3904 magazines?

[RicT]

I'm trying to get some extra mags for my new-to-me 3904. I've purchased MecGar mags for my model 59, and they are great; but I can see (from the MecGar website) that they don't make them for the 3904.

I see lots of ProMag brand for sale, but I've always read that they are junk...

What other brand is good?

rict

 

[BUFF]

Model 39 magazines work in your pistol, they don't have to be M-3904-specific.

I apologize if you already knew this and are just looking for a brand recommendation.

If you need to rely on your pistol to function reliably, stick with either S&W or Meg-Car mags.

 

[RicT]

Yup, I am looking for brand recommendations.

If MecGar made mags for the 3904 (or 39, 439, 539, 639, 909, 952, 3906, 3944, or 3946), I'd get some. Unfortunately, they don't.

All I've been able to find online so far are ProMag brand (bad rep) or S&W brand ($$$)...

 

[jsbethel]

Originally posted by BUFF:
Model 39 magazines work in your pistol, they don't have to be M-3904-specific.

This is not correct. A factory third generation single stack magazine will work in first and second generation pistols but not the other way around - the mag body is slightly longer. Earlier magazines will not lock into place in a 3904.

 

[RicT]

Originally posted by jsbethel:

Originally posted by BUFF:
Model 39 magazines work in your pistol, they don't have to be M-3904-specific.

This is not correct. A factory third generation single stack magazine will work in first and second generation pistols but not the other way around - the mag body is slightly longer. Earlier magazines will not lock into place in a 3904.

Hunh...that's weird. I've read several places (including here) that the 39, 439, 539, 639, 909, 952, 3906, 3944, or 3946 mags were all interchangable. But it kind of makes sense, too; I recently got a mag from someone who "thought" it "might be" from a 39, and it did NOT lock in my 3904; I just figured they had identified it incorrectly.

So, are there any other models that will fit the 3904, or do I need to buy that one specifically?

 

[thedr15]

Go to the S&W website. They have mags. for most any S&W gun. You will pay a little more but you are going to get a factory original mag.
I had a real hard time finding factory mags. for my 3913TSW. They have them. I recommend their web store.

 

[EvelMe]

SummitGunBroker.com has used S&W factory mags. Good prices, Mark is a good guy.

 

[586L-Frame]

KyImports shows S&W factory 3904 blue 8rd mags
used for sale at their site.

http://www.kyimports.com/accessor4.htm#Mags

586L-Frame

 

[jsbethel]

The current magazine that S&W sells is the 3904/3906/909 stainless magazine. As it has the longer body, it will work in the earlier pistols and is sold as such. Ky Imports also has used factory magazines.
Here is a picture to illustrate -

From left to right:
3913 mag - much too short. 639 mag - too short. Later 639 mag - correct longer mag body but stepped plastic baseplate will not allow it to lock in place. 3906 mag - I don't believe S&W has made blued 3904 mags in quite some time.

 

[586L-Frame]

The 3906 mags also come in 8rd & 9rd
as you can see in my photo with my 3906.

586L-Frame

DLC's S&W 3906 with Hogue Handall Finger Groove Slip-on Grips & mags.
[IMG:left]

[/IMG]

[IMG:left]

[/IMG]

x

 

[RicT]

Originally posted by jsbethel:
The current magazine that S&W sells is the 3904/3906/909 stainless magazine. As it has the longer body, it will work in the earlier pistols and is sold as such. Ky Imports also has used factory magazines.
Here is a picture to illustrate -

From left to right:
3913 mag - much too short. 639 mag - too short. Later 639 mag - correct longer mag body but stepped plastic baseplate will not allow it to lock in place. 3906 mag - I don't believe S&W has made blued 3904 mags in quite some time.

Thanks for the pic. I compared the two mags I have; the one that came with the gun & fits perfectly, and the other that the person thought was for a 39 & that won't lock up...

At first glance they looked like they were exactly the same size, but the good one has a plastic baseplate, and the bad one has a metal baseplate. I took off the baseplates to compare the body directly; the bad one is about 1/8" shorter than the good one. From your pic, I believe it may be a 639 mag.

From your info, I just ordered one from Ky Imports; we'll see how that works out.

It's interesting that the S&W website has info that shows that their "3904" mag fits all these guns (that caused some of my confusion):
https://www.smith-wesson.com/w...y_rn=33304&training=

 

[jsbethel]

The 3904 is a great pistol - you will enjoy it.

 

[RicT]

Yup, I originally bought it for my wife, who I'm GRADUALLY getting interested in shooting. (I first started her shooting centerfire with a S&W model 10 revolver and reduced recoil handloads, but the grip just isn't comfortable for her.)
I took the 3904 out in the woods last weekend, trying both commercial FMJ and my handloaded SP; it's a nice shooter. My wife hasn't shot it yet, but in dry firing it for "fit", she says it feels better.

 

[Jon96]

RicT there is a good chance your wife will like the 3904. Many of my friends are women and when they go with me to the range they always choose my 39-2, which is the predecessor of yours. I ask them why they like it and they unanimously say that it is most comfortable to shoot out of my semi-autos.

Have fun, stay safe.

 

[RicT]

Everybody's got some nice photos of some pretty guns here...
Well, my digital camera doesn't do too well, but here's that 3904 (not as pretty as the others here):

 

[jsbethel]

I originally purchased the 3904 for my girlfriend but after shooting it, I found her a nice 3913LS and took it back - it is currently one of my home defense pistols.

 

[RicT]

Well, no joy on the 3904 magazines.

I got the one from KY Imports...but it doesn't lock up in the gun either! It seems to be another 639 mag, at least from the pics jsbethel posted.

Now I'm "gunshy" about purchasing another "3904" magazine online, only to find that it doesn't fit the gun.

Anyone here have an actual (fits in the 3904) mag that they'd be willing to sell for a fair price?

rict

 

[jsbethel]

I might consider trading for the 639 mag depending on it's condition.

 

[RicT]

I might consider trading for the 639 mag depending on it's condition.

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