3913 Shooting Low

[mwbgtb]

Took my new to me 3913 to the range with several other handguns this past weekend. I was using AE 115 FMJ this time and all of the shots ( about 50) were hitting 4" low at 8:00. I used the same ammo in my Rohrbaugh R-9 and they hit right on.
I know that I have read on our forum that some 3913's were hitting the targets low, but I couldn't find the old posts. Is this a problem with the 3913's? It took me some time to find a nice 3913 locally to go with my Shorty 45 and I was really disappointed with it. I was only going to use the 3913 to add to my small collection and shoot it at the range several times a year, but if is the gun, I may trade it off.
Any thoughts on the 3913?

 

[SEIndSAM]

It may be BS, but I have always heard that many of the older 9mm were designed to shoot 124gr ammo. I shoot 124 grain through my 3914 and it hits POI. Try it. I use Winchester Ranger. Believe it or not, but in some handguns heavier bullets will hit POI and lighter bullets will shoot low.

 

[Texas1941]

I have several 39XX pistols, made from '89 to '98, and there is considerable variation in the front sight height. Why, I don't know.

They all shoot low with 115 gr ball. Some shoot to POA with 124 gr bullets, and one (a 3954) shoots to POA with 147 gr bullets only. I have always assumed that they were regulated for the heavier bullets, but I've never seen anything in print that states that.

Many of these guns were made when the 147 gr bullet was considered "King". Perhaps that has something to do with it?

 

[MichiganScott]

Both my 3913's shoot POA with 115gr. bullets, but I'd try different weights/velocities to see if the OP's pistol will shift POA. I keep a variety of ammunition on hand to try in new pistols. Weights vary from 115gr to 147gr, both +P and standard. I haven't seen a 9mm yet that won't at least come close.

 

[Shooting Padre]

Yup. Mine shot low until I went to 124 GR ammo. Great gun, the 3913.

 

[10 X]

Two easy solutions. 1) file the front sight down until you get the point of impact where you want it or 2) S&W offers a couple of sight heights. Get a shorter one. The cost is modest something like $10 or $12

I've used the file method on a couple of 3rd generation S&Ws. It works very well.

 

[growr]

use 147 grain bullets.....heavier bullets impact higher. Or you can file down your front sight. I prefer to change ammo however.

Randy

 

[Denver Dick]

Okay, don't take this wrong way, but don't be too quick to blame the pistol. I've owned four 3913s (1992, 1992, 1996 and 1999) and still have three of them (sold one of the '92s). Each one shot great. However, they are small and the triggers are not the best, i.e., they take some getting use to. I've owned twenty-five 3rd Gens (still own 19 of them) and all have pretty much shot POA/POI (give or take 1" high or low depending on the ammo). However, the small framed pistols took some getting use to, e.g., 3913, 4516-1, 4516-2, 4013 and 4014.

Nonetheless, you might want to shoot some 124 gr. ammo, it can raise the POI by 1/2 to 1". Below you will see an "after action report" on my 1992 3913. I can assure you that this target was shot after I got use to the size and trigger of the pistol.

FWIW

 

[mbliss57]

We took our new 3913NL to the range last week. My wife was shooting all over the place at 1st. She is a good shooter. I was right on in grouping but 1-2" low and right. I told her we need to get used to it. It is a CCW and smaller than our full size pistols. Bottom line by the end of the session we were both hitting POA. ( I know there are front sight height issues) but in this particular case it was just a matter of getting used to the weapon.

Mike

 

[Reggie Dunlop]

4040PD here, same frame size as 3913, shoots dead on....but low with any of the practice type ammo, 165 or 180 grain. Switch to Federal, Hornady, or Remington self defense ammo (read expensive) and it shoots absolutely to POA. Distance is 25'.

 

[Osmosis]

I noticed the same thing when I took my "new to me" 3913 on its first range trip this week. I was covering the X with my front sight and POI was about 2" low at 8 yrds. I was shooting a mix of 115gr Federal and WWB. I was happy with my groups but I was consistantly 2 to 2-1/2 low and I put about 15 mags through it.

Just for comparrison I was also shooting my old standby Sig P239 with the same ammo at the same distance and was blowing the X out of the target. But I have been shooting that for quite a while.

I am going to switch up with some different ammo next time and see what happens. I love this little gun and am not going to give up on it.

 

[JamesArthur60]

As of last week, at the range, my 3913 was matching your stats. Using 115 grain WWB and CCI Blazer Aluminum, she was hitting 2" low left at about 8 o'clock. I haven't tried it, but maybe those members stating 124 grain or up might actually be better for close center POI. My 3913 is a HD handgun. So if needed for up close and personal defensive shooting, I'm sure the accuracy will be fine.

 

[rbert0005]

Once again was the shooting done from a decent rest?

If not, how can you assume the gun is the issue?

Bob

 

[mwbgtb]

I got home from work and the correct ammo that I was using was the AE 124 FMJ, not the 115 FMJ. Sorry about that.
I was shooting about 7/8 yards away and I used the same ammo in my little R-9 and it shoot great. I also shot my Shorty 45 that day and the AE 230 FMJ ammo works great with it.
I will try the 147 FMJ ammo before I give up on this sweet little gun.
Thanks for all of the posts on this, I appreciate it very much.

 

[eshap2]

Took my new to me 3913 to the range with several other handguns this past weekend. I was using AE 115 FMJ this time and all of the shots ( about 50) were hitting 4" low at 8:00. I used the same ammo in my Rohrbaugh R-9 and they hit right on.
I know that I have read on our forum that some 3913's were hitting the targets low, but I couldn't find the old posts. Is this a problem with the 3913's? It took me some time to find a nice 3913 locally to go with my Shorty 45 and I was really disappointed with it. I was only going to use the 3913 to add to my small collection and shoot it at the range several times a year, but if is the gun, I may trade it off.
Any thoughts on the 3913?

WHEN I FIRST GOT MY 3913 IT ALSO SHOT LOW. I USED A BORE SIGHT AND WENT TO 124 GRAIN, HITS RIGHT ON NOW.