Mdl 3913NL

[safearm]

Found this beauty sitting in the used counter at a LGS. No box, just one blued magazine (appears to be for a 908). Overall good condition for 30+ year old pistol.

Fired a magazine of FMJ for a function/accuracy check; impacts basically fell on top of each other (I was using a steel plate as target).

I was hoping someone could give me an approximate manufacture/shipping date based on the serial number: TJB7101. Thanks in advance.

This will certainly go into my carry rotation.

 

[M29since14]

Probably sometime in 1991. Very nice little 9mm you've got there. Congrats on finding that one.

 

[pasound]

I agree. My 4th Standard Catalog says THA1016-TVC7046 serials were 1991-1992, with TZU starting in 1993. Probably early 1991, since it seems they made/sold a lot of 3rd gens those years. Very nice 3913.

 

[4T5GUY]

Just throwing this out for the discussion.

Here's the label from my NL's matching box. Doesn't really fit date wise with it being a TJC prefix.

Nice pistols regardless of when they were made and or shipped.

Jim

 

[ACEd]

Found this beauty sitting in the used counter at a LGS. No box, just one blued magazine (appears to be for a 908). Overall good condition for 20+ year old pistol.

Fired a magazine of FMJ for a function/accuracy check; impacts basically fell on top of each other (I was using a steel plate as target).

I was hoping someone could give me an approximate manufacture/shipping date based on the serial number: TJB7101. Thanks in advance.

This will certainly go into my carry rotation.

TJB6210 & TJB7138 date to 1991 per SW; TJB8535 dates to 5/1992 per SW

 

[lhump1961]

These had a short run so 1991 and 1992 will be the approximate time frame. One thing is that the flashed silver trigger indicates earlier if I'm not mistaken and an MIM black trigger would be a bit later. Notice these in the pic. One of each trigger on these, one NL and one LS. At the risk of opening a hornets nest I will say that there is nothing wrong with either but IMHO the MIM is a bit better. Very nice NL and I know you will enjoy it.

 

[Welderzero]

Nice guns, I finally found one and brought it home. Be advised though, the frames were cast aluminum and if you got one with a flaw, well, prepare for Smith to tell you it's your fault if it breaks.


Evidently "lifetime warranty" means something different in their world than it does in mine.

 

[GaryS]

It's well known that S&W no longer has or produces frames for the 3rd Gen. I don't know if they still do, but at one time they would offer a M&P of some flavor at a discount if a 3rd Gen was unrepairable.

I don't like it any more than anyone else, but there's not a lot that we can do about it.

Nice guns, I finally found one and brought it home. Be advised though, the frames were cast aluminum and if you got one with a flaw, well, prepare for Smith to tell you it's your fault if it breaks.


Evidently "lifetime warranty" means something different in their world than it does in mine.

 

[squidsix]

I like this model. Of my three 3913 pistols, one is a Ladysmith (NL).

 

[GaryS]

I've mentioned before that I stumbled on to a 3914NL some years ago. I think I paid $425.00 OTD with two blue magazines.

I like this model. Of my three 3913 pistols, one is a Ladysmith (NL).

 

[Welderzero]

I don't know if they still do, but at one time they would offer a M&P of some flavor at a discount if a 3rd Gen was unrepairable.

They did and I'm going to pass; don't particularly want to trade down on something that had a "lifetime warranty".


I'll just take a chance on fixing mine or finding another frame.


I really like those guns.

 

[GaryS]

I might take the deal depending on how much of a discount they offer. If nothing else, you can sell it and put the money towards another 3rd Gen. The downside there is that you can't strip the gun for parts, which have some value.

I fully expect that finding a frame only would be like winning the lottery.

They did and I'm going to pass; don't particularly want to trade down on something that had a "lifetime warranty".


I'll just take a chance on fixing mine or finding another frame.


I really like those guns.

 

[Welderzero]

I appreciate the input but I really would rather keep my broken 3913 than pay them 400 bucks for a Shield. I have a compact in 45 which I like but I don't need any more combat tupperware. And there's a better than even chance I can fix mine.



