Help! Looking at a 908 smith, Know absolutely nothing about it. Want a single stack 9 for my short fat fingers, and also for concealability. 3913's are a little pricey, and don't know that I need the extra's. Thanx in advance!
908
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handgunner356
Member
Te 908 is basicly a no frills 3913, same mags/grips/holsters/some small parts and springs are the same. Hard to go wrong with one.
ColbyBruce
Member
A 908 will not necessarily fit in a holster for a 3913. The blocky slide of the 908 is larger than the 3913 slide, and will not fit into a tight holster. My 908 will not fit the Galco shoulder rig I used for my S&W #469, which roughly shared the same slide contours as the 3913. I use a Don Hume belt slide for my S&W #908.
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mgo
Member
I discovered that often times a Glock 26 holster will work for the 908.
alde
Member
IMHO, there is no reason not to own a 908. Before I finally found a decent buy on that elusive 3913, my 908 was my EDC. I'll still carry it at work in the cooler months when I don't have to worry about my self generated humidity. I carry it in a Don Hume 721OT that is made for the 908. It will also carry my 3913 fairly snuggly. If you've found a nice 908 at a decent price, get it....just like any other 3rd gen. S&W, you won't be disapointed.
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Squibb
Member
As folks have said, the 908 is the no frills version of the 3913, and if the price is right for the condition, I'd hit it like a heat seeking missile. It is getting a bit more difficult to find one in great shape. I have a Hume721 OT that carries all of my 3rd generation pistols. Good holster for the money.
Iram
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I carry a 908. For me, it beats anything currently on the market in concealability, it's reasonably easy to shoot, and extremely reliable.
I do have a couple complaints about it:
1. Rust problems. If you carry it regularly, and you sweat occasionally, you will get some surface rust on the slide. If you have the choice, get a 908S. Considering the price difference I see locally between a 3913 and a 908, you may be better off with a 3913 if you plan to carry it regularly. I'm currently thinking about replacing the slide or nickel plating it before the rust gets too bad.
2. Holster availability. It seems almost no one will make a holster for a 908. Yeah, you can go find a few leather holster makers, but not much compared to more common handguns. The holster I carry with, a Comp-Tac CTAC, is an M&P model that I had to reshape with a heat gun to fit the 908.
3. When you cycle the slide, the round in the top of the magazine (not counting the one that goes into the chamber) tends to get pushed forward slightly. This can cause the magazine to get jammed in the gun when you try to eject it. It doesn't have any affect on feeding; just makes unloading and tactical reloads a little harder.
4. Lack of ambidextrous controls. Specifically the safety. If for some reason you need to take off the safety with your reaction hand (such as after getting shot), there's no good way to do it. You can add an ambi safety, but it will cost you around $75 or so.
5. Lack of sight options. About the only replacement sights you can find (other than the plastic stock sights) are Trijicon night sights. As far as I know, no one makes fiber optic (or fiber+tritium) sights for the 908.
With all that said, if I could have my choice of any gun for carry, the 908 would be my fifth choice (right after a 3913TSW, 3913NL, 3913LS, and 908S).
I do have a couple complaints about it:
1. Rust problems. If you carry it regularly, and you sweat occasionally, you will get some surface rust on the slide. If you have the choice, get a 908S. Considering the price difference I see locally between a 3913 and a 908, you may be better off with a 3913 if you plan to carry it regularly. I'm currently thinking about replacing the slide or nickel plating it before the rust gets too bad.
2. Holster availability. It seems almost no one will make a holster for a 908. Yeah, you can go find a few leather holster makers, but not much compared to more common handguns. The holster I carry with, a Comp-Tac CTAC, is an M&P model that I had to reshape with a heat gun to fit the 908.
3. When you cycle the slide, the round in the top of the magazine (not counting the one that goes into the chamber) tends to get pushed forward slightly. This can cause the magazine to get jammed in the gun when you try to eject it. It doesn't have any affect on feeding; just makes unloading and tactical reloads a little harder.
