915 on its way to Novak (Now Back!) (Pics Added)

S&W Rover

S&W Rover

Member
Joined
Apr 18, 2007
Messages
1,346
Reaction score
1,144
Location
USA
The Mdl 915 I bought six months ago is going to Novak's in WVA for replacement of the factory sights. The original small rear sight will be replaced with a Novak Low-Mount sight, which will require milling of the slide.

Research through a number of posts in forums going back six or seven years convinced me the 915 would be a good buy at $275. So far, I am not disappointed; it has been totally reliable and seems accurate.

Many descriptions highlight the 915 has more features than the 910, and no plastic parts (although my 915 has one plastic part: the plunger for the magazine disconnect safety).

I noticed a raft of them on one of the major auction sites this week -- mid January 2017 -- apparently trade-ins.

Anyone else a 915 fan? I think I am going to like it even more after the work by Novak's.
 
Last edited:
Register to hide this ad
To the OP:

While your 915 is there, you ought to ask if they can install an all metal magazine release and a metal guide rod set up, which I think are the only other changes besides sights needed to make the 915 the substantial equivalent of the 5904 in terms of ruggedness.

Oops, upon re-reading your post, I see you have researched the use of polymer parts in the 915. I thought the later ones had the plastic magazine button, and I thought they all had plastic guide rods, but it is likely I am wrong. As to the plunger you mention, I believe it is polymer even in the 5900 Series, isn't it?

In any event, the 915 is a good weapon.
 
Last edited:
I have owned a used 915 for a few years. My kitchen cabinet gun.
I fire it a couple times a year, but that is it.
I'd liked to replace the stock sights but I never carry it.
Can't justify the cost to have Novack's or any other night sights installed.
 
915 is a fantastic buy at the prices they typically go for. I would say however that the cost associated with a trip to Novak, the milling, the sight and the shipping back...? I don't know how much money that is but it does seem like that cash on top of the 915 cost may be more than a 5903 or a 5906.

Definitely isn't a "bad" idea, I just think it might be the expensive route.
 
Yeah, the round trip shipping + Novak rear sight slide milling + the night sights I think would be about equal to the price of the gun.
I'd be really interested in the total cost of the modifications.
 
Novaks Full House 915

Back in the day Novaks offered a package on the 915. They cut the slide on a customer provided 915 and installed Novak low mount sights. They also installed a Bar Sto match grade barrel and did a trigger job. They then refinished the gun. There may have been additional work done, but the passage of time has dulled my memory.

I never came across one for sale, in person, and missed one for sale on a gunboard. Those that have them keep them.

But several years ago I came cross a 915 on an auction board that was billed as a "Performance Center 915". Back then Performance Center meant something. It was not simply an additional production line in the main factory charging extra for the roll marks.

I won the auction and recieved a 915 with Novak low mount night sights, a factory barrel with a perfect crown and polished hood and perhaps the best trigger in both DA and SA that Ive ever squeezed on a 3rd gen gun. The finish was very nice too. A matte black overall.

I had several Email conversations with the seller. He was Mr. Bert DuVernay, formerly the head of the S&W Academy. He was also a Police Officer and at the time I contacted him a Chief. He told me that he had the Performance Center take a new production 915 and make all the modifications he specified, including a "different slide stop" to produce a tighter gun. They also refinished the gun for him.

His intent he said was to use the 915 as a teaching gun at the S&W Academy as well as a duty gun on the street. After a short time of use, he moved to a different pistol and was thinning the herd. So I own it now. And it is a fine example of the craftsmanship that the Performance Center use to provide.

I will probably never find a Novaks Full House 915. If I do, I will buy it on sight. But I am content with the only "PC 915" in existance. ;) :) Regards 18DAI
 
I cant recall the years it was offered, but I seem to recall a $600 bill for the work. And of course, you the customer had to provide a NEW 915. Still, that is not much when you consider what you got, compared to 1911 custom work in the same time period.

But as beauty is in the eye of the beholder, there were and are those who would say; "..but that gun is still ONLY a 915......???...". The 915 is perhaps S&Ws most underated 9mm gun. Some compare it to a 5904. It holds up very well against a 5904. In fact, I prefer it because of the lack of a frame step. Other than that I believe they are essentially the same gun.

But there are others who erroneously equate the 915 to a 910. Apples and oranges there. The differences have already been explained many times here so I wont bother, but suffice to say that any 915 is superior to any 910 in both construction and performance. And yes, I own and have shot both models - extensively. Regards 18DAI
 
Well I'm liking my 915 even more with each new post.
I did a quick google and 18DAI's original post popped up.
$1,200.00 for the full house with gun job back in the day.
But man, it sure looks great.
Those Novak's look outstanding.
Might just have to do to mine what the OP is doing to his.

