Just joined the club- NIB 3953TSW

[Dean_407]

I posted a message a while ago about the single stack series and the M&P series.

Spent a LONG time at the gun shop. Didn't intend to buy there as they are notoriously over priced.

Actually, intended to just hold a Springfield XD as I got a lead on a decent used deal. Ultimately, while a great gun- it just felt to top heavy and bulky to me.

Was leaning towards the M&P. List was ridiculous $639. With the small backstrap it felt pretty good...better than the XD in my hand. But never owned a striker fired gun.

Sales guy said he could give it to me for $499. Not horrible, but not a shiny happy spot for me.

I then started to hold the 3953 more. Swapped out the M&P and 3953 like 4 times. I thanked the sales guy a lot and told him I did appreciate his time.

Price tag on the new 3953TSW was - get ready- $839. I kid you not.

After getting to $525 I told him I wanted the 3913 but can get used to DAO. I knew they had two sitting there forever. More haggling- $499...which was M&P price point. That annoyed me. I was in sales. I'm not a fool.

Told him $475 best offer- I check online and know well what I can get them for if I try hard enough. He said the owner would never go for it. I had to encourage him to ask. I knew the owner wanted to move product (especially older models) before end of year.

Bingo.

For my small hands, the grip and trigger reach is GREAT!!!

I kept thinking to myself- *logically* getting the old heavier lower capacity gun in DAO just seems silly compared to the M&P.

I was trying to talk myself into the M&P. It's a solid weapon. Many people love it. More rounds. Lighter.

To heck with logic. The 3953 is shiny!

Actually, it simply felt more poised in my hand and I'm just used to DA/SA or DAO systems. It was just the overall feeling, reputation, and looks that won me over.

Since the M&P is popular they wouldn't go below $499. When I got the 3953 to $475+tax I felt REALLY good about it. Would prefer $450, but hey- not too bad.

Previous guns were SIG 229, CZ P-O1, HK P2000SK, Beretta PX4, and S&W 642

Hopefully will shoot her tomorrow. here are pics:

3953TSW PIcs

Got a cheap pocket holster until I discover what the better holsters are for this gun. Defintly not a pocket gun- but neither is the M&P or XD.

Questions:

1) Are there flat base plate magazines for this gun?
2) I think(?) they have 9rd magazines now available- is this the case?
3) Is it possible for a good gunsmith to convert a 3953 to DA/SA like 3913? Or- if not-...are trigger jobs common on this gun?
4) CDNN best place for spare mags?
5) Grips- Hogue has some, but they look very thick. Anyone have nice thin grips? Stock grips seem OK- just wondering.
6) Ammo. I used 124gr SPeer Gold Dot for carry in my P2000SK. Should they feed OK in this gun?
7) I have seen used variants with a spurred hammer so one can cock it. I don't understand the trigger mechanism. Why doesn't the gun re-cock after initial pull when empty?
8) Is take down for cleaning pretty easy- haven't read the manual- intend to tomorrow.
9) Any weak parts on this gun?

Will shoot tomorrow (hopefully) and post my impressions. Hope she's a good one! There's no grease/lube *at all* in this gun. Any cleaning/lube tips?

I'm in the 'family' now! Yeah for me. I was "gunless" for 8 months. Kept looking for the reight time/deal to come along. This was it- for me.

 

[Dean_407]

I posted a message a while ago about the single stack series and the M&P series.

Spent a LONG time at the gun shop. Didn't intend to buy there as they are notoriously over priced.

Actually, intended to just hold a Springfield XD as I got a lead on a decent used deal. Ultimately, while a great gun- it just felt to top heavy and bulky to me.

Was leaning towards the M&P. List was ridiculous $639. With the small backstrap it felt pretty good...better than the XD in my hand. But never owned a striker fired gun.

Sales guy said he could give it to me for $499. Not horrible, but not a shiny happy spot for me.

I then started to hold the 3953 more. Swapped out the M&P and 3953 like 4 times. I thanked the sales guy a lot and told him I did appreciate his time.

Price tag on the new 3953TSW was - get ready- $839. I kid you not.

