I had forgotten how good a 3913 really is.

nocents said:
............I feel ya brother.......it's akin to a security blanket ;)...................
6I87BsMh.jpg
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I see you got one of the flush fit 7rd magazines.

LOL Bond went to an ASP in the Books.... that^^^^^ would be the prefect gun for the movies!!!!!!
 
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BAM BAM

I have small hands. The 6906 doesn't fit my hand. I made one up before the 5906/3913. I couldn't shoot it nearly as well so I reassembled the original 6906 and 915 and sold them.
 
Yep, it only takes a range session to refresh the reason of why a 3913 is such a great single stack compact. ;)

I've been carrying my original 3913 recently, after finally getting around to cleaning it from my last range session.

I installed the optional spring-loaded decock-only assembly in mine. For some mysterious reason my slide came machined for it, back when it was a new option only being offered to LE and the machining was only done at the Performance Center. When I called to order the decock-only assembly, nobody with whom I spoke on the phone could explain why my slide had had the machining done. Best guess I was given was maybe the PC had modified the slide for a special order or some project, but then it was canceled and the machined slide was sent back over to Production and just ended up in the 3913 I ordered.

I've gone through some different sights on mine, including the discontinued Novak Ghost rear sight, but the factory (Trijicon) nights I last installed are old enough to have finally gone completely dark. Before my last range session I dabbed some bright neon orange nail polish in round circle making up the front night sight, and it really helped the front sight to stand out to my senior citizen eyes. Similar to the way the big orange front ring of the Ameriglo Agent Pro NS catches my eyes on my G27.

While I have a couple other holsters for my 3913, I still prefer my old Hume H726 semi-open breakfront belt scabbard. I used it for my issued 6906's, as well my 3913, CS9 and 4040PD. (I have models of the holster for my 4013TSW, 4513TSW, 3913TSW (railed, late production), CS45 and a couple other brands of guns.

I've used that first 3913 for enough years on our range for me to have replaced the recoil spring a few times, and I forget how many magazine springs. Our previous duty ammunition has included assorted 147gr standard pressure loads, as well as a couple 124gr +P loads and the W-W 127gr +P+ RA9SXTP and RA9TA (different vintages). I replaced the recoil spring more often when using the +P and +P+ loads.

While I have Hogue rubber grip stocks on my 3913 (at present), I still run the factory grip on the 3913TSW. No particular reason, and both types of grips have their pro's & con's.

Matter of fact, today I'm going to belt on that original Hume leather scabbard and carry my 3913, loaded with 127gr +P+, as I go out for the afternoon.

One of the best 9's S&W ever produced, and among the all-time best compact, metal-framed defensive single stacks ever made. In my opinion, anyway. ;)
 
I normally carry one of my 39xx guns for the majority of the year, though for 2020 it's been a 45ACP every day, since society has gotten a bit crazier this year.:rolleyes:

I still consider the 3913 and it's relatives to be the best carry guns ever made, in any caliber, period. Especially with modern defensive ammo, they are simply the easiest to shoot, control, conceal, safely carry, and effectively defend yourself with.

I shoot my 39xx guns better than the rest with my off-hand, and I would imagine that they would be the best choice if I was winded from a struggle or running, dazed from a blow to the head, or shaky from an adrenaline dump. At the end of a range session I'll tend to not shoot as well with my larger calibers due to fatigue, but pull out the 3913TSW again and it just seems so easy.

If I could only have one, it would be my 3913TSW. :D
 
I thought about selling mine a few months back and I'm glad I didn't; I don't know what I was thinking.

The only issue I have is that I can't get Hornaday Critical Defense FTX to feed reliably, so I have to use a different brand and type of carry ammo. Anyone else have that issue?
 
MetalGunGuy said:
I thought about selling mine a few months back and I'm glad I didn't; I don't know what I was thinking.

The only issue I have is that I can't get Hornaday Critical Defense FTX to feed reliably, so I have to use a different brand and type of carry ammo. Anyone else have that issue?
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I've never heard of that issue before. My 39xx guns feed everything, but I don't use Hornady FTX (though I see that it does perform well in tests). How long has the recoil spring been in your 3913? It is recommended to replace them every 5 years/5,000 rounds.
 
