Smith 3913 prices

[HK40USP]

I guess this is more of a gripe/venting post more than anything.


I have a 3913 NL for sale in near pristine condition with box and I can't for the life of me sell it. Now, about three or four years ago you couldn't find any nice third gens to save your life. The 3913s were exceptionally expensive along with the cs9/45 and the 6906. I was luck enough to find my 3913 under the wrong title listing bit I still paid 675.00 for it not including shipping and transfer. I have never fired it since I've owned it. I am now selling it for $600 and I don't even get questions on it from the listing.


So what's the deal??? Is the third gen craze just done and over with now? I remember seeing these get bid up to almost a grand, and mine is in damn good shape just like those. It's not like they are any less hard to find compared to several years ago. It's just frustrating.


I guess I've been out of the loop too long on the market for these.

[BAM-BAM]

Looks like there a 3 3913s and another single stack 3953(4 mags) for sale on page one of the "Guns for Sale".......3 are listed for $500- $625. Really nice looking one with Hogue checkered wood grips ($90) just sold for $550

I think $1000 3913s are the exception rather than the rule.

[HK40USP]

I think thats the case now. Like I said, just a few short years ago, they didn't last very long at any price. Now it's like they are relegated back to being "old steel pistols" and it's back to polymer. But that's what I mean, it looks like prices now are low on them. I feel I'm priced pretty fair considering it has the original box. But I'll have to do a price drop soon again. Thanks for the reply.

[BAM-BAM]

The other thing is that a couple of years ago ......everyone was in a panic..... to get their gun(s) or more guns before the end of the world.

So some/many were willing to pay "whatever it took" to get the gun they really wanted....cus they might never get the chance at another.........

Look at AR prices in early 2013 vs. today...........

[10ring]

I think prices on the 3rd gen guns, or at least the 4-digit models, can be somewhat cyclic. For some reason something gets "hot" and the prices soar or selection dries up and then a few months or a year later something else is hot.

If I recall, I think there was some internet blog or magazine article a year or two ago about how cool but uncommon the NL guns are and that may have spiked interest. Right now the TSW models are more the hot ticket item.

I like the NL guns, and have one, but of course it is just a cosmetic difference that is unnoticeable in the holster or when shooting. I think a "mint" example is desirable to collectors, but a lesser condition gun is really just a 3913 to many.



That's just how it appears to me. Good luck with your sale.

[WVSig]

In todays market $600 is just too high. It is a buyers market right now IMHO. People over the last 3-4 years have bought a ton of guns. Prices were driven up and have dropped back down. Timing sometimes is everything. You bought at the height.

I think that another factor is that within the last year or so S&W has stopped all support on the Gen 3 guns. People who are not familiar with them might be scared off. To the knowledgeable S&W auto shooter this is not an issue because of the durability of the guns and the number that were made.

I think $500 is a fair number for that gun.

In 2012 I bought this 3914 LS on this forum. It looks worse in pic than it does in real life. It is still a wonderful shooter. IIRC I paid about $325.

[bigggbbruce]

Originally Posted by HK40USP

I have a 3913 NL for sale in near pristine condition with box and I can't for the life of me sell it. Now, about three or four years agoI was luck enough to find my 3913 under the wrong title listing bit I still paid 675.00

So what's the deal???

The right price sells.

You paid to much..

There are a bunch of AR's that will never bring the price paid for them.

[N4KVE]

I recently picked up a 3913 at my LGS for $379. I didn't buy it when I first saw it, but rather said to myself if it's still there in 2 weeks, I'll buy it. Sure enough, it was still there & now it's mine. It seems the longer a used gun sits at the LGS, the lower the price gets. After 8 weeks, they'll put it out on a clearance table, & sell it for their cost. But while I wanted one for a while, most were variants I would not buy. I did not want a Lady Smith variant, I didn't want the grey variant, & I didn't want the variant pictured above where the bottom of the lower is not parallel with the bottom of the slide. However the one in my LGS looks like the picture below. No box, 1 mag, & 95%. Shoots like a dream, & I installed a 5906 hammer so I can cock the gun. Most people today want the newest plastic gun. The Glock 43, the Springfield XDs, & Mod 2 are what people run to at the gun shows. Even Shield's don't attract the attention they used to. Most don't give the 3rd gen S&W's a second look, except for old timers. We did get some beat up LE trade in 5906's that went pretty quick, but they were $300. GARY
http://home.comcast.net/~j.roorda/IMG_2745.jpg

[mauser9]

Great thread and clears up some facts concerning Third Generation models. Being a newer member myself I believed prices would keep climbing on all these models. As stated above seems we sometimes go in cycles where certain models are high for a while and then come down. Guess newer buyers and shooters often satisfied with the latest polymers. Have seen my CS-9 priced anywhere from $475 on up to $650 but that was on Gunbroker. Have yet to find a used one at a local LGS. Interesting to think what future prices will bring. Appreciate the above comments.

