S&W CCW guns 3913, etc... vs plastic?

[Dean_407]

Hi Folks,

I am considering a S&W semi auto for CCW.

My prior CCW gun was a 9mm HK P2000SK. I had to sell due to money reasons. :-(

There wasn't much I didn't like about the HK. It could be a BIT thinner for me as I have fairly small hands.

I have eye balled the 3913 on various web forums but never held one. Generally, I am considering the 3913 and it's family due to the supposed slimness of the grip and alloy frame.

I keep seeing variations on the 3913 such as: 908, 3913, 3913TSW, 3914, 3953, 3953TSW, 3954.

Are there any other versions in 9mm?

I am leaning towards the 3913 and the like due to the fairly reasonable cost for a 'metal' gun that is reported to be very reliable and comes in SA/DA.

Have any of you regretted getting a 3913 or similar single stack instead of 'plastic' gun like- HK, XD, Glock, etc?

The weight doesn't seem too different but the capacity is.

Also, how does the 3913 compare to the SIG 239 in real life size wise?

Thanks in advance.

-Dean

 

[Dean_407]

Hi Folks,

I am considering a S&W semi auto for CCW.

My prior CCW gun was a 9mm HK P2000SK. I had to sell due to money reasons. :-(

There wasn't much I didn't like about the HK. It could be a BIT thinner for me as I have fairly small hands.

I have eye balled the 3913 on various web forums but never held one. Generally, I am considering the 3913 and it's family due to the supposed slimness of the grip and alloy frame.

I keep seeing variations on the 3913 such as: 908, 3913, 3913TSW, 3914, 3953, 3953TSW, 3954.

Are there any other versions in 9mm?

I am leaning towards the 3913 and the like due to the fairly reasonable cost for a 'metal' gun that is reported to be very reliable and comes in SA/DA.

Have any of you regretted getting a 3913 or similar single stack instead of 'plastic' gun like- HK, XD, Glock, etc?

The weight doesn't seem too different but the capacity is.

Also, how does the 3913 compare to the SIG 239 in real life size wise?

Thanks in advance.

-Dean

 

[18DAI]

I have never regretted buying my 3913, not for a minute.

I have a few HK's, but my most carried semi auto is the 3913. I'm wearing mine as I type this.

You pretty much listed all the variations. I like the early production stainless 3913, with flash chromed hammer and trigger. It's all steel and aluminum, no MIM, and it looks great.

My 3913 has been 100% reliable, NO bobbles. It's thin, light weight, accurate, and besides all that it looks great, IMHO of course.

I've not had an chance to compare the 3913 to the Sig. I'm sure someone here has. Hope this helps! Get the 3913, you will be glad you did. Regards 18DAI.

 

[wefski]

I have the 908S and love it. Have 1600 rounds through it and not a malfunction.

 

[myakkaman]

Well, I just picked up my 3913 here in the People's Republic of Maryland, waiting my time to get it. ANIB, great looking piece, I never had one of these before, but after listening to all these people on the forum, I decided to get one, I had the 6904,(short stainless 9mm 12 rd mag) with the double column magazine, but it was kind of bulky in the grip. This weapon looks like a winner from Smith, box, papers,tools,extra mag in wrap. Paid $500.00 for it. Ill let you know how it does. Maybe Erich can recomend a good 9mm factory load for it and CCW holster. So many out there.

 

[WaterburyBob]

No regrets buying my 3913. It's a great, dependable, sturdy pistol that's excellent for carry.

 

[j38]

Welcome to the Forum, Dean! I am also a big fan of the 3913 - or it's darker brother, the 3914. There's not much more to say about these pistols that the gentlemen above haven't already said. It is simply, an excellent handgun for CCW.

Jerry

 

[Guest]

My personal choice has been a Glock for many years since I changed over from a Model 19-3 with the 2-1/2" barrel and either one or two HKS Speedloaders. It served me well for many years. I will say right up front that I'm not a 9MM fan and by the time the first Glocks came out I was even less of one. I never did like how they felt or how several of them shot for me. But, when they finally brought out the .40Smith & Wesson I simply switched from one Smith to another. I carry ONLY the heavier 180gr loadings and see no point in using anything lighter ones. I now have a 10 shot .357 Magnum with 9 extra rounds on my other hip.

I now carry a G-27 and am looking for a second one to replace the space magazine I normally carry!!!

<span class="ev_code_RED"> A Second Gun is still the Fastest Reload Possible.</span>

 

[RRH]

Purchased a LNIB 908 a couple of years ago for $279 + tax. I love the feel of it and very happy with it. Unless you have a concern about the plastic guide rod, etc. in the "value series", a lightly used one would be hard to beat for the money.

 

[jwr747]

my most carried CCW semi-auto is a 3914 in an IWB Law Concealment System holster.easy carry,hides very well,full of Fed.HST ammo. jwr

 

[PX15]

JMOfartO:

Well, I bought a new 3913 in 1995 when it was first released and it is an excellent cc firearm.

I was still working at the time (so had money) and every time a new "flavor of the month" came out I bought one. (Glock26,Sig P239,Walther P99c/AS, Walther PPS HK P7, Bersa Thunder 9/uc).

I found out that the Sig P239 was slightly more accurate at self defense range than the 3913, the Walther P99c/AS was even more accurate than the 3913, and the HK P7 was wayyy more accurate at self defense range than the 3913.

Now, we are talking the size of groups at self defense range, and for all practical purposes the 3913 was considerably more accurate than I can take advantage of. Or, it was wayyyy more than self defense range accurate than it needed to be to do the job..

One thing that none of the other pistols ever improved upon was the absolute reliability of the 3913.... ALWAYS reliable 100%..