The first 9mm I EDC'd was a 908. I own a 3913LS and a 3913NL along with several 3953s and a pre-rail 3953TSW. The 3900 compacts are fine shooters, have a nice balanced feel, and just the right amount of heft to keep them at the top of my EDC charts.

For me, "the perfect carry gun" is the 3953. The DAO preference is due to carrying and training with revolvers exclusively for more than 3 decades. I like the 3953's trigger which reminds me of my S&W 19.
 
TercGen said:
I've never heard of that issue before. My 39xx guns feed everything, but I don't use Hornady FTX (though I see that it does perform well in tests). How long has the recoil spring been in your 3913? It is recommended to replace them every 5 years/5,000 rounds.
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I picked up this 3913NL. It had FTF/FTE issues. My bad for not field stripping it before shooting it.

After posting about it, a fellow member suggested changing the recoil spring.

After giving it a through cleaning, and replacing the recoil spring, the 3913NL runs like a top.

It prefers 124gr or heavier ammo. I never had a problem with that Hornady ammo. Mine eats it up.

The 3913 is a great carry pistol.
 

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Yes I'm a firm believer the 3913 & 14 are arguably the best 9's ever made. I've carried a 3914 every day for years with a Remora iwb and an extra mag pouch, and have a matching setup as back up in the event the primary is ever stolen or confiscated for any reason. Both also have hogues. I've never had a problem with the finish getting any surface rust and I'm in the south so carrying in high heat and humidity. I've never had either hiccup on any ammo - period. And yes very accurate. They are so well balanced too compared to so many other single stacks. Yep - I love metal. I can't see ever changing my EDC
 
GaryS said:
I should carry mine, but it's so nice in the box that I just haven't yet.

BTW, what is that grip sleeve on yours?
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Gary,

I do not remember who manufactured the grip sleeve. They are meant for a smaller pistil but provide just enough extra purchase on the 3953 without adding any bulk. It's super thin. Somebody on here turned me on to the product. Actually, I think it was 18DAI. 18DAI, was it you?

Ryan
 
I like mine. It would have been nice if Smith & Wesson would have made the shield take the same magazines
 
NCBeagle I think it was......

That appears to be a "The Gripper" grip sleeve. They were sold by Dana Safety Supply. A local cop shop. They had a website address on the plastic bag they came in - but it was never set up or activated.

I have them on the majority of my carry guns. And they are durable. The ones on my CS9s have been on there for years and have yet to wear out. I am not sure if they are still produced. Regards 18DAI
 
Dana Safety Supply is apparently a national company with one location in NC. I checked their website, but they don't list any grip sleeves. Pachmyar makes a "The Gripper" but it doesn't look like the one in the photo.

I use the Pachmyar one for my "full size" compacts, but the pre rail TSW pistols require cutting. I think I finally got mine to fit properly, but it looks a bit hacked up.

If anyone has any idea what size fits those guns without cutting, I'd appreciate the information. Since the 3rd Gens aren't in production, none of the grip manufacturers include them in their sizing. Most sizing information revolves around Glocks. Maybe the Glock 43 size?

Sorry to ramble, but I'm listening to a fairly boring Covid Vaccine lecture. :rolleyes:

18DAI said:
NCBeagle I think it was......

That appears to be a "The Gripper" grip sleeve. They were sold by Dana Safety Supply. A local cop shop. They had a website address on the plastic bag they came in - but it was never set up or activated.

I have them on the majority of my carry guns. And they are durable. The ones on my CS9s have been on there for years and have yet to wear out. I am not sure if they are still produced. Regards 18DAI
Click to expand...
 
We have a Dana Safety Supply here just north of Ft. Lauderdale. Last year I delivered to them some brand new Dodge Chargers I picked up at the Dodge dealer. They were police pursuit models, & Dana was adding the lights, & 2-way radios getting them ready for the police department who purchased them. There must have been 100 brand new Ford, Chevy, & Dodge police cars in their lot ready to be picked up. GARY
 
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