4. Lack of ambidextrous controls. Specifically the safety. If for some reason you need to take off the safety with your reaction hand (such as after getting shot), there's no good way to do it. You can add an ambi safety, but it will cost you around $75 or so.
5. Lack of sight options. About the only replacement sights you can find (other than the plastic stock sights) are Trijicon night sights. As far as I know, no one makes fiber optic (or fiber+tritium) sights for the 908.
With all that said, if I could have my choice of any gun for carry, the 908 would be my fifth choice (right after a 3913TSW, 3913NL, 3913LS, and 908S).
alde
Member
I just had mine to the range for the first time this morning. I have to say the I am impressed. It is very accurate and feed everything I tried including Winchester Bonded PDX1 124 gr +p's. It is much easier to shoot with the magazine with the finger extension. It's nice to have the flat floor plate for carry though.
I wonder how Parkerizing the slide would work? Might be a decent solution while still keeping it black. Duracoat might be a good solution too. I may do that before mine shows any rust. I plan to carry it alot.
I odered a Don Hume IWB clip on for mine. That should work ok for a pistol this light. It was pretty inexpensive so it's sure worth a try.
I wonder how Parkerizing the slide would work? Might be a decent solution while still keeping it black. Duracoat might be a good solution too. I may do that before mine shows any rust. I plan to carry it alot.
I odered a Don Hume IWB clip on for mine. That should work ok for a pistol this light. It was pretty inexpensive so it's sure worth a try.
ColbyBruce
Member
I can address a few items mentioned above.
Lack of ambidextrous safety--I do not use it. I never used it on the half dozen model 39's and 59's I have owned. Nor my two model 908's, 457's, my 469, or the three Beretta 92's I have owned and carried. I would love to have the safety lever and slide release thinned on my current 908 so they will not poke me in the side.
Sights. Meprolight also makes night sights for the 908, part # ML-12791.
Lack of ambidextrous safety--I do not use it. I never used it on the half dozen model 39's and 59's I have owned. Nor my two model 908's, 457's, my 469, or the three Beretta 92's I have owned and carried. I would love to have the safety lever and slide release thinned on my current 908 so they will not poke me in the side.
Sights. Meprolight also makes night sights for the 908, part # ML-12791.
CyBlackerson
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Hey All... I recently came into possession of a 908. It's pretty clear how to field strip it, but as far as further disassembly/reassembly, I'm pretty lost. I have a glock and it comes down to the last part pretty easily. This is a bit more complicated. Does anybody know of a good source of info on this? Thanks!!
Iram
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Cocked & Locked
Member
I carry my 908 often...thin and light, flat to my side. Not too bad in my pocket at times.
Its also a favorite shooter for my family.
Its also a favorite shooter for my family.
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908 is a great pistol.
C&L I notice you use Murphs holsters too. Great holsters for concealment. Pulls the gun in close to you, while making fast access possible. I've got them for my S&W 45's, and am going to get one for my 3913 at the next gunshow. My favorite holsters!
Great minds and all that.
Regards 18DAI.
C&L I notice you use Murphs holsters too. Great holsters for concealment. Pulls the gun in close to you, while making fast access possible. I've got them for my S&W 45's, and am going to get one for my 3913 at the next gunshow. My favorite holsters!
Great minds and all that.
Regards 18DAI.
martywj
Member
I also have a 908 that is one of my EDC weapons. I am very happy with the gun. I bought it at a pawnshop for $400, it was manufacted in 1999. I have not experienced any problems with rust eventhough I carry it during the hot summer months, but then I always wear a undershirt as I don't like the gun or IWB holster next to my skin. The gun carries easy with it flat against my side. As far shooting it at the range it is as accurate as I am with 3-4 inch groups at 3 yards and 7-8 inch groups at 7 yards. I don't usually shoot much past that, but when I do it get on the paper of a man-sized target. I usually run 115 gr FMJ of whatever is cheapest for practice ammo and 147 gr Winschester Ranger or PDX1 Bonded as carry ammo.
I carry my 908 in a DM Bullard Dual Carry holster Gun Leather, Concealment and Cowboy holsters, Azle, TX. It is a custom made for the gun, but still ran me less that $100.
