I have had a 3953 DA only for about 35 years. Bought used in excellent condition. Only thing done to it is replace the factory sights with Novak night sights. Enjoy shooting this gun and always impressed with it's performance. I have it in my carry rotation and have confidence in it's ability to function and hit where it's pointed. Indoor range yesterday with a 25 yard timed and rapid fire target at 30 feet. Geco, Aguilla, and Winchester Forged 115 grain FMJ. Sights at 6 O'clock and shot a ragged hole from the bottom of the X to the Mid 9 ring dead centered. It's a real shooter! Trigger is very smooth and feels lighter than it probably is. Consistent pull and is just like a good DA revolver. Easy to shoot well and places the rounds on the front sight. Feeds anything I've run thru it and is a favorite gun of mine. So question is , Why no Love for a 3953?
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Why no 3953 Love?
- Thread starter Eric375
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I like my 3953 and it shoots great. I like to use 2"X1.5" post-its as targets at 7 yards and this DAO kills them. Maybe, the owners of 3953s keep quiet about these gems because they love them.
ColbyBruce
Member
I have owned two 908 and two 3913 pistols. I have had a 3953 for four or five years and consider it to be superior to the 908 and 3953. DAO guns are not popular in my area and are difficult to sell or trade unless one is willing to give it away. I also have a Seecamp and a few Sigs that are DAO. I like the system.
Here is my S&W 3953 on top of my HK P7 PSP.
Here is my S&W 3953 on top of my HK P7 PSP.
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LVSteve
Member
If I could find one at a sensible price I would love it.
There are more than a few people here who like them. I think that in general terms, there were far fewer DAO 3rd Gen guns made than TDA.
About a year ago, S&W released some NIB 3953TSW and 5946TSWs to the market. They went pretty fast and if I could have, I would have brought one into my state.
As a consolation prize, I have a pre rail 3953TSW that I bought NIB. Lovely gun.
About a year ago, S&W released some NIB 3953TSW and 5946TSWs to the market. They went pretty fast and if I could have, I would have brought one into my state.
As a consolation prize, I have a pre rail 3953TSW that I bought NIB. Lovely gun.
My DAOs' are 5946,6946,4053,and 3953.
Namloh2002
Member
I come to the forum every day and check the classifieds to see if one is for sale. I carry appendix and I want a hammer fired gun for safety. I’m also handcuffed by my department to DAO guns. So what’s more logical or nicer than a 3953 for my purpose?
Namloh2002
Member
Ladder 13, that’s what I’m talking about!!!
It's funny. I carry a 3913, but have a 3953 in the safe. I have always been more about the SA, but I'm warming up to DA.
I took my Colt Detective snubbie to the range yesterday. I started in SA. I couldn't see the front site well, or hit worth a damn. Not sure if my eyes adjusted or what, but I got dialed in well at 10 yards. I decided to shoot it DA and damn if the groups weren't just as good. The let off took some getting used to, but I was shocked. My plan:
1 - raid the wife's nail polish drawer for Flyers orange and take care of the Colt Detective sight.
2 - break out that DA 3953 and see what's what.
I took my Colt Detective snubbie to the range yesterday. I started in SA. I couldn't see the front site well, or hit worth a damn. Not sure if my eyes adjusted or what, but I got dialed in well at 10 yards. I decided to shoot it DA and damn if the groups weren't just as good. The let off took some getting used to, but I was shocked. My plan:
1 - raid the wife's nail polish drawer for Flyers orange and take care of the Colt Detective sight.
2 - break out that DA 3953 and see what's what.
I think there is plenty of love for the Model 3953... and that's just from me alone!
Took me quite a while to find one in decent shape and I will never sell it. I'm always on the lookout for another one. 
I also love the Model 6946, the double-stack version of the Model 3953. They are just as hard to find if not harder. Finally found one last month and am sniffing out another one as we speak.
andy-760901
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Just bought a 3953 at auction that i was after this specific gun fir more the i months. Super rare hwre in south africa as bittwr few would have been imported and sold here ..
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Just some corrections,
1. The 3953 is DAO not DA
2. I purchased my 3953 new in 1991 and as I remember that was either the first or second year, but I am positive they have NOT been around 35 years.
Lot's of love for the 3953 here, as it is my carry weapon of choice.
Sorry for the interruption, carry on.
Ahhh, but read again carefully what the OP wrote:
DA + only = DAO
OP had it right.
Well, except for the years. 
lhump1961
US Veteran
Have you seen this video tribute to the 3953 put up by Lucky Gunner? Taking mine to the range adds a special challenge for me with the DAO trigger and I consider myself fortunate to have picked up one of the NPD marked pistols when they were cheap.
Take a look. This guy is a fan, too:
https://www.luckygunner.com/lounge/sw-3953/
Take a look. This guy is a fan, too:
https://www.luckygunner.com/lounge/sw-3953/
Interesting video. I had not seen it before. Not a review of the gun, but a justification and reasoning behind carrying an "obsolete" all-metal DAO pistol.
Lord knows I don't carry mine because I'm pretty much limited to pocket carrying micro-mini-plastic these days. But I can certainly appreciate everything he says about the need and desire to practice with your carry piece if you want to be truly effective with it. Similar threads
