915 Worth it?

[fordson]

Brother Sevens

Great post. I do have three exceptions to your postulations though:

1. Is it not better to compare the 915 to the other alloy frame 3rd gens? Would that be a 5903 or 5904? Not a 5906. Some people and situations call for a steel frame and some call for an aluminum frame. One is not better than another.

2. Why no love for the 910? They are the same gun are they not? One just comes with 10 round mags and one with high capacity mags. 10 round magazines are going for more money than hi caps because of some jurisdictions requiring them. As a matter of money one could buy a 910 and sell the mags then pick up hi caps for cheaper and be all in at a lower price than a 915. Therefore 910>915. How is that logic for you?

3. You were talking 9 mm. But if we are talking least desirable of the 3rd gens I would put the 411 below the 915 simply due to the 40 caliber. They are a harder sell and currently less desirable. So many people don't want the 40 right now that I bet there are other 3rd gens in the caliber that bring less money than the 915.

3a. Because I only said three things I get a 3a. The 910, 915 and 411 get a nod for the single sided safety. Some people really like this for concealed carry. Some people even buy these guns to swap out the safety to put on another gun.

Respectfully

There are some differences between the 910 & 915. They are both in the Value Line; the 915 is just a step up higher. The 910 has a single locking lug and the 915 has two. The 910 has plastic rear sights and plastic guide rod. The 915 has steel/metal ones. Now, the 910 will take the 915 hi-cap mags but that doesn't make a 910 a 915.
The 910 is a good pistol; I have one. It's a great pistol for teaching first time shooters. All my kids(two daughter, son, their husbands and wife and the grandkids) just enjoy the heck out Shooting that pistol. It gets a lot of use.

 

[jsbethel]

Why no love for the 910? They are the same gun are they not?

It's a rather common misconception that the 910 and 915 are the same pistol.

 

[toddcfii]

It's a rather common misconception that the 910 and 915 are the same pistol.

Well damn. That is the first time this month I have been wrong. Sarcasm.

 

[Sevens]

Oooh, I love the questions and the discussion. This is a fun topic on a great pistol.

In order:
1) Definitely makes sense to compare it to the 5903/5904 more than the 5906. I believe I chose to compare it to the 5906 because the 5906 is far more available and (in my circles), tends to run much closer in price. Frankly, I don't see many 5903/5904 available anywhere, but 915/5906 I see everywhere.

To that end, the 5903/5904 also beat the 915 handily, IMO. You get far better sights and much better finish. As much as I like the 915, a cheaper finish on a handgun S&W has not made. The 915's finish durability may be it's biggest achilles heel (if it has one.) The 915's finish is nowhere in the hemisphere of "durable."

1A) steel frame vs alloy frame, you say that different situations call for one or the other, and I will definitely agree with you there, but I can't exactly agree that one isn't better than the other. It occurs to me that in basically EVERY facet of a handgun being a handgun, steel frame whups on alloy frame every time in every possible way that matters in every direction -EXCEPT- for having to carry it all day long, day in & day out. Put another way: if you have to haul it around and maybe 1% of your 25-30 year career need to shoot someone with it, alloy is a better choice. However, if you intend to shoot the gun (for ANY reason) and you want the shootability and durability and handling and follow-up shots and anything else possibly related to actually shooting, I can't imagine any argument that will convince me that an alloy frame is somehow better than good 'ole American STEEL.


2) The 910... as was said, absolutely NOT the same as a 915 with a ban-era magazine. The 910/410/908/909 are what S&W actually intended for the "Value Line." Cheap plastic parts in key places, including the magazine catch and guide rod. And from a collector or simply an enthusiast's viewpoint, they are also UGLY. The slides are all squared and blocky. The way I describe them is that they look like a Chinese copy of a 3rd Gen that should be sold in a blister pack, hanging on a peg near the cash register. I don't like them.

3) 915 vs 411. Okay, I hear your argument and while I will agree that everyone AND their mother hates the .40cal these days, I must say this before I concede your point: the 411 is crazy hella scarce, while they made a gujillion 915's. From a "collectibility" and scarcity standpoint, the 411 has is all over the 915 in spades. As for desirability... I'll give you that the 915 > 411.

3a) I love the single sided decock lever also, I really love it, and I swapped ambi levers on two of my 2nd Gens to get single sided levers in return. I'd do it with ALL of my 2/3rd Gens if I could! But I cannot actually imagine some folks buying a whole pistol to get a hold of the single sided decock lever. (heh, I once bought a gun to get the ammo offered with it... wait, maybe I did that twice!) Anything is possible!

