915 Production Numbers

[Ameshawki]

Picked up a really nice 915 at the show (not one of the current Israeli trade ins). Any guesses on how many of these were made? Pretty short production run, 92 to 94. Mine is in the VAU range, probably 94.

Always thought these had a clean, simple design. Everything you need nothing you don’t.

Have a bunch of 1sr, 2nd, and 3rd gens. This fills a hole in the collection.

 

[Sevens]

I love the 915, and it is very popular amongst this group.

While the production run was not long, the volume was staggering.

Sorry that I do not have tangible proof. But they made a gujillion of these and lots of them got exported also.

The Model 411 is just as awesome! I have one of each.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

The 915 and 411 were the economy version of the 5906 and 4006.

My Police Department stopped issuing the 659 when they adopted the Beretta but S&W was still approved. So I got a 5906 (also a 4506) and my partner got a 915. It was obviously not the same quality as the 5906 or the 5904.

So I was thinking it was for the overseas market and the ones sold here were overruns.

 

[Sevens]

Definitely a ton went overseas but for certain, more 915’s were made and sold right here. I have a NIB time capsule tucked away. I did own another that was “high shooter grade”, but a buddy of mine had to have it so I sent it.

 

[67tempest]

I don't know how many were made but I love mine, it is my carry gun. My brother purchased it brand new, when he tired of it he sold it to my next door neighbor. I purchased it back from my neighbors widow after he died so it's back in the family. I can honestly say that my 915 and my 539 are the only two pistol's I own that I have NEVER had a single malfunction with.

 

[cougar015]

Pictures would be great to see. The 915 was produced as an economy version of 3rd gen guns and is a great gun for the price. According the the 5th edition of the SCSW it was produced between 1992-94 with a limited run in 1999 but there is not a production number listed. Values are listed as between $325 for VG up to $500 for ANIB.

 

[Sevens]

Here is mine — apologies for this poor picture… apparently I took this picture a decade ago!

 

[GaryS]

I don't get the sense that there were a lot made. Other than here I think I've seen two, both owned by the same person. I bought one of his.

I've never seen one at a gun show. I've seen just about every other model including some that were pretty low production, but not a 915.

The SCSW doesn't show numbers produced, so it's all guess work.

 

[Sevens]

The SCSW doesn't show numbers produced, so it's all guess work.

That's true, but there are other ways to guess.

Search Gunbroker over a period of time and it can help form an opinion. I've routinely searched Gunbroker over approximately the last 15 years -- sometimes daily, sometimes I will go a week or two between searches.

Let's take some examples that I am certain I have witnessed.

915 -- I have seen half a zillion. 5906's, I have seen more.

411 -- fractional to either of the above. It's safe to say in a decade and a half of searching, I have seen more of the PC Shorty40 than I have seen of the 411.

4506 -- countless. 645, far less.

4505 -- the scarce blued one? I have seen far less than a dozen on Gunbroker over 15 years. Surely I have missed some that were listed. And the fact is, I have seen even less of the 5905. I have seen one single example of the 4505 in the flesh, and it had the ugly adjustable rear sight.

Yes, for sure, searching Gunbroker will not give you production numbers. But it's my opinion, backed by a lot of legwork and experience is that the 915 was produced in fantastic volume, many tens of thousands of examples. I have owned three examples myself and I see them at gun shows often.

 

[larry169]

Ok I have a 910s and a 908s purchased both NIB around 2010 2011. Yes they are both S&W Value Line models, 910s value line of the 5906 and 908s value line of the 3913. Here’s my question if someone can school me. What is the difference between the 910s and a 915, other than one ships with 10rd mags and one with 15rd mags. I purchased one 15rd mag and kept it close while I lived in a 10rd max State but since retiring and moving to a free State I have a few of them. Love both guns, have several 3rd Gen Smiths, will never part with them however they’re not what I grab first to go to the range, or keep in my nightstand, those are usually CZ’s.

 

[Sevens]

What is the difference between the 910s and a 915, other than one ships with 10rd mags and one with 15rd mags.

Many differences. The most obvious is that the 910 (and 909, 908 and others…) have a much more squared, blocky slide, less machining and nuance, and to me and others, it is noticeably less attractive. With no intent to offend, if you are a huge 3rd Gen fan, the value line pistols look similar but upon closer inspection, they look like a cheap knock off.

