Which Brand 3913 Magazine Do You Use?

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antilamr

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I just purchased my first 3913 which came with 1 flat plate magazine. Besides buying a new S&W original magazine for $50 online, what after market magazines have you used? Which ones were good and which ones were junk? I didn't give much thought to only having 1 mag when I bought it not realizing how hard it is to find affordable mags!(always wanted a 3rd gen compact and couldn't resist when I came across this one)
I've found 2 after market brands that currently sell these;
ProMag Blued Steel $16.99
Midway Stainless Steel $34.99
I read somewhere else,"Promag-brand magazines have a pretty bad reputation in 3rd-gen metal-frame S&W autoloaders"
What do you guys think?
 
antilamr said:
I just purchased my first 3913 which came with 1 flat plate magazine. Besides buying a new S&W original magazine for $50 online, what after market magazines have you used? Which ones were good and which ones were junk? I didn't give much thought to only having 1 mag when I bought it not realizing how hard it is to find affordable mags!(always wanted a 3rd gen compact and couldn't resist when I came across this one)
I've found 2 after market brands that currently sell these;
ProMag Blued Steel $16.99
Midway Stainless Steel $34.99
I read somewhere else,"Promag-brand magazines have a pretty bad reputation in 3rd-gen metal-frame S&W autoloaders"
What do you guys think?
Click to expand...

I would only recommend using S&W factory magazines with the 3913. Stay away from all the aftermarket brands, especially promag, which has a bad rep with any firearm.

Midway doesn't make magazines, they sell factory S&W 3913 magazines for $34.99. I haven't shopped around for these lately as I have plenty of them, but that seems like a pretty fair price for a factory new mag.

While you're at it, you should really pick up a few factory recoil springs as well (Smith & Wesson Recoil Spring S&W 3953TSW 3913 3914 - MPN: 100950000). IMO you should install a new spring with any new-to-you used gun, and S&W recommends replacing the recoil spring every 5 years or 5,000 rounds. It's a $2 preventative maintenance measure to keep your gun in good working condition.

Enjoy your new 3913, many people (myself included) consider it to be one of the best CC models out there, and a definite favorite in the S&W 3rd Gen lineup.
 
Midway $34.99 they are stock smith and wesson and work perfectly. If midway is sold out, just place a back order and they will send them to you as soon as they come in. I had one aftermarket blued mag and it was horrible, came with my my 3914 when I bought it, I through the mag straight into the trash. I found some stock mags on auction for a fair price, but you have to look often and buy quickly when you see them, because if they are a fair price, they sell quick.... good luck


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I’ve had great luck snagging them on eBay in the $25 ballpark. Gunshows have been pretty productive for S&W mags of all kinds. You have to dig around some, I usually find them mixed in with a bunch of random junk for $15-$30.
 
TercGen said:
I would only recommend using S&W factory magazines with the 3913. Stay away from all the aftermarket brands, especially promag, which has a bad rep with any firearm.

Midway doesn't make magazines, they sell factory S&W 3913 magazines for $34.99. I haven't shopped around for these lately as I have plenty of them, but that seems like a pretty fair price for a factory new mag.

While you're at it, you should really pick up a few factory recoil springs as well (Smith & Wesson Recoil Spring S&W 3953TSW 3913 3914 - MPN: 100950000). IMO you should install a new spring with any new-to-you used gun, and S&W recommends replacing the recoil spring every 5 years or 5,000 rounds. It's a $2 preventative maintenance measure to keep your gun in good working condition.

Enjoy your new 3913, many people (myself included) consider it to be one of the best CC models out there, and a definite favorite in the S&W 3rd Gen lineup.
Click to expand...

While I'm purchasing the spring & mag at Midway, what other springs/parts should I keep on hand? The 3913 I purchased was a pass down from a retired LEO and looks like it had a lot of use. Don't want to be ordering parts every month when they wear out. Thanks for your advice.
 
MichiganScott said:
Factory mags. I've never been able to understand why shooters will cheap out on one of the most important components of a firearms dependability.
Click to expand...

In my case, availability and cost. Just purchased 3 firearms this week and I'm running out of play money. A new XD9 SC (5mags/range bag)for the wife, 3913 & Kimber Custom ii .45 for me. Have lots of needs now but limited funds.
 
