I picked up a Model 915 today in a trade. It appears to be unfired, but no box. It only came with one magazine, so now I'M in the hunt for magazines

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Definitely looks clean! Unfired… perhaps. A few good places to look that might give evidence either direction:

—Top down where the hammer bounces off the frame with each shot as the slide cocks the hammer. This typically leaves a slight ding on the frame — not harmful, but evidence that doesn’t get removed and also doesn’t get replicated without live fire

—take down or more accurately, re-assembly marks on the rear of the slide. When any 1-2-3rd Gen is reassembled after a field strip, the novice and ham-fisted will ding the rear of the slide especially with the ejector (left side of firing pin) and the decocker (right side). So this doesn’t show wear per se, but it shows handling

—on the frame when you do field strip, the black frame very very very quickly shows some wear from the reciprocating slide. Hard to judge how much use, but still worth a look

The Model 915 is a great gun, but perhaps it’s “cheapest” feature is it’s finish. That black finish is very low on the durability scale. It’s safe to say that yours was definitely never carried in a holster and makes a fine argument for hardly if ever used. The finish on these looks good to my eye but it is the antithesis of “durable.”

I’ve had three, down to one currently. These are good guns. Their three digit model number has confused quite possibly 95% of anyone who is vaguely familiar with the S&W model numbering system.

Sold my Savage 1917 for a clean 915 and don't regret it.

I have 2 of them. One gently used, and one that everybody used. Love both. Good luck with yours.

Got a 915 to go with my Marlin Camp Carbine. They take same magazines so I have a pistol/carbine combo. The marlin came with 20 round mags.
I have seen and bought extra S&W mags on Ebay and Gunbroker. My local gun shop also had some used mags for the 5900 pistols stashed away. Over the long duration that these guns were produced, there were 10 round versions for the AWB 1994-2004. 14,15,17,20 rounders made by S&W and aftermarket mag companies.

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S&W BG380, S&W 915 9mm

I picked up a clean one for cheap a few years ago. Count me as a fan boi!

[QUOTE=Sevens;141303617]Definitely looks clean! Unfired… perhaps. A few good places to look that might give evidence either direction:

—Top down where the hammer bounces off the frame with each shot as the slide cocks the hammer. This typically leaves a slight ding on the frame — not harmful, but evidence that doesn’t get removed and also doesn’t get replicated without live fire

—take down or more accurately, re-assembly marks on the rear of the slide. When any 1-2-3rd Gen is reassembled after a field strip, the novice and ham-fisted will ding the rear of the slide especially with the ejector (left side of firing pin) and the decocker (right side). So this doesn’t show wear per se, but it shows handling

—on the frame when you do field strip, the black frame very very very quickly shows some wear from the reciprocating slide. Hard to judge how much use, but still worth a look

The Model 915 is a great gun, but perhaps it’s “cheapest” feature is it’s finish. That black finish is very low on the durability scale. It’s safe to say that yours was definitely never carried in a holster and makes a fine argument for hardly if ever used. The finish on these looks good to my eye but it is the antithesis of “durable.”

I’ve had three, down to one currently. These are good guns. Their three digit model number has confused quite possibly 95% of anyone who is vaguely familiar with the S&W model numbering system. [/QUOTE

Based on your suggestions, this is an unfired 915.

Sadly, 3rd Gen mags are super-scarce and pricey.

Anymore a one-mag 3rd Gen gun occupying space on the LGS's pre-owned shelf fails to impress.

Nope. Hard pass.

It takes the 14, 15 and 10 round 5900 series mags. MecGar makes then also and they are as good as factory. I think I have 2 17 round MecGars. Keep your eyes peeled when you hit local pawn/gun stores, ask to see their used magazine bin and many times you can find them at a good price.

Of the 3rd gen mags, the 5900 series is probably the easiest to find right now.

Rosewood

The 915 is a good defensive pistol. It might not be a match grade piece, but they tend to be boringly reliable when proper maintenance is given. Any 59xx magazine will work, Mec-Gar magazines work as well as S&W magazines. Mec-Gar may have been the company that made the S&W magazines. I cannot recommend ProMag, sometimes they work, sometimes they are only good for practicing the clearing of malfunctions.

