915 Worth it?

antilamr · Feb 4, 2020

I've come across a 915 with about 400 down the pipe. Looks to be in 98%+ condition. I know its s&w's first attempt at the Value line and there were a gazillion of these made over the 3 or so year run. That makes them a less than collectable piece of fine hardware. Read they're a fine full size duty/defense/range gun.(better to shoot & enjoy).

Being in a non free state usually means a higher price tag on everything S&W for me. Seller is asking $450 with 2 magazines.

Here's my dilemma, do I spend a little more for a more collectable (valuable) 3rd gen variant or just buy this inexpensive one and enjoy it for what it is? I have a 3913 which I'm in love with and looking to expand my holdings.
Any 915 owners with thoughts pro or nay would be appreciated. Strong suits and weak links as well.

It would mainly be used for range & home defense as my 3913 is for carry.

CH4 · Feb 4, 2020

I’d give $450
Can’t buy a Glock for that

stansdds · Feb 4, 2020

Looks to be in very nice condition. Given that you are in California, I'd say $450 with two factory magazines (not Pro-Mag) is very fair. Even here on the east coast that would be around $400.

max · Feb 4, 2020

They are very nice full size 9mm's. They are not "value line" just not as nicely finished as their cousins. I don't see anything wrong with that price.

BAM-BAM · Feb 4, 2020

Buy it........ it's the Model 28 of of the 3rd Gen Semi-autos.

stansdds · Feb 4, 2020

BAM-BAM said:
Buy it........ it's the Model 28 of of the 3rd Gen Semi-autos.

Perfect analogy!

kraynky · Feb 4, 2020

Get it while you can. I've passed over one or two and without fail, I always wished I had just gone on and bought them the first time I saw them.

Don't dawdle now, git!

BAM-BAM · Feb 4, 2020

I've scooped up three over the years........ Cerecoated the frame mat gray on one that had been carried a lot (Story was a armored car guy)but the insides were like new....... the other two were "sock draw new" and still are. Don't think I paid more than $325 for any of them;course the last one was about 6 or 7 years ago.

IMO just as good as a 5906 but a heck of a lot easier to carry!!!!

sheepdawg · Feb 4, 2020

The most underrated pistol in the third gen. line up. Mine shoots like a champ and feeds everything. The one thing bad I can say is the finish doesn't hold up too well but I like the used look.

Charlie Foxtrott · Feb 4, 2020

I have one. It is an excellent pistol.

Considering where you live, I would jump all over it.

TNZ71 · Feb 4, 2020

I’ve got one. Good gun but $400? That’s a 5904 price. The finish on those 900 series is thin. But you are in Kalifornia

upcountry · Feb 4, 2020

I have one that is not as good condition. It came with a bunch of mags and belonged to a LE firearms instructor. Paid about $400. Utterly reliable, accurate just not as finished as other 3d gens. The only thing I did to it was Novak sights.

Sevens · Feb 4, 2020

California gun economics does not have a Google one-button converter, so I can definitely comment on the pistol but not on the price.

915’s are great but I can’t agree to the “Model 28” reference as the 915 is alloy frame. The 28 has less features and a dull finish compared to the legendary 27, but it’s just as rugged and tough. Not so with the 915 compared to a 5906. If an all steel 5906 is very near in price then it’s a stretch to pay similar money for a 915.

915 could be a better choice than a 5906 if you wear a uniform and you have to lug it around for 50 hours each week, but in every other way, the 915 is a gem because of what it brings for the low price, not because it’s better than a 5906 or 5904. It is most definitely not better than those two.

The only S&W 3rd Gen 9mm pistol that the 915 is clearly better than is the 910. If the price isn’t wonderful, the 915 is a fine pistol but in the world of 3rd Gens, it’s right at the bottom.

And don’t read any of this as 915 hate... I own two of ‘em!

BAM-BAM · Feb 4, 2020

Sevens

I never compared the 915 to the 5906.... accept as to carrying it.......

My Model 28 analogy was more to a lower cost gun,..... MSRP of $467 but LGS price was closer to $400 ........for the working man/officer in 1993......

Same concept as the Highway Patrolman's introduction in 1954..... an affordable version of the 27. A gun that most young cops couldn't afford on their salary's.

Novak used the 915 to build a number of custom guns...... due to the heavier dust rails....... it's as tough as any alloy frame gun Smith built.

