908/3913 comparison

petepeterson · Apr 26, 2013

I have a hard time passing up a 3rd gen (ever since I went back the next day for that sweet 6906, and she was gone!), so...

I found a 908 today that looks brand new, with box and spare mag for $350. A little more than I woulda paid 6 months ago, but it seems everything has jumped up a bit lately, and I'm not confident it will come back down.

My question is- for those of you that own both a 908 and a 3913/14- other than the cosmetic differences, how do they compare? I actually like the non-ambi safety, exposed hammer, and black finish for a carry gun, but in my mind the 3913 is almost perfect. And the 3914s aren't easy to find!

GoodMornin · Apr 26, 2013

If you don't mind DAO and can get it from them try this link
http://www.standardlaw.us/

poorbroker · Apr 26, 2013

I purchased a 908s about 6 months ago for $365 and I really like it. Like all 3rd gen S&W pistols they are a well made & quality firearm. I have not owned a 3913/14...yet.

ColbyBruce · Apr 27, 2013

I bought a S&W 908 about five years ago and liked it so much I bought a second one, which I let my brother talk me out of. I then sold mine and bought a 3913. I was disappointed with the weight and thickness of the 3913 and swapped it to a forum member for a Glock 17.

Less than a year ago I swapped two 39-2's for a 3953, the DAO version of the 3913. I do like this gun as it is slimmer, has a consistent trigger pull, and is ready to go, no safety or decocker to fool with. My night sights are half gone, but I will deal with that later.

I did buy a second 3913 back in February just to give the model a second chance. Again, I am not so impressed with it and may try to swap it off for another 3953.

If you do a search under my name you can find photos of these things.

Buttercup · Apr 27, 2013

I currently own both the 908 and 3913. They are the same gun. The 908 is a 3rd gen smith from the "value line". It has a plastic guide rod and no serrations on the trigger guard and as you already mentioned is not ambidexterous but other than that the parts are completely interchangeable so if you want the steel guide rod order one and change it out! I would never pass up an opportunity to buy either one of these fine handguns and if you don't want it for yourself please buy it and sell it to me as you can't get them in Arizona for that price!

petepeterson · Apr 27, 2013

After closer examination-

The edges on the 908 appear to be a little less rounded than the 3913, although the overall width seems the same. I think the lack of the right side safety/de-cocker makes up for the exposed hammer when carrying concealed. I think I'll give it the "reliability test" (which is an oxymoron with the 3rd gens, in my experience), and put 'er in the holster.

I'm thrilled with the price, as they seem to go for around $400 or so around here. I bought my 3913 for $419 2 years ago, and it had a lot more rounds through it. This one appers to have been fired only a few times. The spare mag was spotless. Getting a mag, box, and papers was def a bonus. I just paid $33 for a factory mag from Midway a couple weeks ago.

Does anyone know if the grips are numbered to the gun somehow? My 3913 grips have a spot that appears to be melted, and I'd like to swap them out if it doesn't matter. I know this isn't a Registered Magnum, but no sense in not increasing the 39's value a bit. Is there a trick to changing them out? I've never done it.

Thanks.

petepeterson · Apr 27, 2013

Buttercup said:
I currently own both the 908 and 3913. They are the same gun. The 908 is a 3rd gen smith from the "value line". It has a plastic guide rod and no serrations on the trigger guard and as you already mentioned is not ambidexterous but other than that the parts are completely interchangeable so if you want the steel guide rod order one and change it out! I would never pass up an opportunity to buy either one of these fine handguns and if you don't want it for yourself please buy it and sell it to me as you can't get them in Arizona for that price!

BC,

Thanks for the reply. Have you ever found the plastic guide rod to be a problem? I had a 915 for my first pistol, and I absolutely shot the snot out of it without ever having a hiccup. I traded it and $150 for a Browning Hi-Power, which was a great deal, but I still miss it. It was a good bit lighter than the Abrams M-1 5906 I bought to replace it. Never trade a good gun!

jz2sw · Apr 27, 2013

I bought my 908 from a friend who just bought a 3913. He wanted the upgrade and I am happy he did, my 908 has trijicon's, and all the internal plastic parts replaced. I can't imagine a nicer compact single stack 9mm DA/SA usually available at a discount from the 39xx prices.

litenlarry · Apr 27, 2013

I like my 908, i did add a metal guide rod, S&W sent me one some years back...I also added a Hogue grip..
I would expect to pay at least $400 in my area..

shawn mccarver · Apr 27, 2013

petepeterson said:
I have a hard time passing up a 3rd gen (ever since I went back the next day for that sweet 6906, and she was gone!), so...

I found a 908 today that looks brand new, with box and spare mag for $350. A little more than I woulda paid 6 months ago, but it seems everything has jumped up a bit lately, and I'm not confident it will come back down.

My question is- for those of you that own both a 908 and a 3913/14- other than the cosmetic differences, how do they compare? I actually like the non-ambi safety, exposed hammer, and black finish for a carry gun, but in my mind the 3913 is almost perfect. And the 3914s aren't easy to find!

The 908 was like a value priced version of the 3rd Gen, just as was the 915 and the 910 (the only difference between 915 and 910 was that the 910 was supplied with a 10 round magazine, but standard 59 Series 15 shot magazines could be used).

Those value series guns, if I recall, had polymer sights, polymer guide rods, polymer magazine catches and perhaps other polymer parts, as well as a single side safety.

