I'm posting this draft article here for review and comments, which are always welcome. Hope that this will help to sort out the many 3913 variants!

Just as a side note, I'm not addressing any of the double-stack compact 9mm pistols here, as they are not, strictly speaking, members of the more concealable single-stack Model 39-based clan.

John



The S&W Model 3913 series pistols



His name was Paris Theodore. Not many folks around today have heard of him. In 1966, after reportedly working for some unnamed clandestine government agencies for a few years, he started a small holster-making business in New York City. He was then 23 years old. On the quiet in the back of his shop, he also made very special firearms for government “spooks.” These included pen guns, cigarette lighter guns, a cartridge-firing clipboard, and some briefcase guns.

In the late 1960s, some of his clients asked if he could make an ideal undercover 9mm pistol for their overseas use. It would have to be concealable yet decisively and quickly effective. What he came up with was a cut-down and slicked-up version of the Smith & Wesson Model 39, which was a full-size single-stack double action 9mm pistol. It was called the ASP 9, and it incorporated over 200 changes to the Model 39. Theodore shortened the slide, barrel and frame, and lightened the slide considerably. He replaced the sights with a single “guttersnipe” fixture that in effect was a simple elongated V-shaped trough. The stocks were made of clear Lexan plastic, through which the number of rounds in the cutaway magazine were visible. A curved baseplate was added to the magazine. All sharp edges were “melted,” curved for smoothness. The hammer was bobbed to be snag-free, and the slide stop and safety were reduced in size and smoothed out. A forefinger hook was added to the trigger guard. The gun’s finish was Teflon-S, which had high lubricity. The double action trigger pull was reduced from 10 to 6 pounds, and the gun weighed in at just 21 ounces. The overall length was 6.7”. It was an ideal concealment gun, quick to employ and more than effective for self-defense. Beginning in 1968, Theodore converted quite a number of Model 39s, and patented the design in 1971. In 1982, he licensed the conversions to be done elsewhere. He decided to quit working on guns after 1987, and his patents expired in 1988. He himself expired in 2006.

The management people at Smith & Wesson were impressed by Paris Theodore’s innovations on their Model 39, and saw a market for a factory-produced concealable 9mm pistol with similar characteristics. So in 1989 (right after Theodore’s patents expired) their Model 3913 was born. Taking advantage of more modern materials and manufacturing technology, the new gun became a sought-after item from the start. It was a generation 3 traditional double action pistol with an 8-shot magazine. It had a shortened slide, abbreviated frame and a 3.5” ramped barrel. The frame was lightweight aluminum, while the slide, barrel and other components were stainless steel. It had a wrap-around Xenoy grip with a straight backstrap, and an ambidextrous slide-mounted decocker/safety lever. A magazine safety was incorporated, disconnecting the trigger when the magazine was removed. The gun weighed in at 25 ounces, and measured 6.8” in overall length. The Novak low-mount sights were fixed, but drift-adjustable for windage. This original Model 3913 continued in the S&W lineup until 1999.

In 1990, a very popular version of the 3913 was introduced as the “Lady Smith” model. Designed originally for the women’s market, it featured a slanted dustcover on the frame, and a slant-cut nose to the slide. The decocker/safety lever was accessible for right-hand use only. The front of the grip frame and the forward part of the trigger guard were checkered. The Delrin wrap-around grip was a similar grey color to the aluminum frame. Both curved and flat baseplate magazines were available. It featured a “Lady Smith” logo on the right side of the slide, and came in a softside carry case. The racy-looking Lady Smith 3913 was also so popular with males that an absolutely identical version was produced without the “Lady Smith” logo on the slide. This was the Model 3913NL, and was first produced in 1991. It continued in the line until 1995, and was an instant hit with the guys. The pistol illustrated is a 3913NL, and was shipped in 1995. It is equipped with aftermarket tritium night sights.

A “tactical” version, the Model 3913TSW, was produced beginning in 2000. This had black hardware on the slide and frame and had “Tactical” inscribed on the left side of the slide. The original model had a shorter frame and used a 7-round magazine. Later ones used the standard 3913 8-round frame and magazine. These featured a black accessory rail fastened to the forward part of the frame. The upper rear of the barrel hood had a notch in it to serve as a visible loaded chamber indicator. The frame and slide had oversized frame rails that were machined as a matched set. Matching assembly numbers were inscribed on each of these two parts. All TSW pistols, including the double action-only pistols described later in this article, have a modified barrel cam delayed-unlocking system developed by the S&W Performance Center. It provides arguably less felt recoil.

In 1990, the Model 3914 was first produced. This effectively was a 3913, but with a blued carbon steel slide and a black-anodized aluminum frame. A 3914 Lady Smith was also made, mimicking the slanted-dustcover 3913 Lady Smith, but with the blued finish of the 3914. It was laser-etched “Lady Smith” on the slide’s right side and came in a hard case. These are rare, as production on them stopped after just one year in 1991. The similarly rare 3914NL (no Lady Smith logo) with blued finish was its partner in the same time frame. A “value line” version of the 3914, with economy manufacturing shortcuts, was produced as the Model 908 from 1996 to 2007.