Sevens · Feb 4, 2020

Can’t agree and will not, the difference between alloy and steel is significant.

I have two 915’s currently, down from 3. I love to keep one around if/when someone wants to buy in to their first handgun for low bucks. (and that is where my 3rd one went)

I have two 28’s and a 27 also. Love 28’s. With eyes closed, you cannot tell if it is a 27 or 28. Not so with a 915/5906.

915’s are terrific when they are priced accordingly. When the price climbs, it’s very easy to point out what a 915 lacks.

StephenWhoDat · Feb 4, 2020

Buy it. That would sell for about $350 down in The Bayou State. But, considering where you are, I'd say $450 is a great deal for a pistol that will outlive your grandkids.

remnard · Feb 4, 2020

antilamr said:
I've come across a 915 with about 400 down the pipe. Looks to be in 98%+ condition. I know its s&w's first attempt at the Value line and there were a gazillion of these made over the 3 or so year run. That makes them a less than collectable piece of fine hardware. Read they're a fine full size duty/defense/range gun.(better to shoot & enjoy).

Being in a non free state usually means a higher price tag on everything S&W for me. Seller is asking $450 with 2 magazines.

Here's my dilemma, do I spend a little more for a more collectable (valuable) 3rd gen variant or just buy this inexpensive one and enjoy it for what it is? I have a 3913 which I'm in love with and looking to expand my holdings.
Any 915 owners with thoughts pro or nay would be appreciated. Strong suits and weak links as well.

It would mainly be used for range & home defense as my 3913 is for carry.

funny this pops up. I was looking for original boxes so I can sell a couple of pieces and I found the box for my 915. I gave it to my daughter a few years ago. Mine was a good shooter, high capacity and was light for carry. price is high as they list at 275 for a 95% condition.

toddcfii · Feb 4, 2020

Sevens said:
California gun economics does not have a Google one-button converter, so I can definitely comment on the pistol but not on the price.

915’s are great but I can’t agree to the “Model 28” reference as the 915 is alloy frame. The 28 has less features and a dull finish compared to the legendary 27, but it’s just as rugged and tough. Not so with the 915 compared to a 5906. If an all steel 5906 is very near in price then it’s a stretch to pay similar money for a 915.

915 could be a better choice than a 5906 if you wear a uniform and you have to lug it around for 50 hours each week, but in every other way, the 915 is a gem because of what it brings for the low price, not because it’s better than a 5906 or 5904. It is most definitely not better than those two.

The only S&W 3rd Gen 9mm pistol that the 915 is clearly better than is the 910. If the price isn’t wonderful, the 915 is a fine pistol but in the world of 3rd Gens, it’s right at the bottom.

And don’t read any of this as 915 hate... I own two of ‘em!

Brother Sevens

Great post. I do have three exceptions to your postulations though:

1. Is it not better to compare the 915 to the other alloy frame 3rd gens? Would that be a 5903 or 5904? Not a 5906. Some people and situations call for a steel frame and some call for an aluminum frame. One is not better than another.

2. Why no love for the 910? They are the same gun are they not? One just comes with 10 round mags and one with high capacity mags. 10 round magazines are going for more money than hi caps because of some jurisdictions requiring them. As a matter of money one could buy a 910 and sell the mags then pick up hi caps for cheaper and be all in at a lower price than a 915. Therefore 910>915. How is that logic for you?

3. You were talking 9 mm. But if we are talking least desirable of the 3rd gens I would put the 411 below the 915 simply due to the 40 caliber. They are a harder sell and currently less desirable. So many people don’t want the 40 right now that I bet there are other 3rd gens in the caliber that bring less money than the 915.

3a. Because I only said three things I get a 3a. The 910, 915 and 411 get a nod for the single sided safety. Some people really like this for concealed carry. Some people even buy these guns to swap out the safety to put on another gun.

Respectfully

hoytx10 · Feb 4, 2020

Looks like a good deal to me!

HOUSTON RICK · Feb 4, 2020

I really like the Model 915. It was in the value line, but now it is in the "They do not make them like that any more" line. It is a true third generation S&W semi-automatic (even though the model number has three digits), and can do anything that the rest of the line can do. they have no operational weaknesses. It will not resale for as much as the Model 59, 5906, etc. I own two of them. It also uses the standard readily available S&W 59 Magazine. $450 with two magazines is a good price in the People's Republic of Californistan.

915 Worth it?

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