3rd Gen with red dot sight

[DMcBB]

This is actually my first post but I've had my 3913 LS for over thirty years (!). I recently acquired a second upper assembly with the idea of attaching a red dot optic (gotta love ebay sometimes). After contacting several companies, finally went with Wright Armory as they did my Springfield XD. Attached is the finished product with a Holosun HE507K-GR X2 and looking forward to running some rounds through it later this week.

Welcome to the forum! I followed the Guzzitaco method and mounted a 407k on my 4006TSW, and it looks like a bunch of other folks on the forum did the same.

But… you did something different! Yours appears to be a direct mount, which is a permanent change but is also a better way to mount since the optic sits lower. Can you tell us more about it? How did Wright Armory deal with the springs that are normally held captive under the rear sight? Is there a plate in place or does the bottom of the optic keep them in place? Does everything feel solid? Does the front sight cowitness with the tiny integrated rear sight on the Holosun?

Being able to direct mount a small red dot on these old 3rd gen pistols is a game changer. You gotta tell us more!

 

[rosewood]

Got it ordered. Thanks guys! I was using the wrong key words to search.

Wasn't sure what I was going to do with it, but I may put it on my 1006 as possible a woods gun. Guessing I will have to do some fitting, if I go that route, will see.

Rosewood

 

[Doc1500]

I added some pics to post number #12

 

[Green Frog]

Thanks for the tip, Transamconver. I just ordered it via “Buy It Now” and should get it here Tuesday. Franken-Smith is all excited?

 

[dmc3913]

A more detailed look at the build

This is actually my first post but I've had my 3913 LS for over thirty years (!). I recently acquired a second upper assembly with the idea of attaching a red dot optic (gotta love ebay sometimes). After contacting several companies, finally went with Wright Armory as they did my Springfield XD. Attached is the finished product with a Holosun HE507K-GR X2 and looking forward to running some rounds through it later this week.

First of all, while in Vegas I ran some rounds through the new set up to check how reliably it functioned, and accuracy. It was bore sighted at Wright Armory and hit quite well at 25 yards (I was there primarily sighing in a carbine). VERY happy with the results and balance.


I have been asked for more details on the build so here's a more thorough write up.
As mentioned before I sourced a complete barrel and slide assembly from ebay. In kinda rough shape but ran reliably after being cleaned and lubed which made it perfect for the planned build.
I went with Wright Armory after they did an excellent job on my Springfield XD. This appeared to be their first S&W 3913 (at least with the Holosun 507K).


The original plan was to use a MOS plate but they sent notice after trying 2 options, all plates were just too wide for the slide, especially with the way it tapers and curves giving the 3913LS its trademark shape. After that, direct mount became the only option. Or as they put in the work log report they send (OR you can see online in real time):
"We received 2 different plates and both are significantly wider than your slide width which will create (an) overhang on both sides of the slide under the optic and won't look awesome or make for functional carry with the pointed edges of the plate extending from the slide".


The next issue to be addressed was the determination there was insufficient room for a dovetail AND the RDS (at least for the Holosun). Thus they machined the lip from the end of the slide and Cerakoted it all (customer choice of colors). I went with H-151 (Stain Aluminum as it appeared to be the closest match to the original. You can't tell in the photos but the LadySmith logo on the right and the S&W info on the left of the slide are both still legible, just a little less so.

All in the tab was a little over $300 but I got a discount as this was probably their first 3913LS so I wasn't charged for the Cerakote and boresighting (or the plates that didn't fit). Would I do it again? Hell yeah!

BTW, despite how it may look in the photos, both slides are exactly the same dimensions - optical illusion at work.

 

[CALREB]

John Pride handed me a 3913 with a RMR (Optima brand I think) back in 1997-99 maybe earlier. Im sure it was one of his sponsors. He was using it for his EDC gun. John was always ahead of his time. Aristocrat Products made the mount. They still make them about 40.00. Fits right into the dovetail. Also have one to replace their PPC type sight if you want a dot on an old PPC 9 or other PPC Semi Auto. They also have one that is a rail.
This type of mount just sits a little higher than having the slide cut out.
Fast forward last year ( I had a post here) I decided to give it a try. Pictures of mount and Crimson trace sight. Works fine, the dot is a little small and not bright enough, but it was a cheap intro to try out.