The weakest point is the polymer mag catch. As was found out with aftermarket Glock magazines years ago, metal and polymer do not play well together and that polymer mag catch will eventually give way allowing your mag to fall out. This lesson was reinforced on the original SIGMA, and S&W came up with a new mag catch design that had a steel catch to interface with the steel magazine. S&W makes (or at least they used to make) such mag catches for all of the 3rd Gen value series guns. The Chicago package on the 457, made for the Chicago PD, was DAO and had the steel mag catch. Externally, they look the same, but the steel one uses a steel interface to lock into the catch in the magazine.

Buttercup · Apr 27, 2013

petepeterson said:
BC,

Thanks for the reply. Have you ever found the plastic guide rod to be a problem? I had a 915 for my first pistol, and I absolutely shot the snot out of it without ever having a hiccup. I traded it and $150 for a Browning Hi-Power, which was a great deal, but I still miss it. It was a good bit lighter than the Abrams M-1 5906 I bought to replace it. Never trade a good gun!

Up to this point no I have not had any problems with it at all. I have been lazy and keep meaning to order a metal one for it and have it on hand but just haven't done it. But being that I have both guns and extra guide rod lying around is not a bad idea IMO.

D Rock · Apr 27, 2013

shawn mccarver said:
The 908 was like a value priced version of the 3rd Gen, just as was the 915 and the 910 (the only difference between 915 and 910 was that the 910 was supplied with a 10 round magazine, but standard 59 Series 15 shot magazines could be used).

Here's an excellent picture comparison of the 915 and 910 by dsk in post #15. There are some differences other than mag capacity. Both fine pistols.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-semi-auto-pistols/125908-910-vs-915-a.html

Dave

petepeterson · Apr 27, 2013

That just made me miss my 915 even more...

GaryS · Apr 27, 2013

A LGS that I've done business with has a 908 with two magazines listed at $399.99. I thought that was a bit high, but reading through this thread, it seem not.

I'm not in the market right now, but if I were, I guess I'd have to call them Tuesday morning.

I do have a 457 and have thought about replacing the guide rod and magazine catch with metal parts. I know that the magazine catch is a bit different than the regular 3rd generation guns, but is there one that will fit the 457?

firescout · Apr 28, 2013

shawn mccarver said:
The 908 was like a value priced version of the 3rd Gen, just as was the 915 and the 910 (the only difference between 915 and 910 was that the 910 was supplied with a 10 round magazine, but standard 59 Series 15 shot magazines could be used).

Those value series guns, if I recall, had polymer sights, polymer guide rods, polymer magazine catches and perhaps other polymer parts, as well as a single side safety.

The weakest point is the polymer mag catch. As was found out with aftermarket Glock magazines years ago, metal and polymer do not play well together and that polymer mag catch will eventually give way allowing your mag to fall out. This lesson was reinforced on the original SIGMA, and S&W came up with a new mag catch design that had a steel catch to interface with the steel magazine. S&W makes (or at least they used to make) such mag catches for all of the 3rd Gen value series guns. The Chicago package on the 457, made for the Chicago PD, was DAO and had the steel mag catch. Externally, they look the same, but the steel one uses a steel interface to lock into the catch in the magazine.

I bought my 908 new in 1999 for $389 (plus tax/fees). It was ordered straight from the S&W distributor. The magazine catch itself is steel, but the button is plastic. The other plastic parts are: guide rod, rear sight, and disconnector. I actually like the 'polymer' guide rod, as it is lighter than steel. Glocks are very successful, and they use plastic guide rods. My gun came with a bobbed (flush) hammer. I replaced the stock rear sight with a steel elevation-adjustible Novak sight. To me, the 908 is a great Nine, and a great value.

petepeterson · Apr 28, 2013

The one I picked up has a steel guide rod. Does that mean it was changed by someone, or did they make a run of them with this part?

Hill_Country · Apr 28, 2013

Was it the mag catch or the mag *disconnector* which was plastic on the 908? My understanding that the major difference in the value line was some of the machining steps were simplified and therefore the slide has a slightly blockier shape.

FWIW, the resident armorer and expert on this board has commented that the plastic parts used in the value line were as durable, if not more so, than the metal parts.

I've put a lot of miles and rounds on a 908 and the most negative thing I can say about it is that the sight dovetail is different from the Novacks, but there are nightsights that will fit if one wishes to change them out (or the dovetail can be recut slightly). Other than that, I prefer the single side safety and the black finish for my EDC.

tom-tom · Apr 28, 2013

I sold a 908with two mags and the blue box almost 2 years ago. I got $400. I'd rather have kept it, but the money was too hard to resist. At $350, I wouldn't think twice if the gun hasn't been abused.
For me, the 908 was a nearly perfect carry 9. Now, I carry a Chiefs Special 9. It has a shorter barrel than the 908 by a 1/2 inch and is slightly shorter in the butt.

D Rock · Apr 28, 2013

Actually they're both plastic.

The mag catch is a push on plastic piece shown here at Midway.
Smith & Wesson Mag Release Nut S&W CS40C CS40D CS40S CS45C CS45D CS45S

The magazine disconnect is plastic also but all of the 3rd Gen and Value Line share that feature. This how to by frank-drebin has a good picture of the disconnect.http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-...move-mag-disconnect-cleaning-maintenance.html

Fastbolt did a nice post showing the plastic mag catch but I can't seem to find it. Sorry.

Dave

Cocked & Locked · Apr 28, 2013

I'm a 908 fan. Got this one in lightly used condition a few years ago...box, extra magazine, and papers.

I like it so well that I bought several more magazines, installed Trijicon night sights, and put some Hogue rubber grips on it. I'm not a big fan of rubber grips but I like the way they feel on the 908.

908/3913 comparison

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