If not I'll just find another one - and then I'll have a parts gun.

 

[GerSan69]

Nice guns, I finally found one and brought it home. Be advised though, the frames were cast aluminum and if you got one with a flaw, well, prepare for Smith to tell you it's your fault if it breaks.

Evidently "lifetime warranty" means something different in their world than it does in mine.

I've never had an issue with a dozen or so 3rd Gen semis that I've used extensively over the last 30+ years, including a couple that were carried daily at work. But I never had a reason to dismantle beyond field stripping for cleaning.
Maybe I'm not all that well-versed in metallurgy, but it seems to me that the alloy frames in these guns were built to the highest standards of the time. If one "breaks" due to a flaw, in my experience it's an extremely rare situation. These guns just don't break under "normal" conditions unless they are well-worn.

 

[Welderzero]

Just my bad luck then, I bought a safe queen and removed the grips for a pre shoot inspection. A piece of the frame came off with them.

 

[IronSkillet]

Nice guns, I finally found one and brought it home. Be advised though, the frames were cast aluminum and if you got one with a flaw, well, prepare for Smith to tell you it's your fault if it breaks.


Evidently "lifetime warranty" means something different in their world than it does in mine.

Inside the box of my 3919NL (TJC96XX) there was included a white paper "WARRANTY STATEMENT". Page 2 heading; Extended Service Policy, "even after the warranty period has expired, S&W will repair, without charge, any handgun purchased by the original owner on or after February 1, 1989 which...defect...workmanship.

Sir, are you in fact the original owner? Gen-3s are long out of production, things break bad luck or good. and it has nothing to do with it. Happy shooting to you.

 

[GaryS]

Does yours have a cracked frame? There are a couple of shops that can microweld frame cracks depending on where they are. There have been a couple of threads on that here.

Then again, I just noticed your user name, so maybe that's you!

I appreciate the input but I really would rather keep my broken 3913 than pay them 400 bucks for a Shield. I have a compact in 45 which I like but I don't need any more combat tupperware. And there's a better than even chance I can fix mine.



If not I'll just find another one - and then I'll have a parts gun.

 

[Welderzero]

Sir, are you in fact the original owner? Gen-3s are long out of production, things break bad luck or good. and it has nothing to do with it. Happy shooting to you.

No, I am not and I am aware of the wording of the warranty. I'm basing my expectations on what Smith -used- to do in the olden days. No matter who the owner was if Smith felt that the problem arose from a manufacturing defect or a miscue on their part it got fixed, at no charge, no questions. Sometimes even if the -owner- had done the stupid it still got fixed.


One of my good friends, a formerly famous gunwriter who also worked with Bob Day back in the day building guns for the AF pistol team took one look at the pistola and said "Smith owes you a gun." That's what I'm basing my expectations on - but I'm aware I was being overly optimistic. There's doing what the lawyers want and there's doing what's right. The Smith of today is not the Smith of yore. I'm also aware that's not going to be a hugely popular opinion here...

 

[Welderzero]

Does yours have a cracked frame?

A corner of one of the grip pin holes detached when I took the grips off for a pre shoot inspection as I do all new acquisitions. It was obvious the grips had not been removed by the previous owner. And I was able to -press- the pin out, no punch and sledge were needed. Quite possibly the frame was damaged at the factory when the grips were installed and the busted frame was hidden damage that was missed or simply ignored.


At any rate I'm not swapping one of my bucket list guns for a 400 dollar Shield. I'll take a shot at fixing it or it will become a parts gun and I'll find another. Smith has offered in excess of what it was -legally- obligated to do.


I guess I expected more. My bad.

 

[ACEd]

While I appreciate your problem, I can also understand SW no longer having the ability to repair (replace the frame) on a 30 year old gun. Particularly one that was only produced a short time (though you could argue the Lady Smith frame is equivalent to the NL frame).

Replacing with a like current production pistol would "seem reasonable" - though personally I dont like the newer models - take it and buy another 3913NL - and this time take it apart before you buy.

Watch the WTS listings here and the Auction Boards - the 3913LS come up more frequently than the 3913NL.
Best, Ed