1000 reason why the S&W 3914 is the best auto

f8 crusader

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Well, I will list just a few reason why, I think the 3914 is the best 9mm auto there is, first of all, I am a large bore shooter and consider the 9mm as an OK caliber, as a result of that, I sold the few 9's that I had with the exception of one, my smith 3914, it was love at first sight when I held the pistol at a local gun show and I purchased it, the price was right too.
That was a few years back and I am here to tell you that this little pistol has digested just about every bullet configuration from the 115 FMJ to the 147 gr hydra shock without a single hick up, non, zip, nada.
The pistol is so flat that it's a great choice to carry concealed during the summer, I am from the old school and I believe that a pistol should fire without a malfunction for a minimum of 500 shots using the type of ammo you intend to carry, (The late geat pistolero Maj George Nonte was a firm believer of this test) not too many pistols can do this (and who can afford to blast away with premium quality ammo these days?) but my 3914 has passed this test numerous times. (I use 147gr hydra shock ammo, I own quite a few boxes of it..:D)
What surprises me is that you don't see any 3914's on the used market, non at the guns shows here in VA, if I were to find a used one I would buy it on the spot.
I own about a dozen pistols but my little smith 3914 will never be equaled when it comes to concealment and most important of all, reliability, this is what is all about in a pistol.

3914.jpg
 
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I'm sure they are great guns, personally it's a bit small for my liking, the grip is too thin, and I don't like the trigger pull of the 3rd gens. I have never owned and will never own a 9mm but if I did it would probably be some sort of 1911 or possibly an M&P.
 
I agree with f8 on the 3913/3914 series pistols. I'd owned quite a few single stack S&W 9MMs since about the mid '60s, but my first exposure to these little guns was a friend's 3914 a few years ago. It was totally reliable with everything we tried, and seemed too accurate at 25 yards for such a little gun. I found a NIB 3913 a couple years ago and bought it. Like my pal's 3914, it has been totally reliable with everything I've shot through it, different type hollow points, different weights,+P, +P+, NATO ball, etc,etc. My 3913 replaced a SIG P239 that was Not reliable with some ammo.

BTW f8, I used to live upwind of a smaller airport and saw f8 Crusaders flying over my house regularly. One of the operations at the airport apparently had goverenment contracts to do military equipment testing using the f8, f-104s and B-66s.
 
I agree with f8 on the 3913/3914 series pistols. I'd owned quite a few single stack S&W 9MMs since about the mid '60s, but my first exposure to these little guns was a friend's 3914 a few years ago. It was totally reliable with everything we tried, and seemed too accurate at 25 yards for such a little gun. I found a NIB 3913 a couple years ago and bought it. Like my pal's 3914, it has been totally reliable with everything I've shot through it, different type hollow points, different weights,+P, +P+, NATO ball, etc,etc. My 3913 replaced a SIG P239 that was Not reliable with some ammo.

BTW f8, I used to live upwind of a smaller airport and saw f8 Crusaders flying over my house regularly. One of the operations at the airport apparently had goverenment contracts to do military equipment testing using the f8, f-104s and B-66s.

I was stationed in Yuma years ago and we used to get Crusaders from a marine reserve squadron from Dallas, it was love at first sight (like my 3914:D) the last of the gunfighters.
 
Regarding "thin" grips on single-stack 3900 pistols: Hogue grips will help those with large hands. Both my 3913 and 3914 wear these. Hard to beat these pistols for concealed carry.

Jerry
 
Well said. The 3914/3913 is as good as it gets in a single stack, concealeable 9mm.

As I'm sure you are aware, George Nonte was also involved with the 3914's great grandfather, the ASP pistol. Regards 18DAI.

No, I didn't know that fact, I good friend of mine that flew navy panther's during the Korean war and later claims that flew for air america, showed me one, his own personal ASP, a very interesting weapon.
 
Well, I will list just a few reason why, I think the 3914 is the best 9mm auto there is, first of all, I am a large bore shooter and consider the 9mm as an OK caliber, as a result of that, I sold the few 9's that I had with the exception of one, my smith 3914, it was love at first sight when I held the pistol at a local gun show and I purchased it, the price was right too.
That was a few years back and I am here to tell you that this little pistol has digested just about every bullet configuration from the 115 FMJ to the 147 gr hydra shock without a single hick up, non, zip, nada.
The pistol is so flat that it's a great choice to carry concealed during the summer, I am from the old school and I believe that a pistol should fire without a malfunction for a minimum of 500 shots using the type of ammo you intend to carry, (The late geat pistolero Maj George Nonte was a firm believer of this test) not too many pistols can do this (and who can afford to blast away with premium quality ammo these days?) but my 3914 has passed this test numerous times. (I use 147gr hydra shock ammo, I own quite a few boxes of it..:D)
What surprises me is that you don't see any 3914's on the used market, non at the guns shows here in VA, if I were to find a used one I would buy it on the spot.
I own about a dozen pistols but my little smith 3914 will never be equaled when it comes to concealment and most important of all, reliability, this is what is all about in a pistol.