BAM-BAM said:
Factory mags only ....... where you can get them ???????
Click to expand...
At gun shows. There is a particular FFL who sells used mags. He goes to all the FFL's at the show before it opens. They mostly feel that if they take in a used gun with 3 mags, they will make more $ if they sell the gun with 1 mag, & sell the other 2 to this particular dealer. So he's got plenty of used mags to sell. One day, I asked him if he had any 3913 mags to sell. He said no, but before I walked 10 feet, he told me he was buying a 3913 that came with 2 mags, & he'd sell me one of the mags for $20. I compared it to my factory mag, & it was exactly the same. So in the last year, I've purchased a 3913, 469, 645, & 4516 mag from him for $20 each. GARY
 
antilamr said:
I just purchased my first 3913 which came with 1 flat plate magazine. Besides buying a new S&W original magazine for $50 online, what after market magazines have you used? Which ones were good and which ones were junk? I didn't give much thought to only having 1 mag when I bought it not realizing how hard it is to find affordable mags!(always wanted a 3rd gen compact and couldn't resist when I came across this one)
I've found 2 after market brands that currently sell these;
ProMag Blued Steel $16.99
Midway Stainless Steel $34.99
I read somewhere else,"Promag-brand magazines have a pretty bad reputation in 3rd-gen metal-frame S&W autoloaders"
What do you guys think?
Click to expand...


several years ago Midway had factory S&W mags on sale - might be worthwhile to dig and see if they still carry them.....
 
antilamr said:
While I'm purchasing the spring & mag at Midway, what other springs/parts should I keep on hand? The 3913 I purchased was a pass down from a retired LEO and looks like it had a lot of use. Don't want to be ordering parts every month when they wear out. Thanks for your advice.
Click to expand...

Honestly, not much aside from the recoil spring will likely wear out or need replacing often. Eventually you will want to pick up some 3913 magazine springs (and maybe one now for the used mag that came with it), but your new mags won't need that for about 5 years or so.

The only other part I would check on your 3913 is the recoil guide rod head, it's a staked-on part that can come loose over time and cause some issue. To check this, hold your guide rod on one hand and gently see if the staked head (the flat disk at the end) will twist around. If it does move, I would recommend getting a replacement.

Now, the hard part here is that S&W stopped making these 3913 guide rods years ago, so you won't be finding a new one at any store. One solution (if you are somewhat handy) would be to buy a longer 1-piece 4006TSW CHP guide rod and cut/file the length down to size, then round the corners off. This 1-piece guide rod will never come loose and will last a lifetime. (Smith & Wesson Recoil Spring Guide Assembly S&W - UPC: 903370000)

We also have a member on the forums here, BMCM, who can make you a custom 1-piece guide rod that will already be the correct length for your 3913 and will also last you a lifetime. I've purchased a guide rod from him and am very happy with his work: BMCM now open for business
 
TercGen said:
Honestly, not much aside from the recoil spring will likely wear out or need replacing often. Eventually you will want to pick up some 3913 magazine springs (and maybe one now for the used mag that came with it), but your new mags won't need that for about 5 years or so.

The only other part I would check on your 3913 is the recoil guide rod head, it's a staked-on part that can come loose over time and cause some issue. To check this, hold your guide rod on one hand and gently see if the staked head (the flat disk at the end) will twist around. If it does move, I would recommend getting a replacement.

Now, the hard part here is that S&W stopped making these 3913 guide rods years ago, so you won't be finding a new one at any store. One solution (if you are somewhat handy) would be to buy a longer 1-piece 4006TSW CHP guide rod and cut/file the length down to size, then round the corners off. This 1-piece guide rod will never come loose and will last a lifetime. (Smith & Wesson Recoil Spring Guide Assembly S&W - UPC: 903370000)

We also have a member on the forums here, BMCM, who can make you a custom 1-piece guide rod that will already be the correct length for your 3913 and will also last you a lifetime. I've purchased a guide rod from him and am very happy with his work: BMCM now open for business
Click to expand...

Appreciate the heads up on the guide rod. Once it's out of "jail" I'll be giving it a once over.
 
adwjc said:
If you can wait, Midway periodically offers the S&W magazines in a sales event, usually at around $24 per, plus shipping.


I picked up three during their last sale.
Click to expand...

How often do these go on sale? I only ordered 1 last night. I'll be wanting 3 or 4 more but didn't want to cut loose with the cash right now.
 
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