3913 vs. 3953

Does anyone own both, and if so which one do you prefer? Of the two, which is more valuable to own, assuming similar condition.

I frequently carry my 3913 (with no complaints), but I'm intrigued by the slimmer, snag-free profile and DAO trigger of the 3953, which I heard is pretty nice.

I have owned both at one time

I have owned two S&W 3913 pistols, two S&W 908 pistols, and one S&W 3953. I now only have the 3953. I like the lack of decocker levers as it reduces the weight and thickness of the gun. I like the consistant DAO trigger pull. I had a S&W 5946 that introduced me to the DAO trigger. I do wish it had a repeat pull capability though.

In my area, the S&W DAO pistols are not popular and do not command high prices. I have about $325.00 in mine (I traded for it) and honestly don't think it would bring $300.00 locally.

I understand the factory converted 3913/3914 pistols to DAO and those did have a repeat pull trigger.

My 908 pistols.


My first 3913.


Second 3913.


The 3953.

I have a 3914 tacl. a 3913 and the 3953. I put Wolfe spring in the 3953 and the trigger is about perfect. I like the 3914 better than the 3913. I
think I'll end up selling the 3913.

I have a 3913, a 3913NL and a 3953 and love them all. I have had others of each in the past as well. The 39xx are truly some of the best compact 9mm's ever. If I had to choose one over the other I'm not sure what I would do. (Except maybe start questioning why I HAD to choose!)

I will say I think the comments regarding the DAO being harder to shoot accurately are a little overblown. I think with enough practice the 3953 is capable of surprising accuracy. (Perhaps the 3913 in SA might be easier to shoot well - but the 3953 is certainly capable.) The 3953 is obviously a little slimmer without the slide-mounted decockers/safeties but those safeties certainly don't make the 3913's un-carryable! Also note the DAO trigger of the 3953 (at least on mine) is is shorter and lighter than the DA first shot on the 3913's.

For all sorts of reasons, I preferred the 3953 over the 3913. And that was before the current thinking concerning favoring a DAO for a defense pistol.

Oh man, y'all have me on the lookout for a 3953 now.

The DAO only S&W pistols do get a bad wrap about accuracy. I used a 5946 to win a combat shoot at our range out of 40 shooters and mine was the only old gun there, plenty of xds glocks 1911s and fns . I have a 4053 and a 4013tsw and I like the Dao more.

waffenmac said:

The DAO only S&W pistols do get a bad wrap about accuracy. I used a 5946 to win a combat shoot at our range out of 40 shooters and mine was the only old gun there, plenty of xds glocks 1911s and fns . I have a 4053 and a 4013tsw and I like the Dao more.

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I had a SIG P239 SAS , DAK trigger that was a smart looking pistol, and shot well. I sold it because the DAK trigger was a lot different than my other guns ( DA/SA) and I decided that all my carry guns would be DA/SA for relative consistent performance. After the first magazine, though, I shot the DAK just as well as any of the others. In an SD situation, though, I want the trigger setup that I've trained with, optimally.

Brent

I had a 3913 and, as stated above, the double decocking levers were the reason I sold it.
Couldn't find a 3953, so went with a Kahr instead.

I had a 3913 sold it and replaced it with a CS9D. I also had a CS45 which also got sold and it's replacement is a 4553TSW pre-rail.
I just couldn't adjust well going from DA 1st rd to SA on the remaining.

I've owned both a 3953 and a 3913. They had the worst triggers of any of the more than 100 handguns I've owned - utterly unusable. Why buy guns that require dozens of hours and many rounds of expensive ammo to master when there are plenty of firearms easy to shoot right out of the box?

How difficult would it be to convert a 3913LS to DAO? Are the parts available from S&W?

todesengel said:

I inquired to S&W about doing the conversion on my 3913 TSW and they stated that the performance shop still does the conversion. This was 3 weeks ago

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Did they give you any idea about cost and time?

Wonder if they would convert my 6946 to DAO?

Thank you. I'm more inclined at this point to call and see if I can order a left side only safety/decocker lever for my 3913TSW. Being right handed, I don't need the ambi version.

todesengel said:

I did not ask specifically about time or cost, I am sorry. They said they could convert any TDA to DAO so I would think yes on yours Jaymo, but isnt the 6946 already a DAO pistol?

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I have had both a 3913 and a 3953. I sold my 3953 and decided to keep the 3913 as it has the same method of operation as my 3906. Old habits die hard.

My 6946

Also consider the 3914DAO. I have one but haven't yet fired it. Same snag free design as the 3953. Same slide as a 3913/3914 so should be easier to find holsters that fit if a restraining strap is required. I've wondered why the NYPD insisted on a 3914DAO and not a 3913DAO?

I prefer the 3953

I plan on selling my 3913 soon. I just don't care for safeties in that position.

There is nothing wrong with owning both, but I feel that the triggers are so radically different between the two, that one is best picking between the two and sticking with it. This might not be evident in casual plinking or paper shooting at the local range, but when you add a shot timer, drawing from concealment, movement, and multiple targets, a familiar trigger becomes something you start to lean on for consistency more and more.


Personally, I feel that the 53 is just as good as the 13, if not better with the slimmer profile, the 13 is still the better configuration for me at least. I use the gun as my "deep cover" gun, so that means that sometimes I am temporarily using an unconventional carry method,, like a pocket, or "Mexican" carry under a button up shirt, etc. While not ideal, this is usually only temporary and better than carrying no gun. The 13 offers three advantages for me.....first, I can set the safety on while I position the gun, then flick it off once it is in position. (3rd gens have what I call an "administrative safety" for safer handling, and should not be used liked a 1911's safety). The long DA first pull also is safer for unconventional carry. The third benefit is the short reset that the 3rd gen is famous for. If I have to pull my gun and shoot, the body on the receiving end is probably goin to be receiving at least half of the rounds in the magazine, if not all of them. The 13 is a real speed demon at emptying all 9 rounds in a short amount of time with a good degree of controllability. The 53 with it's longer reset is not as "fast" as a 13 or other TDA 3rd gen, at least in my hands.

This at least reflects my needs. The 53's and similar DA third gems are excellent. I'm not a huge TDA fan either, as my everyday primary carry guns are glocks with a very consistent trigger. But given the carry circumstances and my practice routine, my muscle memory seems to adapt to the 13's TDA as needed without issue. As I get more experience with the third gens, I'm feelin that the DAO's are best in the full size grip guns where you can get a better grip on them, like the full size 40's. YMMV, so pick the gun that is right for you. The nice thing about third gens is that there is a configuration for everybody, and they are all top notch excellent and high quality from the performance center guns, down to the homely 910