I finally received my 3954 production letter after about a 15 week wait.

I posted the following information in another thread, but it was buried about 51 posts deep, so I thought I would bring this information right to the top with a new thread.

For those that don't know about the 3954, it is a DAO single stack 9MM compact that held eight rounds and had a blued finish. It was made in 1991-1992, but had a pretty disappointing sales record at the time and was dropped relatively quickly.

There were several short production runs, the first run was for 440 units (TJA8500-8939) with a few subsequent runs between 1991-1992; however the total production was less than 1000 units.

This model would be considered "scarce" by the SCSW.

Very nice, sir

I've been looking for a nice example of one for awhile now. Congrats, that's a beauty!

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Still carrying my S&W 642

Yes, VERY nice indeed! I wonder if you could provide just a little more info on this gun as I'm not familiar with it? How does it differ from other S&W models of the period? What do you think prevented it from being a strong seller? Was it the blued finish, cost? It looks fantastic! Is it in new condition? Thanks for posting it here.

Oh, congratulations on receiving your letter. Because it takes so long, I always feel it's like getting a surprise present in the mail (that you paid for).

Thanks for the pic and info. That would be a sweet selling gun today, in it day everyone was wanting the wonder nines with 15 rds.

There were probably a lot of different factors that worked against it becoming a hot seller:

In the 1991-1992 time frame S&W was cranking tons of different model variations, many of which had a much higher magazine capacity than the 39xx series. Within its size range and caliber it was competing against the 3913, 3914, and 3953, as well as the slightly wider 69 series pistols with higher capacity… and that was just at S&W. Glock really started gaining speed in the early 90’s; a slightly larger Glock 19 could carry 15 rounds and weighed less than the 39xx series.

The 9MM had a little bit of a black-eye in 1986 prompting the development of the 10mm cartridge and its successor the 40S&W cartridge. The availability of guns in these new calibers hit the market full swing in the early 90’s.

DAO requires a fair amount of trigger control, many people simply opt for TDA which had the safety of a DAO with a long double action trigger pull for the first shot, but subsequent shots could be made more accurately with the lighter trigger pull.

The blued finish, while very business-like and discrete, does not hold up as well as stainless, and some may have purchased the 3953 instead.


My 3954 is very lightly used, and aside from the small scratch in the slide that can be seen in the picture it is nearly flawless.

Skjos, Thank you very much for your post regarding your 3954. You mentioned that S&W was producing a "ton of variants" and this is where I get confused and it is nice to get a "picture" of how your 3954 fits into this "puzzle". I love my three 3rd gens and I shoot them regularly, but they are basic models (4506, 5906, 4516) and I have to admit I don't know very much about all the variants beyond the three models I own.

I think I would like the 3954 due to being a single stack. However, I've never had the opportunity to shoot a DAO. I've had plenty of chances to buy them at my LGSs but I've just been hesitant to venture into the "unknown". My single stack TDA Md 39-2 fits me perfectly but my 5906 feels just a bit bulky in my hand, but I still love it.

So what would be the value on a NIB 3954, unfired since the factory? Regards 18DAI

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7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

More than once, I've seen this period of time referred to as S&W's "gun of the week" phase.

Personally, I'm glad I came to the table much later to start my pistol buying; otherwise, I'd surely be in the poor house by now! Pistol rich, but cash poor...

I mean, it's bad enough now, trying to pick and choose among all the models that came out back then!

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Ukraine -- now more than ever

I know it's partly the camera angle, but that is one skinny grip on your 3954! I know single stack is single stack, and I owned a 3913TSW for awhile, but darn if that grip doesn't look like you could wrap your hand around it twice and have fingers to spare!

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Ukraine -- now more than ever

The thin flat build of the 3954, as well as the flat black all business look, is what I find most appealing about the 3954.

The grip feels the same........and is probably identical in measurement to my 3913 and 3914.

I hope that it is identical in feel when I put a Hogue grip on it. The Hogue grip on a 39XX pistol makes it feel like it was custom fitted to my hand. Regards 18DAI

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7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

Check out this thread:

The Complete 3rd Gen Model List

It should give you the basics of the 3rd gen variants.

To a collector I'm sure that could bring in around $600-$800, to a shooter I'm guessing $400-$500ish.

I know there's been a "well used" 3954 + 4 mags on GB for about a month at $614 shipped, but no takers.

The picture does make it look quite skinny, but its the same as my 3913. A little too small for me, but nothing a Hogue couldn't fix.

Not collectible??

I've got a Bicentennial Nylon 66 (Dec 1975 born on date) that they made 10,729 of,
that people fall over themselves trying to buy every time I'm at the range with it...
(still ain't gonna sell it )

and yours is less than 1000 units?? That, is the definition of Rare as Hen's Teeth
Enjoy!!

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Marlin & Calico Specialist

I just discovered this older post and realized that my 3954 was among the first 25% made - I knew it was early due to the reduced width slide release.



Coincidentally, I have a 3953 that chronologically falls just after the run first run of 3954s…..



Here they are with slides reversed ….Frick and Frack

Those are very nice pistols! My boxy 908 seems to be the pudgy cousin!

Attached Images

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Very nice 3954! I have several 3954’s that are safe queens!

Congratulations!!!

Cheers!!!
David

the modern equivalent being the M&P Shield 9, has sold millions of units and is one of S&W most successful firearms ever.
Back in the 1990's everyone wanted a wondernine hi cap 9.
Oh to go back in time...I would have bought a lot of 3rd gens and the 3913/3914/3953/3954 would have been top of my list!

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S&W BG380, S&W 915 9mm