Inside, the barrel no longer has a traditional locking lug and the magazine catch is made of plastic as is the recoil spring guide rod.

Many of us “Monday morning quarterbacks” have surmised that the Model 915 and 411 were S&W’s idea to lower the cost of their flagship 3rd Gens to hit a much more attractive price point in the market, but that they missed their mark because they failed to lower their costs enough to truly make the “Value Line” work for their bottom line.

The 908, 909 and 910 (along with the .40cal Value Line models) went harder at the goal of lowering the manufacturing cost of the guns.

I’m not saying they are bad guns, but to long time fans of the classic 3rd Gen pistols, they just aren’t the real deal.

 

[GaryS]

I wonder if the 457 falls closer to the 915/411 than to the 908/410 side of things?

 

[BAM-BAM]

Novak use to use the 915 to build customized guns.

 

[ACEd]

I wonder if the 457 falls closer to the 915/411 than to the 908/410 side of things?

I had that thought myself - but dates would imply the 457 is more likely closer to the 908/909/910/410 series.

If you accept listed manufacture dates, the 457 lived from 1996-2006. The 915 from 1992-1994, and the 411 from 1992-1996.

The 908, 909, 910 came onto the scene 1996, 1995, 1995 respectively and the 410 in 1996 or roughly concurrent with the end of the 411 and beginning of the 457.

I dont have a 457 available right now to check, but further information could be obtained based on whether or not the 457 barrel has the locking lug that I believe is still present on the 915/411 but absent on the later "Value Line" pistols.

 

[GaryS]

I just grabbed one of my 457s out of the safe and yes, it has the lug.

I don't know why S&W decided to make the 457, but I'm sure glad that they did. Maybe it was intended as a less expensive version of the 4516. Or maybe a less expensive alternative to the 4513TSW, but without a rail.

IIRC, it was the only 45 caliber gun that could be considered a "Value Line."

 

[larry169]

Many differences. The most obvious is that the 910 (and 909, 908 and others…) have a much more squared, blocky slide, less machining and nuance, and to me and others, it is noticeably less attractive. With no intent to offend, if you are a huge 3rd Gen fan, the value line pistols look similar but upon closer inspection, they look like a cheap knock off.

Inside, the barrel no longer has a traditional locking lug and the magazine catch is made of plastic as is the recoil spring guide rod.

Many of us "Monday morning quarterbacks" have surmised that the Model 915 and 411 were S&W's idea to lower the cost of their flagship 3rd Gens to hit a much more attractive price point in the market, but that they missed their mark because they failed to lower their costs enough to truly make the "Value Line" work for their bottom line.

The 908, 909 and 910 (along with the .40cal Value Line models) went harder at the goal of lowering the manufacturing cost of the guns.

I'm not saying they are bad guns, but to long time fans of the classic 3rd Gen pistols, they just aren't the real deal.

I get it. As far as the blockiness of the slide, I know it doesn’t have the more attractive rounded edges but I don’t mind the squared edges. I did not know about the lack of locking lug on the barrel, although it doesn’t seem to make a difference (IMO). I did make some changes to the 910s to better suit me. I purchased from S&W a stainless steel guide rod and the curved palm swell grip both for a 5906, both work perfectly and I like the feel in my hand of the curved palm swell grip better than the original straight down grip. Also installed Trijicon night sights. Like I said earlier it’s not the first one I grab to go shoot, but when I do I have 100% confidence in it and I shoot it well.

 

[Tntcwg3]

I have seen one single example of the 4505 in the flesh, and it had the ugly adjustable rear sight.

I'm surprised spell-check didn't catch your error, I'm sure you meant to say "iconic" in reference to that gorgeous, adjustable rear sight! I believe that of the ~1200 4505's built, only 200 had the adjustable sight. The 5905 production was somewhere around 600 or so but I'm not sure on the sight configuration breakdown.

 

[Sevens]

Yes, something like that!

I think the adjustable rear sight is a fun debate.

 

[Sevens]

I found this picture probably a decade ago — it was probably on this forum. I was smart enough to save the picture but too dumb to leave myself any information about it.



S&W Model 645. Someone with a vision and definite skill took the bulletproof S&W protected, adjustable rear sight and removed almost all of the fugly from it.

I wish I knew more about this.