Low Profile Slide Lock For 3913?

[kbm6893]

I have had many, many 3rd Gen pistols, but I got one today that is different. It's a 3913, serial number TEB0753. Looks very clean. But the slide lock is very narrow. Almost flush to the slide, unlike every other one I own, or still own (the 3913 is my 10th one in current inventory). It doesn't bother me. It just feels so different. Most would consider it a plus, in fact, but I have later model 3rd Gen (I'm guessing this one is late 1990's. Has the flash chromed trigger and hammer). Here are some pics:

I'm including a 3953 with the wider stop for comparison:

 

[Sevens]

I have a similar stop on a 3906. Honestly, I have no idea if this was a factory available part or if someone shaved it down. Somehow, I haven't seen this nuance discussed here and I also would like to know.

I think it's BETTER this way. I don't tend to use a slide stop to put a slide in to battery, and to use my thumb from the underside to lock the slide, doesn't seem any different to me.

I like them.

 

[robtom]

I believe early 3900 series used the low profile slide release lever and safety/decocker since they were intended for concealed carry, not sure when they changed and used the same assemblies as used on full size pistols.

 

[kbm6893]

Roy just dated my gun as October, 1989, so maybe that was standard back then for the compact guns. I like it, too. Just never seen them before.

 

[flintsghost]

They are common on the performance center guns and the early "Shorty" series guns.

 

[SmithNut]

My M3953, M3954 and M4054 all have the low profile slide releases....
Can't remember back all those years that I've been without a full size M39xx to confirm or deny if they had regular slide releases.... but I'm guessing regular size....

 

[JohnHL]

I have had many, many 3rd Gen pistols, but I got one today that is different. It's a 3913, serial number TEB0753. Looks very clean. But the slide lock is very narrow. Almost flush to the slide, unlike every other one I own, or still own (the 3913 is my 10th one in current inventory). It doesn't bother me. It just feels so different. Most would consider it a plus, in fact, but I have later model 3rd Gen (I'm guessing this one is late 1990's. Has the flash chromed trigger and hammer). Here are some pics:

I'm including a 3953 with the wider stop for comparison:

The "shaved" slide stop was a feature on the early compact models and was paired with the similarly shaved safety levers.

Lasted from about 1988 through about 1992.

Never featured on the full sized pistols.

If you like them (as I do) it is easy to file away a couple of steps from the thicker versions.

John

 

[kbm6893]

The "shaved" slide stop was a feature on the early compact models and was paired with the similarly shaved safety levers.

Lasted from about 1988 through about 1992.

Never featured on the full sized pistols.

If you like them (as I do) it is easy to file away a couple of steps from the thicker versions.

John

I don’t perceive any real difference with the safety levers, although I only have two 3rd Gen guns with safeties left, a 5906 and a 4566. The rest are all DAO.

 

[4T5GUY]

The "shaved" slide stop was a feature on the early compact models and was paired with the similarly shaved safety levers.

When you mentioned that 5-6 yrs ago, (maybe longer,) I found they were still available from Numrich. My 908 was only @250.00 so I messed with it a bit including a 3914 guide rod and new grip.

Still appreciate your input John.

Jim

 

[GaryS]

I also bought a couple from Numrich a few years ago. BMCM shaved and dehorned a couple of safety levers as well. I like the slimming effect.

When you mentioned that 5-6 yrs ago, (maybe longer,) I found they were still available from Numrich. My 908 was only @250.00 so I messed with it a bit including a 3914 guide rod and new grip.

Still appreciate your input John.

Jim

 

[4T5GUY]

Gary, just wondering if you changed out the factory controls on your pre-rail 3913TSW to the “flattened” four line ones?

Sometimes S&W didn’t make sense in that the LS’s and NL’s had them, (and maybe early 3913/14’s ?,) but the TSW’s did not. (I’m probably wrong but I don’t mind being corrected.) The non railed versions would be a natural candidate.

Jim

 

[kbm6893]

I never even thought to check the grips. Been a long time since I had a 3rd Gen of this vintage. No dimple. Doubt the factory has replacements but I can always ask.

 

[GaryS]

It has a low profile slide release, but I bought a new Left side only safety which has four steps and swapped it in for the ambi version.

My CS9S came with an ambi safety and got a 908 safety that was shaved and dehorned by BMCM. Bill also shaved the ambi safety on my rail 3913TSW.

The earlier guns had low profile controls, but the later ones had the fatter ones for reasons that made sense to Smith & Wesson.

Gary, just wondering if you changed out the factory controls on your pre-rail 3913TSW to the “flattened” four line ones?

Sometimes S&W didn’t make sense in that the LS’s and NL’s had them, (and maybe early 3913/14’s ?,) but the TSW’s did not. (I’m probably wrong but I don’t mind being corrected.) The non railed versions would be a natural candidate.

Jim

 

[GaryS]

It's hit or miss. A few years back, I bought an early production 3914. It had the original grips. I called Customer Service and they sent out new grips. A couple of people here called about other models and were told they were out of grips.

I never even thought to check the grips. Been a long time since I had a 3rd Gen of this vintage. No dimple. Doubt the factory has replacements but I can always ask.

 

[URIT]

Interesting. I've never really noticed the difference in slide locks. I don't use the slide lock much.

I'm a DAO fan too. My EDC a 3953 (N.P.D. 188) has the low profile slide lock. I also have one 3953 with a shaved slide lock.

I didn't check any others, but I suspect a mix because some are late models.

 

[kbm6893]

Interesting. I've never really noticed the difference in slide locks. I don't use the slide lock much.

I'm a DAO fan too. My EDC a 3953 (N.P.D. 188) has the low profile slide lock. I also have one 3953 with a shaved slide lock.

I didn't check any others, but I suspect a mix because some are late models.

I noticed it immediately. Not by sight, but by feel. I opened the case and dropped the mag and locked the slide open to check the gun. My thumb immediately felt the much more narrow lock. I actually thought it was an aftermarket part because in the probably 30 3rd Gen guns I’ve owned, at least 10 of them being single stack compacts, I’ve never had the shaved lock.

 

[kbm6893]

Called S&W. No grips available. I had ordered a set of rubber Hogue grips for it. I kind of like them in single stacks. They’re ok in double stacks. Can’t stand them in double stack compacts like the 6946.

Anyway, they didn’t fit. First of all, it took a lot of work to get the pin through the frame with the grip adapter in there. Then, the panels wouldn’t line up. Big gaps on front and rear. Never had that issue. One of my 3953’s has the Hogue grip and it fits perfectly. So they’re going back to Amazon. Maybe try one more time. Might have just gotten a bad set.