I understood the 908 and other 9xx series pistols were an economy version of the 3914 et al. Can someone please tell me what the differences are between the 908 and the 3914 (3913) that make it the economy version.
908 vs 3914 (3913)
- Thread starter ACEd
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Level of machining on the slide, plastic magazine release button, plastic sights, quality of the finish, the plunger on the recoil guide rod is plastic, not metal. I think the dovetail of the sights was changed so that they didn't have to pay royalties.
There are probably others, but those are the ones I can think of off the top of my head.
All of those were instituted to decrease the cost of production in order to compete with Glock.
There are probably others, but those are the ones I can think of off the top of my head.
All of those were instituted to decrease the cost of production in order to compete with Glock.
JohnHL
Member
Most important (to me) is the lack of a barrel locking lug in front of the chamber.
John
John
When I had a 908 I was astonished when I first took it down to clean it that it had a plastic DISCONNECTOR! That seems beyond cheesy to me and a safety hazard if you shot the pistol a bunch. I think the 3913 series had a metal one. Somebody on here will know better then me.
JohnHL
Member
S&W went to plastic disconnectors for ALL of the 3rd gen pistols.
The factory considered it an improvement and the only problems were from "ham-handed" disassembly/assembly.
John
The factory considered it an improvement and the only problems were from "ham-handed" disassembly/assembly.
John
All that being said. Mine is incredibly accurate, feels good in the hand and is enjoyable to shoot.
But...harder to find a well fitting holster and night sights are harder to come by (have to by the pricey trijicons).
Rosewood
But...harder to find a well fitting holster and night sights are harder to come by (have to by the pricey trijicons).
Rosewood
I too noticed this. Is it really a problem? Is the locking lug needed/beneficial?
Rosewood
Jeppo
Member
Isn't another difference the plastic recoil guide rod?
Regardless of the differences, I believe the 908 is a fine gun. I've owned two, still own one and would be a buyer again at the right price.
Regardless of the differences, I believe the 908 is a fine gun. I've owned two, still own one and would be a buyer again at the right price.
JohnHL
Member
I guess S&W didn't think it was a problem for the "value line" pistols but retained it for all of the "full price" pistols.
John
I forgot about that on the 9mm Value Line guns. At least the compact and subcompact ones.
sirius
Member
Only the "Value Series" third gens (908, 909, 910, 915, 410, 411, 457, CS series) had plastic disconnectors, the standard 4-digit models had metal disconnectors.
I was swapping around parts (playing Legos) and comparing when I realized it had a different barrel with no lug.
Rosewood
JohnHL
Member
NOPE!!
Plastic disconnectors for ALL models.
Only "early" 3rd gen models had metal disconnectors.
John
At the risk of getting in the middle of a disagreement...
It appears to me that there are two primary disconnector PN#s in the S&W parts catalog: 104210000 & 239070000
The earliest 3rd Gens (4506, 4006, etc) only show (1) disconnector PN# for them, 104210000, as do all the other non-TSW model, with the exceptions mentioned below.
Additionally the 411, 457, 915, 4006CHP & the 2nd Gens listed (ie: 645, 745, etc.) had PN# 104210000.
All the 3rd Gen TSW models, Chief Specials (CS9, CS40 & CS45s), 3914DAO, 4040PD, 457D, 908, 909, 910 only show (1) disconnector PN# for them, 239070000.
I'll make the assumption that #104210000 was the metal disconnector & #239070000 was the plastic disconnector because I don't have bagged replacement parts on-hand to compare.
.
It appears to me that there are two primary disconnector PN#s in the S&W parts catalog: 104210000 & 239070000
The earliest 3rd Gens (4506, 4006, etc) only show (1) disconnector PN# for them, 104210000, as do all the other non-TSW model, with the exceptions mentioned below.
Additionally the 411, 457, 915, 4006CHP & the 2nd Gens listed (ie: 645, 745, etc.) had PN# 104210000.
All the 3rd Gen TSW models, Chief Specials (CS9, CS40 & CS45s), 3914DAO, 4040PD, 457D, 908, 909, 910 only show (1) disconnector PN# for them, 239070000.
I'll make the assumption that #104210000 was the metal disconnector & #239070000 was the plastic disconnector because I don't have bagged replacement parts on-hand to compare.
.
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The multiple, radial locking lugs found on most S&W pistols are a product of early 20th century semi-automatic pistol design in which the metals used to make slides was not as durable as more modern alloys and heat treatments. The S&W economy line pistols adopted the later 20th century design of a single locking lug. The single lug works just fine with modern alloys and heat treatments. Even in the venerable M1911, it is the first lug, the step that is closest to the chamber, that bears most of the force during recoil.
JohnHL
Member
When it comes to S&W models that used the plastic disconnector, the question isn't which, the question is when.
When S&W went to the plastic disconnector (around 2000), every model subsequently produced was equipped with it.
John
When S&W went to the plastic disconnector (around 2000), every model subsequently produced was equipped with it.
John
HOUSTON RICK
Member
One learns a lot reading this forum, but in the end, the 908 and 3913 are both good pistols. I prefer the 3913 for the feel and grip but would not mind owning or carrying a 908. The so called "value series" at that time are now the "They do not make them like that anymore series". The Model 915 is one of my favorite pistols. Enjoyed the post.
Attachments
The "Value Line" guns I own are a CS9S, 457, and 457S. All of the CS guns, no matter of what caliber, and the 457 have no equivalent in the "regular" line of guns.
The 457 could be considered a Value Line version of the 4513TSW seven round guns, but without a rail. Could be considered, but really are not!
Still as a compact self defense .45, it's a great gun.
Let's just keep that to ourselves, though. We don't want people figuring it out.
The 457 could be considered a Value Line version of the 4513TSW seven round guns, but without a rail. Could be considered, but really are not!
Still as a compact self defense .45, it's a great gun.
Let's just keep that to ourselves, though. We don't want people figuring it out.
There is enough members on this site to check if their 3913 series guns have the plastic disconnector on not. Would be good to know which ones do or don't for sure. Would need examples from post and pre 2000 I guess. Regardless, a plastic disconnect would see the bottom of a lake soon after purchase if it was my gun.
I'll play. 
Early production 3913, flash chromed hammer and trigger - metal disconnector.
1991 3914NL - metal disconnector.
Early production 457, forged hammer and trigger, metal disconnector. Which is odd considering it had a nylon mag catch, which I replaced with a metal one. But it does have a locking lug on the barrel, unlike the other value line guns - with the exception of the 915. Regards 18DAI
Early production 3913, flash chromed hammer and trigger - metal disconnector.
1991 3914NL - metal disconnector.
Early production 457, forged hammer and trigger, metal disconnector. Which is odd considering it had a nylon mag catch, which I replaced with a metal one. But it does have a locking lug on the barrel, unlike the other value line guns - with the exception of the 915. Regards 18DAI
