S&W 3913LS

[otis24]

I’ve got a hankering for a S&W single stack compact metal pistol. I checked out a new CSX for the second time today. It actually felt pretty good in my hands. I really don’t care sor the single action only and the grip texture was a little aggressive. I realize that it can be sanded down or covered with grip tape.

I think that what I really want though is a S&W 3900 series pistol (3913/3914 or 3953/3954). My preference is for DAO but DA/SA pistol is not a deal breaker. I’ve found a 3913LS at a dealer 3 hours away. Price is $519. I will find out more details on Monday. Is that a good price? What are your thoughts on the 3913LS?

 

[Jeppo]

Assuming the condition is good, that would be a good price in my part of the world. Condition being equal, a LS should be worth something more than a plain 3913.

 

[JohnHL]

otis, if your preference is for DAO, it is neither expensive nor difficult to convert a 2nd or 3rd gen DA/SA pistol to DAO.

John

 

[otis24]

otis, if your preference is for DAO, it is neither expensive nor difficult to convert a 2nd or 3rd gen DA/SA pistol to DAO.

John

I will look up that procedure when/if I obtain the pistol and after I see how the SA trigger pull is on that pistol.

 

[Heinz]

I would say it is a good price. I carry my 3913 NL most days. It is an easy carry and it is an easy gun to fire at the range. My CS9 beats my middle finger up a bit. The 3913 does not.

 

[xfarfuldog]

I think that is a decent price. I've had my plain 3913 for a couple of years or so. But mags are rare and expensive. I have a total of 6 mags. Same for my 6906.

 

[Jeppo]

You might also search for a 3914DAO.

 

[otis24]

You might also search for a 3914DAO.

Yes, all options are on the table for a single stack S&W 9mm. The trick is finding someone who can accept a credit card/Venmo payment. The LS I’m looking at is within driving distance.

 

[Jeppo]

Yes, all options are on the table for a single stack S&W 9mm. The trick is finding someone who can accept a credit card/Venmo payment. The LS I’m looking at is within driving distance.

Maybe someone here would sell you one. A bunch of them, NIB, were dumped onto the market in late 2017.

 

[robrossk]

Check your PM’s!

 

[GeoJelly]

I can only add a little bit to this thread; I just picked up a near-new 908, the 3913's poor and less-expensive cousin. It came with a ProMag, which actually seems to be pretty decent. I put up a WTB here for a 3913 mag with no response. Found a couple on fleaBay but they were $70+ Here comes the part that'll get me some hate: I also have a Kimber Micro9 and it is much smaller and easier to tote around - and very well-made. Sure it's SAO, but I have made it a point to not go anywhere that I might need to bring a pistol into action in nano-seconds. I picked up the 908 on a lark - but I'm going to get another Kimber - and hopefully the Grim Reaper will leave me alone till I can do it.

 

[URIT]

Looking at current and past sales for the 3913LS and the 3953 at the big gun auction site, the price is reasonable if the gun is in vg or better shape. There have been some for less than $500 but most more than $500.

I prefer the DAO 3953 for EDC even though I own a 3913LS and a 3913NL. All of them are great shooters, and I don't believe you can go wrong with either of your options.

 

[ACEd]

First price seems OK - obviously a lot depends on condition and what comes with it, box, papers, and especially mags - that price should have at least 2 mags.

Mags are hard to find and expensive - a good price is $50 ea - but I have seen them go much higher recently. I believe the early 3913LS had a 7 rd mag with a flat metal base as well as a standard 3913 8rd with plastic base. The 7rd mags are rare and may be more (rare & $) or less (rd count) desirable.

If it has more than 2 mags, grab it quick at that price.

If you buy on auction site it will cost shipping and your FFL transfer fee. Most dealers wont charge FFL fee if they are selling gun. Better deal would potentially be buy here on classifieds and you would avoid sales tax, but unless you are close and can do face to face without FFL (legit in some states), you will pay shipping and FFL - so I would probably buy it.

As for the DAO, there are potentially other options. As to value, I would put the 3914DAO at top $ of list of available DAO single stack compacts. Then the 3954 (only because it is rare), then the 3953TSW, and a distant last the 3953 which is arguably least valuable of the 39xx pistols because many prefer the TDA and have a prejudice against DAO.

As for the TDA, I would put the 3913TSW at high end, then the 3914NL or the 3913NL (same as 3913 Lady Smith but without the Logo) or the 3913 Lady Smith (unique but made over longer period and some dont want logo), then the 3913 silver or 3914 blue.

And yes TDA variants can be converted to DAO, but I would simply buy a DAO or trade to someone in classifieds below. I would not trust myself to do the change over and I would not buy a reworked pistol unless I knew who did the rework. And it adds cost to the pistol while devalueing it (at least in my mind).

 

[CH4]

That’s a good price. Anymore a regular 3913s are going for that and the NL is a little more. I like and often carry my 3913.

 

[ACEd]

I’ve got a hankering for a S&W single stack compact metal pistol. I checked out a new CSX for the second time today. It actually felt pretty good in my hands. I really don’t care sor the single action only and the grip texture was a little aggressive. I realize that it can be sanded down or covered with grip tape.

I think that what I really want though is a S&W 3900 series pistol (3913/3914 or 3953/3954). My preference is for DAO but DA/SA pistol is not a deal breaker. I’ve found a 3913LS at a dealer 3 hours away. Price is $519. I will find out more details on Monday. Is that a good price? What are your thoughts on the 3913LS?

I have to agree on your choice of a 391x/395x over the CSX. I have both and the CSX has never been fired - just doesn't feel right to me and I hate the SAO feature. Maybe its my prejudice as I have 3rd generation pistols in every caliber both TDA and DAO, but the 391x TDA and 395x DAO hit the sweet spot for many of us.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Been using a 39xx EDC since 1990,
For years generally a 3913NL w/ a 7rd mag and a spare 8rd mag.in a Milt Sparks Summer Special. Hogue checkered wood grips.

Thou lately in our strange new world ......find myself switching to a 69xx Performance Center Shorty-9 for 12+1 plus a 15rd spare,

Tried other guns over the last 30 years..... different ..... but haven't found anything better for every day civilian concealed carry

 

[otis24]

3953 will arrive Friday! Thank you robrossk!

 

[Adventurer104]

The wife said you've got me new jewelry for CHRISTMAS, you find you a gun.
Ok, no argument here…. I browse the big auction sight.
In the 80s my dept sent me to armorers school….then new admin ran me off. Ok….job prospects are good when your , csi, firearms instructer and repairman. Fast forward to retirement in 2013. I returned to roots and accumulated several third gens. Thought I was through.
Found a LS . Called the importer, lady said they bought three crates of BERETTA 92 from Israel. Suprise! Three 3rd gen smits in crate.
Ok ive always wanted one of those grey, anglenose Smiths since I Saw one on ‘DEMOLITION MAN ‘
My low bid took. LS arrives. WOW.
Never been shot. I took it down to frame. Two flea bites on frame from shelf ware. Barrel as shiny as when Smith employee slid it into slide.
Gonna take several boxes to loosen it up a bit. Ill post pics as this quick reply wont let me.
Comments and questions welcome.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

That is a good price for any functional third generation S&W. The 3913 does have a nice grip and over all design.

 

[JohnHL]

3953 will arrive Friday! Thank you robrossk!

I've seen that pistol.

It is in excellent condition.

John