A double action-only version of the 3913 was cataloged as the Model 3953 from 1991 to 1999. Ten were shipped to the NYCPD in January 1997 without magazine safeties; these were marked Model 3983. A “tactical” DAO version, the Model 3953TSW, with “Tactical” laser-etched on the left of the slide was produced from 1997 to 1999. It had an overall length of 6 5/8” and had the compact 7-round frame and magazine. The product code was 104540. Product code 10451 was also named the Model 3953TSW, but was essentially the 3913TSW (with normal frame and accessory rail) in double action-only flavor. Its production began in 2000. Another double action-only pistol was the Model 3954, produced in 1991 and 1992. It was basically a DAO blued Model 3914. Some 3954TSW pistols were also made, but are seldom seen today. Smith & Wesson could convert, on request, the safety on any DAO model to decock-only or eliminate it entirely. None of these DAO pistols could provide second-strike capability without working the slide. The lone exception was the Model 3914DAO, made specifically for NYCPD off-duty use, approximately 1995-2014. It did have second-strike capability and also differed from the 3954 in that it had a standard-size 3914 slide with no safety lever. Made in S&W’s Houlton, ME plant, it was uncataloged with product code 103922.

In 1998, an even more compact version of the 3913 was introduced as the CS9 Chiefs Special. Offered first in matte blue finish, the stainless iteration came out in 1999. These guns had 3” barrels and shortened frames and magazines with a capacity of 7 rounds. Overall length was 6 ¼”, and the weight was 20 ounces. An ambidextrous safety was standard. The Hogue wrap-around grip and often the safety were black, and “Chiefs Special” was inscribed on the left of the slide.

Now fully discontinued in favor of polymer-framed pistols, the S&W Model 3913 series guns have become sought-after collector items. They can still serve superbly as very concealable self-defense pistols, and not a few experts will tell you that they may in fact be the best production discreet-carry 9mm pistols ever made. Classics all!


(c) 2016 JLM

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

Well done!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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Vietnam Veteran, 68-69

Great read! Thanks for sharing it! Regards 18DAI

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7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

Missed one! S&W 3983; one of ten made as prototypes for NYCPD!

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Interesting. I gather from the SCSW that they had no magazine safety; shipped in 1997. I had decided against including small batch guns and prototypes, but I'll go ahead and mention these.

Thanks!

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

IIRC some early Lady Smith's were shipped with a true "flush fit" steel base plate 7rd magazine..........gives a 3913/14/NL the same overall length butt as a Chief's special...................... I've got several

reaffirms everything I thought about my 3913NL, one of my first, and favorite guns. So much so that I bought a 3914 just to make it a set.
Oh, and I have NEVER had any kind of failure of any kind with either of these pistols. I wish I could say that about my Rugers, other Smiths, Walthers, etc. etc. etc.

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Fight socialism. Never stop.

Not sure how many were made, but there is the 3914DAO.

Good read on an under-appreciated pistol. As quite a few of us are fans here, we forget that the majority of the "new wave" of CCW folks have no clue these sweeties exist.

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Because of the metric system?

Absolutely love my 3913LS! Never had a jam, looks great, shoots impeccably, carries like a dream.

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Know God Know Peace

Excellent, thanks!!!

When I was working in uniform with a S&W M 4006 as my duty handgun, I carried a M 3913 NL as my BU gun in a belly band holster. After retirement it became my EDC. I then acquired a M 3914 with night sights and that became my EDC. I still carry it today more than any other handgun available to me. I concur with John's opinion that the 3913/14 series just might be the optimum EDC for more people than any other handgun. I worked most of the day in my shop with my M 3914 laying on my workbench within easy reach. It came time to walk my puppy Mastiff across the street in a city park so I just stuck it in my belt in a Mexican carry position with a light shirt over it for the walk. It carries perfectly along my right hip with the butt forward.

I know that either a M 3913 or a M 3914 will be my handgun right up to when I'm gone. ................

great read....much appreciated....a confirmation of what a lot of us already know....thanks

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witty signature goes here

That was the Model 3954, produced 1991-1992.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

Paladin the 3914 DAO is a seperate model from the 3954. It has double strike capability. IIRC, it was originally produced for the NYPD and in production up until 2014. Regards 18DAI

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7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

Excellent article. As I've said before, my 3913NL always made me look good on the range.

Do you want to touch on Novak's contribution to the 3rd gen changes and the addition of his rear sight?

Interesting! I'd need to know year of origination and your source of information before including it in the article. Many thanks.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

Unfortunately, no. That would deviate from the main thrust of the article and run me way over my word count limits.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

Paladin, sadly I cannot give you much more info on the 3914 DAO. I got most of what I know about it from a salesman at Standard Law back in 2010 when I was considering one for off duty use. Then I found a LNIB 3954 instead. After shooting it, I found the trigger to be unlike any revolver Id ever shot and eventually sold it.

