looking for a CCW perhaps advantage goes to shield, For collectability a high condition original 3913 Ladysmith would have the advantage especially if priced the same as the Shield.

[SpecRacer]

Originally Posted by Engine49guy

There are several 3913 variations and they are not all created equal in appearence or value but condition and originality of package would be the most important features as well as intended use.
IMO Polymer guns will never reach the level of collectability that the 3913 will someday but the Shield has a lifetime warranty with better parts & accessories availability,
Bottom line is if your looking for a CCW perhaps advantage goes to shield, For collectability a high condition original 3913 Ladysmith would have the advantage especially if priced the same as the Shield.

The better 3913's are at least $150 more than the Shield. Plus I wouldn't be collecting it I would be using it daily. I also noticed the Ladysmith and the NL seems to demand a premium.

[Engine49guy]

Yes the LS and NL are the ones with the tapered frames,
Also later 3913's seem to have cast hammer triggers and ambi safeties which not so fond of.

Seems a clean 3913 Ls or NL (Non Lady?) can be found for around $450.
Recently considered a newer 3913 locally for $475 with 4 mags but it didnt float my boat so passed.

[N4KVE]

I sell guns for the largest dealer in Florida. I was there, in the title of this thread. I had the hots for the XDS, Shield, & now the Glock 43. But I bought a nice 3913 that's stainless w/o Lady smith markings, & no tapered frame. No mim'd parts, & I put in a hammer from the 5906. I could have anything for a great price, & I still stick with my 3913. That's my carry piece. GARY
Looks just like this, except for the hammer.
http://www.imfdb.org/images/4/4d/S%26W-3913.jpg

[Jim PHL]

I've owned and still own more than one 39xx and also own a Shield. If forced to choose only one to have and keep it would be one of the 39xx. BUT the Shield is a great carry gun. Fractions of inches and ounces matter when choosing a carry gun and the Shield is shorter, thinner and lighter while still being a great shooter. Guess I'll have to keep them all.

[SpecRacer]

Originally Posted by N4KVE

I sell guns for the largest dealer in Florida. I was there, in the title of this thread. I had the hots for the XDS, Shield, & now the Glock 43. But I bought a nice 3913 that's stainless w/o Lady smith markings, & no tapered frame. No mim'd parts, & I put in a hammer from the 5906. I could have anything for a great price, & I still stick with my 3913. That's my carry piece. GARY
Looks just like this, except for the hammer.
http://www.imfdb.org/images/4/4d/S%26W-3913.jpg

Thanks for your response. I have a Shorty 45 that I have not fired and when I look at it I am amazed. The plastic guns have about an inch and a half of rails. It has to be better to have an all steel gun with full length rails.

Can you tell me anything about the weight, size and shoot-ability of your 3913 vs Shield/XDS?
'

[email4eric]

I know nothing about the XDS or Shield except that the latter is very popular. I have a 3913 that I think is simplistic excellence. It's DA/SA (which, as a Sig guy, is huge for me), and it's about as perfect a carry form factor as you'll find.

Practicality aside (double vs single stacks), the 3913 is, in my opinion, a quintessential "perfect carry 9mm." I really, really like mine. I don't get too excited over polymers and have only one. I'd likely buy any 3913 in nice shape that I encounter under $400....

[JH1951]

Great to hear consistently positive comments on the 39XX. Seems the 39XX's have retained a following and reputation despite being a bit long in the tooth. I just put money out for a 3914 today and am waiting to get a transfer done so that I can take possession. I stumbled into this one through a conversation with a friend when I asked if he had any handguns for sale. The price and condition were so right I couldn't say no. I too am interested in hearing more from forum members about their experiences and opinions on this model. This will be my first S&W pistol; all the others are revolvers. I am looking forward to the experience.

[5Wire]

Strange as it may seem, I have a track on the 3913NL:

Smith & Wesson 3913NL Pistol in 9x19. Blue Book of Gun Values, 35th Edition indicates between $395 in 95% condition and $550 in 100% condition for this gun. I have 80 recorded prices for this model gun from $225 to $700 over a period of 7 Yrs 10 Mos ending November 8, 2015. The average price as of that date was $485. No refurbs, no refinishes, regular sights. Adjusted to two magazines. All represented as 95% or better. No distinction for engineering revision, if any, no special editions, no distinctions for box, papers, tools. Current or last MSRP is $622.

