3904/3906 Magazines

ACEd · Jun 30, 2021

I am looking for some magazines for 3904/3906. I understand I need to stay with original S&W Mags - and stay away from ProMag etc. It appears there are both 8 and 9 round single stack 9mm which will work (and may also work in a 39/439 pistol though with a small gap at floorplate).

So here is my first question - what is difference in 8rd and 9rd and are they interchangeable?

Second question - value and sources - I think I may have located 3 of the 8rd variety (but still need to confirm length is not for compact 3914).

Assuming they are 8rd 3906 variety, what are they worth and are there any other good current sources for 8 or 9rd mags?

Best, Ed

Sevens · Jul 1, 2021

Good question.

When the 3904 hit the scene, it came with an 8-round magazine. And accessory magazines in the blister pack on the classic blue card were made in large volume.

Shortly after, the follower was changed (spring also? Unlikely but maybe) and capacity was upped to 9 rounds.

The 3906 did not stay in production very long. The 3904 did, and the Value Line Model 909 came in the mid-90’s and used the same magazine. In the year 2000, the Performance Center made the very first of the 952 pistols (the no-dash, Bangers exclusive) and this pistol used the same magazine. As a matter of fact, by this time the S&W accessory magazines were now packaged in a clear plastic box with a blue insert card and the 952 was even listed on the card as one of the capable models for this magazine.

Externally and fit-wise, there is no difference between the 8 and 9 round full size single stack 9mm magazine except for an added witness hole. I should also think (but haven’t tried) that the newer follower used in the 8-round magazine would allow it to run perfectly well with 9-rounds in it.

They come up on Gunbroker often. I never go to Ebay, but since they are not hi-cap, they are probably on there also.

What are they “worth?” Haha, rarely are they worth what a seller tries to list them at… at least in my opinion. I would suggest that $35 is fair, more if it is a sealed accessory magazine in original package.

As magazines go, I would not term these particular magazines as scarce, and absolutely not rare. S&W made MANY, and they made pistols that used them as late as 2008, possibly later.

squidsix · Jul 1, 2021

The stainless and blued 3906/3904 magazines marked for 8 rounds have a different spring and follower than the 9-round version, but the mag bodies are dimensionally identical.
The part number for the 9 round follower and spring is the same as the 3913 model parts, and with those, the 8-round 3906 magazine holds 9 rounds.
There was also briefly a floorplate that came with some early 8-round 3900 mags that was designed to fill the gap between the bottom of the grip frame of the 39/439/etc and the magazine.
I have also found that the flat 3913 floorplate fits the bill for use on the 9-round 3906 mag when used in a 39-2. See my pics below.

cherrypointmarine · Jul 1, 2021

I don't know if they still have them , but Midway had them for quite a while n. I think I bought 6 and gave one to my range buddy . He uses it in a 39-2 and it doesn't stick out any farther than an 8 rounder .

ElectroMotive · Jul 1, 2021

The free market decides what is fair. In the last two months here are what mags have sold for

$155 for lot of 3 used
$56 for one in package
$60
$60
$55
$55
$40
$34.44
$49
$55
$60

For an average of $52

3904/3906 Magazines

ACEd

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Sevens

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squidsix

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ElectroMotive

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