S&W 3913

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biggamefish

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Hello all and happy shooting,

I am looking to buy a used 3913 in the near future. I am looking for a good used gun that is mid-sized and these look to be in my range. There is one locally and I was just wondering what I should be looking for when buying this gun. I currently don't have a semi auto and am new to them. So any help with this model and all semi autos would be a great help.
Thanks in advance
 
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Welcome to the forum. You'll find there are three versions of the 3913, the original '91-99, the pre-rail TSW '98-00 and the the newer 3913TSW w/rail '00-up. The pre-rail TSW is my favorite but does use a shorter 7rd mag and has a shorter grip overall than the other two. It makes the mags and any aftermarket grip harder to come by, but the gun usually goes for a premium when found. I always look for used guns that still have the original box and paperwork with them, it usually means that they were better taken care of by their owners.
 
Post a Wanted-to-Buy here at the forum. I was able to purchase my Smith & Wesson Chief's Special 40 or CS40.

Also GunsAmerica.com
Gunbroker.com
GunsInternational.com

Good Luck in your search.
 
The 3913 is a excellent choice for semi-auto pistol.I have a CS9 which is the 3913's little brother.My CS9 fits my small hands better ....Mike
 
Again welcome to the forum. You have your sights set on a nice piece. Can be a little tough to find in a hurry. Be patient and you will be rewarded. I think the 3914 is the same as the 3913 only in black if you do not have your heart set on the stainless look. Someone correct me if I am wrong about the 3914. If the one you are eying is priced right you may want to snag it.

What to look for ^ see handgunner356. If it is clean and not scratched up inside and out. Some folks like to dig in them with sharp tools for some reason. You don't run into 3913's everyday.
 
I own several 9mm autos of various makes and once owned a 3913.
The 7" groups at 20yds convinced me to sell it quickly. You might want to test fire it before you put your hard earned money out.
 
alwslate said:
I own several 9mm autos of various makes and once owned a 3913.
The 7" groups at 20yds convinced me to sell it quickly. You might want to test fire it before you put your hard earned money out.
Click to expand...

The shooter and ammo makes a difference in accuracy.
I experienced the same with 115gr bullets, but when I used 124gr
my groups tightened.

I own several 9mm's of various makes as well. They are all accurate with practice and the right ammo.

586L-Frame
 
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84CJ said:
Again welcome to the forum. You have your sights set on a nice piece. Can be a little tough to find in a hurry. Be patient and you will be rewarded. I think the 3914 is the same as the 3913 only in black if you do not have your heart set on the stainless look. Someone correct me if I am wrong about the 3914. If the one you are eying is priced right you may want to snag it.

What to look for ^ see handgunner356. If it is clean and not scratched up inside and out. Some folks like to dig in them with sharp tools for some reason. You don't run into 3913's everyday.
Click to expand...

The 3914 is about the same besides being black.
Here are a few pics of my 3914 and 3913 in comparison.
586L-Frame

DLC's S&W 3914 & 3913

Dsc08154_DLCs39133914.jpg


Dsc08149-DLCs39143913.jpg


Dsc08147_DLCs39143913.jpg


Dsc08145_DLCs39143913.jpg


x
 
No complaints about mine. Off hand 50 rounds. Not sure about the distance. Max at the indoor range so I suspect 20 to 25 yds. This is not the best groups I have ever fired with my 3913. It is the most recent and the only target I have a picture of.
100_6575.jpg
 
Thanks for the great info if you guys have anything else please add it. Also thanks for the pics I love the look of the 3914 but I know where I can pick one up for around 500. I haven't put my hands on it yet so I don't know the condition but i am gpoing to look at it this week.
 
biggamefish said:
Thanks for the great info if you guys have anything else please add it. Also thanks for the pics I love the look of the 3914 but I know where I can pick one up for around 500. I haven't put my hands on it yet so I don't know the condition but i am gpoing to look at it this week.
Click to expand...

Welcome to the forum. I picked up a 3914 and a 3913 in the past few months. They are outstanding guns.JMHO Having said that, my 3914 seems to be a better shooter than the 3913. I've tried several brands of ammo, all 115 grain. The 13 came with the original box ,2 magazines,a holster and papers, the 14 just the gun and one mag. paid $485 for the 13, and $419 for the 14. Those prices were total in my hands.
Be patient, you will find the right gun.
Tom
 
Welcome to the forum.