 

[1775usmarine]

Oooh, I love the questions and the discussion. This is a fun topic on a great pistol.

In order:
1) Definitely makes sense to compare it to the 5903/5904 more than the 5906. I believe I chose to compare it to the 5906 because the 5906 is far more available and (in my circles), tends to run much closer in price. Frankly, I don't see many 5903/5904 available anywhere, but 915/5906 I see everywhere.

To that end, the 5903/5904 also beat the 915 handily, IMO. You get far better sights and much better finish. As much as I like the 915, a cheaper finish on a handgun S&W has not made. The 915's finish durability may be it's biggest achilles heel (if it has one.) The 915's finish is nowhere in the hemisphere of "durable."

1A) steel frame vs alloy frame, you say that different situations call for one or the other, and I will definitely agree with you there, but I can't exactly agree that one isn't better than the other. It occurs to me that in basically EVERY facet of a handgun being a handgun, steel frame whups on alloy frame every time in every possible way that matters in every direction -EXCEPT- for having to carry it all day long, day in & day out. Put another way: if you have to haul it around and maybe 1% of your 25-30 year career need to shoot someone with it, alloy is a better choice. However, if you intend to shoot the gun (for ANY reason) and you want the shootability and durability and handling and follow-up shots and anything else possibly related to actually shooting, I can't imagine any argument that will convince me that an alloy frame is somehow better than good 'ole American STEEL.


2) The 910... as was said, absolutely NOT the same as a 915 with a ban-era magazine. The 910/410/908/909 are what S&W actually intended for the "Value Line." Cheap plastic parts in key places, including the magazine catch and guide rod. And from a collector or simply an enthusiast's viewpoint, they are also UGLY. The slides are all squared and blocky. The way I describe them is that they look like a Chinese copy of a 3rd Gen that should be sold in a blister pack, hanging on a peg near the cash register. I don't like them.

3) 915 vs 411. Okay, I hear your argument and while I will agree that everyone AND their mother hates the .40cal these days, I must say this before I concede your point: the 411 is crazy hella scarce, while they made a gujillion 915's. From a "collectibility" and scarcity standpoint, the 411 has is all over the 915 in spades. As for desirability... I'll give you that the 915 > 411.

3a) I love the single sided decock lever also, I really love it, and I swapped ambi levers on two of my 2nd Gens to get single sided levers in return. I'd do it with ALL of my 2/3rd Gens if I could! But I cannot actually imagine some folks buying a whole pistol to get a hold of the single sided decock lever. (heh, I once bought a gun to get the ammo offered with it... wait, maybe I did that twice!) Anything is possible!

2. Dont forget the 457, though that seems to be the exception around here as far as desirability, value, and underatedness goes.

I too thought the value line was ugly and said I'd never own one. Yet I found a 909 of which only 8000ish were made for a good price and my gun guy happened to have a pristine 457. I ended up walking out with 2 3rd gens that day to the dismay of my wife, till I explained the price I paid vs what the completed sales were showing. She eased up even more when the mothership was able to tell me how many 909's were made

 

[mbliss57]

I wouldn't buy one unless the price was really attractive. They are not as nice as a 5904 by any means. They were made cheaply on purpose. I bought one in very early 2016 for $250 OTD from a LGS. Box docs and about 98%. That was a good price. It may be that $250-$300 here in Ohio is equivalent to $450 in CA. If so then it's a good deal. But that's what it's worth in this state. There is nothing wrong with them. They are a value series pistol. I think you would appreciate a 5904 or 5906 a lot more. If there was $100 difference between a 915 and a 5904 I'd buy the 5904.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[TercGen]

I own a few 915's and would recommend buying this one. As others have stated, $450 is a good price in Kalifornia for this, but I wouldn't even consider it to be that expensive elsewhere, considering the condition and low round count.

My main 915 is on my hip as I write this, and often gets used as a house gun as well as carried in the Winter. Lightweight, accurate, and reliable as any other S&W 3rd Gen. I actually prefer the 915's frame to other aluminum 59xx guns, since it doesn't have the stepped side.

My 915's have bobbed hammers, Trijicon SA04 night sights, and one-piece guide rods. The finish isn't the best, but a bit of oil on the slide/hammer keeps it protected just fine from rust.

 

[JohnHL]

I once bought a new Savage SS Bolt Rifle in 22 Magnum because I got a great deal on a quantity of ammo.

