Picking up a used 3913 and have a few questions

[cyclesteel]

I just put some money down at my local gun shop on a used 3913 in pretty good condition. I had a 908 a few years ago that I regret selling.

What should I be looking for in terms of problems? Any specific things I should be looking out for ?
I noticed that the slide to frame fit is a little loose. Can this cause any issues

Gun has original box all paper work 2 mags. The original receipts are still even in the box. The owner bought it new in 1990 and paid $400 for it and I am buying it in 2010 and paying $399 for it. If you figure for inflation it would cost $667 new today

 

[SW CQB 45]

pre TSW smiths normally are not as tight in the area of slide to frame fit.

barrel fit is much more important. make sure tight lock up in battery on the barrel hood area and the muzzle does not move around while in battery.

see if it has the mag safety....no mag inserted, there should be no trigger function.

sights are tight with heavy finger push.

make sure DA and SA function work.

overall condition (cosmetics) will say alot about how it was cared for.

hope it a good one.

 

[cyclesteel]

Thanks for the info.

It does have the magazine disconnect safety.
SA/DA seems to be in working order. Though the trigger is SA felt a little weird but I am sure it is me not being used to the gun. Trigger was fully forward I racked the slide ( hammer back) I can pull the trigger until it fells like it locks right before release if I pull a little more the hammer drops then I rack the slide again with finger on trigger and release the trigger and it is in the spot right before it releases. I am not sure if I am explaining that right.

I did not check the barrel to slide lock up or the sights. I will before I buy it. I did stick a pencil in the barrel to make sure the firing pin was operational at it lunched the pencil across the room.


Thanks again

 

[SW CQB 45]

TDA or DA/SA

the gun is designed to be fired first shot D/A

follow up shots in S/A

in a perfect world....

shoot the first shot D/A, hold the trigger to the rear and let the gun do its recoil thing.

once you start to recover...only release the trigger to the point of S/A reset. any further and you are wasting time.

many TDA triggers have issues with the trigger play spring. its only job is to keep the trigger in S/A from flopping around.

with the spring out of adjustment or broke off, squeezing the trigger from full position, it will feel funny as the following will happen...

and pardon my first grade terminology.

the trigger has fangs (not really but we will call them that)
the trigger bar has a V-notch
the fangs are suppose to ride in the V-notch

with the trigger play spring out of adjustment or broke off, the fangs will ride above the v-notch. when you first pull the S/A trigger from full out position, you will feel/hear a definite funny click (ok fangs just re engaged the v-notch).

I have shot a match with the trigger play spring broke off. if you never take your finger off the trigger when shooting and only release the trigger to the point of reset....you will never know it is missing.

 

[Chuck Jones]

My experience with S&W 3rd Generation autos has been overwhelmingly excellent. The 3913 and its DAO siblings 3953 and 3954 are some of the best of the bunch. They shoot all 9mm ammo including +P+ easily, reliably and well. The 3rd gen guns are well built, rugged, refinements of the earlier Mod. 39 and Mod. 59. As such they are mature proven designs, and in general they are remarkably trouble free. The single stack 39 series compacts are outstanding flat packing pistols for CCW!

/c

 

[cyclesteel]

Thanks for the info and thanks for SW CQB 45 Thanks for the explanation of the trigger.

The 3913 only did this when I racked the slide with out doing the single action trigger pull. In SA the trigger remained at the correct position after reset. I think as long as the Barrel has a tight lockup in the slide I should be good to go. I have been keeping my eye open for one for a while and my local Gun shop had one in the used case so as soon as I saw it I snagged it . Now I just have to pay the balance next week and pick it up.


Thanks

 

[Jimmymac46]

Unless the gun was abused (visible inspection), neglected (visible inspection) or damaged (see above), you are getting the most reliable, well made, accurate, easy carrying, compact 9mm auto made. Period.

I have yet to have ANY kind of misfire, jam, or malfunction with my 3914, which as you probably know is the same weapon with a different finish. Believing that reliability is foremost, it became my primary carry piece once I began using it and discovered its attributes. It is with me every day. I don't particularly like the 9mm, so I bought a 4040, but returned to the 3914 for all the reasons listed above. i bought mine new from the LAPD store back in the early 90's (?) and wish I had another just in case I lose or damage my current one.

I predict you will love yours as much as the many members of this forum who have professed the same sentiments as I. Good luck with it.

 

[Rightway]

I have a S&W 3913TSW. I had a brother that had one, shot it a loved it. It is a good feeling pistol to hold. You wont be sorry you bought it. I have read many great reports on this weapon. My friends saw it and had to have one. Wife loves it also. The best features on this weapon are the safety features it has. The decocker is neat so that you can even leave a round in the chamber and its safe. Also the mag removed safety is neat to have. That is one of the main reasons I wanted one. Safety is number one with me. Dropping this weapon with the decocker on is safe also. I keep mine loaded and in a secret place so that I can have it in the ready. We are also wanting permits since this is an easy auto to carry. It was designed for law enforcement, so its slinder and carrys well. Hope you enjoy yours as much as I do. I did purchase a mag loader also, since the mags work on the thumbs so much. The best one I found is the Uplula made in Israel. It sells for around $25-30 and worth every penny. Take care.
Rightway

 

[Matt C.]

My experience with S&W 3rd Generation autos has been overwhelmingly excellent. The 3913 and its DAO siblings 3953 and 3954 are some of the best of the bunch. They shoot all 9mm ammo including +P+ easily, reliably and well. The 3rd gen guns are well built, rugged, refinements of the earlier Mod. 39 and Mod. 59. As such they are mature proven designs, and in general they are remarkably trouble free. The single stack 39 series compacts are outstanding flat packing pistols for CCW!

/c

What he said.

 

[schism85]

That price is pretty good, about standard I'd say. The shop by my house had a used 3953 for $350, however I ended up buying one for $300 from a private dealer, and it is extremely clean and in good condition. Like someone else said, the look of the gun tells a big story. The more cosmetic damage, the more likely it is that the pistol has been heavily used, or tossed around a bit in it's lifetime. I have posted pics of the 3953 I bought, and it looks great, just one of the reasons I grabbed it. So if the 3913 in question is in good condition, $399 is a fair deal as the 3913 is almost identical to the 3953 I purchased. Good Buy!

 

[schism85]

Do you have any pics of it yet?

 

[Maximumbob54]

I bought one several years ago and I have to say it is a great little 9mm. My only complaint is the cost of Smith magazines. NONE of them are cheap!!! But I can say from 115 to 147 grain HP they all feed flawlessly. The aluminum frame seems to be holding up well and even the plastic grip is holding up well.