After getting to $525 I told him I wanted the 3913 but can get used to DAO. I knew they had two sitting there forever. More haggling- $499...which was M&P price point. That annoyed me. I was in sales. I'm not a fool.

Told him $475 best offer- I check online and know well what I can get them for if I try hard enough. He said the owner would never go for it. I had to encourage him to ask. I knew the owner wanted to move product (especially older models) before end of year.

Bingo.

For my small hands, the grip and trigger reach is GREAT!!!

I kept thinking to myself- *logically* getting the old heavier lower capacity gun in DAO just seems silly compared to the M&P.

I was trying to talk myself into the M&P. It's a solid weapon. Many people love it. More rounds. Lighter.

To heck with logic. The 3953 is shiny!

Actually, it simply felt more poised in my hand and I'm just used to DA/SA or DAO systems. It was just the overall feeling, reputation, and looks that won me over.

Since the M&P is popular they wouldn't go below $499. When I got the 3953 to $475+tax I felt REALLY good about it. Would prefer $450, but hey- not too bad.

Previous guns were SIG 229, CZ P-O1, HK P2000SK, Beretta PX4, and S&W 642

Hopefully will shoot her tomorrow. here are pics:

3953TSW PIcs

Got a cheap pocket holster until I discover what the better holsters are for this gun. Defintly not a pocket gun- but neither is the M&P or XD.

Questions:

1) Are there flat base plate magazines for this gun?
2) I think(?) they have 9rd magazines now available- is this the case?
3) Is it possible for a good gunsmith to convert a 3953 to DA/SA like 3913? Or- if not-...are trigger jobs common on this gun?
4) CDNN best place for spare mags?
5) Grips- Hogue has some, but they look very thick. Anyone have nice thin grips? Stock grips seem OK- just wondering.
6) Ammo. I used 124gr SPeer Gold Dot for carry in my P2000SK. Should they feed OK in this gun?
7) I have seen used variants with a spurred hammer so one can cock it. I don't understand the trigger mechanism. Why doesn't the gun re-cock after initial pull when empty?
8) Is take down for cleaning pretty easy- haven't read the manual- intend to tomorrow.
9) Any weak parts on this gun?

Will shoot tomorrow (hopefully) and post my impressions. Hope she's a good one! There's no grease/lube *at all* in this gun. Any cleaning/lube tips?

I'm in the 'family' now! Yeah for me. I was "gunless" for 8 months. Kept looking for the reight time/deal to come along. This was it- for me.

 

[Dot_mdb]

3) S&W might convert the gun but it wouldn't be cheap.

5) The factory grips are fine, especially if you are going to carry the gun.

7) A spurred hammer makes no sense on that gun because the hammer won't stay fully cocked.

When the gun fires the slide partially cocks the hammer. If you are dry firing the gun and pull the trigger the slide doesn't move back like when fired with ammo so you can't use the trigger to drop the hammer without first retracting the slide about a 1/2 inch. The idea of having the slide partially cock the hammer is to give a shorter trigger pull.

The trigger pull on that gun will be approximately like a double action revolver, and maybe a little better. The Smith DAO guns work well for self defense purposes and if you spend some time with the gun you will probably learn to like it the way it is. If it was my gun I would not have it converted to DA/SA.

Bill

 

[HEADKNOCKER]

Congrats Dean!!
You realy don't see many 3953s
For a NEW TSW that was a very good price IMO
I have a Milt Sparks Summer Special IWB that's my favorite holster currently for my 3913NL
Don't think the Rail would fit in a finly boned holster for the 3913.
You might try a SIG Sauer P229s holster
They did/do make a flat base magazine for the 3913/3914/3953 I have only one that's how I know
You can get flat base plates or buy some used magazines from KY Imports for $20-$25 or buy em new from S&W for $39-$41..

Gary

 

[Jim H]

Good job in negotiating price, I paid $375 used a year ago.

3) Is it possible for a good gunsmith to convert a 3953 to DA/SA like 3913?

Probably, but I would be more likely just to buy a 3913 and have the choice of shooting either.

4) CDNN best place for spare mags?

I found a large selection at a local gun show.

7) I have seen used variants with a spurred hammer so one can cock it. I don't understand the trigger mechanism. Why doesn't the gun re-cock after initial pull when empty?

