3913TSW Questions, Value, Desireability

[antilamr]

I'm looking at a 3913TSW for sale and the owner thinks he's holding the holly grail. I searched S&W forums and wasn't able to find much in the way of a dedicated 3913 thread. Hopefully those of you who are much more experienced than I in S&W semi autos will chime in. I haven't came across many of these over the years and was wondering if they're worth paying 50% more for than a regular 3913?
Also, besides having a billboard on the side and a rail on the bottom, what's the actual difference between this and the stock 3913?
I have a 3913 already and really like the way it feels & shoots so having the TSW would only serve as a safe gun. Anyone out there with a TSW that could chime in?

 

[ACORN]

All I can add is I have a no rail logo’d 3913TSW.
I bought it a few years ago in excellent condition with the box and 4 spare mags for $500 IIRC.
I believe the railed models are viewed as less desireable.
The rails look scabbed on.

 

[Brian Parrish]

Greetings!
I am so happy with my 3913NL.

The differences that I know about will be obvious upon inspection.
such as the addition of the accessory rail which you see.
Several MIM parts are used on the 3913TSW such as the trigger, hammer, safety lever, and the added rail is also MIM.

According to Genitron, the regular 3913 ceased shortly after the production of the 3913TSW began in 1998. I remember those days very well. It was a time of "tactical" everything. The stupidest I saw then was the marketing of "tactical underpants!" I never saw any "tactical" toilet paper though. God knows that S.W.A.T. teams cannot use the same products that normal people use.

I hope that Fastbolt and other experts will step in to talk about the internals. You can rest assured that the MIM parts function flawlessly in that gun. I cannot grasp putting a light on a deep concealment masterpiece like this one, but I do understand about fighting with a laser so if you like those then this is the one you want.

Here is a link to a wonderful thread started by Paladin85020:
The S&W Model 3913 series pistols...

Here I quote the Paladin:
"A “tactical” version, the Model 3913TSW, was produced beginning in 2000. This had black hardware on the slide and frame and had “Tactical” inscribed on the left side of the slide. The original model had a shorter frame and used a 7-round magazine. Later ones used the standard 3913 8-round frame and magazine. These featured a black accessory rail fastened to the forward part of the frame. The upper rear of the barrel hood had a notch in it to serve as a visible loaded chamber indicator. The frame and slide had oversized frame rails that were machined as a matched set. Matching assembly numbers were inscribed on each of these two parts. All TSW pistols, including the double action-only pistols described later in this article, have a modified barrel cam delayed-unlocking system developed by the S&W Performance Center. It provides arguably less felt recoil."

 

[bobsguns]

I'm not tapped-in to the Smith semi market like I am revolvers. So let me get that out there first.

But there's no demand for the TSW models. A quick search on Gun Broker will show you sold prices, bids, etc. If you want to yank his chain, print them off & show them to him.

Perhaps a hardcore collector might want one badly, but I'd say he'd want one unfired, in the box.

Just smile & nod your head when he tells you his story.

ETA: this one sold for $839, used & fired. Not worth the price, but who am I to say? Just a moment...

My .o2

 

[4T5GUY]

But there's no demand for the TSW models.

Well I’m not at all supportive of that statement.

I prefer the pre-railed and non-railed “railed” examples. (I’m not referring to removed rails leaving rivet holes or plugs.)

You didn’t mention what the seller was asking but assume $750.00 or more.

The latter “railed” TSW’s also have matched frames and slides that stayed together throughout the build process, (not unlike the PC’s,) and that makes a difference.

Jim

 

[S-W4EVER]

I’ve got one, nice pistol but mags are expensive (& used) if you can find them. (I will never understand why gun companies don’t order a batch of mags for older pistols periodically, the same problem exists for the Beretta 92FS Type M.)

 

[bobsguns]

But there's no demand for the TSW models.

Well I’m not at all supportive of that statement.

[shrugs]

You're certainly entitled to your opinion; however wrong it may be............

There was only one listed in the GB closed auctions, it was the one I quoted. The hard-core Smith 3rd Gen collectors might be hot & heavy on them but no one else seems to be, IMO.

Lots better guns out there than the TSW for about the same $$$, IMO. To each his own.

 

[GaryS]

The S&W 3rd Gen semi autos are not only desirable, they are still survicable and utterly reliable.

Antilamr, I don't know what you think a Holy Grail price is, but I'd guess that a ANIB 3913TSW as in your picture is worth around $650.00-700.00

That gun is a later 3913TSW with eight round magazine, matched slide and frame as noted, and accessory rail. The earlier version used a different magazine, had thicker, but not match frame rails, no rail. They were made for only two years before being supplanted by the later railed version.

The railed versions were more common and several police departments issued them.

If tha'ts on the CA roster, you are likely to have to pay a premium if you want it. You will not get a 3913TSW in that condition for short money. If you pass on it, he'll find another buyer fairly fast.

 

[4T5GUY]

If that's on the CA roster, you are likely to have to pay a premium if you want it.

Great point Gary, (well one of several.) I keep forgetting about the Cali “Roster.”

Jim

 

[4T5GUY]

But there's no demand for the TSW models.


[shrugs]

You're certainly entitled to your opinion; however wrong it may be............

There was only one listed in the GB closed auctions.

Many of the TSW’s, regardless of run or caliber are just not turned over/let go/available do to the appreciation in the intrinsic accuracy and quality of build. They just don’t show up very often. There are other measures and sources other than GB but it’s the easiest.

