3913 questions

[G-Mac]

I have a 3913 that I have owned for years. I have fired it at the range, but have never carried it. If I were to carry it more, what are some things that I should do to insure its reliability? Or, even to keep as a home defense gun in the nightstand. I bought it used, at a local gun shop, in excellent condition. As far as I know, all the parts are original, recoil spring, etc. Also, is it safe to say that a 3913 will reliably feed any bullet type? Thanks guys.

 

[StrawHat]

I carried a S&W Model 3913 for about a decade as a back up piece. It would feed hardball fine and one or two brands of hollow points, I forget which. It might have fed flat points but I never tried them.

But, each pistol is an entity unto itself. If you are going to trust your life to it, YOU had better test it with the ammunition you think is good. 500 rounds is a good indicator. If it does not like that ammunition, try something else.

Kevin

 

[VASCAR2]

I carried several S&W semi autos on and off duty. My 3913 NL was very reliable and would chamber spent brass cases. I carried issued W-W 115 grain +P+ ammo and shot a lot of reloads and factory ammo. My 3913 NL was just as reliable as any 3rd generation 9 mm S&W I was around. I used Breakfree CLP on the slide/frame/ and a drop on the barrel tube. Being I carried my semi autos for defense I kept them clean and lubed.

I used a leather summer special inside the waste band or a Don Hume belt slide to carry my 3913 NL (no logo ladysmith). I wish I still had mine but I traded it when my agency switched from S&W semi autos in 2000.

 

[Ameshawki]

Keep it clean and well lubed. Find ammo it likes. Good magazines. Run it. Nothing magic about third gen Smiths.

 

[Brian Parrish]

I have the light gray ladysmith grips on mine which helps concealing when I am wearing a white cotton shirt untucked. A black gun in a black AIWB holster shows through in some light. Maybe. I think. Mebbe not.
What makes you think of carrying it now?
I like this gun for appendix carry.
Thin, or flat rather.
Slide mounted safety is safer.
Mine hits low using 115 grain bullets.
147 gr is POI but you must cover the target with the front sight.
Kind and Best to you!
BrianD

 

[jframesj]

If you're going to carry it with the safety on, be sure to practice disengaging the safety as you draw and aim.

When you practice, put some snap caps in the magazine so that you can practice malfunction clearing. On some guns with slide mounted safeties, it's possible to accidentally apply the safety when you pull the slide back under stress. So watch out for that and try to always be aware of the position of the safety.

Since you bought the gun used, check to make sure that the magazine safety and firing pin safety are still functional. Since it's a used gun, you may want to replace the recoil spring if your spring is worn out.

At the range, practice shooting 2 shots, decocking, then 2 more shots, decocking, etc. so that you can get used to the DA to SA transition.

You would have to test fire it with whatever rounds you intend to carry, since each gun may have specific preferences.

 

[VASCAR2]

For someone carrying a S&W with magazine disconnect the pistol can still fire with the magazine removed. If you have pressure on the trigger and hit the magazine release the pistol can still fire the chambered round.

If you release pressure on the trigger after the magazine release has been pushed the trigger is then deactivated. We were taught this in weapons retention. If the pistol is cocked with magazine removed but a round in the chamber the pistol can still fire in the earlier models without the firing pin block. A Friend bumped his model 39 with it cocked, round in the chamber, magazine out of the well and it fired. The pistol was inspected afterwards and was deemed in spec with no bad or ill fitting parts.

Just FYI

 

[Rock185]

I've had a 3913 for years. I carried it as a second weapon at work, and as a CCW after retirement. Mine feeds any and all the factory ammo I've used. I just clean and lube now and then. A few years ago; had a malfunction and discovered the the factory magazine springs were pretty weak compared with a new springs. New mag springs installed; never a malfunction since, still carry the old gun...

 

[Ethang]

It's likely still on the original springs...not having been shot much they are likely just fine, but replacing them would not hurt..then just shoot it.. I still prefer to carry mine over the Shield Plus. My 3913 has never malfunctioned with any ammo, duty rounds, practice rounds, and home-brewed reloads.

 

[StephenWhoDat]

Also, is it safe to say that a 3913 will reliably feed any bullet type? Thanks guys.

I've never met a 3rd Gen that doesn't eat whatever ammo I feed it. And I have about 30 or so of them.

 

[stansdds]

I would give it a new recoil spring, clean it, lube it, shoot it. 100 to 200 rounds is plenty to figure out if it's a reliable pistol, be sure to run about 50 rounds of your desired carry ammo through it too.

 

[BLUEDOT37]

As far as I know, all the parts are original, recoil spring, etc. Also, is it safe to say that a 3913 will reliably feed any bullet type?

.
As already mentioned, 3rd Gens are noted for being good ammo feeders.

I'd be surprised if it did not feed empty cases from the magazine. Every one I tried it on it feed fine.

Change out all of the consumable springs: recoil, firing pin & magazine springs after cleaning & lubing.

Then put a lot of your SD carry ammo thru it at the range to insure confidence in it before carrying.

.



.

 

[ACEd]

Clean, replace recoil spring and magazine springs with new factory springs (available multiple sources - Midway, etc).

Mine seem to prefer the 124gr or 147gr with better accuracy over the 115gr. Different guns, different preferences - I have a 5946 that likes 115gr - may depend on whether an armorer might have tweaked the sights. But try some of weight you intend to carry and see what you prefer (name brand but not necessarily defense ammo OK for this). Run several boxes once you narrow weight down. Use multiple magazines if you have them.

Personally I would stay away from +P with Aluminum frames - I have a cracked frame 4044 that looked pristine outside, but was cracked at cutout for slide lock - hard to see unless you field stripped and examined with a lighted lens - most likely from previous owner's abuse = hot ammo with weak recoil spring.

When you narrow down to gr, get some of the more expensive defense ammo (hollow point, etc) if you plan to use that and run a box thru to verify performance. Then clean and its ready for use.