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

They are nice all-purpose 9mm pistols. I like them a lot. These are likely the most common 3rd Gen mags and can be found online and at gun shows not priced cheap but not ridiculous either. I understand that Pro Mag makes some magazines that some find useful for some firearms, but that has not been my experience with S&W handguns. Don't buy Pro Mag for S&W handguns, unless you like to practice clearing jams. I would hold out for higher quality magazines. Part of the fun is the hunt.

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The 915, 910. 908 are fantastic working class pistols. Sevens hit the nail when he spoke of finish being junk. I have a 910 that looks like a piece of junk. My wife shoots it lights out at the range. It's her favorite S&W for range duty. One answer to the finish issue is to have it Cera-koted. That finish will out last the gun. Since there is zero collectability in these that is a good option if you want to spend the money. I don't buy the "ruins the originality" argument. Yes it does but who cares?

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John 1:17
NRA Life Benefactor

This came to me as part of a trade, but I agree, with only one magazine I wouldn't give it a second look to buy it.

Just a suggestion on that 910, give the slide a good cleaning with acetone then follow the instructions on the Birch Wood Caseys cold blue. I did this to my 908 and 6904 and it made them look dang near new.

Rosewood

I actually owned a 915 for about 2 days. Guy was trying to sell it at a LGS but they didn't want it, sold it to me for $200. Had a tad surface rust on it, but was dang new other than that. Before I could go and shoot it, stopped by another LGS and they had a 6904 in the case. Ended up trading the 915 +$130 for the 6904. Since I already had a 5903, didn't see the need to keep the 915. I would have preferred a 6906, but when the price is right, you make concessions.

Rosewood

Don't let anybody fool you into thinking the 915 was part of the "value line" like 908s and 910s. The only think cheap about them is the finish and a machine mark or two. The have steel sights, though not Novaks or anything fancy and a metal guide rod. It also has a steel mag release unlike the "value line," a lug on the barrel and a corresponding cut in the slide for tighter lock up.

One of the most underrated firearms S&W ever made. Mine is a joy to shoot. Like the rest have said accept nothing less than S&W factory or MecGar mags.

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LIVE FROM THE DAWGHOUSE

Mec-Gar have fifteen & 20 round mags for the 59 series S&W pistols. The fifteen round Mec-Gar mags get reviews but I haven’t read any reviews on the 20’s. Mec-Gar is an OEM manufacturer for a lot of firearms and are an Italian company.




S&W 5900 SERIES / 910 / 915 / 659 9MM 15-ROUND - Mec-Gar USA Inc - Firearm Magazines

The 59xx are available by MecGar. I have them for my 5906. They work great and are reasonably priced.

The 40xx are available at reasonable prices.

You're right about the rest of them.

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BTDT, Got The T-Shirt

Also check out Greg Cote for Mec Gar magazines.

My personal attitude is that the 915 is to the 5904 as the Model 28 is to the Model 27 (357) Revolver. Mechanically about equal but not as nicely finished. Yes they are cheaper, and no they aren't quite as pretty, but they are fine shooters and great for hard use.

Froggie

Nice pickup OP! I have to echo the folks praising MecGar mags. I’m in NJ so I’m stuck with ****** 10 round mags, but my 10 round MecGar mags for my 5906tsw (same as you’d use in your 915) have been totally flawless. In fact, my 10 round MecGar mags for my Sig P226s (9mm and .40) and for my CZ Shadow 2 are also flawless. Mag availability is no reason to shy away from 9mm double stack 3rd gen mags. MecGars are reliable, available, and very inexpensive.

MecGar doesn't make the 69XX-series mags ... And I haven't seen 'reasonably priced' 40XX-series mags since before the pandemic.

That's a good analogy! Wish I had thought of it.

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

Whats confusing about the three digit number? 9mm / 15 rounds.

Just don't pay attention to any of the other intricate four digit numbering system that was established for years and years prior.

Extremely difficult for the average gun crank who isn't a hardcore, die-hard Smith & Wesson 1-2-3rd Gen fanatic to follow your advice.

Another reason it's a cheap suggestion...

You put it that way and you make it sound like the Model 910 is exactly the same thing but merely carrying a clipped AWB-era 10-round magazine and that's absolutely not true.

Not so helpful.