Were there any enhancements of the later railed versions over the pre-rail guns? Did the early versions have the matched rails/frames, or were they essentially just a regular 3rd Gen. with a TSW billboard on the side?
Pre-rail vs railed TSW's
- Thread starter scwv67
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Fastbolt
Member
Short answer? The engineers have continued to make revisions and improvements on the TSW's since they were first released. Some are obvious and easily seen. Some aren't.
Longer answer?
The TSW's weren't simply re-badged 3rd gen's. Tolerances were tighter than previous 3rd gen's, but not as tight as PC guns. An interesting balance.
While the major parts & assemblies were the same (hammers, drawbars, triggers, most springs, pins, levers, etc ... but they were also undergoing continual revisions and improvements in manufacturing), there were significant changes to things like frame/slide rails (larger box-type versus steeped rails, improving potential accuracy); delayed unlocking (to reduce pressure a little more and reduce felt recoil); barrel production/design changes (thicker barrel hoods, change of chamber angle in the 9mm's, feed ramps, loaded chamber ports in later series TSW's).
Other things, too, but you get the idea. A "better" gun.
I was even seeing barrel production changes and slide machining changes in the midst of receiving some new production .45 TSW's in recent years, too.
I remember when we were told in an armorer class that the then-soon-to-be-released TSW's had frames, slides & barrels that were matched for tolerances during manufacturing, with a matching set of 3 digits machinef in them. I got one of those when I placed an order for an early production gun, too.
Then, as time passed and S&W was continually upgrading equipment and improving manufacturing, that was dropped as no longer being considered necessary. I remember having to have a 4006TSW slide replaced by the factory due to a machining problem in the rear sight dovetail, and they easily replaced that slide with a new one.
The TSW's are generally considered to be improved in many ways.
Longer answer?
The TSW's weren't simply re-badged 3rd gen's. Tolerances were tighter than previous 3rd gen's, but not as tight as PC guns. An interesting balance.
While the major parts & assemblies were the same (hammers, drawbars, triggers, most springs, pins, levers, etc ... but they were also undergoing continual revisions and improvements in manufacturing), there were significant changes to things like frame/slide rails (larger box-type versus steeped rails, improving potential accuracy); delayed unlocking (to reduce pressure a little more and reduce felt recoil); barrel production/design changes (thicker barrel hoods, change of chamber angle in the 9mm's, feed ramps, loaded chamber ports in later series TSW's).
Other things, too, but you get the idea. A "better" gun.
I was even seeing barrel production changes and slide machining changes in the midst of receiving some new production .45 TSW's in recent years, too.
I remember when we were told in an armorer class that the then-soon-to-be-released TSW's had frames, slides & barrels that were matched for tolerances during manufacturing, with a matching set of 3 digits machinef in them. I got one of those when I placed an order for an early production gun, too.
Then, as time passed and S&W was continually upgrading equipment and improving manufacturing, that was dropped as no longer being considered necessary. I remember having to have a 4006TSW slide replaced by the factory due to a machining problem in the rear sight dovetail, and they easily replaced that slide with a new one.
The TSW's are generally considered to be improved in many ways.
The other major change, at least for the 3913TSW was that the pre rail versions had one round less capacity. My 3913TW uses seven round magazines that are pretty much identical to CS9 magazines, except for a different base plate.
The top end will not interchange with my 3913 or 3914NL.
The top end will not interchange with my 3913 or 3914NL.
Fastbolt
Member
Yep, the original 3913/4513TSW's had mag bodies that held 1 less round compared to their subsequent iterations.
Mag bodies for the CS9/"original" 3913TSW are the same 7-rd parts, as well as the mag springs, followers and butt catch plates (which could be either blue steel or black plastic, depending on the vendor part). The TSW butt plate was made wider to conform to the cutaway grip profile in both calibers.
Original 3913TSW butt plate on the right:
The TSW's "box" slide rails won't match the other standard 3rd gen's "stepped" frame rails, and vice versa, so you can't mix slides & frames from those different designs.
Fastbolt
Member
De nada.
Not what I'd call "detailed", but it hit most of the high points trying to jot them down off the top of my head, maybe.
Not what I'd call "detailed", but it hit most of the high points trying to jot them down off the top of my head, maybe.
James&theGiant1911
Member
TSWs have tactical on the side of the rails; however, Rail TSWs always are printed with the caliber before the tactical while the non rail TSWs just say tactical......
other tid bit of information.
other tid bit of information.
I have some of each. Actually the flat and curved butt plates seem to be the same as for the 3913. I have, I think five magazines with the TSW butt plate and if S&W actually ever produces more, they are supposed to send me another four. When I called they were "on back order", which could mean anything. One odd thing is that the first ones I ordered I paid for, but these are supposed to be complimentary when they come in.
Fastbolt
Member
Fastbolt...thanks for the picture of you magazines.......I was worried I was the only person anal enough to polish my mag bodies to a high luster..
Uh, I don't polish mags.
Sorry.
First of all, I don't care what the outside of the mag bodies look like. Satin finish (or close to it, I suppose) is fine for me.
Secondly, the insides are already polished during manufacturing for optimal feeding.
Of course, most of mine have been in & out of leather mag carriers so often that the outside of them have been somewhat "rub/polished" by repeated use.
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