So I just picked up this 3913 TSW pre rail that looks basically unfired in original box. When I cleaned it I’m pretty sure there was still factory grease on the internals. Some folks know I’ve been looking for one of these at a good price for some time now. I carry a CS9 that has a trigger job and when I first dry fired this TSW, I was in heaven. This is totally stock with a trigger THIS good? With a little lovin, and maybe a lighter mainspring, this little gun would sing! I gotta say it fells better than the CS9 in my hand. First impressions are I would prefer to carry the 3913 TSW

So here’s my dilemma now. Do I carry this, or look for another one that’s not in such good shape? For the price I paid, I’ve seen beat up ones without case sell on Gunbroker and estate sales for more money. I’ve never been a “collector” per se, I would tend to buy, shoot, carry, and enjoy collectable guns that aren’t in such good condition as this one. I’ve owned Sigs, CZ’s, HK, Walther, all premium guns yes. But the third gen Smiths are the first guns I’ve actually fallen for, and would think to collect. Do I give in to fate, and start a third gen “collection” with this one, sell/trade it to a collector towards a “shooter” 3913 TSW, or carry it and use it as the fine defensive weapon it was designed to be? What should I do?










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I would say carry it - this particular model is IMO the best CC version of the 3913 ever produced, and carrying it is what it's designed for. I carry one of these that's also in great condition most every day in the Summer months.

While it's always worth it to find another one, that' not always an easy task as this model comes up for sale rather sporadically. I'd also say to leave the mainspring alone, these pistols were designed to operate with the factory mainspring for more reasons than the DA trigger pull. Both of my 3913TSW pre-rails have the absolute best factory triggers out of any of my S&W 3rd Gens, and I don't mess with them at all.

I carry mine almost all the time. Great CC gun as Tercgen says.

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Great find..... I'm a 39xx fanboy........3913s;14s and NL

Carry and shoot it...it's still not an overly expensive/highly collectible gun; but it is the best single stack concealed carry 9mm IMO..... while looking for a backup and some extra magazines.

That's your weakest link..... as you have only one spare mag (I think) ..... I'd like to have at least 5nd extra magazines....... two full sets of three. I have a stash of magazines but they work in any of my 39xx guns. I believe the 7 round TSW mag is unique to that gun!?!?

Carry it. The 3913 is too cool of a gun not to carry. I foolishly sold my 3913 and regret every moment.


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Me too...wish I kept mine. carry it in a nice full coverage holster(so you dont get nicks&scratches)like a new leather one?
but by all means carry it. I have some hard to find guns too, but I still take them out and shoot them, or how else would you enjoy them, you spent hard earned money on them....what do you want to be buried with it? (Life is short.)Enjoy shooting it!

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S&W BG380, S&W 915 9mm

Sell it!



to Jeppo

Another vote for "carry it."

I've been carrying the 3913TSW, 3953TSW and 3914 DAO a lot lately. You're missing out if that thing collects dust in the safe. Fantastic carry piece.

Beautiful gun. When ya can get 2 grand for it sell. Otherwise carry and enjoy it.

Jeppo's safe is dust free.

I'm clearly outnumbered on this issue, but as I've seen 3rd Gen prices jump dramatically for really nice guns, I've moved toward the "keep it looking nice and put wear on something of lesser condition and value". I have retired several of my pistols whose condition is just too nice for me to decrease value by adding further wear and tear. Besides, this philosophy permits me to keep adding firearms to my hoard.

Carry it, you only go around this thing called life.

Enjoy the good things when you get them. Otherwise someone else will just enjoy it when you are gone.

I would not carry it if I was you. I would trade it for a regular 3913 from somebody(me), that you would not feel ill about carrying.


I however, would carry the hell out of that TSW and do my best to wear it out by carrying it and shooting it every chance I got, but that's just me...

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Plastic has no soul

When you find a Gun that Feels this good to shoot you enjoy the heck out of it by spending time with it and learning how to shoot like a pro with it. To Me that's what High Quality Guns are made for and not to just sleep all day in a safe.

I am no longer a fan of first round DA weapons but if you are and you like that weapon, by all means carry that.

Get a good holster you like and make use of it. WE WANT CARRY PICS THOUGH.

