Update ver. 2.0: Not bonding with my 3913 -- can anything be done?

[email4eric]

So I picked-up a 3913 a while back thinking that it may be a prime contender for EDC and because I just fell in love with the design and want to stay generally in the DA/SA platform. It is one attractive pistol.

I rotate through my guns (one per week) at the range -- that means LCP, P229 Extreme, P239, and the 3913 currently. Of these, I shoot the 3913 the worst (yes -- even worse than the LCP!). I don't know why.

Secondly, I find it snaps worse than all of the other pistols as well (again, more so even than the LCP!). It feels like it twists a little in my hand on recoil and feels a little thin, that is, I like a fuller grip profile and this pistol feels like it isn't well gripped in my hand.

I really, really want this pistol to be successful in my hand but so far, it isn't.

Any suggestions on how to perhaps modify this gun or my technique in order to make it a better shooter for me?

Thanks up front!

 

[Jimmyjones]

I love my 3914, same only in blue. You could replace the recoil spring, I do it on any new used semi I get. They're cheap and easy to get, may settle down the snappiness.

Houge grips are a bit more hand filling, many upgrade to them on the 39xx.

Good luck, you've got a fine firearm !

 

[ColbyBruce]

I owned two S&W 3913 pistols, I could shoot well with them but felt they were thicker than necessary. I turned the first one into a Glock 17 and the second one into a NIB Glock 31, which I gave to my son. I later got a S&W 3953, the DAO version of the 3913. I like the 3953 a bunch.

I believe the pistols should of had a curved stock option, as the straight backstrap stocks do not suit everyone.

 

[WTN1271]

I agree that the standard plastic grip feels too thin and doesn't provide great purchase in the hand, even new grips with fresh checkering. I much prefer the Hogue rubber grips. Use them on all my single stack 3rd generation pistols. They feel much fuller without being bulky and have just enough 'stickiness' to keep the pistol centered in my grip. Also agree that a new recoil spring may be in order. Both of these items should cost under $30. Worth a try before writing off the 3913. Good luck.

 

[TercGen]

Interesting that the 3913 is the snappiest for you, is it possible that it may be over-lubed? I've had that problem using a slick grease like TW25b in the past.

I'd also recommend a brand new recoil spring, if you haven't put one in already. Good idea for any new 'used' gun you pick up.

Personally, I'm a big fan of grip tape (aka - traction tape) on the back of my grips to keep the gun stable in hand. Included a pic of how I do mine, makes a huge difference with sweaty palms especially. When I shoot, I keep steady pressure (not white-knuckle) on the front & back of the grip mainly, and the grip tape locks it into my hand nicely.

 

[18DAI]

I didn't shoot my 3913 as well as my other guns at first either. Than I got a Hogue grip and installed it.

Tack driver since. Regards 18DAI

 

[bearfoot]

my buddy has one. I think it is a good shooting weapon. he says there is something wrong w/ the pistol? he wants to use it as an EDC, but! it's funny the weapon always shoots better than the person holding the weapon.

 

[petepeterson]

I agree with your thoughts on the grip. There are "spaces" in my hand when I hold mine. I've considered the Hogues, but haven't installed them due to it adding thickness to the design (mostly a mental thing, I know, but one of the reasons I never warmed up to my CS9).

I shoot it well enough that I can look past the grip issue. I prefer a TDA for carry, and the 3914 is just about (almost, mostly) perfect for what I need it for.

That doesn't mean it's for everyone, though. Your 239 should be similar size. Is that not an option? The folks here would still let you hang around, ya know!

 

[BAM-BAM]

I agree that the standard plastic grip feels too thin and doesn't provide great purchase in the hand, even new grips with fresh checkering. I much prefer the Hogue rubber grips. Use them on all my single stack 3rd generation pistols. They feel much fuller without being bulky and have just enough 'stickiness' to keep the pistol centered in my grip. Also agree that a new recoil spring may be in order. Both of these items should cost under $30. Worth a try before writing off the 3913. Good luck.

The above QUOTE saves me some typing.....

I had the same issues when I got my first 3913 back in the early 90s. I was expecting a mini-39 grip...... struggled for awhile until Hogue came out with it's rubber grip...... world of difference.

Now for concealed carry I use Hogue checkered wood grips..... as they don't drag on clothing like rubber.......

 

[vigil617]

instead of going all-out with the Hogue grips, an intermediate step would be trying the Hogue "Hand-all" sleeve that pulls up onto the existing grip from the bottom. It provides finger notches and a very slight palm swell. I have them on my 4513TSW and 457S pistols, and they don't add any appreciable thickness while providing a more positive grip surface. They're very inexpensive -- $12 or so -- and I found mine at my LGS. If they don't work for you, you're not out very much and can move on to the other options.