[BAM-BAM]

Prices will continue to rise for nice examples... just not at the rate of $50 to $100/month......While I am a great fan of the 3913/14/NLs and have carried them since 1990...... right now I would price a nice example at about $500 give or take.....because

As a carry gun the competitive models are selling in that range....most buyers won't pay a great premium for a used gun..... heck look at all the threads where folks won't carry their Smiths for fear of losing them if used to save their bacon! They will carry something "cheaper"

[10ring]

Originally Posted by mauser9

Great thread and clears up some facts concerning Third Generation models. Being a newer member myself I believed prices would keep climbing on all these models. As stated above seems we sometimes go in cycles where certain models are high for a while and then come down. Guess newer buyers and shooters often satisfied with the latest polymers. Have seen my CS-9 priced anywhere from $475 on up to $650 but that was on Gunbroker. Have yet to find a used one at a local LGS. Interesting to think what future prices will bring. Appreciate the above comments.

Barring some unfortunate change in our gun laws, the prices/value of these guns will climb, but it takes a while and some models will climb faster. Within a year or two of the purchase of a gun at a fair price, prices won't move much or should only inch higher except for fads, cycles and gun ban scares. Over the longer term, a 1st, 2nd or 3rd gen S&W pistol purchased used and kept in basically the same condition (even if fired some), or purchased new and kept new, will most likely increase in value. They are no longer made and are very good guns.

A gun that goes from new to used or like new to excellent or excellent to very good will not likely increase in value over its purchase price, at least not any time soon.

At least, those are my theories, and I am sure some would disagree.

[BAM-BAM]

With 7 and 8 round magizines..... these guns will be under the radar..... closer to 5 or 6 round revolvers or the 1911 than a "Wonder 9"

[TTSH]

Originally Posted by HK40USP

I was luck enough to find my 3913 under the wrong title listing bit I still paid 675.00 for it not including shipping and transfer. I have never fired it since I've owned it. I am now selling it for $600 and I don't even get questions on it from the listing.

A nice looking 3913NL near me just sold recently. Asking price was $600 and the listing ad for it disappeared in one day, so I'm thinking he got his full asking price. He did list some trades so it might not have been a 100% cash deal.

I considered the gun briefly but $600 was a little too steep for me and I didn't have what the seller wanted for trades. To be truthful, I am perfectly happy with the "plain Jane" 3913 so there wasn't a whole lot of motivation for me to bust the budget for mainly a cosmetic upgrade.

That said, if I ever come across a nice one for $500 or less in-state (I can't import), it is mine!!!

[HK40USP]

Wow, I appreciate all the replies everybody.


You have all confirmed my fears and its what I figured; we are in a lull. Which is a love hate relationship. I have never had so much of a problem selling so many guns like I have latley. But, like everybody is saying, we are all out of panic mode right now.

Current prices are what has actually prompted me to sell so I can do an AR build or buy a revolver. My rule is I won't replace a steel gun for a polymer anything, so if I buy polymer its always new and without previous funds.

It seems like everybody is echoing each other on the topic, and I completely understand that it's not worth a goldmine. I just feel like in a year near election time, I could probably put it up for $700 and sell it in a couple days. Hell, last election a had a couple for sale and that is exactly what happend.

I'm going to try for $600 for a while longer and then drop. I'm bummed because I have a line of guys who tell me to call them when I'm selling something because I always have such nice stuff. But none want a carry 9. Ive sold off three of my 3rd gens in the last year and replaced them with CZ's and various revolvers, and I was on the fence about this one.


Again thank you all for the replies, but now I know its not just that I'm a weirdy or something.

[5Wire]

Let it sit if you can afford to, is my advice. I'm guessing it won't be more than a year or two before you can expect to sell it for what you paid for it. Maybe come down if you need to sell it. Maybe include shipping as part of your price offer.

Here's my track on the model.

Smith & Wesson 3913NL. Pistol in 9x19.
[same configuration as the Lady Smith version but without the Lady Smith logo—"NL = "No Logo"?]

My track includes all except the tactical model. Blue Book of Gun Values (35th Edition) indicates between $395 in 95% condition and $550 in 100% condition for this gun. I have 77 recorded prices for this model gun from $225 to $700 over a period of 7 Yrs 9 Mos ending October 8, 2015. The average price as of that date was $485. No refurbs, no refinishes, regular sights. Adjusted to two magazines. All represented as 95% or better. No distinction for engineering revision, if any, no special editions, no distinctions for box, papers, tools. Current or last MSRP is $622.

The last 11 prices I have for this model since 4/5/2015 range from $400 to $675 averaging $513, so the average price is increasing,

[TTSH]

Originally Posted by HK40USP

I'm going to try for $600 for a while longer and then drop. I'm bummed because I have a line of guys who tell me to call them when I'm selling something because I always have such nice stuff. But none want a carry 9.

Originally Posted by 5Wire

Let it sit if you can afford to, is my advice. I'm guessing it won't be more than a year or two before you can expect to sell it for what you paid for it. Maybe come down if you need to sell it. Maybe include shipping as part of your price offer.

