Recently Picked Up a Model 3913

[Don~Z~]

Nice score! As mentioned up above, call smith and wesson, even if a newbie answers the phone, they can still give you a date... I've called on all of mine... I paid the same for mine with a cardboard box and only one mag... great carry piece...


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[GaryS]

Nice gun, good price.

VAL#### serial numbers date to 1994 according to the SCSW.

That label (and the box) don't appear correct. I'd expect a cardboard, not a plastic box. The label looks like it goes with an older series, maybe revolvers.

There are people who sell reproduction blank labels to the fake "collector" gun market.

All of that said, at that price as long as the gun functions, you got a good deal.

 

[jmcisc]

Nice gun, good price.

VAL#### serial numbers date to 1994 according to the SCSW.

That label (and the box) don't appear correct. I'd expect a cardboard, not a plastic box. The label looks like it goes with an older series, maybe revolvers.

There are people who sell reproduction blank labels to the fake "collector" gun market.

All of that said, at that price as long as the gun functions, you got a good deal.

Thanks, Gary. I feel better knowing that I didn't overpay, but I'm beginning to wonder about the seller, since the box and label are questionable.

 

[jmcisc]

Okay, here's the latest from S&W Customer Service. This 3913 was manufactured in April 1994. Natalia also provided some general information about the model. She wasn't sure about the box being correct, but thought it was. The label is obviously a fake.

Thanks for all of your help. I never would have noticed the label issue, if you hadn't brought it to my attention.

I can't tell you how happy and appreciative I am that I joined this forum and met such knowledgeable, friendly and helpful folks.
Joel

 

[GaryS]

Good to know that the SCSW has the date range correct for the VAL perfix. Well, as correct as it can be.

As to the seller, I guess that would depend on the story he gave you. Unless he was trying to tell you that it was a "rare and highly valuable special edition" or something like that, I wouldn't worry.

Given what he sold it for, I doubt he was trying anything shady.

In general though, you should buy the gun, not the story.

Before you bring it to the range, I'd advise cleaning, lubricating, and replacing the recoil spring.

If you call customer service again and ask, they might send you a recoil spring at no cost.

Okay, here's the latest from S&W Customer Service. This 3913 was manufactured in April 1994. Natalia also provided some general information about the model. She wasn't sure about the box being correct, but thought it was. The label is obviously a fake.

Thanks for all of your help. I never would have noticed the label issue, if you hadn't brought it to my attention.

I can't tell you how happy and appreciative I am that I joined this forum and met such knowledgeable, friendly and helpful folks.
Joel

 

[jpfeit0819]

3913

Great little gun. I bought mine new in 1993. It is still my concealed carry gun.

John

 

[mauser9]

For $300 you stole it for sure!! I would have guessed more like closer to $500. Deals like this do not happen too often!

 

[squidsix]

Here is another legit label to compare to:

 

[jmcisc]

I would've taken it in a Hi-Point or Llama box at that price!!

I think I would have been ashamed to take anything but a hammer in a Hi-Point box. Oh, wait. That is what comes in a Hi-Point box.

 

[jmcisc]

Good to know that the SCSW has the date range correct for the VAL perfix. Well, as correct as it can be.

As to the seller, I guess that would depend on the story he gave you. Unless he was trying to tell you that it was a "rare and highly valuable special edition" or something like that, I wouldn't worry.

Given what he sold it for, I doubt he was trying anything shady.

In general though, you should buy the gun, not the story.

Before you bring it to the range, I'd advise cleaning, lubricating, and replacing the recoil spring.

If you call customer service again and ask, they might send you a recoil spring at no cost.

Thanks, Gary. That's a great idea about the recoil spring. I'll call again later.
Joel

 

[mauser9]

Wow even labels being faked to increase value. Better hold onto my CS-9 box. LOL

 

[apotter11]

My 3913 came from the Cobb County Sheriff, still paid more than 300. I did replace the bobbed hammer with a spurred version, I feel better pulling it back for single action first shot.

 

[rsmithtesiusa]

Little off topic, but I picked up a CS 9 6-8 years ago kind of by accident. It became my favorite handgun and has been my daily ever since. I have been told it is very similar to the 3913, but I have never really asked or done a comparison of similarities and differences. Can y'all educate me a little on both guns?
Thanks

 

[GaryS]

Shorter barrel, 3" vs 3.5" on the 3913. One less round in the magazine, shorter grip length. Also, have some plastic parts where the 3913 has metal and the machining on the slide is a bit more simple to save production time and thus money.

Little off topic, but I picked up a CS 9 6-8 years ago kind of by accident. It became my favorite handgun and has been my daily ever since. I have been told it is very similar to the 3913, but I have never really asked or done a comparison of similarities and differences. Can y'all educate me a little on both guns?
Thanks

 

[model3sw]

Here is another legit label to compare to:

My 3rd gens are all boxed and labeled exactly like your example in the fold-over, one piece box. All except the Performance Centers (shorty 9 and shorty 40) 1st series appx 1993-4

 

[jmcisc]

Little off topic, but I picked up a CS 9 6-8 years ago kind of by accident. It became my favorite handgun and has been my daily ever since. I have been told it is very similar to the 3913, but I have never really asked or done a comparison of similarities and differences. Can y'all educate me a little on both guns?
Thanks

I have both. The CS9 is a great little carry gun, which I find pretty accurate. I just bought the 3913 and have not yet fired it, but I can say it feels better in my hand.