The last 10 prices I have for this model since 5/24/2015 range from $371 to $670 averaging $506. The average price is climbing right along.

The BBGV has the 3913TSW Tactical up to $29 higher than the NL in the 95%–100% range, probably not a reliable measure.

[18DAI]

I choose the 3914 NL as my 9mm carry gun. Accurate, reliable and looks good doing all that.

I have shot all three models you mention side by side in the same range session. It confirmed my choice for me. And my 3914 NL will go back into battery on its own if pushed out of battery. Unlike the shield that I tried.

If the 3913 didn't exist Id go with the Sig 239. The XDs 9mm would be my 3rd choice. Regards 18DAI

[ColbyBruce]

I prefer the S&W 3953 over the 3913. I have a 3953, Shield, and a Sig P239; I carry the 3953 most of the time around home. The Shield goes out to dinner and movies. The Sig was meant to be a hiking gun as there are bears in north Georgia. I like them all.

I would encourage you to buy that 3913 and a Shield.

[petepeterson]

I carry a 3914 LS, but mostly because I prefer a DA trigger for carry purposes. I don't think a Shield does anything better than a 3913/14, but I don't think it's any worse, either, if you're not looking for collectability or nostalgia. I've fired them, and they're nice guns, but not enough to make me switch.

If I was a new shooter (and didn't have all the bad influences that I've met on here in my life), I think the Shield is probably the right way to start. Might as well start in the right century. As it is, I see no reason to switch.

[BAM-BAM]

My primary carry gun is a 1st year 3913 NL w/ Hogue checkered wood grips.......it's been +20 years now and I still see no reason to change.

........and I've picked up two back-ups NL's (used & cheap) over the years.

[SpecRacer]

Originally Posted by petepeterson

I carry a 3914 LS, but mostly because I prefer a DA trigger for carry purposes. I don't think a Shield does anything better than a 3913/14, but I don't think it's any worse, either, if you're not looking for collectability or nostalgia. I've fired them, and they're nice guns, but not enough to make me switch.

If I was a new shooter (and didn't have all the bad influences that I've met on here in my life), I think the Shield is probably the right way to start. Might as well start in the right century. As it is, I see no reason to switch.

Thank you all for your great posts. There are still several things I like about the 3913. First is the look. Second, I like the DA first shot. Yes it is 12 lb, but followups are 4.5 lbs. I also think it makes for a very safe EDC firearm and prevents any "hair trigger" accusations. Third, it seems to be virtually the same size as the Shield, though I have not found out the grip circumference of either gun. Last, I think the extra 4 oz of the 3913 helps to reduce recoil for faster follow up shots.

Am I wrong?

[ColbyBruce]

P.M. me contact info and I will snap a photo of my 3953/Shield/Sig so you can compare widths. The safeties on the 3913 make it wide, but the Shield is slimmer through the grip than the other two.

[petepeterson]

Originally Posted by ColbyBruce

P.M. me contact info and I will snap a photo of my 3953/Shield/Sig so you can compare widths. The safeties on the 3913 make it wide, but the Shield is slimmer through the grip than the other two.

Also, due to the striker mechanism, the back of the shield sits "higher" on the hip for me, if you match up the trigger guards on the two pistols.

[N4KVE]

Originally Posted by SpecRacer

Second, I like the DA first shot. Yes it is 12 lb, but followups are 4.5 lbs.

That's why I had the 5906 hammer installed on my 3913. If I want, I can cock the hammer, & have SA on the 1st shot too. The day the Shield first came out I tried to love it, but it just didn't just feel right in my hand. The gun that's tough to resist now is the XD Mod 2. But I don't feel it's necessary to own multiple carry guns. Just one, & that's the 3913. GARY

[growr]

To me for a whole bunch of reasons...the 3913 is still the "KING" of Concealed Carry...if I did not already have my 3913, I would take a serious look at the Shield..but until then my 3913 is all I need.