Just to add another 2¢ worth...

I just found the listing and I see that with shipping and a typical buyer-end transfer fee, the buyer would already be looking at $675.00 or more out of pocket. One has to compare this to the "plain Jane" 3913 which can be bought anywhere (with a little patience) without shipping and transfer fees for $400 to $450 depending on condition, box, mags, etc.

My point is this: Someone needs to be willing to pay an extra $250+ for the cosmetic difference between the two... and that's assuming they like the LadySmith w/o Logo look over the standard 3913 look to begin with. I don't think the everyday, average non-3rd Gen fanatic is going to jump at that deal in today's market or even tomorrow's market.

5Wire is right. Keep it if you possibly can and buy your AR components now for cheap before things get super-crazy again. What good will it do to wait and get a few more dollars for the "NL" if the AR components you want will be back up to top dollar by then?

[5Wire]

Originally Posted by TTSH

...My point is this: Someone needs to be willing to pay an extra $250+ for the cosmetic difference between the two... and that's assuming they like the LadySmith w/o Logo look over the standard 3913 look to begin with.

Just to clarify something. The prices I recorded make no distinctions for NL, Lady Smith, or vanilla 3913. They're all included when I find 'em. However, I do not collect prices for the Tactical version. So the averages listed are from an amalgamation of frame styles.

The standard 3913 has a straight cut frame. The Lady Smith and NL have an angle cut frame. Both types weigh in at 25 oz.

3913


3913 Lady Smith


3913 NL

[Dot_mdb]

Sometimes a used gun is just a used gun. Not everything is a collectible. The fact is that in its day the 3913 was a great carry gun and it is still a very good carry gun. But things have moved on. I happen to be carrying mine today. I paid $400 for it a good number of years ago. But if all of a sudden I had to replace it with something else I would not choose another one or any 3rd Gen.

Outside of this forum there are just not that many 3rd Gen collectors. The plain fact is that aluminum alloy is just not as good as polymer for everyday carry especially close to the body. It also does not hold up well to holster wear. Combine that with the lack of factory support and a used 3913 is not worth some of the prices I am hearing quoted in this thread, at least to me and I suspect others.

The 3913s are not 1911s or High Powers. The romance is not there. That means that they have to be sold for their utility and that declines each year.

Bill

[TTSH]

Originally Posted by Dot_mdb

The plain fact is that aluminum alloy is just not as good as polymer for everyday carry especially close to the body. It also does not hold up well to holster wear. Combine that with the lack of factory support and a used 3913 is not worth some of the prices I am hearing quoted in this thread, at least to me and I suspect others.

The 3913s are not 1911s or High Powers. The romance is not there. That means that they have to be sold for their utility and that declines each year.

Oh boy! Now you tell me!

I'm doomed!!!

[85V65Sabre]

Originally Posted by TTSH

I'm doomed!!!

Yes...... But now that you've realized that life will be less stressful.
Also welcome to the club.

[spistols]

This time of the year (through early December) is when I find the best deals...period. Everyone seems to sell from Sept-Nov/early Dec. to fund all of the Holiday shopping needs. I have been watching it every year for @ 9 years now. It is not just this hobby, there are other hobbies I am involved in, and the same thing happens.

Best bet...wait till Feb/Mar to sell, when everyone is getting a sniff of their annual previous year bonus checks or calculating how much of a tax refund they are getting.

[kaveman]

Wasn't there a recent sizable importation of various 3913 variants? Had some NL and LadySmiths included but it was luck-of-the-draw. These were obviously used guns but when a bunch get bought up it reduces pressure on the NIB examples,.........or at least takes a few people out of the market. Price on those was well under $400 iirc.

I only buy the DAO versions and do hear about good prices on these, but even $500 is outside my buying range. The half dozen 3953/3954/CS9s I've been able to pick up are averaging $396 including shipping and transfer fees. I see many listed at higher prices but maybe I'm seeing them because they don't sell. They're not 3913NLs but they're close. They're also not near NIB but that market doesn't interest me either. Buyers for tht kind of thing might seem to be the norm around here, but 'around here' isn't the norm.

Your pistol is an absolute bargain compared to what most people are spending their money on,...........but they don't know that. That's the world we live in.

[chaparrito]

I don't think it's a lull, I think prices are pretty realistic lately. Lots of people have more guns than they can afford to keep and paid too much for them a few years back.
During the same time period when you bought your 39xx, on a lark I posted My SigPro SP2022 on Backpage with it's box, papers and 4 factory 16 round mags. It came with one mag and I'd paid no more than 25 dollars for each of the others. I listed the package for the laughable price of 800 dollars and noted in the ad that the pistol, while very nice, had had at least 15K rounds fired through it - not true of course, maybe 1500. The next morning, my inbox was FILLED with people wanting buy it at asking price and I even had a bunch of people offering me 75 to 100 bucks for ONE magazine.
This isn't a lull. It's realism.