I’m gonna go against the grain here. If you intend to start “collecting” then I’d suggest Not carrying it. In fact, if it’s truly “unfired”, as you say, then I wouldn’t even shoot it. Seems to me there’s quite a bit of difference between “unfired” and “not fired much” when it comes to collector value. A true “collector” would, I think, preserve a discontinued, unfired gun in its unfired condition.

All that being said those are my suggestions for YOU. If I had found it at a good deal price I would have ruined its collector value at the range on my way home from buying it. I can’t imagine owning anything I can’t or won’t shoot. All my guns get shot and most of them get carried at least on occasion.

I’d carry and shoot that beauty with pride.

Whereas the 3rd gen guns are asthetically pleasing to look at....S&W did NOT manufacture them simply to look at, they were made to be used...sometimes hard use and sometimes not so hard....

Go shoot it, carry it and enjoy the heck out of it !!

Randy

Uh yeah that gun is not in new condition, the billboard is very translucent and looks like it has been in holster quite a bit. The 3913 is a weak sauce, no one is going to be shaking in their boots knowing you are carrying around. A 3913 tsw. As a matter of fact sell it buy a browning hi power or sig 228 and know you have a real firearm as a ccw —- good luck with it

Why are you hating on the TSW? I don’t see a single wear mark on this gun btw. I’m just not capturing it well in the photos with the light hitting it





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The first photo you posted was not in good light but that gun still has holster wear from the Ta to the C. I owned a 99 percent model of that very gun. I am not hating on it but as compared to my p228 it really wasn’t a comparsion. The sig and BHP shoot so much better. If need a small concealed carry single stack then get a small 380 and leave the 3913 tsw to a range only gun as 9 mm is cheaper to shoot which I’m sure all you 3rd gen 9mm lovers know already.

Ah yes, I do remember from looking through the classifieds for one of these awhile back, you tried to sell one just like this for more than double what I just paid. You obviously think more highly of these than you are letting on. Ive also passed on several that were absolutely mint with lock and everything for under $800, and then with patience I found this deal for a little over $500. Thank you for reminding me. It gives me greater joy


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Can’t send you a pm, your mailbox is full. I got an extra mag.
Shoot it...
Vinny

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"GUNS UP"

I’m definitely leaning towards carrying it after reading the responses. I should shoot it and then decide. I’ll post photos and a review after my first trip to the range with it


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Tried and doing are two different things, I did sell it for more than I had it listed for on this site. As a collector piece they are a fine firearm, I had the nicest 3913tsw ever but I don’t buy guns to sit up and I could never really get comfortable shooting it. So someone who can appreciate it more than me bought it. The proceeds went towards a nighthawk so I’m happier than if I just had a tactical 3913.

Good luck with the gun....

So you’re saying you sold a 99% 3913TSW for more than $1100? I’m just trying to wrap my head around the collector value here


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1250 delivered

For goodness sake, just carry the thing!!!

I’m going to. Got an extra mag coming from Vinny already. and looking for more

Really? I’m curious... whats the weather like over there in fantasyland?


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Just so happens I have a screen shot of the auction ending so pm me your email address and I can share it with you. I would link it here but that is a violation of rules.

Yes I have to see this, pm sent thx


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No it doesn't..looks pretty well fired to me.

Carry it, shoot it.. get over it.. not like it's rare..

Just sent it to you. So, when I said that I would sell my Shorty 40 for 1850 every one here laughed as well. It is all about condition and that 3913 tsw I sold was extremely clean as is my Shorty 40 which I plan to never sell.

Actually I feel like the for sale thread here for that gun would have kept it in the community and it would have been a bargain.

I hope no one objects if I drift back on topic.

Even though the the pre rail TSW guns are relatively rare, I'd carry it. They are reliable, accurate, and because of the alloy frame are not burdensome to carry.

I know that some people buy 3rd Gens as collector guns and don't plan to shoot them. I don't see that they were built or sold as collector guns. They were built to be carried and shot.

Which is what we should all do with them.

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Can open, worms everywhere.

Here's what one looks like when it's been shot just a bit. Came with Hogues, Big Dots and stock Novaks.

