Picked this beauty up today. Looks really really nice. Came with manual, other literature, one factory magazine (red follower), one promag, and a box (not original). Plan to clean it up and take it to the range early next week. Any help on dating would be helpful - serial THA4xxx. Now to find more magazines!!
Local Gun Show Find Today - 3913NL
- Thread starter robrossk
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touchoneoff
Member
Congratulations on a nice find. The SCSW shows the THA pre fix as being made in 1991.
A call to Customer Service will yield at least the month and year of production, although in a couple of cases, I've been provided with the exact data.
As always, it's best to pick up a new recoil spring.
A call to Customer Service will yield at least the month and year of production, although in a couple of cases, I've been provided with the exact data.
As always, it's best to pick up a new recoil spring.
VASCAR2
Member
I bought a 3913 NL and the gray grips did not have the dimple which S&W used to signify replacement grips on 3 rd Generation pistols. The early grips could break if dropped and landed on the bottom corner near the pin hole.
S&W offered to send me a new set of grips but I requested the black grip instead of gray. I just like the look of the traditional 3913 with black grip better.
I replaced the factory sights with Meprolight night sights and carried that pistol for about ten years. I bought a metal flat base seven round magazine and had the two factory magazines.
My 3913 NL would feed empty cases and other than trying induce a malfunction I don't ever recall one. My 3913 NL was very accurate even though it only had a 3.5" barrel.
Great concealed carry gun. Being right handed I didn't mind the single sided safety. I used a Milt Sparks summer special holster which was fast, concealable and comfortable. Only regret, selling it to fund a different off duty carry pistol. Raising a family there wasn't as much disposable income.
For it's day the 3913 was one of the smallest 9 mm pistols on the market but shot and handled as well as larger pistols. If I owned another 3913 NL I might not carry it every day but it would be a welcomed addition to my collection.
Congrats, you found a very desirable pistol IMHO.
S&W offered to send me a new set of grips but I requested the black grip instead of gray. I just like the look of the traditional 3913 with black grip better.
I replaced the factory sights with Meprolight night sights and carried that pistol for about ten years. I bought a metal flat base seven round magazine and had the two factory magazines.
My 3913 NL would feed empty cases and other than trying induce a malfunction I don't ever recall one. My 3913 NL was very accurate even though it only had a 3.5" barrel.
Great concealed carry gun. Being right handed I didn't mind the single sided safety. I used a Milt Sparks summer special holster which was fast, concealable and comfortable. Only regret, selling it to fund a different off duty carry pistol. Raising a family there wasn't as much disposable income.
For it's day the 3913 was one of the smallest 9 mm pistols on the market but shot and handled as well as larger pistols. If I owned another 3913 NL I might not carry it every day but it would be a welcomed addition to my collection.
Congrats, you found a very desirable pistol IMHO.
OP
Called S&W today to order a recoil spring (none in stock), but they told me the gun originally shipped from the factory in September, 1990. Put 130 rounds through it today, 115, 124, 147, and 115 HP's - what a nice shooter. Focused on pinning the trigger, re-alignment, trigger reset, and then firing, Worked well but still room for improvement. Only hiccup was one poorly seated first round using the Promag magazine. Had to push the first round back to fully seat it in the magazine. Definitely a keeper - just need to find a couple more 8 or 9 round magazines with breaking the bank, and will look into the Milt Sparks summer holster. Did find Wolff recoil springs - 16, 18, and 20lb. I have no clue as to the difference so will hold off until communicating with a couple experts. Any help appreciated.
Congrats on your find!
The Wolff 16# is the one to buy as a standard strength spring. I have a 18# in my 3914 because I only shoot (+P).
Their recoil springs typically included an XP firing pin spring which would be good to change out too.
You might also want to order a replacement mainspring, & magazine spring, from them while you're at it, since it won't change the shipping cost.
Those factory springs are almost 30 years old now. Might as well do a complete spring refresh & be all set to enjoy it.
.
OP
According to my understanding, this version of the 3913 with slight angle on frame from trigger guard towards muzzle originally came out with the Ladysmith logo on the right side of the slide. Then came the "NL", although there is no marking like that on the gun. So regarding NL, I have read three different explanations - No Logo, Not Ladysmith, and New Look. Who knows for sure and it may be something the members here can explain further.
VASCAR2
Member
My understanding is the NL meant there was no Lady Smith engraving on the pistol and NL signified No Logo. In essence the 3913 & 3913 Lady Smith were the same pistol design. The Lady Smith had an angular shaped dust cover on the frame, gray grips and single safety decocker instead of ambidextrous safety on the 3913.
Jeppo
Member
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barbara_em
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Given my druthers, I'd much rather carry the original LadySmith model. My dad would be pleased.