EDIT...I forgot to add the 915 to total cost on my last post
os $1,200.00. Sorry.
 
Last edited:
The 915 was IIRC only offered from 1992 until the Assault Weapons Ban in 94.

I've grabbed a couple of 915s over the years......highly underrated and generally 'dirt cheap" ...... got my last one right after Sandyhook (2013) with 3 15 round mags for under $300.

915s are my "Glock"/truck guns.......... well at least the first one was bought for that purpose.:D
 
Last edited:
No BAM-BAM, no PC seal on the gun. I only have the "authentication letter" Mr DuVernay kindly provided with the gun. Which basically lays out the guns history as I provided above.

Evidently he thought I might someday try to sell it and recoup my investment. After shooting it a few dozen times in the years since the purchase, that will never happen. ;)

I would sooner part with some of my rare low production 3rd gen guns that do wear the PC roll marks. :) Regards 18DAI
 
petepeterson said:
I'm going to rain on the love parade here and state that I'm leaving my $275 915 just the way it is!
Click to expand...

No need to turn a "Great" $275 gun into a "Great" $1500-2000... IMHO

All that's been done to mine is; I stippled the grips for better traction and one had it's frame Cerakoted '' matt gray" for a reverse two tone.. turning a $270 gun into a $340 gun.........

:D
 
While I will certainly agree that you dont recover the cost of modifications or customization to your handgun, should you sell it, has anyone looked at the price tags on what passes for a new s&w semi auto lately?

Id rather have a 915. A $200 915 or a $1200 915. Id prefer it actually. Much more gun for your money. Think of how much you would save, on Apex parts alone. ;) Regards 18DAI
 
My S&W 915 was my first semi-auto handgun, and my first conceal carry handgun. Bought mine new from the gun shop in Bellevue, WA. I now carry a S&W 5906, but still have the 915. I've been thinking about replacing the straight back grip with a curved one like I have on the 5906, so they'll feel the same in the hand.
 
shawn mccarver said:
To the OP:

While your 915 is there, you ought to ask if they can install an all metal magazine release and a metal guide rod set up, which I think are the only other changes besides sights needed to make the 915 the substantial equivalent of the 5904 in terms of ruggedness.

Oops, upon re-reading your post, I see you have researched the use of polymer parts in the 915. I thought the later ones had the plastic magazine button, and I thought they all had plastic guide rods, but it is likely I am wrong. As to the plunger you mention, I believe it is polymer even in the 5900 Series, isn't it?

In any event, the 915 is a good weapon.
Click to expand...
I believe you may be thinking of a 910 when it comes to plastic. The 915 is more like a true 3rd Gen than like a Value Line pistol. It was the first 3rd Gen offered as an economical S&W Auto, before the term Value Line was even coined. When I purchased my pristine example in 2008, I had the opportunity to disassemble both the 915 I was buying and a 910 that was in the dealer's display case next to it. I compared them very closely. Actually, there is no real comparison. The 910 which is a true Value Line pistol has many plastic parts and machining differences. The 915, IMHO, is a true 3rd Gen pistol. When I compare it to my 5903, the 915 holds up very well, indeed. Even as a stock 915, the darn thing shoots well. ;)


IMG_2519a.jpg
 
Last edited:
jeffpo said:
My S&W 915 was my first semi-auto handgun, and my first conceal carry handgun. Bought mine new from the gun shop in Bellevue, WA. I now carry a S&W 5906, but still have the 915. I've been thinking about replacing the straight back grip with a curved one like I have on the 5906, so they'll feel the same in the hand.
Click to expand...
You'll like the curve grip, see photo above. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

J
What has happened to QC at Smith and Wesson?
3 4 5
Replies
83
Views
4K
JimW
JimW
chief38
WOLFF SPRING COMPANY LETS ITS QC SLIP AWAY
Replies
4
Views
714
luvsmiths
luvsmiths
ddeanjohnson
For Sale WTS: 16 guns -- all offers respectfully considered -- collection liquidation
2
Replies
35
Views
21K
Heinz
Heinz
ddeanjohnson
  • Locked
WITHDRAWN -- Collection reduction: 40 guns (15 S&W + Colts, etc.)
2
Replies
26
Views
11K
ddeanjohnson
ddeanjohnson
ddeanjohnson
  • Locked
WITHDRAWN. WTS: Collector downsizing-- 26 collector handguns
Replies
10
Views
7K
ddeanjohnson
ddeanjohnson

Latest posts

Back
Top