I place reliability as JOB #1 for a personal concealed carry firearm. ALL of the pistols I mentioned were more than self defense accurate but none gave me any more confidence in that when I pulled the trigger it would fire, every time than the 3913..

My Son took a liking to the 3913 early on and I cleaned it up and put it away for him along with 3 new mags..

Recently I have become disenchanted with the 2nd Walther PPS I have, (the first was replaced by S&W when they couldn't fix the ejector problems on my original.) I just don't have any confidence in it's reliability and I simply don't chose to cc it anymore.

In an effort to get a new 9mm pistol that I would have faith in I ordered a NIB 9mm 6906 from CDNN. This is basically a "double-stack" 3913, and I am more than pleased with it. So pleased in fact that a few days ago I ordered the heavier (all steel) 5906 for a home defense pistol to replace my Walther P99/AS. The Walther is a fine pistol, but as a home defense weapon I want a pistol my wife is comfortable shooting, and she prefers the 5906 over the P99/AS..

I'm still of the opinion that the 3913 is one of the best pistols ever designed for cc in 9mm. I like my HK P7 because of it's absolute accuracy, but truthfully the 3913 seems to be easier to cc because it's better balanced.

In my dotage I have come to the conclusion that the 3rd generation S&W 9 mm pistols are as good as any of the plastic guns, and are excellent for those folks who appreciate the traditional DA/SA trigger setup. (I do).

I expect my PPS will be on the market shortly..

And I'll be cc my 6906.

Just personal opinion, no offense to those with contrary opinions.

Jesse

 

[kbm6893]

I sold my Glock 26 for $400 and got a LNIB 3913 for $325. Best trade I ever made. I love he 3913 or CC. It kicks the **** out of Glock for me.

 

[Dean_407]

Wow. Lots of good replies. Thanks folks.

I'll keep my eye open for a good used guns.

What is the models of the 9mm double stack versions?

Also, is the .45 ACP version nearly as small as the 9mm version?

Appreciate the responses.

 

[j38]

Wyatt,

The difference to me is that I have large hands with long fingers. The 3913 fits into them fairly well. The M&Pc doesn't fit at all. In fact, it would be easier for me to throw the M&Pc at an attacker than shoot them with it.

Regards, Jerry

 

[Wyatt Earp]

Originally posted by j38:
Wyatt,

The difference to me is that I have large hands with long fingers. The 3913 fits into them fairly well. The M&Pc doesn't fit at all. In fact, it would be easier for me to throw the M&Pc at an attacker than shoot them with it.

Regards, Jerry

I'm assuming you tried the large backstrap?

 

[Larry from Bend]

Personally, I'm MUCH more comfortable carrying a SA/DA 3913 than ANY striker-fired semi-auto (I own both).

 

[check123]

I carry a 3913 in a front pocket desantis nemisis nylon holster. It is always upright, comes out quick, and the best $350 I ever spent. I use gold dot +p 124. The nemisis also fits a sig 225 and 245, but they dont draw as quick.

 

[d625]

At the risk of being flamed right off the forum, I am going to recommend the very best CCW semi-auto, the Glock 19. Easily concealed, 15 round capacity, good accuracy, light weight, and dead reliable.

Requirements for a carry gun: easy to carry and conceal, plus the assurance that it will go bang every time. I have 20,000 rounds through various Glocks with no failures of any kind.

Although I still have a Glock 19 for carry, I have recently acquired an S&W M&P9 and an S&W M&P9L to replace my Glock 34 for competition. So far, the Smiths are better in every respect except for reliability, which is yet unproven. So far, about 1000 rounds through each.

So, I would suggest that you look at a Glock 19 or an S&W M&PC rather that the heavier 3913 with a lower round capacity.

Just another opinion, take your choice

 

[PX15]

Originally posted by d625:
At the risk of being flamed right off the forum, I am going to recommend the very best CCW semi-auto, the Glock 19.

d625:

I don't think you run the risk of being "flamed" off the forum for your suggestion about the Glock 19 being the very best CCW semi-auto..

Each of us has a favorite pistol (and everything else), but hey, we're human.. So what you perceive as the "very best" is not an objective opinion, but a subjective one, based on what you like.

I've had Glock 26's in the past and I simply do not care for the glock trigger, or grip ergonomics. The grip of the Glock pistol (I've held other models) is simply not to my liking even though I know they are fine pistols.

To my mind the Glock pistol is like the old VW bug... Durable, reliable, cheap to buy. Those qualities appeal to some folks, but not necessarily to all folks.

I've read many, many posts on various firearm forums about the fine qualities of the Glocks in general and the model 19 specifically.

I just don't care for them.

But I don't have any problem with you recommending them based on YOUR experience and preferences. I hope no one else does either.

Best Wishes,

Jesse

 

[norfdet]

I have owned a 3953 and a 3914 and both are excellent firearms and both were 100% reliable. I still have the 3914 and I also have a 4553 which is essentially the 3953 on steroids. All of the Smith's in these series are almost always 100% reliable, if there are any lemons out there you don't hear about them. The same goes for the value line as well. With that being said, buy a new or used one with complete confidence. My only suggestion with aluminum framed Smith's is this; before you purchase a used one inspect the underside of the slide where the firing pin channel is for hairline cracks and also inspect the frame rails. I have personally seen on well used 6906's (PD guns) where these areas were where the signs of heavy use would show up. However, although the hairline cracks were there the pistols still functioned 100% but for how much longer no one knows. That is my only suggestion about buying used aluminum guns from Smith and Wesson.

While I prefer a Smith j-frame for pocket carry most of the time, I still cherish my single stack auto's.