Here is a pic of my gun and a couple of the holster.
I carry my 908 in a DM Bullard Dual Carry holster Gun Leather, Concealment and Cowboy holsters, Azle, TX. It is a custom made for the gun, but still ran me less that $100.
Here is a pic of my gun and a couple of the holster.
lancef
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908?
YOU still have it and likeing it ? i got one and i love it, I'm a little bummed out you can get much for it now. but this thing eats everything i have fed it.
I have been thinking about getting a new modern 9mm maybe trade up , but i am not sure i want to get rid of it.
I also have a 908 that is one of my EDC weapons. I am very happy with the gun. I bought it at a pawnshop for $400, it was manufacted in 1999. I have not experienced any problems with rust eventhough I carry it during the hot summer months, but then I always wear a undershirt as I don't like the gun or IWB holster next to my skin. The gun carries easy with it flat against my side. As far shooting it at the range it is as accurate as I am with 3-4 inch groups at 3 yards and 7-8 inch groups at 7 yards. I don't usually shoot much past that, but when I do it get on the paper of a man-sized target. I usually run 115 gr FMJ of whatever is cheapest for practice ammo and 147 gr Winschester Ranger or PDX1 Bonded as carry ammo.
I carry my 908 in a DM Bullard Dual Carry holster Gun Leather, Concealment and Cowboy holsters, Azle, TX. It is a custom made for the gun, but still ran me less that $100.
Here is a pic of my gun and a couple of the holster.
YOU still have it and likeing it ? i got one and i love it, I'm a little bummed out you can get much for it now. but this thing eats everything i have fed it.
I have been thinking about getting a new modern 9mm maybe trade up , but i am not sure i want to get rid of it.
Lancef - you resurrected a 4 1/2 year old thread but I always enjoy seeing these wonderful old single stacks.
I have a 908s that I am really enjoying. Not as accurate as my SR9c but accurate enough for its intended use. Seems quite a bit slimmer than the Ruger, about the same perceived weight and the single stack just fits my hand better.
I don't care for IWB - not so comfy on a motorcycle - but found a Gould and Goodrich holster with a snap retention strap that keeps it nice and secure. It's made for a Sig 229 and it fits the 908 perfectly. Fits my 909 as well with about a quarter of an inch of slide sticking out. Negligible for my purposes.
These are wonderful pistols. The aluminum frame doesn't seem to weigh any more than modern polymer frames. Comfortable to hold. Not tack drivers by any means (although I'm sure some are) but mine seem more accurate with 124g and 147g ammo. Probably more accurate than I think as I'm reintroducing myself to DA/SA trigger discipline after a few years of shooting a striker fired pistol.
Whatever. YMMV.
Best to you.
I have a 908s that I am really enjoying. Not as accurate as my SR9c but accurate enough for its intended use. Seems quite a bit slimmer than the Ruger, about the same perceived weight and the single stack just fits my hand better.
I don't care for IWB - not so comfy on a motorcycle - but found a Gould and Goodrich holster with a snap retention strap that keeps it nice and secure. It's made for a Sig 229 and it fits the 908 perfectly. Fits my 909 as well with about a quarter of an inch of slide sticking out. Negligible for my purposes.
These are wonderful pistols. The aluminum frame doesn't seem to weigh any more than modern polymer frames. Comfortable to hold. Not tack drivers by any means (although I'm sure some are) but mine seem more accurate with 124g and 147g ammo. Probably more accurate than I think as I'm reintroducing myself to DA/SA trigger discipline after a few years of shooting a striker fired pistol.
Whatever. YMMV.
Best to you.
I noticed up in a upper post someone mentioned a 908 fitting in a 469 holster. If that would be the case would a 3913 fit in a holster made for a 469? I've got a 3913 coming, and currently have a 469 holster.
ratchley
Member
I'm in the same boat about resurrecting old threads but my favorite handgun is a Model 39-2 purchased in 2008 to replace the one I had purchased in 1977 as a rookie policeman ( of course I messed up and traded for a bigger caliber 1911A1) I have a S&W 659 and 910, but a 908 would make my day.
