Found a 3913 for sale - need some advice

[Lothar]

Hi folks this is my first post. I've found a 3913 for sale locally from a private seller. The seller is the original owner, he says it's only had 200-300 rounds through it. He's offering it with 3 extra factory recoil springs and 4 8-round factory mags, box and manual/documents. oh plus a concealed carry holster. He's asking $550. Does that sound like a fair deal? I haven't seen the pistol in person yet but it looks new from the pictures he posted in the ad.

 

[MattB]

At the very least it looks like the gun has been modified with a spurred hammer. As far as I know they came from the factory with a bobbed hammer. I'll let members with more 3rd generation pistol knowledge provide more info.

 

[Zebulon]

I'd buy it.....Zebulon

 

[Goshen606]

Got mine for $435 with 2 mags. No box.

 

[lsufan1971]

The recoil springs really don't add much value to the gun but the two extra mags do. I would offer the guy $525 if he balks give him the $550 if you really want it. Once you get it you will be glad you did they are very fine weapons. I have an NL model and love it.

 

[Denver Dick]

FWIW here are my observations:

1. Unless the end label on the box notes the spurred hammer, it may well be a replacement.

2. He only fired 200-300 rounds. Interesting that he has 3 extra recoil springs and 4 mags. Without a physical inspection, I'm would not say he fired more rounds, but the number of extra recoil springs just seems a little odd to me.

3. Keep in mind that 3rd generation stainless steel pistols photograph very well. Many little blemishes simply don't show up.

Good luck.

 

[wilshire1412]

Where I live that would be a good deal, I paid $550 for mine and it came without a box and only two mags and a set of Houges.

 

[Super Trucker]

The spurred hammer throws me, I have an early model like this one with the silver trigger and spurless hammer. I bought it new in 1994 and about 4 years ago I called S&W and asked if I could by a spurred hammer for mine and they said NO.
I personally think 550.00 is a little high, but these little jems are getting harder to find.

 

[jaysouth]

It is not the smoking hot steal that I like, but I would buy it if a hands on inspection was satisfactory. The spurred hammer was an aftermarket installation. I would ask that the gun be delivered to an experienced smith for detailed examination. The spurred hammer and other unseen mods might have been done by a less than experienced smith.

The two extra mags are worth 30 bucks each.

 

[tocohillsguy]

For what it's worth, I just completed the purchase of a used 3913 with four mags (2 stainless and 2 blued) box, nylon holster, and manual for $450. The shipping and transfer fees bump up the cost to $500. By purchasing locally you avoid the fees and have the opportunity for a physical inspection. I'm relatively new to purchasing used guns, but I suspect most sellers understate the round counts. Mine was sold to me with a "low round" count, but how does one really know? I know the finish on the one I purchased looks good. The pistol and plastic mag followers (if that is the right term) were very dirty and the pistol had not been cleaned since the last time it was fired. It all cleaned up very well and I'm happy with the purchase, but I honestly don't know if the pistol has fired 200 rounds or 2000 rounds. Not sure how one tells. This is why used pistols should cost significantly less than new, unless they have some unique collecting value. Unless your local market runs higher than average I would think $450 to $500 would be a fair price. $550 is high, but if upon inspection it seems particularly clean and you really want it, then what the hell. You'll soon enough forget about the "extra" $50 you spent.


Here the picture of mine from the gunbroker listing...

You can see another poor picture on a thread I recently started.

Good luck. Ultimately it's caveat emptor, and I think your odds of NOT being taken increase significantly with the personal inspection that is possible in a FTF transaction.

 

[Lothar]

Thanks for the comments gents. About the hammer, in the ad he claims that it was factory installed. I forgot to ask him about it when I was on the phone. I'll have to question him further. The funny thing is that he says the 3 recoil springs are a $45 value but they're $1.59 a pop from Midway USA.

 

[Goshen606]

I'd give $500 tops. Only because it has 4 mags and the original box.

 

[tocohillsguy]

Originally posted by Lothar:
The funny thing is that he says the 3 recoil springs are a $45 value but they're $1.59 a pop from Midway USA.

This would concern me. Either the BS factor is very high or he is simply misinformed.

 

[JnBy]

I think it comes down to the condition of the gun, your desire to have such a gun, and how long and hard you want to look to find another one that is in comparable condition. You might be able to save $50 or even $100, but then again you might not find another one at all. They are becoming more scarce and more expensive as time goes on. Even if you have to pay a little more now, you probably won't lose a penny if you keep it for a while. SOMEBODY will probably pay $550 for it now, especially with two extra mags. Not sure what the holster is, but it could be worth a few bucks too.

If you found a nice 3913 at a local gun store, you'll probably have to pay sales tax on it...so figure an extra $30 or so. The mags are easily worth $30 or so apiece. If you buy it online, figure in the FFL transfer fee and shipping. Bottom line: You could easily rack up more than $550, and not have the convenience or peace of mind of seeing and having the transaction done right now. Not to mention being able to buy it off paper, possibly.

I'd buy it if it was nice and if I wanted another one. I'd pull some cash out and try to make the deal. It looks like a nice one.

 

[RUT]

You might be able to save $50 or even $100,

If I wanted something bad enough, I wouldn't lose it over $50-$100. You can spend that much on a meal out, with nothing to show for it afterwards. However, I suspect if you wave five "centuries" under his nose he'll probably take it.

 

[JamesArthur60]

My thoughts as well. Offer five hundred cash, and tell him you'll buy it NOW. Besides, if something is wrong mechanically (which is doubtful), S&W will repair it free. Don't forget, extra mags for the 3913 are not the easiest to find.

 

[george minze]

IMHO Smith and Wesson will make a smart decision and re-introduce the 3913 or a very close variant. that little pistol was by far a real good design and became much more popular as time went on. They are one of the best candidates for slight tuning and end up so very slick. I sold one last year a 3953 (much to my sorrow) it had been reworked by Actions by T. It brought 1300 even after 20% commission to gun shop I was flabbergasted. That made me believe I should not have sold it. As to the hammer I never saw one with a exposed hammer. There are way to many shade tree gunsmiths around, or think they are? I would look into the action. As to price they are not getting any cheaper. if all is right I would pay the price especially if original box etc. The only reason I can even imagine for the exposed hammer would possible be the need to use a thumb break holster per department regulations. the bobbed hammer made a thumb break or any retention device hard to make (really) work. good luck!

 

[PX15]

FWIW:

Just personal opinion, but $550 seems a bit high for a used pistol, even with the extras.. Not saying it's not worth it, because anything is worth what someone is willing to pay for it..

As a comparison, I bought a NIB 3913LS from CDNN several months ago for $499.99.

I should think carefully searching the internet would find you a NIB 3913 for around the same price, minus the extra mags..

But, hey, S&W has the best CS in the firearms industry, so even if you buy a used 3gS you have the security of knowing it can be fixed.

Best Wishes,

Jesse

 

[tocohillsguy]

Hey, I see a for real LNIB 3913 (but only one mag) for sale on gunbroker for a "buy it now" price of $639. Not sure if that makes you feel better or worse about your potential purchase.

 

[PX15]

Originally posted by tocohillsguy:
Not sure if that makes you feel better or worse about your potential purchase.

thg:

Makes me feel a lot BETTER about my recent purchase...

Best Wishes,

Jesse