Stopped in a local pawn shop sat and found a 3904. Had never seen one. Little rust in some spot, cleaned up pretty good. Couldn't resist, got it for 355 otd. I have a few mags already that i had bought as 9 rnds for my 3913s. No dimple on grip, going to have to reach out smith for a replacement one. Fired several rounds thru it without even cleaning since I was in the way to the range when I bought it. Functioned flawless.

Did hogue ever make rubber grips for this frame size?

Got me wondering, can anyone provide more history on this particular model? My serial is TCR54xx. Date, production numbers etc?

Rosewood

Attached Images

	20240324_210636.jpg (179.3 KB, 220 views)
	20240323_234016.jpg (181.4 KB, 177 views)

No, they did not.

You got a deal!

I would be curious if S&W still has an updated grip for this one… considering there were a whole lot less of the full size single stacks than the doublestacks or the compact single stacks.

Midway has them in stock, so I would assume they got them from the mother ship. If they don't send me one, will order from Midway.

A couple of years back, my brother ran across a 3906 for $400, I didn't know much about that model then and I wasn't so into collecting the 3rd gens then and passed it up. Wished I had jumped on that one now. Did a little research and decided I should get it, I called him a couple of weeks later, he checked and it was gone.

They had 399 on this 3904, I asked if they could do better, the guy said he was going to call his boss and see if I could get it for $300+tax, I said I would take it for that. She countered him with $329, so I took it and ran. I had just stopped by the ATM before heading this way, so, the money was in the pocket making it easier. Little dirty, some rust, but all cleaned up good. The rust was actually on the barrel from the barrel bushing. Cleaned the bushing up last night.

Took the mag apart last night, there was dirt in the mag, shot perfect anyway.

I think I have a fix. Going to get the factory grip first since I had one break taking off on my 4013TSW before I take this one off to do some testing. S&W did replace that one.

Anyway, I think a 5906 hogue will work, but I will have to trim both sides of where the back strap meets in the back. Will likely need to use the little lug from hogue off a 3913 to screw the sides together. More to come. Anyone have any old Hogue grips they can trash? Especially the little lug for a 3913?

Rosewood

Great find on that Model 3904. I don't know that I've ever seen one, they simply were not popular items when they were new.

__________________
VCDL, GOA, NRA

Being they were only made for 3 years and probably not a lot of them out there, that is kind of what made me want it. This one has adjustable sights, I may try some bullseye shooting with it and see how good it shoots.

Rosewood

I noticed the finish on this slide looks more like the 2nd gen slides. Looks to be polished and blued instead of bead blasted and blued. Guess they went to the bead blast after the 3rd gen release??

Rosewood

My 3904 serial TCW56xx is from May of 1989 if that helps.

Very nice Rosewood! Great find. Range.report please.

Nice find. Glad it found a good home.

Dangit seven, you was right. S&w said they didn't have any and referred me to hogue and atamount which neither makes one for it. So I went ahead and ordered from midway while they have them in stock. Cost me about $35-40 with shipping.

That stinks!

For me, my 3rd Gens are fun gund, pride of ownership and enjoyment on the range. I don’t carry them for defense.

So I truly have no need to replace a recall grip. If you don’t drop them, they are flawless!

I had a 3904 for a couple of years. It was in great shape, more a work of art than a firearm. Which is I sold it as I do carry 3rd Gens for self defense and had better single stack options.

__________________
Can open, worms everywhere.

I agree about not dropping, but I had a 4013TSW that the grip broke when I took it off and I just took it off with my hands. S&W replaced it for me with new one. So I am paranoid about removing it to just clean it, which I believe it needs. I plan on fitting a 5906 Hogue to it eventually, I think I can make it work. But I want a good factory grip as a backup. Since they are made no longer, don't want to risk it ever breaking and not having a way to fix it.

Rosewood

The 3913 is my EDC. Has been since I picked it up maybe 3 or so years ago. Of all the guns I have bought over the years for an EDC, I found the 3913 is the closest thing to perfect there is. I also rotate in the 1013 some and once I get the Trijicons relamped for my 4516, may tote it some also as well (since it fits the same holster as the 1013).

Rosewood

Got new factory grip installed. Fully cleaned gun inside and out. Not sure modifying a 5906 hogue will work. Would need some dremel work to narrow the grip on the back side and u would lose the back clip that catches the back of the frame to keep the grips tight against frame. Not sure how it will hold if missing that clip. If I can get my hands on a old hogue set, might give it a try, don't want to hack a new set..

It is really amazing the difference a cleaning and oiling makes a gun, especially blue, look.

Rosewood

Attached Images

20240330_205315.jpg (165.4 KB, 25 views)

This gun looks great! Thanks for the post I enjoyed seeing this weapon. I hope we will get a range report. Please show the targets, OK?

I think this gun all oiled up looks great. I remember 18DAI talked about the thinking behind the 3906. I find myself still missing him. He also used the 3913 and shot his 3906 very well but did not carry it much.

Kind Regards and Congrats Rosewood!
BrianD

__________________
696-6906-457-38-3913-CS40-411

I will likely strip the slide and either polish to match the current finish or bead blast then blue, not sure which I will like best yet. I have a 915 that really needs the finish redone, so will likely do them together.

The frame has shiny spots, going to try some aluminum black and see how that works.

I haven't shot for accuracy yet, only at steel for function. It was flawless, even before I cleaned it. Had rust on barrel and dirt in magazine..

Rosewood

Didn't group as good as I had hoped. This is 10 yds off a pistol rest. I shot the 915 and 3904. Pardon the terrible writing. I still don't get it. My 3913 groups better than then full-size 9mms.

Rosewood

Attached Images

	20240406_210300.jpg (69.7 KB, 19 views)
	20240406_210249.jpg (56.9 KB, 12 views)

It could be a case of the 3913 is a better fit for your hands. Also, you might just happen to have an exceptionally well made 3913.

__________________
VCDL, GOA, NRA

Off hand, I would agree with u, off pistol rest, I am blaming it on the gun or ammo. I am a dead shot off rest.