915 vs. 910 -- no lug on 910 barrel?

W.E.G.

W.E.G.

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I recall there being some discussion of the significant differences between the 915 and the 910.
Aside from some cosmetic stuff, I believe somebody said the 910 does not have a lug on the barrel.
Is that true? If so, can somebody post a pic?

Here is the 915 slide and barrel - and the conspicuous lug.

915luggedbarrel.jpg
 
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To eliminate the lug, the front of the barrel hood would have to be square like a Glock or Sig where the square front of the barrel hood mates with the squared slide, eliminating the need for a barrel lug.

Best,

Heekma
 
Correct. There is no lug, nor corresponding cut inside the 910's slide. The 915 is a true 3rd generation pistol while the 910 is a "value line" gun.


I own examples of both. While one or two here continue to claim these two models are "...for all intents and purposes identical.." that statement is incorrect. Both are 9mm's. Both are finished in matt black and bear the S&W trademark. Both share the same mags. The similarity ends there.

The value line guns, like the 910, were less finished and used plastic/nylon parts. The 915 did not use plastic or MIM parts.

Someone should be along with a picture. Regards 18DAI
 
18DAI said:
Correct. There is no lug, nor corresponding cut inside the 910's slide. The 915 is a true 3rd generation pistol while the 910 is a "value line" gun.


I own examples of both. While one or two here continue to claim these two models are "...for all intents and purposes identical.." that statement is incorrect. Both are 9mm's. Both are finished in matt black and bear the S&W trademark. Both share the same mags. The similarity ends there.

The value line guns, like the 910, were less finished and used plastic/nylon parts. The 915 did not use plastic or MIM parts.
Click to expand...
Absolutely.

Anyone who thinks the 915 and 910 are the same, is just wrong. I suggest that those folks get both in front of them, disassemble both and examine each part side by side. The differences will be obvious. The 915 was S&W's first stab at what was going to be called the Economy Line. The only differences from a regular 3rd generation was that the 915 had a 2nd generation type rear sight, a non-ambi safety, and a little less machining of the frame. The internal parts were pure 3rd generation.

This is why the 915 is such a great deal. It handles and feels like a 5903 (alloy frame) and can generally be had for less money.

On the other hand, the 910 was the beginning of what became known as the Value Line. There was even less machining of the frame than the 915. In addition, the slide was redesigned to require less machining and to accomodate the different (and less expensive to manufacture) barrel. The front and rear sights became plastic. Finally, some of the internal parts became plastic and others MIM.

This does not mean that the 910 is a bad pistol or that it can't get the job done, it simply means that the 910 is NOT the same as a 915.
 
Last edited:
Sorry...my mistake...have never seen a 910. Thanks for the correction, filed away for future reference :) .
 
heekma said:
To eliminate the lug, the front of the barrel hood would have to be square like a Glock or Sig where the square front of the barrel hood mates with the squared slide, eliminating the need for a barrel lug.

Best,

Heekma
Click to expand...

Not entirely correct. You'll note the lugs on most pistol barrels that have them aren't square. Therefore, the shape of the chamber area doesn't have to be square to act as a locking block. All the square shape does is increase the area of the locking surface.
 
Will the average shooter that is not going through thousands of rounds a year be able to tell much difference between the 915 and subsequent 910 and 908 model performance?

I think that I have too many pistols to ever "wear one out".
 
a nephew has a 910 I did some tuneing on includeing a recoil buffer and +2lb recoil spring. after about a K rounds there's no discernsable wear on the frame or rails
he has a KelTec sub2000 also and I load hot +P 124gr jhp for 'shtf' use, I have the 5903 and Marlin Camp 9. good combos
his GF has right much 'requisitioned' his KelTec for her 'shtf' BOB she's good w/it too.
 
I think the best of both worlds is a 915 slide and barrel on a 910 frame. I prefer the clean lines of the 910 frame and it works just fine with the 915 slide.

IMG_0478_zpsbb56c813.jpg
 
G - we should call you The MixMaster.

You inspired me, in a moment of madness, to swap barrels and slides between my 909 and 908s. Just for fun. The 909 with the stainless steel slide looked pretty cool. But the 908s with the 909 slide looked hideously bubbafied.
 
The 915 is a great gun for a great price....... Novack even used the 915 as a base for several custom 3rd gen guns.

In the early years of the 21st century you could pick up a "used" but like new one dirt cheap....................$250-280.

I even prefer the straight back grips of the 915.
 
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