Model 3914 questions.

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Steve St.

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Hello group.

I have a S&W Model 3914, Ser. #TEB 88XX. I am interested in learning some more about this pistol. The biggest question is the history of the 3914. Was it simply part of a series of Model 39s or a model of it's own?
Also the years of production and the year this gun was made.

Thank you.
Steve
 
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Steve St. said:
Hello group.

I have a S&W Model 3914, Ser. #TEB 88XX. I am interested in learning some more about this pistol. The biggest question is the history of the 3914. Was it simply part of a series of Model 39s or a model of it's own?
Also the years of production and the year this gun was made.

Thank you.
Steve
Click to expand...

To get this thread started................................................

The 3914 is part of the 3rd Generation of S&W autos.

1st Gen introduced in about 1955 as the 9mm later the Model 39.
2nd Gen were the three digit guns in the early 80s IIRC
3rd Gen were the four digit guns: 3914/13s and included guns such as the 5906( all stainless) 6906/04 (compact double stack 12+1) all introduced in about 1988/90.

The 3913s and 3914s are also the descendants of customized/hot rodded 39s from the late 1970s and 80s like the ASP,Trapper and Devel....these were cut down/customized 39s for better concealed carry. These custom guns went for about $1200 with an owner supplied gun. About $3,300-3400 in today's dollars

Many here consider the single stack 39xx series guns the best single stack 9mm concealed carry guns made in the past 30 years.

I've carried a 3913/14/NL as my primary concealed carry since about 1990.
 
Last edited:
BAM-BAM said:
To get this thread started................................................

The 3914 is part of the 3rd Generation of S&W autos.

1st Gen introduced in about 1955 as the 9mm later the Model 39.
2nd Gen were the three digit guns in the early 80s IIRC
3rd Gen were the four digit guns: 3914/13s and included guns such as the 5906( all stainless) 6906/04 (compact double stack 12+1) all introduced in about 1988/90.

The 3913s and 3914s are also the descendants of customized/hot rodded 39s from the late 1970s and 80s like the ASP,Trapper and Devel....these were cut down/customized 39s for better concealed carry. These custom guns went for about $1200 with an owner supplied gun. About $3,300-3400 in today's dollars

Many here consider the single stack 39xx series guns the best single stack 9mm concealed carry guns made in the past 30 years.

I've carried a 3913/14/NL as my primary concealed carry since about 1990.
Click to expand...


Thank you Bam Bam.
Steve
 
Congrats on your 3914. They're fine pistols.

My 3914, TEC47xx, was made in Oct-1989 (Spec Ord.# 9304) so your's was made shortly before.

These early models had the flatter slide stop lever & fewer steps on the ambi/decocker levers than later ones.

.

3914
medium800.jpg

(-04a)

.

3914 box label
medium800.jpg

(-01a)

.
 
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BAM-BAM has covered the history of the 3914, but there are a couple of legendary stories accompanying the origin of the 39XX series that may be of interest.

One famous story is that Paris Theodore went to S&W with an example of his chopped and channelled ASP pistol. He was interested in collaborating with S&W in the production of such pistols. The story goes that he was treated coldly and rudely and left.

Charley Kelsey, maker of the Devel models of the S&W 39 and 59 guns, did the same and as the story goes, was treated in a similar fashion. Shortly after his meeting at S&W the model 469 mini gun appeared.

Allegedly, Kelsey was none too pleased and proceeded to purchase a 469. He then modified it and improved it and sent it back to the exec at S&W he had met with. Along with an "in your face" note.

I always note how much S&W stole from the designs of both men in the production of the 39XX and 69XX model pistols. Both Kelsey and Theodore deserve much thanks and credit for the fine 3914 we enjoy today. Regards 18DAI
 
BLUEDOT37 said:
Congrats on your 3914. They're fine pistols.

My 3914, TEC47xx, was made in Oct-1989 (Spec Ord.# 9304) so your's was made shortly before.

These early models had the flatter slide stop lever & fewer steps on the ambi/decocker levers than later ones.

.

3914
medium800.jpg

(-04a)

.

3914 box label
medium800.jpg

(-01a)

.
Click to expand...
How much were they new in box, do you know?
 
Which is about the same price you can buy one for these days. Or less. There is a LGS I've bought several 3rd Gens from that has a very nice condition 3914 for $399.00. Two magazines, no box or anything else. I looked at it, but it just doesn't fit a niche in my 3rd Gen compact accumulation. I'm sure someone will be along to buy it in the not distant future.

BTW, a different LGS just put a used Shorty 40 MK3S on their site. I'm not a .40 guy, as I've noted before, so I'm not interested, but I expect that won't sit on the shelf very long.

BAM-BAM said:
MSRP in the mid 90s was about $560 IIRC....... LGS price more like $450-460
Click to expand...
 
.455_Hunter said:
In my experience, the 391X or 395X is a far superior defensive platform to both the M&P Compact and the Shield.
Click to expand...

+1

I went to my local indoor shooting range with both my Frankengun 3913NL and my 3914DAO and the people behind the counter loved them. The ones more recent into shooting said that they felt better than the Shield in the hand and mechanically for about the same weight. The older guys just laughed at them and told me they had a couple apiece.

FWIW, the trigger reset in SA is amazing on my 3913NL, shortest and crispest among all my TDA guns.
 
Like the idiot I can be sometimes, I once passed on a real nice 3914 for $350, because I had just bought an even nicer 3913NL. I then decided that the 3913NL was too nice to carry, so I sold it. I now have a shooter grade 6904 that fits my needs well, and it has replaced my 9mm Shield as my EDC. It has the shortest re-set of any I have ever owned.

I hope to find a nice afordable 3913 or 14 again too. All are great little guns.
 
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kraynky said:
Like the idiot I can be sometimes, I once passed on a real nice 3914 for $350, because I had just bought an even nicer 3913NL. I then decided that the 3913NL was too nice to carry, so I sold it. I now have a shooter grade 6904 that fits my needs well, and it gas replaced my 9mm Shield as my EDC. It has the shortest re-set of any I have ever owned.

I hope to find a nice afordable 3913 or 14 again too. All are great little guns.
Click to expand...

Quick question, my 3913 and 3914 have full length rails. Does the 6904? I've been wanting one, but I've never seen side pics of one disassembled on GB.
 
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