question on 3rd gen differences

capttom

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I mentioned this on another forum, didn't get any answers, and decided to check here with the experts. I know there are lots of fans of the 3rd generation Smiths, so maybe someone else has noticed this change and can explain it.

The Model 39 has a lug under the barrel through which the slide stop rides to drop the barrel and unlock the slide. This is the same system as the Browning Hi-Power. My 908 doesn't have the under barrel lug. Instead it has diagonal cuts alongside the chamber that ride in matching cuts in the frame. This seems similar, from what I've read and seen in photographs, to the system used in the old .455 Webleys.

The exploded diagram in my 908 owner's manual shows a generic pistol with the same unlocking/locking slot under the barrel as the original 39, 39xx, 59xx, and 69xx. Obviously the 908 has a different barrel dropping mechanism that isn't represented in the drawings.

S&W part numbers are different for barrels to the 908, 909, 910, and 915 but I wonder if the unlocking slots are used in the value series guns like the 908 and 915. Or am I wrong and the 908 lock up is different from the 915? That wouldn't make sense to me, but odder things have happened. What about the 457 or 745, which I think are the value line .45 ACPs?

Does anyone know why the change was made and on which models? I would guess it was for economic reasons since the 908 was built to sell for less than the 3913, but is the 908 locking that much cheaper to manufacture when considering the cost of different machinery and loss of interchangebility?
 
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I'm not an expert, but I can tell you the Model 745 was not a value line series 45 from S&W. It was an upgraded 645 with SAO to be competitive target gun.
 
The 915 has the barrel locking lug and corresponding cut on the inside of the slide like your model 39. My 910, the high cap version of your 908, does not.

The 3913 is the "upscale" version of the 908. my 3913 also has a lug atop the barrel that locks into the interior slide cut.

At 10 yards there is little difference in accuracy between my 910, 915, and 3913 using the same ammo, for me.

While the 908 and 915 do use different methods to lock up, for what the 908 is designed for I don't think you would see much difference in performance. At least for CQB. For IDPA or 25 yard range practice perhaps wider groups.

My 457 also has a lug/slide cut like my 4516.

IIRC the 915, 457, and 411 all had lugs atop the barrels while the 908, 910, and 410 do not. Nice handguns all.....IMHO. Hope this helps. Regards 18DAI.
 
I mentioned this on another forum, didn't get any answers, and decided to check here with the experts. I know there are lots of fans of the 3rd generation Smiths, so maybe someone else has noticed this change and can explain it.

The Model 39 has a lug under the barrel through which the slide stop rides to drop the barrel and unlock the slide. This is the same system as the Browning Hi-Power. My 908 doesn't have the under barrel lug. Instead it has diagonal cuts alongside the chamber that ride in matching cuts in the frame. This seems similar, from what I've read and seen in photographs, to the system used in the old .455 Webleys.

The exploded diagram in my 908 owner's manual shows a generic pistol with the same unlocking/locking slot under the barrel as the original 39, 39xx, 59xx, and 69xx. Obviously the 908 has a different barrel dropping mechanism that isn't represented in the drawings.

S&W part numbers are different for barrels to the 908, 909, 910, and 915 but I wonder if the unlocking slots are used in the value series guns like the 908 and 915. Or am I wrong and the 908 lock up is different from the 915? That wouldn't make sense to me, but odder things have happened. What about the 457 or 745, which I think are the value line .45 ACPs?

Does anyone know why the change was made and on which models? I would guess it was for economic reasons since the 908 was built to sell for less than the 3913, but is the 908 locking that much cheaper to manufacture when considering the cost of different machinery and loss of interchangebility?

It seems like I asked that question once and got the same replies you are getting, people helping you understand the locking lugs on TOP of the bbl. You aren't referring to that, I know exactly what you are referring to, I just don't have an answer...good luck!! (Maybe change the "under the bbl" part to all caps??
 
Are you referring to the locking lugs on the barrel ahead of the chamber compared to the entire chamber locking up into the ejection port itself? If that's the case it would just seem to be a matter of easier machine work and a cost saving measure.
 
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