The 3953 is definitely worth a look. Robertson's Trading Post had some on Guns America - police trade-ins - and they are good values. I bought one that eventually went to one of my nieces.
This brings up a factor I consider a plus for all families with tykes. The 3rd gens have the magazine safety that prevents firing the gun without an inserted mag. The gun can be left on the mantel with a round chambered and no magazine. All magazines are kept under lock and key except for those worn by my niece and her husband. If an intruder appears, all that needs to be done to put the gun into action is to insert the mag. no racking the slide, just pull the trigger. All other guns in the home have trigger locks. My niece's sister so liked the idea she hornswoggled a 3913 LadySmith from her favorite Uncle Tom and she and her husband use the same system for their house gun.
As far as the MIM parts for the fire control, some have opined that they have smoother pulls than the flash chromed. I've shot extensively with both types and can't tell the difference, but that may just be me.