You can't cock a DAO. The hammer and trigger give one shot per squeeze; there is no second-strike capability.

The hammer is partially-cocked by rear motion of the slide. Trigger pull moves the hammer to full-cock and then releases it.

The hammer must be back in its half-cock position and the trigger reset by forward travel before trigger can again move the hammer to full-cock and release it.

8) Is take down for cleaning pretty easy- haven't read the manual- intend to tomorrow.

Take down is like most other S&W metal frame guns. Should be easy after a quick read.

9) Any weak parts on this gun?

The only weakness I have seen is its owner...

 

[Outrider]

Dean,

Congratulations!

I don't think you'd want to convert it to SA/DA. The Smith DAO is a brilliant design. Don't try to undo it... The trigger pull on that pistol can be tuned -- fairly inexpensively -- to where it's dramatically better than most revolvers -- and very smooth. Just put your clearly superior negotiating skills to best use -- and get a good 3913 -- if you hanker after SA/DA.

Frankly, all in all, I prefer -- by a dramatic, wide margin -- the Smith DAO with the right springs and the proper tuning over SA/DA for all shooting under 75 yards -- and for all carry.

Fire tha 3953 some. Well tuned Smith DAOs are perhaps the best kept secret in the gun world. People just don't believe they can possibly be as good as they are. The Smith DAO is completely counter-intuitive. They can't POSSIBLY be as good as they are, you'd think.

But they really are -- with the right spring set up. They're flat -- with a smooth, clean stroke. The only trigger pull I LIKE better are a fully cocked Smith revolver or a 1911. A good Smith 'smith can do wonders with that gun's trigger pull with spring weights, etc.

The Smith DAOs -- when tuned right --are just a delight to shoot.

(Of course, some out there have 900 lb. springs -- and require leg lifts -- to fire

...Those come from Northeastern paranoid police departments...who really don't want their officers to ever fire a gun -- ever...

)

You don't want a spurred hammer. It defeats the design of the system -- and creates a clothing snag.

I've found that Smith DAOs are most aptly compared to a slick, slick, slick Smith revolver where the trigger is staged about half-way. It rolls -- and glides. It's a true thing of beauty....

They rank in my top 3 or 4 all time carry guns.

I like XDs and MPs -- and will probably own both one day -- but you did well. Still, I'd never automatically prefer either one over a good Smith DAO. Enjoy!

 

[Dean_407]

Thanks guys.

I'll take a look at the manual then head off to the range.

I agree- if anything I will just get he trigger tweaked down the road.

-Dean

 

[Cruiser RN]

Hi Dean.Congrats on your purchase.I am a relatively new semi-auto person who bought a NIB CS9 after 17 years of double action revolver shooting.After putting on night sights I had the S+W Armorers convert it to DAO.The trigger is as good as my 640 revolver with a trigger job.I wouldn't convert it to DA/SA if you are using it as a carry gun because with a little trigger work it is sweet shooting.Also leave the smooth hammer because the hammer is always partially cocked and can't be manually cocked to single action,giving you no tactical advantage,and can get caught on clothing while drawing the firearm.......God Bless and Merry christmas.....Mike

 

[Dean_407]

Thanks for those responses folks.

I'll shoot it a bunch 'as is' and maybe down the road get a trigger job.

Anyone know what the trigger pull in pounds is out of the factory on the 3953? My P2000SK had a heavy DA pull of 11.47lbs and the 3953 feels pretty close to that.

I checked a few online places for new mags and they are all out except S&W who want $41/ea.

Thanks for the KY Import tip. Used is fine with me.

I made an inquiry to a company that sells decent holsters if they have any for the 3953. Lightning Arms Sports- good folks to deal with...based on my experience a while ago.

Will go give her a cleaning now then go to bed. It's been one of those days.

I am thrilled to be armed once again. This gun is built VERY well. The quality is there. Feels high end.

To me- the American version of the Sig 239 for a lot less!

Have a Happy Holiday everyone!

-Dean

 

[mountaingun629]

The rubber Hogue grips for this gun are MUCH more comfortable in the hand than the stock hard plastics, but can be a bit of a pain to install.

Myron