3913 vs 3913 NL

[Road Rat]

I see different versions of the 3913. The LS and the NL have a taper from the trigger guard to the muzzle. The 3913 has more of a straight line in that area.

Any other differences? What does NL stand for?

Thanks

 

[kbm6893]

I see different versions of the 3913. The LS and the NL have a taper from the trigger guard to the muzzle. The 3913 has more of a straight line in that area.

Any other differences? What does NL stand for?

Thanks

NL stands for "Non-LadySmith". The 3913 was available in the LadySmith verson, with the tapered dustcover and the grey grips, and it had a big "LadySmith" logo on the slide. Lots of guys didn't want the fruity looking LadySmith logo so they came out with the NL model. Supposedly, the NL versions are tighter than the original, but I can't stand the look of the slanted dustcover and grey grips. I have aregular 3913.

 

[Road Rat]

Okay, thanks. I suspected that was the meaning of the NL. I'm looking at getting a regular 3913 and was curious about detail differences.

 

[kcode]

Standard 3913 and TSW's came with ambi-safety on the slides, where the LS and NL were single safety left side only.

 

[cpeblue]

I always thought NL stood for 'new look'

 

[PALADIN85020]

I had heard, and always believed, that the "NL" stood for "No Logo." Makes sense to me. I have one of 'em, and by any name, its a fine gun.

John

 

[WHS 5906]

NL = Non Lettered. It is a Non Lettered Lady Smith.

 

[Erich]

The 3913NL is a great and classy gun, regardless.

 

[586L-Frame]

Standard 3913 and TSW's came with ambi-safety on the slides, where the LS and NL were single safety left side only.

That's strange? My regular 3913 came with a single safety lever.
586L-Frame

DLC’s S&W 3913

x

 

[GaryS]

All of which also goes for the 3914 as well. I have a 3913 and a 3914NL. The 3914LS and NL were only made for a year or so, so they are pretty rare.

I suppose that means I have to get a 3914 and a 3913NL so I have the complete set. :)

 

[Road Rat]

Well, tonight I made a deal to buy a 3913. Now the wait begins while we go through the paperwork/shipping/etc., details!

Just what I need.......another gun!!!:rolleyes:

 

[Maximumbob54]

NL:

I wish they had made one with no safety lever at all on the slide.

 

[mbliss57]

I have heard all 3 answers for NL.
No logo, non lady smith and New Look.
I have never seen an official verification as to which is correct.
And the Standard Catalog of SW doesn't say what it means.

 

[XAVMECH]

which 3913/14?

I've got a 3913 NL, 3913 original recipe, and a couple of CS9s for compact 9mm carry. I like the classic looks of the original design - can't really get used to the dust cover on the NL. I removed the Ambi de-cocker on the reg 3913 and put in the single-sided version and a spurred hammer, as well. I haven't had the CS9s that long, but I'm liking them (one stainless, the other black). All in all, a great series of single stack pistols IMHO.
B

 

[mbliss57]

I sold a 3913 a couple of months ago because I bought a 3913NL and didn't think I needed both. I wish I had it back... The 3913NL is great and I wanted the left side only decocker. But the one I sold was a beauty and a great shooter. Just kind of miss her... I hate selling guns I later wish I had back. It happens most if the time I sell one:eek:
Mike

 

[kbm6893]

PM Fastbolt. He's the S&W expert. I can't imagine New Look being right. Just doesn;t sound right to me,

 

[Dave Nash]

I see different versions of the 3913. The LS and the NL have a taper from the trigger guard to the muzzle. The 3913 has more of a straight line in that area.

Any other differences? What does NL stand for?

Thanks

"Road Rat":

Regardless of how it “sounds” today, the “NL” stood for “New Look” back when this gun was introduced and yes, it was introduced to sell to a recognized segment of the market that for a variety of reasons did not want to be associated with a firearm that was part of what was originally envisioned as the Ladysmith “Program” of which, the 3913LS was a part.

The two guns, the “LS” and the “NL” were essentially the same except for the markings. The “New Look” moniker made sense because the gun did have a different and new-to-the-line “look” to it; in that it employed the angular (upswept) dust cover that even today, many people find quite attractive.

This is a “fixed” difference from the standard profile and something that can’t be done to an already-owned, conventionally-shaped 3913 with a horizontal dust cover.

However, as noted by several people in this and other threads about these guns on the Forum, the standard ambi-safety can be replaced with a single-sided version by a competent gunsmith. As the 3913’s make great carry guns where such things are legal, many right-handers, who believe that they have no need for a right-side (left hand) lever, have made this swap to make an already thin gun even thinner and perhaps more tuckable into the waistband or less projecting from the body when carried in a conventional beltline holster.

The silver-grey-colored grip can actually be swapped out by the owner if they are careful and follow the factory instructions for doing such things as they differ only in color from the black one-piece type that comes on the standard gun.

There was no “tighter” fitting involved in these guns, and always recognizing the caveat that production firearms are assembled pieces of machinery so there can always be really, really good ones and others that merely pass muster, this entire series (3913’s, 3913LS’s, 3913NL’s, 3914’s, 3953’s and 3954’s) is generally recognized as having produced very good shooters overall in terms of performance and accuracy.

Hope this clears up the matter.

 

[GaryS]

My daughter is left handed and loves shooting my 3914NL except for the left side only decocker. She hasn't shot my 3913 yet, but I think she'll like the ambi decocker. What would be really nice for her would be a right side only decocker or maybe even better would be a DAO 39xx gun. I've never seen one, but I wonder if that's possible to do.

 

[blujax01]

My daughter is left handed and loves shooting my 3914NL except for the left side only decocker. She hasn't shot my 3913 yet, but I think she'll like the ambi decocker. What would be really nice for her would be a right side only decocker or maybe even better would be a DAO 39xx gun. I've never seen one, but I wonder if that's possible to do.

The 3953 and 3954 are DAO and had no decocker/safety.
They were nicknamed "Slick-Side 9's" due to the thin profile.

Not extremely rare but it is unusual to find one.

 

[James&theGiant1911]

this brings to point also the TSWs, do not know if any of you all have one of them but the tolerances and takedown/ reassembly are very tight.

 

[Road Rat]

DANG, the seller missed the UPS man yesterday!!

Now I have to wait, and wait, and wait, until sometime next week........

I hate waiting:eek::eek::eek:

 

[GaryS]

The 3953 and 3954 are DAO and had no decocker/safety.
They were nicknamed "Slick-Side 9's" due to the thin profile.

Not extremely rare but it is unusual to find one.

I've seen a couple here and there on line, but never in person. I've been keeping my eyes open and if one comes up I'll try to buy it.

 

[acco40]

The reason I like the 3913 NL is because it is the same size as my 4040PD and it too has the slanted dust cover. So I can use the same holster for two pistols, one in 9 mm and one in .40 S&W.