Just got home from picking up a 3913 and a 3914 from Sportsmans Superstore. There is a certain gambling quality to buying surplus, used guns that I kind of like, and these are no exception. I think I came out winner, but at the same time I cheerfully acknowledge being quite the fan of Third-Gen Smith & Wessons.
The ad for the pistols showed both LS and what I guess you'd call "plain" version of these two pistols, and I was happy to get both in the marked Lady Smith configuration, with that logo in script on both. They also came with two black leather Gould & Goodrich thumb-break holsters (in near-new condition) which I have little use for, never liking the thumb-break feature much.
The 3913 - came with two magazines (advertised as only one) so that was a bonus and not to be sneezed at. All four magazines in this shipment have somebody's initials on the bottom either in silver Sharpie or scratched into the floorplate. The exterior of the 3913 shows signs of holster wear (as might be expected in what is billed as a surplus police pistol) but very little on the inside. The grips are dirty but unscratched, no serious wear on the tops of the rails. Serial number VJAXXXX. The pistol doesn't show any abuse or sign of being dropped, barrel good, no surprises anywhere I can see in a preliminary examination.
The 3914 - again, in what is to me the more desirable (for me) and elegant "Lady Smith" configuration with that script logo on the slide. Serial number TFCXXXX. Perhaps because of its experience or just the fact the black finish shows dings more than the gray 3913, this one looks a little more worn with a small ding on the back of the beavertail of the frame. It has a flattened style slide release, which was new to me and just fine in my book. The 3914 also has the serrations on the top of the hammer - the 3913 does not and perhaps somebody could explain why. Despite the rather tired exterior, the inside looks just as good as the 3913 and I am perfectly pleased with it.
These pistols were sold as "fair" condition, but I honestly think a lot of that judgement is just how dirty they are. In fact, they are filthy. I can't imagine even the most slovenly cop running around with a pistol like this or any inspection that would let him or her out on the street with their equipment like this. It is going to take some serious cleaning this afternoon to bring these two to where they are supposed to be. I almost feel like the orders were, "shoot up the rest of that 9mm, boys, and when you're done chunk the guns in this box." It was the same with the 457 I bought last year from Sportsmans Superstore. I should add that shipping was both free and fast, taking about three days Fedex.
After cleaning, the first order of business will be new recoil springs and hammer springs from Mr. Wolfe, and I think I should be in pretty good shape. I always regretted selling the Lady Smith I once had, and have now made amends x2.
The ad for the pistols showed both LS and what I guess you'd call "plain" version of these two pistols, and I was happy to get both in the marked Lady Smith configuration, with that logo in script on both. They also came with two black leather Gould & Goodrich thumb-break holsters (in near-new condition) which I have little use for, never liking the thumb-break feature much.
The 3913 - came with two magazines (advertised as only one) so that was a bonus and not to be sneezed at. All four magazines in this shipment have somebody's initials on the bottom either in silver Sharpie or scratched into the floorplate. The exterior of the 3913 shows signs of holster wear (as might be expected in what is billed as a surplus police pistol) but very little on the inside. The grips are dirty but unscratched, no serious wear on the tops of the rails. Serial number VJAXXXX. The pistol doesn't show any abuse or sign of being dropped, barrel good, no surprises anywhere I can see in a preliminary examination.
The 3914 - again, in what is to me the more desirable (for me) and elegant "Lady Smith" configuration with that script logo on the slide. Serial number TFCXXXX. Perhaps because of its experience or just the fact the black finish shows dings more than the gray 3913, this one looks a little more worn with a small ding on the back of the beavertail of the frame. It has a flattened style slide release, which was new to me and just fine in my book. The 3914 also has the serrations on the top of the hammer - the 3913 does not and perhaps somebody could explain why. Despite the rather tired exterior, the inside looks just as good as the 3913 and I am perfectly pleased with it.
These pistols were sold as "fair" condition, but I honestly think a lot of that judgement is just how dirty they are. In fact, they are filthy. I can't imagine even the most slovenly cop running around with a pistol like this or any inspection that would let him or her out on the street with their equipment like this. It is going to take some serious cleaning this afternoon to bring these two to where they are supposed to be. I almost feel like the orders were, "shoot up the rest of that 9mm, boys, and when you're done chunk the guns in this box." It was the same with the 457 I bought last year from Sportsmans Superstore. I should add that shipping was both free and fast, taking about three days Fedex.
After cleaning, the first order of business will be new recoil springs and hammer springs from Mr. Wolfe, and I think I should be in pretty good shape. I always regretted selling the Lady Smith I once had, and have now made amends x2.
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