Model 908

[JR78]

Need some opinions. I have years of time with the other S&W autos, but not any with this type. Give it to me, good, bad or indifferent.

 

[chessail 77]

I recently bought a 908 and was able to get it to the range several weeks ago...It shot extremely well and had zero issues after an hundred or so rounds ...it is lighter than my 6906 and has the same features ....an easy, excellent cc weapon. Let me know if you need anymore info....
John

 

[ColbyBruce]

I liked it well enough to buy another one

The #908 is a great carry gun.

 

[Guevera]

I bought two also - one blue one and one in stainless steel. I like them a lot and see the 908 as a terrific value. I also appreciate a flat firearm design, and have no need for the ambidextrous safety so often found on the third generation S&W pistols.

I guess if I had one caveat about the 908 (having shot and carried them for a couple of months now) it is that the blue pistol has a rather thin skinned finish on it. Mine started to rust after a couple of especially sweaty work days. This is not the same Glock-like finish found on the newer S&W autos. With the stainless pistol it wasn't an issue. The blue one is at Robar right now being covered with their "Roguard" finish with NP3 on the internals. Although this refinishing will cost me more than the original cost of the blue 908 (used), I like the design so much I think it is worth the price.

I have gone out of my way to run every kind of flat nosed, oddball, hollow point, +p, and ball ammunition through these two pistols and have yet to find something that will make them choke.

Everybody rants and tears their hair about the 3913 and dismisses the 908 as the bargain basement version of this S&W. Personally, I am very pleased with my two 908s and consider them the Mossbergs of the 9mm auto world: cheap, rugged, simple, and perfectly reliable.

 

[C/O]

I Have a 3913, which is basicly the same gun. I love mine, IMHO it is the best CCW semi auto that I have ever owned. I have tried Sig, Beretta and Glock and none conceal as well as the 3913. I like the fact that it has a safety and the magazine diconnect.

I recommend that if it fits your hand get it. You may also want to look for a nice used 3913/3914, they will come with a metal guide rod and sights and the slide will be more rounded.

 

[JamesArthur60]

Another former 908 owner. It was traded away for something I don't even remember now. But it was reliable and small for concealment. All positives from me. I wish I still had it.

 

[Arkieron]

3913 breech measurement

I would sure appreciate a good accurate measurement right down the barrel of a unloaded 3913. I have one locked during firing. I am trying to determine if I have a dud in the chamber. I used the rod on a veneer caliper to check mine. arkieron
[email protected]

 

[capttom]

Muzzle to breech face on my 908 (same as the 3913) is 3 1/2". Loaded (round in the chamber) is 2 7/16", give or take a smidge. Sorry, but I don't do tenths or hundredths.
The 908 is a great carry piece, very slim and reasonably light. Mine's a good shooter and is a favorite around the range, since relatively unknown among the younger shooters who think plastic is the way God made guns. I've met several who had never considered carrying anything but polymer and yet, they thought my Smith was "b*tching."
BTW, there are two or three offered right now on texasguntrader.com, along with a few other 3rd and 2nd generation S&Ws, all at reasonable prices. No, I don't have a dog in the tgt hunt.

 

[medicmanpat]

Another +1 for the 908. Accuracy was amazing and was light for carry.

 

[Arkieron]

measurement

Thanks a lot for the measurement. I know now mine isn't loaded.

 

[RRH]

+1 from another 908 owner. I would not want to part with mine.

 

[JR78]

Thanks for all the advice. I found a real nice & clean one today. However, the grip was a bit to narrow, so installed a set of Houge's with a little skateboard tape on the front strap. Perfect. Thanks again.

 

[Guevera]

I think the use of some skateboard tape on that front strap is a good idea and I am experimenting with the same thing. It is nice to have some "tooth" on that spot when first grasping the pistol on the draw, and good to have it to kind of index the entire firearm in your grip.

 

[JR78]

I don't remember where or when I first starting using skateboard tape, but it's been a part of every duty/off-duty auto I've had. I even used on a previously issued Glock 22. However, normal prep (alcohol) didn't work and I had to employ some contact cement to keep it secured.

 

[Guevera]

I have had pretty good luck with something called 3M "Safety Walk" tape on grips and the front strap of my stainless 908. It is designed as treads for ladders and other industrial applications and sticks pretty well. It is certainly cheap enough to experiment with in various shapes and configurations, and is available from Amazon, which is handy.

 

[JR78]

How deep is the grit on the Safety Walk tape? Does it make hamburger out of your fingers?

 

[Guevera]

No, it isn't that aggressive that it would wear a hole in your fingers or anything. I hope from the attached photo you can see the thinness of the tape and that it is relatively smooth, although it seems impossible to convey the surface of the tape in a photo.

Of course, I only use a small amount on the front strap of my 908, and that is all that is necessary. One roll of this stuff is truly a lifetime supply.

 

[JR78]

Ok, I see what you mean...it's a big roll. I like to trim the corners of the tape round so it doesn't catch on anything. I've also used a little contact cement in the on the corners. Especially is the summer time.

 

[jaysouth]

My old blue 908 is a crudely made and butt ugly gun. However it is very accurate for its size and never bobbles, even on some of my reloads.

 

[JR78]

I'm pretty amazed at the carry-ability of it. Function is flawless. Mine especially likes the 115 gr. CCI-Speer Gold Dot LE loads. It almost shoots as well as my P228.