3914.jpg


You are not even close!

Everybody knows that the BEST hand gun of ALL TIMES is the Smith and Wesson 3913.

If you ever decide to part with your 3914 NL, I will pay you a couple of hundred dollars to relieve your pain.
 
999 Reasons

I purchased my then new 3914 from the LAPD department store, back in the early 90's, as I recall. The price was right, it felt good, so I purchased it along with an also new 625 3" Model of 1989. I have never been a 9mm fan, so I expected to use it rarely. I discovered that it was so reliable, accurate to point of aim, and easy to carry, it became my primary care piece and there is rarely a day that goes by it isn't with me. I believe reliability is formost in any gun you carry, and if it shoots well, and you shoot it well, caliber is not of primary concern. It is an amazing gun to shoot, and will undoubtedly remain my primary CCW gun indefinately.

Having purchased the gun in roughly 1993 (?), I have carried it considerable more than 1000 days so I have approximately 5500 plus reasons to believe the 3914 is the best CCW auto!
 
It's OK, but I like my sexy little 3913 better.:p Actually, I liked my 3913 so much I tracked down a 4040PD. The 4040PD is one sho-nuff sweet little blaster. Unfortunately, both of them have been "safed" in favor of less sexy but higher capacity carry pieces for me.:rolleyes: My current compainon is a XDsc .40.:o:o
 
f8 Crusader - I think I would have to agree with you, but it would be regarding my 469! It's 20 something now and has also never malfunctioned. Ever. It also meets all the parameters you stated about your 3914 (for me at least). By the way I used to work with F8s back in the late 60s and thought they were just about the best thing in the sky - - next to the A4s I also worked with - - HaHa. Happy shooting my friend!
You just can't beat a S&W.
 
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It's OK, but I like my sexy little 3913 better.:p Actually, I liked my 3913 so much I tracked down a 4040PD. The 4040PD is one sho-nuff sweet little blaster. Unfortunately, both of them have been "safed" in favor of less sexy but higher capacity carry pieces for me.:rolleyes: My current compainon is a XDsc .40.:o:o

Yeah. Me too.......I bought a very new, maybe the first or earliest 4040, from a dealer in So Cal that was very close to Davidson's. Big deal, but regardless, I purchased a NIB 4040, which I still have......... because of the positive experience I had and still have with the 3914. Same frame, same single stack (yeah sub-caliber), and a great shooter. The 4040 remains new, but the 3914.... or 3913 (just a finish difference)....continues to be my favorite because of it's reliablity and accuracy. As for storing them because of magazine capacity? May I suggest you re-evaluate you priorities!
 
I have to agree with the OP. 3914 is at the top for me also. I own a 3913 and a 3914. Both digest anything I feed them. Never an issue. My 3914 shoots a tiny bit better than the 13. It has a lighter smoother trigger. Both wear Hogue grips.
JMHO,
Tom
 
I have both a 3913 and a 3913 TSW and love them both. Great summertime carry guns, now we will see how much I really like my Kimber's come winter. I may still be toting the 3913's come January.
 
As for storing them because of magazine capacity? May I suggest you re-evaluate you priorities!

It is a sickness tis true but I am continually re-evaluating my carry piece priorities. Sad to say (at least on the S&W board) that I have been considering carrying my Speed Six!:eek: Although, last night on my usual after-dark dog-walking expedition I was actually contemplating gearing up to tote the 645.:D
 
I agree, the 3914 is tops in my book and it's one of the few autos I own and use. I've got nothing against the 3913 but I just like the blued finish better - way better. My 3914 wears the Hogue grips and night sights and is a regular carry item.

One other plus is that my 337-3 (J frame 3" w/adj sights) also fits the same holster as my 3914 and it comes in at around 12 oz so sometimes it gets the nod. Not as many shots but what the heck?

Ward
 
3914 fan

I also am a fan, I bought mine from Skeezix, still have it, no longer have any 3913, the 3914 shot tighter groups, very reliable. I love my 3906 with Birdsong Black Tee finish, and it probably looks better, but to my hand, it doesn't shoot quite as well, nor does my 5906. I would probably sell my 952 before I sold the 3914.
I am also a fan of F-8 Crusaders, I was an ordnanceman with a VMF unit for a while in the '60s, much cleaner to work on than the old Sea Furies. They had to cycle that adjustable wing occasionally while taxi-ing around, with the pilot buttoned up, looked like some kind of primordial shark. My hearing is a bit impaired from too much time in the arming area, where they would take off from.
 
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