3913

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If all goes well I will purchase a 3913 from a private individual tomorrrow morning. I have wanted one of these for several years, and finally ran across this one at a decent price. Private f/f sale, so no sales tax or FFL fee.

I carried a Model 39-2 extensively back in the early 70s, and to this day I believe it was the most natural “pointing” handgun I ever owned. I carried it in a belt holster as a deputy, and would often just carry it without a holster, just in my waist band. I don’t really remember why I got rid of my two model 39s, but it probably had something to do with being broke.

Those of you with experience with both pistols, do you think the 3913 is comparable to the 1st gen pistol? I have never even handled one. Is it going to point as well as the 39? I have read some glowing accounts about what a great concealed carry pistol the 3913 is, and that’s what I’m getting it for. And it has a hammer! ;-))

Also, I need recommendations on a good carry load for the 9mm. It had been years since I had owned a 9 of any sort until I came into a couple thousand rounds of WWB 115 grain. Have added a Kel Tek Sub 2K and a cheap SCCY pistol, but I am totally unfamiliar with modern bullets of that caliber for self defense.

 

[Bladeswitcher]

I shoot the full-sized gun better than the 3913. I've owned a couple of 3913s over the years. With every one, I struggled with shooting low. Not as bad as the 3906 (I've owned two of those) which tended to drop shots worse for me. By comparison, I have a 39-2, a 439 and a 3904. Those I shoot reasonably well (for me, anyway).

I really like the size of the 3913. It's a great gun. But I have to really concentrate on my technique when shooting it.

 

[petepeterson]

It's a fantastic carry gun. I think you'll be pleased.
I had a 3913, and still have a 3914. For some reason, I had the best luck with 147 grain ammo. They were the closest to the point-of-aim.

 

[stansdds]

It's a fantastic carry gun. I think you'll be pleased.
I had a 3913, and still have a 3914. For some reason, I had the best luck with 147 grain ammo. They were the closest to the point-of-aim.

By the time the third gen pistols went into production, the 147 grain load had become the standard bullet weight for a great many law enforcement agencies.

 

[18DAI]

Congrats on the 3913. Maybe the best carry pistol in 9mm that they ever made. And they haven't made any as nice since.

Another vote for the 147 grain JHP here. Its all I use in my 39XX series guns. Very accurate. Shoots to point of aim. And I like the ballistics. Street use of RA9T, Speer Gold Dot and HST confirms it kills bugs dead. Even in sub 4 inch barrels.

Enjoy that fine nine! Regards 18DAI

 

[URIT]

The 3913 is a fine shooting and carry gun. I hope you enjoy yours as much as I've enjoyed my 3900 series handguns.

Personally, my EDC is a model 3953 because I like the DAO choice as a CCW. I guess my preference comes from carrying S&W revolvers as duty weapons for over 30 years.

I like the Federal HST 147gr but there are plenty of good options. Here is a site with ballistic test results on a variety of name brand 9mm ammo... https://www.luckygunner.com/labs/self-defense-ammo-ballistic-tests/

My choice of holster for my 3953 is a Don Hume H715-M WCS #28-1 inside the pant holster... H715-M WCS-INSIDE THE PANT HOLSTER [H715-M WCS] - $46.35 : Don Hume Leathergoods, Simply the Best!

 

[RedCardinal]

I just picked up this NIB NL. Lucky to get one with the hard chrome controls and the wide hood.

 

[18DAI]

I was wearing my early production 3913 today while giving a shooting lesson to a 13 YOA young lady.

She did very well shooting a G44 .22 pistol. Near the end of the session, while she was loading her mags, she asked what guns I liked and what I had in my holster. I put the 3913 on the bench and explained it to her. She loved how it felt in her hand. I asked if she was ready to try a more powerful pistol and she smiled real BIG and said "YES!"

With Dads permission, she loaded and made ready then put all 8 rounds on a 3 inch Shoot-N-Cee at the 1 yard line. And grinned REAL BIG. Nice job on her part. Bad news for Dad is she is now hooked. She already asked him for another lesson - with the 3913.

I'll bet he is out searching for one for her in the not too distant future. Regards 18DAI

 

[Jeppo]

I was wearing my early production 3913 today while giving a shooting lesson to a 13 YOA young lady.

She did very well shooting a G44 .22 pistol. Near the end of the session, while she was loading her mags, she asked what guns I liked and what I had in my holster. I put the 3913 on the bench and explained it to her. She loved how it felt in her hand. I asked if she was ready to try a more powerful pistol and she smiled real BIG and said "YES!"

With Dads permission, she loaded and made ready then put all 8 rounds on a 3 inch Shoot-N-Cee at the 1 yard line. And grinned REAL BIG. Nice job on her part. Bad news for Dad is she is now hooked. She already asked him for another lesson - with the 3913.

I'll bet he is out searching for one for her in the not too distant future. Regards 18DAI

An LS of course.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

The 3913, is not a full size handgun, is just plain all around nice.

 

[ACEd]

I shoot the full-sized gun better than the 3913. I've owned a couple of 3913s over the years. With every one, I struggled with shooting low. Not as bad as the 3906 (I've owned two of those) which tended to drop shots worse for me. By comparison, I have a 39-2, a 439 and a 3904. Those I shoot reasonably well (for me, anyway).

I really like the size of the 3913. It's a great gun. But I have to really concentrate on my technique when shooting it.

3906 and 3904 are same size and very nearly same as 39-2 / 439. etc - main difference is Aluminum frame on 3904 (lik
e 39-2 & 439) vs Stainless on 3906. All the compact 3913, 3914, 3953, 3954 were Aluminum frame like 39-2 but more compact. Surprised 3906 would shoot that much different from 3904.

 

[GerSan69]

I can't add much to what's already here, but anyway, I have managed to acquire a 3913 NL that I used as a uniform duty gun for several years, a "standard" 3913, a beautiful 3914DAO, and a 908. I think that these are the best all-around use guns in my safe. That NL made me look good on the quarterly qualification course for years. Natural pointing because of the (for me, at least) perfect grip angle and ease of carry - not too heavy, easy draw and re-holstering, etc. I also never felt "outgunned" because it "only" has an 8-round magazine. Like I said, it made me look good, but it also was (IMHO) the most reliable pistol I've ever owned.
By the way, my vote is for the 124 grain +P.

 

[PALADIN85020]

I have owned this 3913NL for years, and consider it the finest commercial 9mm gun designed for discreet carry that has ever been available. The only change I made to mine was to install tritium sights. It's totally reliable, easy to conceal, and feels good in the hand. I use only factory hollow points - currently Cor-Bon. Interestingly, the 3913's mag capacity is exactly the same as the 39's.

My only complaint with it is that it has a spurless hammer - very tricky to hand cock, and not recommended. In fairness, a spur hammer can be retrofitted.

S&W had a real winner here, but they decided to go plastic and striker-fired, neither of which I admire all that much.

John

 

[quikdraw67]

I'll be posting my range report of mine in a separate thread.