S&W's Budget 3913: The 908!

[chuckAz]

Hi, I'm new to S&W autos, a 908 I recently saw in a gun shop got me really interested. Some online research indicated that the 9XX series are 2nd gen while the 3913s are 3rd gen, even though they're very similar. Is there overlap in the generations or did the source get it wrong. Is there a recognized site with the different models listed?

thanks

 

[RogueJSK]

Hi, I'm new to S&W autos, a 908 I recently saw in a gun shop got me really interested. Some online research indicated that the 9XX series are 2nd gen while the 3913s are 3rd gen, even though they're very similar. Is there overlap in the generations or did the source get it wrong. Is there a recognized site with the different models listed?

thanks

The 908 and 908S are not 2nd Generation. They're simply bargain versions of the 3rd Generation guns, and came out after the 3rd Gen guns were introduced. They do not fit neatly into the Generation system.

The confusion may come from the numbering system used by S&W.

First Generation guns (1950s-70s) typically had two digit model numbers, such as the S&W 39 and 59.

Second Generation guns (1980s) typically had three digit model numbers, such as the 669.

Third Generation guns (1990s) typically had four digit model numbers, such as the 3913 and 5906.

In the mid-90s, S&W released their "Value Line" 3rd Generation pistols like the 908 and 459. While these utilize 2nd Gen-style model numbers, they are based on 3rd Gen designs with a few cost-saving features.


Don't trust everything you read on the internet. Especially from worldguns.ru.

 

[chuckAz]

Don't trust everything you read on the internet. Especially from worldguns.ru.

Thanks for clearing that up. So is there a good online source that spells out the models but is correct?

 

[teufelhunden]

Man, I like this forum...

About 30 minutes ago I was at a local gun store looking for a small pistol suitable for CC. I was looking at the usual suspects, Glock 27, Glock 36, XD subcompact, etc, etc.

Then, in the case with all the used guns, I noticed a nice-looking little gun labled "S&W 908". "Hmmmm" I thought, that looks about the right size and configuration, and the price looks decent, but does it work?

Well, after reading this thread, it would appear that the 908 does indeed work.

Thanks for the information folks. I'll be going back to the gun store and taking a closer look at the 908 real soon.

 

[NEtracker]

Two of the several handguns I recommend to my students on a budget are the 908 and 910. Great models.

 

[Tommytman]

I just picked up a 908 for $200 with one mag. Good deals for all.