Picked up a S&W 915

[mrbubbles773]

I just purchased a S&W 915 the other day and it seems to be pretty good condition. I ran 50 rounds through without a hitch. I don't really know how many rounds have been through it and I'm still new to firearms. I don't know if there's parts I should replace or really what the availability of 915 parts are. How has your 915s held up for you guys?

 

[jsbethel]

Always change the recoil spring of a pistol with an unknown round count - Smith & Wesson Recoil Spring S&W 5903TSW 5906TSW 5943TSW 39 3904 3906

Might not hurt to change the magazine springs also - Smith & Wesson Mag Spring 15-Round S&W 5903TSW 5906TSW 5943TSW 59 459

Consider the Trijicon SA04 to replace the factory sights -
Trijicon Bright & Tought Night Sights - Smith & Wesson 411, 915, 5903, 5904, 5906, 5924, 5926, 5944, and 5946 | Trijicon(R)

 

[Ozark Marine]

Welcome from the Ozarks of S/W Missouri -via- Chicago.
Just do what jsbethel told you.
915's are great guns.

 

[URIT]

Welcome aboard from coastal North Carolina and I hope you get as much enjoyment from your 915 that I have had from mine.

 

[JJEH]

Welcome and congrats on a great gun. Loved my 915, never had any issues, but sold it to fund other things.

Parts wise check the internet, like gun broker, ebay, or first and foremost this board.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Welcome; the 915 is one of my favorite Smith autoloaders.



Mec-gar makes some nice 17 & 20 round mags for those....... $23 at Greg Cote LLC. Been buying there for years.

 

[mrbubbles773]

Thanks for the reply guys! I really like how it feels nice in my hands. I've been dry firing it a bunch. Are parts interchangeable between the 915 and 910?

 

[jsbethel]

Are parts interchangeable between the 915 and 910?

Yes and no. You have the better pistol. See this thread - http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-...15-a-post139880745.html?546250=#post139880745

 

[Sevens]

More parts interchange between 5903/5906 and 915.

For some possible hint at previous use, the frame is aluminum alloy and black and that black is NOT a durable finish, so all frame parts and rails that interact with the steel slide will wear to a bright metal. The more black, the less (possible) wear.

Also, on all 1-2-3rd Gens, the hammer naturally pounds the frame during live fire. Simply drawing the slide back manually won't smack the frame the way live fire will. So look at the area where the hammer naturally bounces off the frame as it is re-cocked and you will find that new guns barely have a mark and guns that have had lots of love will often exhibit a solid divot in this area.

It seems like everyone on the planet except me wants to chase down and stockpile a slew of parts in case of future failure. For me, I don't really worry so much about it. If I did, I would buy a second gun. Typically, you'll spend more money in the ammo it would require to shoot one of these to failure than another pistol would cost.

 

[67tempest]

I just picked up a 915 and retired my 539 as my CCW. Put 50 rds through it and it ran fine with no issues. Now I'm on the lookout for a second mag, it only came with one. Mec Gar mags are out there and reasonably priced but I'd prefer finding an OEM S&W mag. Anybody have any experience with Mec Gar mags in a S&W?

 

[mrbubbles773]

I guess what I'm trying to figure out is if I should be concerned with parts breakage. Like I said I don't know how many rounds have been through it and I don't really know the overall quality of the internal parts. I know I'm probably being paranoid here. Once again I appreciate you guys replying to the thread. I really look forward in owning the 915.

 

[mrbubbles773]

More parts interchange between 5903/5906 and 915.

For some possible hint at previous use, the frame is aluminum alloy and black and that black is NOT a durable finish, so all frame parts and rails that interact with the steel slide will wear to a bright metal. The more black, the less (possible) wear.

Also, on all 1-2-3rd Gens, the hammer naturally pounds the frame during live fire. Simply drawing the slide back manually won't smack the frame the way live fire will. So look at the area where the hammer naturally bounces off the frame as it is re-cocked and you will find that new guns barely have a mark and guns that have had lots of love will often exhibit a solid divot in this area.

It seems like everyone on the planet except me wants to chase down and stockpile a slew of parts in case of future failure. For me, I don't really worry so much about it. If I did, I would buy a second gun. Typically, you'll spend more money in the ammo it would require to shoot one of these to failure than another pistol would cost.

This is really helpful, thank you. I'll disassemble the gun when I get home.

 

[Sevens]

Mec Gar mags are out there and reasonably priced but I'd prefer finding an OEM S&W mag. Anybody have any experience with Mec Gar mags in a S&W?

Yes I do. I have lots of use from Meg-Gar 17-round replacements (I think they are 17, no?) and also with the extended 20-rounders.

 

[stansdds]

The one part that you can replace and may prevent other parts from breaking would be the recoil spring. The factory spring is 14 pounds and factory 39/59/x39/x59/390x/590x springs are good quality. I'd say replace the recoil spring every 3500 rounds or so, more frequently if you use 9mm NATO or +P ammo.

 

[mlb007]

I just picked up a 915 and retired my 539 as my CCW. Put 50 rds through it and it ran fine with no issues. Now I'm on the lookout for a second mag, it only came with one. Mec Gar mags are out there and reasonably priced but I'd prefer finding an OEM S&W mag. Anybody have any experience with Mec Gar mags in a S&W?

gunprime $29.00 shipped 5906 mag

 

[mrmike7189]

good advice

The one part that you can replace and may prevent other parts from breaking would be the recoil spring. The factory spring is 14 pounds and factory 39/59/x39/x59/390x/590x springs are good quality. I'd say replace the recoil spring every 3500 rounds or so, more frequently if you use 9mm NATO or +P ammo.

A new recoil spring costs about $2.50 on midwayusa.com
It's cheap insurance to buy 2 and save one for later!

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

The 915 when cared for reasonably is a fine pistol as is.Whatever pre-cautions that you take are up to you. Some will talk about the old S&W economy line, but now they do not make them that good anymore. Good for anything that any other 9mm pistol is for. A great underrated pistol.

 

[Trooper224]

I guess what I'm trying to figure out is if I should be concerned with parts breakage. Like I said I don't know how many rounds have been through it and I don't really know the overall quality of the internal parts. I know I'm probably being paranoid here. Once again I appreciate you guys replying to the thread. I really look forward in owning the 915.

The 915 was one of the last quality pistols S&W made before they started down the polymer rabbit hole. There aren't really any parts that are known for critical failures. Just change the recoil spring, as you should do with any other used handgun. You're right that you don't know the round count on the gun, so don't obsess over it and enjoy it.

 

[stansdds]

A new recoil spring costs about $2.50 on midwayusa.com
It's cheap insurance to buy 2 and save one for later!

They are inexpensive, so when I buy them from Midway USA, I buy a bunch of them, maybe enough to claim as supply for the rest of my life.

 

[TercGen]

Congratulations on the new 915! Great model, dependable as any other S&W 3rd Gen, lightweight, and accurate.

As has been mentioned, a new recoil spring is a must, and really the only other part I personally like to upgrade is the guide rod. The staked-head guide rod that came with it can come loose over time (to check, gently try to twist the head and see if it moves). A one-piece guide rod you will never have to worry about: Smith & Wesson Recoil Spring Guide Assembly S&W 4003TSW 4006TSW

Mec-Gar mags are 100% good to go in my experience as well, love the 17-round flush-fit mags.