I'm not impulsive because I had the ammo for quite a few years and never shot any of it until I found a smoking deal on the Savage.

What's that got to do with the model 915?

I bought my model 915 mostly because I wanted the grips...

(You may hear that from time to time over there in "Revolver World", but not much over here.)

You see, I had been looking for a set of Crimson Trace Laser Grips for S&W double stack, 9mm and 40 s&w pistols (I have a number of those) but I couldn't find a set of the Crimson Trace grips for less than $180.00 plus shipping.

Then the 915 became available.
It was in "good" condition with one blue Mec-Gar mag, no box, but a remarkably nice trigger.

It was priced at $399.00, but was wearing a brand new set of (you guessed it) Crimson Trace Laser Grips!

I was no fan of the "less than durable" S&W "blue" finish, but it was also to be the first full size, alloy framed, 9mm, 3rd gen I had (in blue or stainless).

I figured it to be a $299.00 pistol and $100.00 seemed like a good price for the laser grips.

And with the nice trigger, it turned out to be a darn fine shooter, too.

However, compared to some of you guys, I feel under gunned.

I only have ONE model 915!

John

 

[TNZ71]

....................
Then the 915 became available.
It was in "good" condition with one blue Mec-Gar mag, no box, but a remarkably nice trigger.

It was priced at $399.00, but was wearing a brand new set of (you guessed it) Crimson Trace Laser Grips!

I was no fan of the "less than durable" S&W "blue" finish, but it was also to be the first full size, alloy framed, 9mm, 3rd gen I had (in blue or stainless).

I figured it to be a $299.00 pistol and $100.00 seemed like a good price for the laser grips.

And with the nice trigger, it turned out to be a darn fine shooter, too.

However, compared to some of you guys, I feel under gunned.

I only have ONE model 915!

John

I understand. It didn't make sense to some for me to buy a $250 "gasp" S&W Mod 910 but when you take into consideration the extras that came with it (in addition to 2 10rd magazines) were 5 brand new in package 15rd magazines along with a metal guide rod and spring. Easily makes this a $100 910

 

[JohnHL]

You're right, TNZ71!

Sometimes, ya gotta look at the BIG picture. (Eyes WIDE open!)

John

 

[S&W59]

I'm a S&W purist collector. That means I collect S&W revolvers and automatics in their original as-factory shipped condition. When I obtain a vintage revolver or pistol, its gone over meticulously to assure its as-factory. Aftermarket grips are replaced, out of sorts or modified parts are replaced as well. That being said, I would own a 910 with equal zeal and pride as a 915 but for likely different reasons than most.

The 910 is an example of S&W's evolution. During the ban years, it wasn't just the 10 round magazine at issue but the Glock revolution that was also taking place. Frankly put, Glock and FN hit everyone out of the blue with polymer framed guns. Smith&Wesson and Colt were blindsided by this as they had no designs in the works at the time that were polymer based. So we had the dark ages for Smith&Wesson where they produced a Glock clone, the Sigma. They also licensed the Walther P99 to be assembled and sold as the SW99. But before that, their reaction was to offer bargain priced versions of tried and true designs. To make them as reasonable as they could, they reduced costs and some of the refinement in their value line pistols. It didn't work as well as they hoped and so the Sigma and SW99 pistols came around while S&W worked on better polymer based designs.

Colt was pretty much screwed as well, if anyone remembers the total fiasco of the Colt model 2000 All-American can attest. Literally the worst commercially available pistol made by a major manufacturer in the history of small arms. The 910 is not the best made of the 3rd Gen line, but its not trash either. I'd collect one, albeit it would likely be the last pistol I'd purchase just to complete the collection.

 

[18DAI]

Well worth it IMO. And evidently Novak's thought enough of the 915 pistol to offer a Full House upgrade for it.

It is a fine 9mm. Back in the day, Mr Bert DuVernay, then head of the S&W Academy, who could have had S&W make him whatever he wished, had a stock 915 sent to the Performance Center for upgrades.

They did an action job, tightened the gun with a new slide stop, installed Novak night sights and refinished it in a matte black. He used it as his teaching pistol. He sold it to me a dozen years ago.

And it is as fine an example of a 9mm hi cap gun as you will find. I shot several matches with it andit always makes me look good. Regards 18DAI

 

[TNZ71]

Well worth it IMO. And evidently Novak's thought enough of the 915 pistol to offer a Full House upgrade for it.

