M3953 - Performance Center "Special Edition"

[SmithNut]

Was lrumaging through my safe looking for something to do and ran into this cool little Third Gen model, the M3953 "Special Edition" (see letter from Roy Jinks).

Have a few questions about this particular gun, have seen others post theirs but with the "billboard" marking as Performance Center Classic.

I'm wondering if this is part of that run, or if it is/was a different PC run?
The factory letter on mine indicates that this was part of a run of 20 guns. The serial prefix is "PCZ" which has been used for all sorts of models that came out from the PC in short runs (as does the M3953 "Classic" guns I've seen posted here).

So, here's my first question, has anyone lettered their "Classic" marked gun and have any quantities noted in the letter?

Next question, does anyone have one like mine, with no billboard? It would be interesting to know if, while using the same "PCZ" prefix, were their two different runs of the M3953 (one as the Classic, one as Special Edition?

Here's a couple pics and the letter pg. 2 on this one.....

P.S., if you have one, Billboard or not, please post pics of yours.
Enjoy.....

 

[IronSkillet]

Some wow factor there. Not sure if I could take that beauty to the range, out of the safe to admire and wipe down and away it would go.

 

[weatherby]

I've seen the PCZ prefix and think it may refer to prototype guns. Definitely research it.
I think you probably have one of 20 made like that.

 

[malph]

Here is mine along with a few other rare Smith autos. A PC5903 5" and a Super 9.

 

[SmithNut]

Here is mine along with a few other rare Smith autos. A PC5903 5" and a Super 9.

Very nice, love them all 'specially the PC5903, first one I've seen.....

I only own 1/2 a Super 9.......

 

[BAM-BAM]

Looks a bit like the 6015s Sharkbait and I built 6906 lower mated to a 915 upper!!!!

 

[SmithNut]

Looks a bit like the 6015s Sharkbait and I built 6906 lower mated to a 915 upper!!!!

A gentleman on the forum made this gun up for me some years back (for the life of me I can't remember his name or forum handle.... my bad).
I've struggled with trying to figure out what model S&W that had a 5" non-PC 9MM barrel.
In a recent conversation with CALREB I mentioned this gun and he was the one that brought up the Super 9 as the source for the donor slide/barrel assembly....
So, now I can say I have 1/2 of a Super 9....

Now, if I could just get Craig to make me a wrap-around set of nice Cocobolo Spegels ...

 

[SmithNut]

Here is mine along with a few other rare Smith autos. A PC5903 5" and a Super 9.

Malph,
I see your M3953 has the "Classic Series" banner, and is in the same s/n range as I posted above (and shown on the letter), so I think mine would probably be part of the Classis Series, but it just didn't get the slide banner.
Curious, in the PPC9 thread you show this same gun and indicate that it has a BarSto barrel, does that mean that it has the spherical bushing treatment like other PC guns? Mine has a standard production style barrel.

 

[SmithNut]

Looks a bit like the 6015s Sharkbait and I built 6906 lower mated to a 915 upper!!!!

Got pics????

 

[malph]

Malph,
I see your M3953 has the "Classic Series" banner, and is in the same s/n range as I posted above (and shown on the letter), so I think mine would probably be part of the Classis Series, but it just didn't get the slide banner.
Curious, in the PPC9 thread you show this same gun and indicate that it has a BarSto barrel, does that mean that it has the spherical bushing treatment like other PC guns? Mine has a standard production style barrel.

Hello SmithNut. As far as I know, all of the M3953 PC guns were part of the short-lived Classic Series.

Did the Classic Series ever get of the ground? Were there any other guns in that series? A 45XX perhaps?


The pistol has a very well fitted bar-sto barrel but no spherical bushing.

 

[SmithNut]

Hello SmithNut. As far as I know, all of the M3953 PC guns were part of the short-lived Classic Series.

Did the Classic Series ever get of the ground? Were there any other guns in that series? A 45XX perhaps?


The pistol has a very well fitted bar-sto barrel but no spherical bushing.

Thanks for the info Malph,

There are other guns/models that have shown up with the PCZ serial number, I think I have another in my collection - I'll see if I can find it....
I'm not 100% certain, but I think there is a 45xx version out there, I'll see if I can find more info on it.

It's my opinion that late in the Third Generation lifespan the PC ended up with various frames from different models and made them up for revenue purposes (and calling them the Classic Series), using the PCZ prefix to distinguish these from earlier runs... Again, it's just my opinion. At this time the only concrete example I have is the M3953 in discussion here, mine was shipped in 1998, while the total production run of M3953 guns ranged from 1991 to 1999.

 

[SmithNut]

Classic Series info

Malph,
Here's an old thread that discusses the Classic Series, and it includes info on a M4567 that is so marked.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-...6-how-about-4567-a.html?584395=#post140354546

There are other threads, if you search on Classic you can find other discussions from the past.

I'll look for more info on the PCZ serial numbered versions.... I know I've seen that serial number prefix used on other models (but that could be my fading memory... )

update - this same thread shows a M4566 using the PCZ prefix.... and it was posted by our friend CALREB... The plot thickens on the Classic guns....

 

[malph]

Thanks SmithNut. I appreciate the education.

 

[SmithNut]

Here's another PCZ prefix gun, see the pic

Just came across this flyer for a M945-40 made for SportsSouth, Inc. Notice the s/n in the pic is PCZ0342.

Interesting......

And another.... this one is PCZ0303

 

[KurtC]

The pistol in the OP was made using up the last of the 5944 slides and some leftover pre TSW 3953 frames. Had they used 3954 frames, I would have picked one up.

 

[SmithNut]

The pistol in the OP was made using up the last of the 5944 slides and some leftover pre TSW 3953 frames. Had they used 3954 frames, I would have picked one up.

I think you are on to something....

 

[4T5GUY]

It seems that 1998 was a popular year for Performance Center Specials.

There was always speculation that these were made up from leftovers.

Jim

 

[KurtC]

I think you are on to something....

My idea of the perfect 9mm EDC.

 

[SmithNut]

My idea of the perfect 9mm EDC.

I agree with you, another "they should have made" example.

For the pic I used the top end from my M3953 Classic (shown above), but it's all back together and stored away properly .
Now, I'm struggling over the idea of taking the top end from one of my two M5944's and put it on the 3954 frame shown above, use it for awhile to see how it shoots and "lugs".... I'm sure it will be great....

The problem is, I don't like scratching up and/or damaging any of my "hard to find/scarce" Third Gen DAO guns..... so, I'll just dream and go back to lugging one of my "using" polymer guns (yeah, I have several Glocks that get all the carry duty these days, don't tell anyone)..... They don't mind getting dirty and - as many have noted - they still work without a proper/regular cleaning...

 

[KurtC]

Back when the Performance Center actually customized firearms for customers, I had them fit a 4586 upper onto a 4556 lower. It was perfect combination of balance and concealability. I think someone on this forum currently owns it.

Safariland used to make suede lined universal fit concealment holster. I use several of them. They do a nice job of protecting the finish on the sidearm.