I'm looking to purchase a 3913. It's been carried a lot but shot very little. Mechanically the gun is like new. Only one magazine with the weapon. The TSW series mags won't fit. How hard is it to find 3913 magazines?

I like the finger hook models and would like to find three or four if I purchase the gun. Actually my purchasing the gun depends on finding the magazines I want.

What is the market for these mags like out there? I picked up a 439 a couple of years ago and had a devil of a time finding magazines.

Magazines for the original 3913 and later model TSW, which are the same, are plentiful, you will have no problem finding them.

CDNN or Midway have them regularly. Dave_n

Check with Midway or S&W before you buy. Ask specifically if they are in stock or on order.
I had two on back order for my 3954 (same mag) for 4 months. And get out yer wallet - they ain't cheap!

What he said. I got my 3913NL for a price cut since it didn't have mags with it. Little did I know...

I have two of the extra finger models. They were not cheap. You can roll the dice with non factory mags but I swore off that since they always seem to be trash.

The TSW mag is about 3/8"s of an inch shorter and won't lock into the magazine locking lug. I tried they had a new TSW 3913 factory mag in stock and it is shorter than a pre TSW 3913 grip frame. I had a heck of a time finding mags for the 439. Gotta remember I live in Idaho which translates to LGSes: Buy RUGER 44s SAs and S&W 629s and a few 357 Blackhawks.

A friend of mine when opening a gunstore asked me what he ought to stock in S&W and I advised 442s,642s and 629s. He purchased 6 442s and 6 642s they sat on the shelf for two years while the people bought Glocks. I bought one of the 442s and a 642.

I've got a Sig 239 in 40 I think I'll pass on the weapon.

I don't know why S&W is not popular in Idaho. You haven't said what your need is for the 3913. If you need or want one of the best IWB concealed carry weapons in 9mm than the 3913 is a good purchase if the price is right. On a gun like you have described where there is some wear on the outside the price has to be reduced a little. So it might be worth $350. Than if there is only one mag the price you want to pay should be reduced again by about $25 or $30 which would be the value of a used mag. New mags are about $40 from S&W and maybe a little cheaper from CDNN or other places.

I carry a 3913 about 40% of the time and its big brother a 457 also about 40% of the time. An S&W 640 Centennial is carried the other times. I have other guns and other brands but I only seem to carry S&W.

In my opinion you don't need a lot of mags for a CCW weapon. I almost never carry an extra mag but when I carry my 640 I do carry a reload in an HKS speed loader. I do have 4 mags for my 3913. Two came with the gun and I bought two additional new ones just as spares in case S&W stops producing them in the future.

Bill

Copes Distributing has used factory ones with the red follower for 29.99. I have bought alot of stuff from Copes, all their used stuff I have bought before has been in great shape. However new mags elsewhere are usually $33 if they even have them instock.

Just make sure you get the 8rd mags. The early TSW from '98-00 uses the shorter 7rd mag and will not fit the older or newer 3900 compacts.

Get new, original S&W mags from Midway, 8 or 9 round, for about $30 each and FAST, reasonable shipping. Nine round for your belt or range and 8 round to carry in the gun. That is what I did about 2 months ago.

P.S. I just checked and that sale is now gone. They are $34 now, still a good deal. You can also get the S&W flat bases for about $3 each and put those on the in the gun carry mag for shorter over all gun height and put them on the 9 round mags you carry in your pocket or mag holder.

3rd Generation S&W's are very popular in SE Idaho. At least they were when I lived in Idaho Falls for 8 years. The 3913 is very popular and I never had a problem in obtaining magazines. Seems like I have about a dozen or so for mine.
I have to agree that in my opinion as well as that of many others that the 39oo series etc are about the finest CC handgun you can get. Whats not to like? Made in USA, all steel, very slender, super easy to conceal, holsters are very prevalent, they are very accurate and totally reliable with a lifetime warranty. Way ahead of their time to me.......

Randy
PS...I AM a 3rd Gen slut and proud to say so!