That said, a very quick search of sold TSW’s on GB revealed this 4513TSW. Granted it’s not really the same comparing 9mm TSW’s to 45 TSW’s but it’s still relevant for this discussion.

Obviously it was definitely not a normal/realistic sold price, in fact WAY over but it would appear even though there are many “superior” choices out there, the TSW series are somewhat still popular.

“Tennessee, Tennessee ain’t no place I’d rather be,” ‘specially if I was looking for a S&W TSW.

Jim

 

[Jeppo]

I guess “desirable” is subjective. I drove nearly 4 hours roundtrip to buy my non-rail example.

 

[GaryS]

Someone REALLY wanted that gun. You're right, people tend to hold on to their TSWs or like me regret one that they sold.

Many of the TSW’s, regardless of run or caliber are just not turned over/let go/available do to the appreciation in the intrinsic accuracy and quality of build. They just don’t show up very often. There are other measures and sources other than GB but it’s the easiest.

That said, a very quick search of sold TSW’s on GB revealed this 4513TSW. Granted it’s not really the same comparing 9mm TSW’s to 45 TSW’s but it’s still relevant for this discussion.

Obviously it was definitely not a normal/realistic sold price, in fact WAY over but it would appear even though there are many “superior” choices out there, the TSW series are somewhat still popular.

“Tennessee, Tennessee ain’t no place I’d rather be,” ‘specially if I was looking for a S&W TSW.

Jim

 

[URIT]

That 3913TSW looks well used. I'd pass on it if the owner demanded a 50% premium over the 3913 price point.

 

[mauser9]

Always like this model. Almost bought one but went with a Chief Special 9mm back in 99. The boxed sight appealed to me and got to fire one at the S&W range in W. Springfield way back.

 

[GaryS]

Back when the range and store were open to the public.

Always like this model. Almost bought one but went with a Chief Special 9mm back in 99. The boxed sight appealed to me and got to fire one at the S&W range in W. Springfield way back.

 

[ACEd]

As pointed out earlier, there were 2 principal variants of the 3913TSW. The earlier 7 round variation with the modified grip actually came out in 1997 and was produced at least thru 1999.

The later 8rd version was produced in larger quantities from 1999 (TDT81xx) thru at least 2007 (BDX69xx), possibly 2009 (UBZ94xx), mostly, but not exclusively with Rails and Loaded Chamber Indicator Ports.

The very late ones were no doubt produced in low quantities to specified configurations on specific PD or other contracts. I have seen ones with "Decock Only" safetys and I have seen 1 with what appeared to be a factory Melonite finish.

The sister 3953TSW followed a similar path first in a 7rd version and then in an 8rd version produced thru at least 2013 (UCV prefix) in Houlton, ME (possibly as late as November 2015).

Obviously the TSWs are more scarce than the conventional 3913/3953 pistols. They are more precisely made with a heavier duty slide and other unique internals.

As such they should command a premium, but I doubt 50%. Maybe $100-150 in identical condition.

The 3913 family seems to be one if the most popular 9mm 3rd generation pistols due to its size and handling characteristics. They are robust in design and parts are mostly still available but rarely needed except for recoil and magazine springs.

Magazines are getting hard to find below $50, but easier than 1076 mags at $100-200. But if you already have a 3913, you know about parts and magazines (which interchange with the 8rd TSWs)

The box and extra mags will increase value and LNIB would be a significant price bump for either a 3913 or a 3913TSW, but only if you are planning on a safe queen. Once you carry it or fire it significantly, the newness value is gone.

I would think $750 range would not be unreasonable, possibly low for a 3913TSW LNIB. Above $800 might be a stretch unless you can dodge tax and FFL charges. But then a garden variety 3913 LNIB could be $650 range compared to a well used 3913 today at $500 +/-.

But again, if you intend to carry / shoot it a lot, better to look for a good used 3913TSW - they are out there if you are patient.

 

[antilamr]

The S&W 3rd Gen semi autos are not only desirable, they are still survicable and utterly reliable.

Antilamr, I don't know what you think a Holy Grail price is, but I'd guess that a ANIB 3913TSW as in your picture is worth around $650.00-700.00

That gun is a later 3913TSW with eight round magazine, matched slide and frame as noted, and accessory rail. The earlier version used a different magazine, had thicker, but not match frame rails, no rail. They were made for only two years before being supplanted by the later railed version.


The railed versions were more common and several police departments issued them.

If tha'ts on the CA roster, you are likely to have to pay a premium if you want it. You will not get a 3913TSW in that condition for short money. If you pass on it, he'll find another buyer fairly fast.

The seller wants $900 and it has a few handling marks (see pic), on the beaver tail and some on rail. Even though I'm in CA I just passed up as LNIB 3913 with all factory goodies for $650. I'm now having serious regrets on that one. Hind site is 20-20!

 

[Jeppo]

There’s a pre-rail 3913TSW with 5 magazines for $500 down in my part of the country. If I needed another one, it would no longer be for sale.

 

[GaryS]

Even for CA, that seems to be well over market value.

The seller wants $900 and it has a few handling marks (see pic), on the beaver tail and some on rail. Even though I'm in CA I just passed up as LNIB 3913 with all factory goodies for $650. I'm now having serious regrets on that one. Hind site is 20-20!

 

[GaryS]

If you had enough magazines and wanted another one for some reason, you could recoup a lot of your purchase price by selling the magazines.

As I'm sure you know, those are much harder to find than the eight round magazines. Especially as they are the same as the CS9 magazines.

There’s a pre-rail 3913TSW with 5 magazines for $500 down in my part of the country. If I needed another one, it would no longer be for sale.