Randy

[SpecRacer]

Originally Posted by N4KVE

I sell guns for the largest dealer in Florida. I was there, in the title of this thread. I had the hots for the XDS, Shield, & now the Glock 43. But I bought a nice 3913 that's stainless w/o Lady smith markings, & no tapered frame. No mim'd parts, & I put in a hammer from the 5906. I could have anything for a great price, & I still stick with my 3913. That's my carry piece. GARY
Looks just like this, except for the hammer.
http://www.imfdb.org/images/4/4d/S%26W-3913.jpg

Now you really have me going with the 5906 hammer. Did you just buy the hammer? Did you need a hammer strut? If so do you know where to get the part. I see the hammer on MidwayUSA, but not the strut.

[BAM-BAM]

I put a 5906 hammer in my 1st 3913...great addition.........has been mostly a range gun since I got my first NL....................

My NL (primary CC) is stock

[N4KVE]

Originally Posted by SpecRacer

Now you really have me going with the 5906 hammer. Did you just buy the hammer? Did you need a hammer strut? If so do you know where to get the part. I see the hammer on MidwayUSA, but not the strut.

I placed a WTB ad in the parts section here & a week later I got a reply. The guy even attached the proper hammer strut. I could have used the one on my gun, but the seller had lots of parts laying around. $20 shipped. It really makes the gun for me, being able to cock it. GARY

[SpecRacer]

Does anyone have a picture of a Shield and a 3913 side by side?

[ColbyBruce]

[joe44va]

Should it boil down to which you shoot better? I had a 3913 and traded it because of too much muzzle flip. I carry a XDS 4" sometimes but mostly I carry a M438. The XDS has ejection issues with lighter loads though, so when I carry it it's with +Ps.

[SpecRacer]

Originally Posted by ColbyBruce

Wow! Thanks. That's amazing. Do you have a picture from the rear showing the width of the slide and grips?

[gmiller0737]

I carry a Regular 3913 Frequently,Not a fan of striker fired guns So yes I would & did pick the 3913 over the Shield/XDS & have zero regrets,Wouldn't trade My 3913 for a Shield & a XDS

[TercGen]

If I could have only one CC gun, it would be a 3913. It's the perfect balance of size, weight, conceal-ability, and shoot-ability, while also being an established, reliable design. I feel it's a much safer gun to carry than the other 2, especially when loading/unloading with the TDA safety engaged.

[Laddy Smith]

Don't forget S&W made a little different model of the 3953TSW.
7 + 1 (shorter grip) but can use regular mags for reloads....

Lad

[rwt1405]

I highly recommend the 3953 over the other 39xx models.

[ladder13]

Originally Posted by rwt1405

I highly recommend the 3953 over the other 39xx models.

+1 I had a 3953TSW but got rid of it because it had the bolt on bumper, just can't get past it.
I'd buy a non rail 3953 in a heart beat over a 3913.

[Lost Lake]

I have a number of Shields and a number of 3913's, and there are many differences between them. The Shield is slimmer and has a shorter barrel. The grip is longer and is curved in below the beaver tail where the 3913 is straight. The Shield has a larger trigger guard yet the guard doesn't extend down as far below the rail so your middle finger sits higher on the grip than on a 3913. I much prefer the sights on the 3913. I prefer the safety of the third gen also to that silly little tab on the Shield.

That said, I've rotated my carry gun over the last 4 years to include the 3913, 4513, 9c, 45c and now am carrying the Shield. Would I carry a 3913? Definitely. But for some reason I prefer to beat up my plastic guns and tend to feel better carrying them.

[Pdxrealtor]

I was just weighing the 3913 and XDS last night.

Empty magazine-
XDS - 22.40
3913- 24.80

Full magazine -
XDS- 25.90
3913 28.75

My XDS is for sale- I don't dig plastic at all. The only reason my 3913 will see more safe time in the end, is because the 3913TWS has the shorter butt. The butt on the 39139 non TSW is considerably longer and it makes concealability, for me at least, a bit tougher.

I'm also looking for the 4513 and 4513tsw.

[SpecRacer]

Originally Posted by Pdxrealtor

My XDS is for sale- I don't dig plastic at all. The only reason my 3913 will see more safe time in the end, is because the 3913TWS has the shorter butt. The butt on the 39139 non TSW is considerably longer and it makes concealability, for me at least, a bit tougher.

I'm also looking for the 4513 and 4513tsw.

I have a Shorty 45 that I will soon be selling.

[Pdxrealtor]

Speed.... Ur inbox is full fyi

[SpecRacer]

Ok. Fixed that. Thanks