S&W Newbie: Got some questions...

[TMann]

Okay, I'm a brand new member to the "S&W-metal-semi-auto-club." I just purchased a 3913 earlier this week, and I am now on the lookout for a nice 3914 (I like black guns,) and a 6906 (I like high-cap guns.) I have done a bunch of reading on this and other sites, but I still have a few random questions for you S&W semi-auto veterans:

1. How hard would it be to install a left-sided-only safety on my 3913? Is the part truly "drop-in" without any fancy gunsmithing? I'm looking to make the gun a bit slimmer for CCW. (I have a S&W disassembly manual on order.)

2. Am I the only one in the world who finds the safety a bit rough on the thumb? Has anyone else tried to smooth out the serrations on the safety/decocker? Am I a wuss? Do I need to turn in my man-card for even asking this question?

3. Is there a good source of new parts of these semi-autos? (It has been easy to find gun parts for my Glock, Sig and CZ pistols.)

4. Are the slides the same width from the single-stack pistols (3913) and the double-stack pistols (6906)? The reason I ask is because it would make holster selection much easier.

5. I frequently see folks refer to the excellent design of the 3rd generation S&W semi-autos. Are there some specific issues with the 1st and 2nd generation S&W semi-autos? Is there a good website somewhere that lists the various model numbers for the older Smith semi-autos?

6. In general, I prefer black guns to silver. Is there any advantage/disadvantage to the blued models (3914/6904) compared to the stainless models (3913/6906)?

7. What is the reset like on the DAO semi-autos? Is it pretty short or does the trigger need to come fully forward to reset?

8. And lastly...for those of you folks who carry your DA/SA Smiths, do you leave the safety on? Or do you decock the trigger and then put the safety back to the "fire" position? All of my previous carry guns have been DAO (Glock, Kahr, Kel-Tec.)

That's all of my questions for now. I'm sure that I'll have more as I go along. Thanks in advance for any advice that you have.

TMann

 

[TMann]

Okay, I'm a brand new member to the "S&W-metal-semi-auto-club." I just purchased a 3913 earlier this week, and I am now on the lookout for a nice 3914 (I like black guns,) and a 6906 (I like high-cap guns.) I have done a bunch of reading on this and other sites, but I still have a few random questions for you S&W semi-auto veterans:

1. How hard would it be to install a left-sided-only safety on my 3913? Is the part truly "drop-in" without any fancy gunsmithing? I'm looking to make the gun a bit slimmer for CCW. (I have a S&W disassembly manual on order.)

2. Am I the only one in the world who finds the safety a bit rough on the thumb? Has anyone else tried to smooth out the serrations on the safety/decocker? Am I a wuss? Do I need to turn in my man-card for even asking this question?

3. Is there a good source of new parts of these semi-autos? (It has been easy to find gun parts for my Glock, Sig and CZ pistols.)

4. Are the slides the same width from the single-stack pistols (3913) and the double-stack pistols (6906)? The reason I ask is because it would make holster selection much easier.

5. I frequently see folks refer to the excellent design of the 3rd generation S&W semi-autos. Are there some specific issues with the 1st and 2nd generation S&W semi-autos? Is there a good website somewhere that lists the various model numbers for the older Smith semi-autos?

6. In general, I prefer black guns to silver. Is there any advantage/disadvantage to the blued models (3914/6904) compared to the stainless models (3913/6906)?

7. What is the reset like on the DAO semi-autos? Is it pretty short or does the trigger need to come fully forward to reset?

8. And lastly...for those of you folks who carry your DA/SA Smiths, do you leave the safety on? Or do you decock the trigger and then put the safety back to the "fire" position? All of my previous carry guns have been DAO (Glock, Kahr, Kel-Tec.)

That's all of my questions for now. I'm sure that I'll have more as I go along. Thanks in advance for any advice that you have.

TMann

 

[586L-Frame]

They also have out there a dao S&W3953
and 3954 with no safety.
If you can find one.

I was offered one a few months ago
by my Sig Dealer whose friend owns
Kiesler's Police Supply.

http://www.kiesler.com/police/products.aspx?cat=156

586L-Frame

 

[Spotteddog]

TMann,
I hope you don't mind if I lurk around eaves dropping on your thread? You ask excellent questions that I'd love to know about too!

 

[Dot_mdb]

On the DAO guns the trigger has to go completely forward for the reset. The distance will depend on which version of the DAO your gun has. The earlier version has the shortest travel.

Bill

 

[Mortech]

In answer to your question number 4 , the slides are exactly the same , I've swapped mine on my 3913 and 6906 just because I was bored one day .

 

[handgunner356]

1) Safety is a factory installed, not hard to install but timing needs checked, best left to trained armorer.
2) Yes
3)Factory, Brownells, Numrich, here on the board.
4)Yes
5)Just a continuing improvement of the series, you might call the TSWs' a fouth generation.
6)Stainless offers better protection againest holster wear, sweat, salt water, etc.
7)Pretty much splits the length of pull between the single and double action pull of the TDA guns, most of the DAO guns I've had didn't have much slack in the trigger, they do come back for reset.
8)Decock and return to fire position.

 

[TMann]

Originally posted by handgunner356:
1) Safety is a factory installed, not hard to install but timing needs checked, best left to trained armorer.

Thanks for the information. It is very much appreciated.

As far as changing out the ambidextrous safety to a left-sided safety, any suggestions on who one could send the slide to to have this work done? I assume that the slide could be sent to a non-FFL?

TMann