It is a fine 9mm. Back in the day, Mr Bert DuVernay, then head of the S&W Academy, who could have had S&W make him whatever he wished, had a stock 915 sent to the Performance Center for upgrades.

They did an action job, tightened the gun with a new slide stop, installed Novak night sights and refinished it in a matte black. He used it as his teaching pistol. He sold it to me a dozen years ago.

And it is as fine an example of a 9mm hi cap gun as you will find. I shot several matches with it andit always makes me look good. Regards 18DAI

My only complaint with any of the Value line Guns is the finish. I've got a Glock 27 that I carried off duty for 15+ years that lived under the front seat of my truck when not in my waistband. The finish in the slide shows zero wear.

 

[1775usmarine]

My only complaint with any of the Value line Guns is the finish. I've got a Glock 27 that I carried off duty for 15+ years that lived under the front seat of my truck when not in my waistband. The finish in the slide shows zero wear.

That's why my 457 sits in the safe. I'd rate the finish a solid 95-98% and would like to keep it that way. Slowly expanding the 10 3rd gens and 1 extra 5906 frankengun I have now to include a nice 4516 within the next year.

 

[Frank Black]

Oooh, I love the questions and the discussion. This is a fun topic on a great pistol.

Yes. I've been following this thread as the discussion is interesting, and timely for me, particularly this:

* * *

3) 915 vs 411. Okay, I hear your argument and while I will agree that everyone AND their mother hates the .40cal these days, I must say this before I concede your point: the 411 is crazy hella scarce, while they made a gujillion 915's. From a "collectibility" and scarcity standpoint, the 411 has is all over the 915 in spades. As for desirability... I'll give you that the 915 > 411.

Interesting, ... because last week I stumbled into a model 411 at the LGS.

The exterior showed some scrapes, scratches, and definitely holster wear, especially at the muzzle. The internals and the bore & crown of the barrel all looked good.

Tag on it said: $275.

The tag also stated: 'with original S&W box' (which had the labels still attached), 'papers, and three 11-rd magazines.'

The mags had the yellow followers. They were a little dirty but otherwise the mag bodies, floorplates, and springs seemed in good shape.

I know the store owner from previous purchases, and he said the gun had been in the shop about 3 1/2 months.

I asked, 'Would you take $250 cash OTD today?' He replied, 'let me check my book to see what I've got in it.' Apparently it was one of several guns that came into his shop via an estate sale.

A minute later he reappeared and said: 'Sure, $250's good.'

I know it's a 'pre-ban' gun, just not sure what year it was made: ser.# VAB02XX.

I only had time for a brief range test, mainly to vet function and test the mags. No malfs whatsoever in about 40-rds fired. I wasn't expecting much, but for a .40 it shot great, actually. The DA trigger pull is heavy, but that's correctable.

Being a hardcore 10mm AUTO guy, I have exactly ZERO need for a .40 pistol, but I mean c'mon, ... for $250?

Plus, there's that soft spot for the Old School 3rd Gens ... They made the '80s roar before everyone got all Glockified and Grunged-up in the '90s.

 

[Sevens]

Made 1992 or 1993. Possibly early 1994 but I believe S&W was set to deliver the 910/410 by the start of the AWB. If you have the box with end label, the SPEC ORDR tells us the born-on date.

Nice pick up for low bucks.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Being a hardcore 10mm AUTO guy, I have exactly ZERO need for a .40 pistol, but I mean c'mon, ... for $250?

Plus, there's that soft spot for the Old School 3rd Gens ... They made the '80s roar before everyone got all Glockified and Grunged-up in the '90s.

Remember .40 inch = 10mm So think of it as a "10mm Special"



Buy it you'll like it!

 

[mrmike7189]

the finish is like black house paint

My only complaint with any of the Value line Guns is the finish. I've got a Glock 27 that I carried off duty for 15+ years that lived under the front seat of my truck when not in my waistband. The finish in the slide shows zero wear.

I have a Glock 26....it has over 5k rounds through it and the finish is "as new". As for the S&W value series. I once owned a 410. The finish was very dull. It was a good gun though.
Just picked up a 915. it took me a year to find one here in MA ironically The home of Smith & wesson. Paid more than I should have but it's "pandemic pricing". Since I have a Marlin Camp 9 that takes same mags. it will have a shooting companion. The 3rd gen S&W pistols are disappearing. I've noticed . You dont see as many for sale in gun shops,even before Covid19.