S&W 910 Help

[RatDrall]

My wife is looking at a S&W 910. I owned a 5906 long ago and liked it. Is the 910 similar to the 5906?

Any problems with the aluminum framed S&W auto pistols?

If something were to break, what would it be?

Where can I get some 15 round magazines?

Thanks

 

[MWB]

The 910 is the "Value Line" equivalent to the 5903. I have run many thousands of rounds through S&W 3913 pistols in practice and competition without noticeable post break-in wear. None of those has ever malfunctioned - I use snap-caps to simulate malfunctions for immediate action drills.

The only parts breakage I have witnessed is the firing pin spring, which fatigues and breaks after a LOT of empty-chamber dry-fire practice. The guns work with broken firing pin springs until the pieces wind into each other to the point that the head of the firing pin no longer protrudes far enough to be struck by the hammer.

15 round magazines are to be found in the classifieds of this forum and at several outlets like CDNN.

 

[hrdnox]

I just bought a 910 from Bud's for $399 shipped, brand new with 15 round magazines, and took it to the range Thursday. Shot like a dream. I've owned other 3rd Gen alloy frames and all seemed to wear well. They do get a little bit of polishing along the frame rails, but not enough to be of any concern. Actually, after they get broken in, they seem to stop wearing. Shoot better then, too. I would think they could take thousands of rounds without having any problems.

They are a little different than the 59XX series, though, in that S&W doesn't spend the extra time on the finishes. There's definitely a difference, however the value lines are plenty acceptable. Also, they have a few plastic and MIM parts that their more expensive counterparts don't. If that's worrisome to you, I believe you can swap them out for the better pieces, although I don't really think they're necessary.

So far, with about 150 rounds through mine, I'm very pleased. I got a nice little tack driver for a sweet price. A very accurate shooter that almost tells you after every round that it hasn't even thought about jamming. She'll like it, it's heavy enough to handle like a .22, but still light and small enough to fit nicely in a purse. I could carry it as easily as any of my Glocks. Additionally, it's about as easy to clean and maintain.

 

[FirebirdV8]

Like MWB mentioned the 910 is the value version of the 5903. It does have a few more plastic parts then the 59xx series pistols, but if they break or just having those parts made of plastic bothers you, you can replace them with the metal parts from the 59xx pistols. The other difference will be that the 910 only has a saftey/decock lever on the right side of the pistol as opposed to both sides. Unless you shoot left handed, this shouldn't be an issue. Finally, the frames and slides in the value line aren't smoothed and rounded as much as their non-value cousins. The only real issue this can cause is that some of the tighter fitting holsters for a 59 series won't work on the value line pistols.

Now, on to the aluminum frame. S&W has been using aluminum frames in their semi-autos since 1954. If anyone can build them right it would be S&W. While the aluminum frame will wear out slightly faster then the steel frame, it will take more rounds then most of us can shoot in our lifetimes to find that breaking point. Buy the 910 with confidence that it will work for some time to come.

 

[MR.G]

I have the 910 stainless. Hasn't been fired a lot, but has never failed with a variety of ammo tested. I have bought 15 round factory and Mec-Gar magazines for the 910 from CDNN at a reasonable price.

 

[RatDrall]

Thanks a lot guys.

One more question: With security guard tradein 5906s and others going for $350 or less, and a new 910 for $400, which would you go with if longevity and reliability were the biggest concern?