Attached Images

	IMG_6235.jpg (139.0 KB, 82 views)
	IMG_6237.jpg (97.9 KB, 57 views)

Nice Jeppo! How do you like the big dots?? I have a certificate for one set of XS sights up to $215 I want to use


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Not that I asked about opinions on condition or rarity, but this gun IS generally accepted among collectors as rare, actually was only made 97-99, and there’s always more Shortys available for sale than these at any given time. From what JamestheGiant sent me, it look like he actually did sell one for $1200. Can’t verify if the person paid, but that’s still quite impressive that someone bid it up that high.

There’s one for auction on GB right now. Let’s see what this auction ends at today in about 5 hours. Ironically, it says RARE in all caps, like it usually does when these are up at auction from a knowledgeable seller. Not sure is it’s ok to post the link, but it’s easy to find


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Actually, I bought this gun back in May, shot a magazine or two thru it and it's been sleeping in the "dust free" safe since then. So, I'm not yet qualified to express an opinion on the Big Dots although they make sense to me for aging eyes like mine.

Your thread reminded me I probably should exercise it a bit (unless you wanna trade ).

I like yours better, with that low profile slide lock! Actually, that reminds me, I have one of those sitting in my parts drawer. Now to try to find a 3913LS safety, or maybe see if BMCM can help me out with that?


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Installed low profile slide lock



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Ah yes, the 3913TSW pre-rail. A truly lovely pistol. I found my on consignment at one of my LGS 10 years ago, pristine condition, but no box. With the original 7 round magazines and rounded/softened edges, it is a highly concealable pistol. It drops into the inside pocket of my leather jacket (XXL) with no evidence that it's there. And, the little guy shoot good, too.

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1st Signal Brigade, RVN '70

Can’t argue with that target


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Honestly, if anyone has one of these without box and more of a shooter condition, I’ll buy it right now for a fair price. Still looking for a 4040pd at a reasonable price as well


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Yeah, that was 10 years ago when my hold was a little more steady and before my right eye cataract developed. My 2016 cataract surgery (lens replacement) was very successful and my vision is good now, but it just ain't the same as guy in his mid 50s with 20/15 via a natural lens.

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1st Signal Brigade, RVN '70

The 3913LS/NL safety/decockers are hard to find. I think it took me two years to find a stainless one from Cylinder and Slide. Or is it Slide and Cylinder? Either way, I got the last one they had.

I've had a bit of luck on Ebay finding the black versions, but haven't seen another stainless one.

Numrich had the low profile slide locks, but I don't know if they still do. I bought one black and one stainless.

BMCM will shave and dehorn both the slide locks and the ambi safety/decocker levers. I haven't ask him to do any of my slide locks (yet), but he did the left side only safety/decocker I mentioned above. He also did a nice job on my later 3913TSW shaving and dehorning the safety/decocker lever. Plus he reblackened it. It makes a lot of difference in carrying that gun.

Final note (whew). When I bought the pre rail, it had the modified Hogues as shown in the picture in this thread. I didn't like how they felt in my hand, so I swapped them out for OEM grips with a Pachmyar grip sleve. That also had to be trimmed a bit, but it helps with the grip quite a bit.

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Can open, worms everywhere.

I have no intention of carrying mine but will never sell it. Let's work out a trade.

It could have been timing or the time of year, can not remember but I do know it was the only one out there in the best condition than any of the others that hit the market. Beaters were selling in the 800 range and a bid war on one before it went for over a grand so it could have been just right buyer/ seller at the right time. Just am not a fan of the 39xx and 69xx 3rd gens and it reaches a point were I didn’t want to shoot it but the sell allowed me to fund my 1 of 100 nighthawk guns and ammo 45 acp which brings tears to my eyes every time I shoot it so I’m a happy camper. Sometimes though I wish I had it back to at least look at to examine a perfect time capsule of the 3913 with all accessories and factory paperwork it was an impressive package all together.

The LS safeties sure are about as rare as hens teeth. Does yours still have ambi levers? I was thinking if worst case, and if I could find a spare stainless ambi for cheap, he could just cut the right side flush, melt the left side, and then bead blast it or something. I don’t want the ambi levers on a carry gun.


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The 3913TSW pre-rail that I carry sports a blackened single-sided safety body, 1-piece guide rod, and XS 24/7 Standard Dot night sights that I absolutely love. The XS sights offer a very fast and easy sight acquisition that's also very open (you can see more of what's going on around the POI). Mine are plenty accurate for defensive shooting, and I've gone to these over Trijicons for my last few sets of night sights.