Compact 3rd generation pistols

[Gunhacker]

Gunhacker, have you tried the Hogue rubber or wooden grip for the 4516?

I felt the same way you did using the factory Xenoy grip. The rubber Hogues made it a completely different animal, for me. Regards 18DAI

I hadn't considered Hogues for the 4516... I put a pair on my 4506-1 and did not like them at all (I'm starting feel like a freaking Goldilocks, this grip was toooo...), they added just a bit too much girth for my tastes and what I ended up with is a set of the FBI Palmswell grips for a 1076 on it.

But those are now in serious jeopardy of being yanked off of the 4506... a few months back I lucked out finding a 1076 for sale in my local area, which was quite the feat being in such an unfriendly handgun state as California has become.

You can't buy them anymore from S&W and those FBI grips just have to be mated with the 1076.

But... I had one of those "well, duh" moments after thinking more about trying to adapt a 4506 grip to the 4516 frame.

KISS, keep it simple stupid... I bet I could fashion a filler piece from 1/2" ABS sheet to fit behind the magazine and use some epoxy made for plastics and glue the little sucker to the bottom of the factory grip and then shape it to match the contour.

I'll mess around with it this weekend and post pics if I'm successful.

 

[18DAI]

Gunhacker is that the 10mm with the frame mounted decocker? If so, PM me your address. I'm pretty sure I have a set of those grips floating around. I'll look this weekend and send them to you next week. Regards 18DAI

 

[junker]

Gee, maybe I'm not crazy. I also shoot more accurately with my compacts than my 4" and 5" 3rd Gens. But only in the 7 to 15yd area. With the exception of my CS9, have a bit of trouble with it for some reason. Plus what puzzles me is that I group better with my 4513TSW than my 3913. I figured it is because of the tighter specs of the TSW. But my favorite at the range is the 3rd Gen that got me infected with this disease, my 5903, the first S&W in my collection.

 

[Aden67]

I really don't like 3rd generations...

 

[gtoppcop]

18DAI,

I too share your views about the efficacy of the smaller S&W autos. For whatever reason, they are VERY accurate for guns their size.

With that said, I have had great luck with all of my 3rd Gens. They are all accurate, but for the size to accuracy ratio, i'll got with the 3900-series.

My custom 3914 (just received back from S&W) is one heck of a gun! The wife likes it, so I guess it'll become hers (wait, ALL of my guns are HER'S!).

Jim Rae at Smith and Wesson Performance Center and his Team there did the following to 'finish' the 3914:

--Decocker modification
--Witness Hole in barrel

After I oogled over the 3914, the FedEx truck arrived with my grips from ROBAR. They complete the gun and make it more 'shootable' to boot!

 

[Mike-4]

Very cool. How much for the decock only conversion and the witness hole? I have the decock only feature and witness hole on my 4006TSW and love those features.

regards

 

[Fastbolt]

That is one really nice 3914. I like the grips, too.

 

[gtoppcop]

Mike/FastBolt,

It cost me Nada, Zip, Zero. S&W was more than generous. I have my 4003TSW Rail Gun there now. That'll cost me about $200. They did a wonderful job. I am more than pleased.

-Greg

 

[Yiogo]

I have a 3913 and enjoy shooting it. I just wish my rear sights were adjustable but they are not so I have to hold high as the pistol shoots low for me. Yiogo

 

[ColColt]

Maybe change ammo would bring that group up...124 gr instead of 115 gr, for instance. Faster moving light projectiles usually print lower.

 

[Kudumaned]

Greg, was the gun 2 tone to begin with? Looks great

 

[18DAI]

gtoppcop that is a VERY beautiful 3914. I envy your collection of fine S&W's! Best regards 18DAI

 

[eshap2]

I like the 9mm's and 45's. I find the compacts to be supremely accurate, as reliable as their bigger siblings, loaded with standard features that would cost hundreds on "custom" pistols, undervalued and look good doing all that.

I also shoot them more accurately than I do the full size guns.....or....they shoot more accurately than the full size guns do.

My favorites are the 3913 and 4513.....especially the Shorty 45.

Discuss........ Regards 18DAI

WELL, MY 3913, CS9, CS40,CS45, 1911, 4006TSW, ETC ARE LIKE MY CHILDREN. BEST COMPACTS 3RD GENERATION GUNS EVER MADE IMO. I WOULD NOT PART WITH ANY FOR ANY AMOUNT OF CASH.

 

[tdrizzle]

Anyone seen a set of Hogues for my 3953? I have a 3914 with them and would like to have the same on both.

 

[JJEH]

That's funny. When I was grewing up I only was interested in "big" guns. Like at least a 4" barrel, Revolvers even 6". Thought this is how it is. I blame the German TV lol

Now since I'm a lil bit older I really do like the compact sizes. I still struggle with the mini thingy pocket guns, but anyway.

We should celebrate them

 

[rappa29]

That's funny. When I was grewing up I only was interested in "big" guns. Like at least a 4" barrel, Revolvers even 6". Thought this is how it is. I blame the German TV lol

Now since I'm a lil bit older I really do like the compact sizes. I still struggle with the mini thingy pocket guns, but anyway.

We should celebrate them

I blame the Lethal Weapon movies!

Ditto, the only handgun I have that creeps over 4" barrel is my SiG P226! All the rest are sub 4" barrel (3913TSW, 4513TSW, Glock19, SiG P225, Ruger SP101).

I recently acquired my 4513TSW from another member and like it a lot!

 

[18DAI]

Much as I love my 3913, I must say that it has been mostly parked since I aquired my early production, 6-round mag 4513TSW. The 4513TSW series pistols are just about the perfect semi auto's, for me.

Thanks to member Martya, I finally aquired one of my grail guns. A late production 7-round 4513TSW made without the rail. No holes in the dustcover. Great carry 45 that I carry on duty more than any other handgun I own. Thanks again Martya!!

Of course the "ultimate" 4513 remains the PC Shorty 45, IMO of course. My Shorty 45 is being kept nice by shooting my other, standard 4513's. Regards 18DAI

 

[rappa29]

Much as I love my 3913, I must say that it has been mostly parked since I aquired my early production, 6-round mag 4513TSW. The 4513TSW series pistols are just about the perfect semi auto's, for me.

I'm ALMOST there. My 3913TSW (prerail, 7rd) has been my EDC since I got it 2 years ago. I'm comfortable and proficient with it! However, I'm shooting the daylights out of my 4513TSW (same config as yours) so I can get equally comfortable and proficient with it.

 

[18DAI]

Congrats on the 4513TSW rappa29!!

I had the good fortune of getting my friend and fellow member Big Dog to cut some Hogue 4516 rubber grips to fit my 4513TSW. He does superb work. The grips Big Dog made for me enabled the 4513TSW to fit my hand as well as my 3913 did.

I suggest you contact him if you have any difficulties using the factory Xenoy grips.

Enjoy that 4513TSW!! Regards 18DAI.

 

[rappa29]

Congrats on the 4513TSW rappa29!!

I had the good fortune of getting my friend and fellow member Big Dog to cut some Hogue 4516 rubber grips to fit my 4513TSW. He does superb work. The grips Big Dog made for me enabled the 4513TSW to fit my hand as well as my 3913 did.

I suggest you contact him if you have any difficulties using the factory Xenoy grips.

Enjoy that 4513TSW!! Regards 18DAI.

Thanks! I contacted member FastBolt about it after seeing pics of his 4513TSW with the grip mod. I have a set of Hogues en route to give it a try.