IMO the 3913 is the finest single stack, easily concealed 9mm, in existance. Also the nicest pistol S&W ever did, again IMO.

My early production 3913 with flash chromed hammer and trigger has 4000 trouble free rounds through it.

Keep grease on the frame and it will last you.

Light weight, easily concealed, tack driving accurate in my hands. Whats not to like? Regards 18DAI.
 
One other gun is the 908, a little less refined than a 3913 but probably better availablity. The frame shaped more like a LS or NL, slide is more square and a few parts are plastic like the sights, mag release and disconnector. Uses the same mags and grips as the 3913. New ones can be had for around $500.
 
I would have to agree with the comment of the 3913 being the best ccw ever made! Carry mine daily in a Kramer #3 IWB. Might work for others as well.
Randy
 
I really LOVED the 3913 until I found a CS9. THe CS9 for me is the perfect fit and exactley what I have been looking for - smaller than the 3913 but bigger than the Kel Tec P3AT, yet it cariies like the P3AT for me :)
 
I also have both a 3913 & 14 Neither one has had a problem with mechanics, Extremely reliable pistols. Be patient and you will score a decent one.
Carl
 
Just to add to the accolades given the 3913. I tend to be a SIG man for automatics...but the 3913 is the exception. I got it when a Cop friend of mine offered to sell his 'first edition' model to me for $200 when he was tight on cash. Man did he live to regret that.

Reliability is 100%. Accuracy is on par with my P225 which is to say outstanding. It's light weight and flat profile are excellent for concealed carry. The only thing my gun lacks are tritium sights. I usually carry my Ultra CDP which has tritium sights at night but am thinking about having them added to the 3913.

I rate my purchase of the 3913 as one of the top 5 gun buys of my life...
 
Thanks for all the great info. I picked up a 3913 in great condition. Shoots like a dream. I am hooked for sure now.
 
Congrats on your purchase. I imagine you will look back years from now and pat yourself on the back for making such a wise decision.

I fully agree with the majority of folks here....possibly the best CCW 9mm produced by Smith. Extremely reliable, easy to carry....and very accurate with the proper ammunition. Having carried a considerable number of differ guns over the past 40 years, once I acquired my 3914 (new from the LAPD store in the early 90's) it quickly became my primary carry piece. I am never without it. I found it to be so perfect for me, I later bought a new 4040 when they first came out. It is roughly the same gun, in 40 S&W.

I have never been enamored with the 9mm and expected the 4040 to assume the duties as my carry weapon of choice. However, it is considerably more of a handful to shoot and while I am not particular recoil conscious, I am unable to shoot it as well as the 3914 and would not feel as confident carrying it. My feeling is one should be as comfortable as possible with their CCW gun. They should know how to instinctively handle and use it, and be confident they can make that 'life saving shot' if it were to become necessary. Hence, I continue to carry the 3914 and expect I will do so until something comes along to alter my view.

Again, nice purchase of a great weapon.
 
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I got a new 3913LS in 2007. I first shot it with both Win and Rem generic 115 grain Hollow Point. It grouped very well with both loads @ 25 (and 50) yards --- I could hit a base ball size rock @ 25 + yards nearly every time. I then shot some 115 grain FMJ and the groups got at least twice as big --- mine is ammo sensitive.

I'm very satisfied with my LS -- It carries well, it's accurate and 100% reliable.

PS: I had a 669 before the LS and didn't care for it at all -- inaccurate and an uncomfortable grip.
 
Funny I should see THIS thread...

Been wanting a 3913 for a few years...but not exactly one of my Grail Guns. Last week I FIND my Grail , blued pre 27 3 1/2" gun! So thats on it's way as we speak.

Yesterday walk into a shop and sitting in the USED section is a mint 3913 with 2 mags for $350. Talk about "feast or famine". I can go months without ANYTHING remotely interesting...then find TWO desireable pieces in a week. NOT complaining though!

FN in MT
 
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Better late than never, but to add to everyone else's tributes, the 3913 is a great cc gun. The only gun I have found that is better (IMO) is a CS9. Almost the same grip, one round less, only a slightly shorter barrel, and it uses the same holster (Hume JIT). I carry both interchangeably.
 
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