Good luck! The 3913 is a fine pistol (I had a 3913TSW for a while before deciding to stick with 45ACP) and I hope you (and especially, your hand!) bond with it.

 

[Arik]

You can try those grips and sleeves but in the end if it doesn't work for you then it doesn't work for you. Sell it and move on. From my experience I find ALL 3rd gens to have too thin of a grip, both single and double stack. It's better when they have a palm swell and even better if it's Hogue. This also goes to 99% of single stack compact guns regardless of maker. The only one that I can think of that are ok were the Walther PPS with a palm swell insert and a 1911 with thicker panels.

But I'm at a point where I'm done chasing parts and accessories. If it doesn't work for me at the store I'm not going to buy it just to get it home and start tracking down accessories

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[armorer951]

Quote......"Not bonding with my 3913 -- can anything be done?"

Yes.....sell it to me. I've been looking for one for years.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Any suggestions on how to perhaps modify this gun or my technique in order to make it a better shooter for me?

Thanks up front!

Yes, tons of dry fire and tons of practice.

Without watching you shoot, it is difficult to diagnose what is happening when you shoot.

Remember this: a pistol recoils a little while the bullet is still in the barrel, but if you grip (how you hold the pistol) is the same for each shot, the bullets should still impact in the same place on the target, all else being equal. So, you have to work on making all else equal. Squeeze the trigger the same each time, do not "anticipate the shot" (flinch), follow through the same amount and the same way each shot, etc.

If you dry fire, you should see your whether your sights are jumping at the point of let off.

Beyond that, you need to shoot with an experienced shooter who can try your gun to make sure it is not the gun, and who can watch you to try to pick up on what you are doing.

 

[Inusuit]

Even cheaper than the Hogue sleeve is a piece of bicycle inner tube slid over the grip. I have it on my Glock 19 and it increases my ability to maintain a firm grip especially in follow through.

 

[Barrie]

I suspect there are other makes of grips as well that will fit your 39. I would try another set to see if any difference is felt on the gun while you are holding it. I have a cadet sized hand in golf gloves. its broad but short fingers so I am also hard to fit as well. If you like the gun then work with it or if you don't I would sell it off as its of NO value to you at all.

 

[pmosley]

I recommend the wooden KSD grips. They add just a bit to the width and feel very good in the hand - that they're very nice looking doesn't hurt at all.

Sent from my SM-T530NU using Tapatalk

 

[Fastbolt]

Comparing a 3913 to a 239 is going to make the thin 3913 feel smaller in your hand than the chunky SIG. Installing some rubber Hogue stocks will make the 3913 feel more familiar to the 239.

A new recoil spring helps make sure the cycling and felt recoil are normal, and the gun isn't being battered.

Attention to proper installation of the Hogue stocks is important. The grip pin is still used, just installed through the Hogue base. The mainspring plunger (cup) is still used, too.

 

[email4eric]

Very much appreciate all of the responses and suggestions.

I ordered a set of the Hogue grips and a new Wolff recoil spring. I'll have those early in the week. I expect the grips to provide a pistol grip worthy of re-evaluation. The spring...I don't know. It probably is a good idea regardless as I did purchase this used and who knows how old or how many rounds are on it.

With regard to comments on the Sig P239 -- yes, those Hogue grips feel much better on that single stack than do the stock grips on the 3913. However, it's also interesting (to me anyway) that the P239 also isn't shot as well by me as I would like.

My P229 is boringly deadly accurate. Really effortless. The LCP also is a really tight group producer but then I've put over a thousand rounds through it. But I digress...

I'll report back on the results after the grips are installed and spring replaced. Yes! I did watch a vid on how to install the Hogue grips and think it won't be too much of a challenge.

Thanks again for all of the thoughtful responses.

 

[goldenboy]

Quote......"Not bonding with my 3913 -- can anything be done?"

Yes.....sell it to me. I've been looking for one for years.

Surprising it took this far down the page for the standard response... lol. Shooting my Dad's 3913 got me into this darn 3rd gen fiasco...

 

[oldRoger]

A few years ago I looked for but could not find a 3913 so I bought a P239 SAS. I tried to like the 239 and carried it for a while but always felt top heavy to me. I had a chance to buy an NOS 3913 from forum member and did.
Once I changed out the awful plastic grips for Hogues I knew the 239 had to go. I think the 3913/3914 is at least for me the ideal sized small 9mm.
I immediately went on a hunt for a 4040 and found one, I will look no more for small carry pistols (unless of course a nice 3914 should happen along).