Shot my "new" 3913 today....

[G-Mac]

I went to the gun club range today to test out my new 3913. Since I've never owned a DA/SA auto before, I basically just wanted to make sure that the gun worked and to familiarize myself with it a little bit.

First off, let me say that I like it. Feels good in my hand, points naturally, seems very controllable and is easy to shoot.

I shot two kinds of ammo...one was a standard round nose FMJ, the other a Winchester Silvertip hollow point. It worked fine with both, but it did "stove-pipe" once. It was easy to clear the jam.

Gun doesn't seem to throw the brass very far. One piece landed on my shooting arm, another hit me in the face.

Today was mostly a "function" check. Next time I shoot it, I'll try to check accuracy (mine and the guns) on some targets.

 

[Forsmithers]

Congrats on owning a superb pistol! If your spent casings aren't ejecting very far (and a hot casing landing on your arm can be a bit distracting) you'll probably want to replace the recoil spring. That should help your empties to eject away from you. Also, if you were shooting factory ammo and your pistol was relatively clean you shouldn't be having stovepipe type jams.

It is possible that the previous owner shot higher velocity ammo thru the pistol and used a heavier than stock recoil spring to help lessen the beating.

Good luck with the 3913 and stay safe!

 

[G-Mac]

Congrats on owning a superb pistol! If your spent casings aren't ejecting very far (and a hot casing landing on your arm can be a bit distracting) you'll probably want to replace the recoil spring. That should help your empties to eject away from you. Also, if you were shooting factory ammo and your pistol was relatively clean you shouldn't be having stovepipe type jams.

It is possible that the previous owner shot higher velocity ammo thru the pistol and used a heavier than stock recoil spring to help lessen the beating.

Good luck with the 3913 and stay safe!

Forsmithers, yes, all factory ammo. I bought the gun used at a local shop, so I really have no idea if the recoil spring is stock. I have three factory magazines for the gun right now. Two that came with it and I bought one at a gun show last Sunday. I tried it with all three magazines. Only stove-piped once. I'll disassemble the gun, give it a good cleaning/lubrication and try it again.

 

[lhump1961]

I'll let others here help you with the tune up and just say that I have a couple of 3913's and other 3rd gens and have never had a stovepipe from any of them and the brass throws clear. As forsmithers said you never know what may be in the gun now and a set of Wolff springs is only a few bucks.

I suspect you'll be posting soon about your 2nd Smith auto!

 

[Babalooie]

Definitely replace the recoil spring.

 

[carbuncle]

I had the same issue with my 6906 when I bought used, unknown round count. Fresh recoil spring solved the problem.

Posted from my car phone.

 

[G-Mac]

I'll order a new recoil spring. Is Wolff the way to go?

 

[timn8er]

I'll order a new recoil spring. Is Wolff the way to go?

You might be better off going with Wolff, because the S&W part number you need, 100950000, is on back order at the usual places.

 

[Road Rat]

Congrats. I'm happy that you are happy.

I heard so much good info on the 3913 that I went looking for one a couple of years ago. Found a nice one.

I did NOT like it; it didn't feel good in my hand; I couldn't hit anything with it; my son was the same. I wanted to like that little gun so much!!

Took it to a gun show a month later and traded it for a nice 2 1/2 inch Model 19-2...........love it!!

 

[Badkarma 1]

Congrats. I'm happy that you are happy.

I heard so much good info on the 3913 that I went looking for one a couple of years ago. Found a nice one.

I did NOT like it; it didn't feel good in my hand; I couldn't hit anything with it; my son was the same. I wanted to like that little gun so much!!

Took it to a gun show a month later and traded it for a nice 2 1/2 inch Model 19-2...........love it!!

Nothing wrong with that. You traded one classic for another classic. Plus the snub 19 looks a helluva lot better too.
Dale

 

[lhump1961]

Congrats. I'm happy that you are happy.

I heard so much good info on the 3913 that I went looking for one a couple of years ago. Found a nice one.

I did NOT like it; it didn't feel good in my hand; I couldn't hit anything with it; my son was the same. I wanted to like that little gun so much!!

Took it to a gun show a month later and traded it for a nice 2 1/2 inch Model 19-2...........love it!!

That's the exact reason there are so many different types of guns...something for everyone!

 

[G-Mac]

You might be better off going with Wolff, because the S&W part number you need, 100950000, is on back order at the usual places.

Will do, thanks!

 

[GaryS]

Based on what I've read here, I've adopted the practice of replacing the recoil spring on any new 3rd generation gun I buy. Cheap insurance. I bought a bunch of them a few months ago from Brownells and the wondered if I had bought too many. Turns out I didn't because they are now out of stock, at least the S&W ones are. Wolff still makes them in a variety of weights. I think the factory spring is 14 pounds.

 

[G-Mac]

I think the factory spring is 14 pounds.

Thanks GaryS, good to know!

 

[GaryS]

Thanks GaryS, good to know!

I think I saw that at the Wolff site, so you should definitely double check before you buy.

 

[kingofcoins]

3913 SA

When I bought mine like new I found it had a super very heavy trigger pull like 15#'s and I couldn't hit a thing either. Knowing gun-smithing and that I'm an excellent shot, I got S&W to agree to re-crown the barrel, and rework the trigger, at their full expense. And when it came back I installed a lighter trigger spring so it tripped at just under 4#'s. Now its my favorite carry as it'll not only throw the brass 6 foot to the rear but also prints 2" groups at 25 yards. Btw though some people think the gun is all alloy, the slide is indeed stainless steel.