S&W 915 newbie

[3daman!]

A friend recently sold me a very clean 915 he acquired through an inheritance.
I noticed on the auction sites that the value is between $250-325, which I would think are police trade-ins. And I also have found in an older blue book the 915 was not an expensive model and has only '93-'94 production dates. So it doesn't seem to be a very sought after desirable model.
So said ,I am happy with the price I paid, $250. It came with 4 unopened 100 round boxes of Winchester cartridges, and a few half empty older boxs of miscellaneous brands.
Running the search function finds very little in past posts or discussions concerning my pistol.
So my questions are:
Has any forum members had any issues or problems that I should know about? If so please share.
Have there been any recalls or factory modifications needed?
And of course ,any thing else you want to throw out there would be appreciated! Thanks in advance!
DAVE

 

[max]

915's have a very good reputation here. Mfr was stopped because of the AWB and they became 910's. I have had several, but none currently. They are what I sell when a friend says they want a handgun for the first time.

 

[Scotter260]

Sounds like a really good deal, how many magazines were included?

Pics are always welcome too.

 

[deanodog]

915s are excellent guns,shooters, and values. You did very well on your deal. Enjoy.

 

[jsbethel]

I did not like the factory sights very much. Had I kept mine, I would have installed the Trijicon SA04 night sight which, by the way, is the only drop-in aftermarket night sight that I have ever found available for the 915.

 

[Lightfoot4]

Very good deal! Love my 915!

 

[EvelMe]

Heck, the ammo's about $90-100, so you got a screamin' deal! I had one I had to sell when money got tight, but I wouldn't mind another. Great little shooter.

 

[handgunner356]

The 915 is pretty much a non-Novak sighted 5904. The early third generation guns had the straight blade rear sight and aquired the Novaks after a couple of years. Almost all the 5900 series parts fit, mags, grips, springs and if the sights bother you Novaks can install their sights to it at a reasonable price.

 

[goldenlight]

I would say you made out like a bandit!

That's LOT of 9mm ammunition, which has gotten both expensive and hard to find these days.

The 915 was the 'less expensive' cousin to 5904. It has a carbon steel slide, and an aluminum alloy frame.

But, aside from the sights, and some other very minor parts, the 915 and the 5904 are virtually identical semiautos.

It's like the difference between a Chevy and a Buick: the Buick might look a little nicer, but the two cars will drive the same, and get the same mileage, etc.

The 915 is a very well made semiauto that has all of the fine engineering of all the other 3rd generation S&W semiautos.

I would advise that you hang onto it, and enjoy shooting it!

S&W is making very few metal framed semiautos, and they will likely be discontinued soon. But, spare parts, magazines, springs, holsters etc. are all readily available, and will be for many years to come.

If you didn't get extra magazines for your 915, I would recommend picking up a few, against the day another 10 round magazine limit goes into effect. You can find them at gunshows, or on-line.

If you go here:

Smith & Wesson Mags

You can buy the excellent 17 round Mec-Gar magazines for your 915 for $24. The fit flush with the frame, and are well known here on the S&W Forum to work as well as the 15 round factory magazines.

You can still buy new factory magazines, mainly stainless steel ones made for the 5906/5904, but used ones are very common, due to police trade ins.

Many used magazines will function just fine. Some may need a new spring, which are not expensive.

Have fun with your 915. I would buy one in a second, without all the ammunition, at the price you paid!

 

[3daman!]

Thanks for all the positive comments and info. Yea ,I know I did good on the purchase of this pistol, the ammo was just icing on the cake. Thanks for the mag info as well 'cause it came with only one. Hopefully 2 used ones will come available that I can afford. Any body have extras lying around?

 

[coolgsd]

Model 915

I see this is quite late for a reply but maybe it will help someone. The 915 had a tendancy to wear the frame in the slide grooves. It could get quite lose.

 

[Big Lou]

I did not like the factory sights very much. Had I kept mine, I would have installed the Trijicon SA04 night sight which, by the way, is the only drop-in aftermarket night sight that I have ever found available for the 915.

I have the exact same sights on my 915. Great improvement on one of S&W's best kept secrets. Own two of them. Outstanding guns! Enjoy it!

 

[Ashbash]

Thinking of selling my smith and Wesson 915

Thinking of selling my 915 smith and Wesson and wanted to know the going rate for a used one?

 

[Grog]

You're probably better off starting a new topic.


But.... it depends on condition, what it comes with, how many rounds fired, LE gun or not.

I have a local cop shop with several 915 models priced at $199 but that's almost impossible to find anywhere else.

A 915 in good shape (not new, not beat up) with one magazine would probably be a $250-300 gun. Extra mags do help with value.

 

[BAM-BAM]

I bought one about 18 months ago during the " Great gun panic of 2013".... as Grog described above..... w/ 3 mags for $325 OTD.

They are great guns and great values for the money.

 

[Harkrader]

My former employe bought a crate full of 915s as an alternative to and replacement for their 6906s. I preferred the feel of the 6906 over the 915. The 915 felt too skinny and the grip was like wet glass. It's been a long time since I've seen a 915, but I seem to remember not caring for the sights. I think the 6906 had Novak's night sights. I still have one in my name, but a LEO friend asked to borrow it some years ago and he won't give it back.
For the price you mention the 915 would seem like a good buy, but I'd save up, if necessary, for something different.