I know they were made up until a couple of years ago as I have seen two with Houlton ME laser etched on the slide. You may want to PM member MTSCop. IIRC he uses one duty. Regards 18DAI

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7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

I'm on it! Thanks.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

I can't shed too much more light but I responded to your PM. I hope I helped.

You certainly did - many thanks. I have added additional info to the OP. Here is a picture of this elusive non-cataloged pistol.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

In all I have read of the 3913 it states the Originals had "Lady Smith" engraved on the slide with an ambidextrous safety and this changed in 1919 with the introduction of the NL.
I have a 3913 purchased in October 1990 that has no Lady Smith logo and only a right hand safety. It originally came with 2 flush magazines of the same color as the grip.
Can anyone please reconcile this difference for me?

To my knowledge, all LS/NL pistols came with a single-sided safety. The standard 3913 came with an ambi safety. Are you saying your pistol came with two of the 7rd concealment magazines?

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Do you have any pics of the mags? Regards 18DAI

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7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

If S&W had made the 3953 first there would not have been any need for the other models.

Shown here on my Beretta 92 fs Inox.

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Outstanding piece. Many thanks.

I just added a 3914LS to the accumulation. Pic in about 8 days after I get the ok from the local sheriff here in WA state who does background checks.

Recently this year acquired NIB. For some reason only clean & lube haven't fired it yet. Never had a safe queen up till now that is.

IMG_7610.jpg

Here's a picture of the 3914LS I picked up for about $425.00 some years back.

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Can open, worms everywhere.

I have a 3913NL, 3914NL, and a 3914DAO.

I think that they are excellent pistols, perhaps the best of the 3rd Generation.

Which is saying a lot, since I really like the CS9, 6906, 5906, 6906, 4006TSW, 4013TSW, 4043, and 4046.

And I'm looking for a CS45.

Did I ever mention that I like 3rd Generation pistols? LOL

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BTDT, Got The T-Shirt

From talking to the folks at S&W the early Ladysmiths were shipped with one flush fit 7rd mag and a flat baseplate 8rd mag.

S&W had the 7rd mags in inventory until the early 2000s ...... when I bought about a dozen of the last 30 some in stock.

Hoarder!

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Can open, worms everywhere.

LOL I bought them over about a year or 18 months ...... by having the part #.......... for IIRC 3 for $90...... shipped.

Then I called one last time and they were "Out of stocK"

Numrich has the 3913 7 round magazine baseplates listed as available.

Just an FYI: the standard 8rd mag body is .07 inches longer than the 7 rd mag. Difference in OAL is .15 inches (steel vs flat plastic base plate)

Strange but true..............

I also bought a 3913NL in the last year that was LNIB. Couldn't say if it was only factory fired but close. I had to completely disassemble it to remove the tarnish from the old packing preservative. Cleaned up perfectly and have had one range trip with it to confirm function...16 rounds total to test both mags. Of course it performed flawlessly. I haven't had it out since for no other reason than I've been shooting rifles more in the last year. When I do shoot 9's it has been my M&P's...I know.

I bring this up to support all the love for the 39xx series of guns. I have a few and they are still my favorites. I have a 3913 police trade in that has impressed all who have shot it. I like the single sided safeties of the NL and LS so I converted the other two as well but of course retained the original parts.

There are many members here with very impressive collections but I will have to settle for these four. I have a few other 3rd gens but these are my only 3913's. I put a black grip on the 3913NL just because I wanted it to be different from the LS.

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The gun is much easier to find than extra factory magazines.

I'm glad I scooped up as many as I could find starting about 10 years ago. I generally didn't have to pay more than $25.00 for them, although might have paid a bit more if they were in really good condition. Plus, of course, the cost of replacement springs, which generally added another $5.00 to the price.

All OEM, most of them stainless, but a couple of blued steel as well.

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Can open, worms everywhere.

I have a couple or more for each one I own so I guess I'm lucky and not really interested in more. If I had to pick one up to run with all the other mags work interchangeably so I could fill my pockets. Speaking for myself they would not be my go-to guns anyway. My M&P's are the work horses and I have lots of extra mags for them. But the fact that I have many more 3rd gens than I have M&P's reflects my preference. Not looking for more M&P's but there's always the next 3rd gen!

I have shot a bunch of 9mm carry guns over the last decade. EMP, XDs, shields, Wilson Combat, Nighthawk, Colt Defender, Canik, Walther PPS, Sig, G43 and so many others I don't even recall. Some were range rentals and some were customers guns.

Some were nice pistols. Some were over priced and over rated. Many left me scratching my head as to why they got so much praise on the interwebs.

And not one, regardless of manufacturer or MSRP did anything better - and many didn't even do as well, as the 3913 has been quietly doing for three decades now. The 3913 was way ahead of its time, still is and ending production of it was a big mistake. YMMV Regards 18DAI

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7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

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GOA FL Dir. & Nat. Spokesman

My 39 Series 'little ones', I have no 39 Series big ones.
3914LS, 3913NL, 3953

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I never knew those magazines existed!

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GOA FL Dir. & Nat. Spokesman