Want to get back to DA 39 series

[642Fan]

I used to have a 915 and then a 457, both are long gone. I got out of them due to the fear of lack of spare parts as the metal DA/SA guns are no longer manufactured and not many people outside of S&W or Novak are familiar with fixing them. They're not like Glock or 1911

Now I'm getting the itch again to get a 3913. Is my fear or concern unreasonable?

 

[growr]

I am certainly NOT putting MY 3913 in the cabinet for fear of something breaking!
Seems like I can find anything I need for 1-3rd gen Smiths in Montana....and we are pretty remote.
So, to answer your question have no fear and use with gusto!
Randy

 

[mauser9]

Yeah I think so. Solid construction and springs easily replaced. Sold a couple I regret but my CS-9 will be a keeper to make up for my past mistakes. Go for it when you find a nice condition example.

 

[Qc Pistolero]

While I'm a revolver guy,I own a few autos and I must say that the 3913 IMO sure beats a lot of ''new kids on the block''.

 

[Jeppo]

If parts become impossible to find, perhaps non functioning guns will be parted out for more than we paid for them.

 

[nocents]

.......... not many people outside of S&W or Novak are familiar with fixing them. They're not like Glock or 1911 ...................


Now I'm getting the itch again to get a 3913. Is my fear or concern unreasonable?

NO....it's not unreasonable..........to a point.....most parts are still available by using a little diligence....and finding local smiths that are familiar with these guns can be sketchy at best .....my only advice would be to look for 3913 that has been properly maintained by previous owners .....then you do the same and use it with no reservations.......my 3913 is my ccw and while I have more than a few concerns about living in the times we find ourselves in.....my 3913 working like it should when called upon ain't one of them.................and unfortunately for our wallets there is only one cure for a gun itch

 

[18DAI]

Dont forget fellas, we have our own excellent 3rd gen gunsmith right here in house. Contact BMCM for all your 3rd gen gunsmithing needs.

EXCELLENT work at VERY reasonable prices. I am a very satisfied customer. Regards 18DAI

 

[PALADIN85020]

I have a 39, a 59 and a 3913NL. Each has been solidly reliable since I bought it new. I see no reason to part with any of them. The 3913 is in my opinion the best discreet carry single stack 9mm pistol ever made by Smith, and arguably the best made by any manufacturer.

John

 

[growr]

Readily available holsters do not exist for those metal S&W pistols. All of the kydex makers that I've searched only make them for the M&P series and maybe the Stigma series.

I guess one will have to order a custom leather rig if one is going to carry it.

If I can find holsters for 1-3 gen S&W here in Montana, they are certainly available elsewhere.

What model are you trying to find one for? IWB? OWB? Shoulder? Paddle? Retention strap? cowhide or horsehide? etc.

I use a lot of Kramer #2 & #3's for my Smiths......

Randy

Randy

 

[squidsix]

Yeah I don't get the "can't find holsters" piece one bit.
Also: If hurting for holsters remember that the 3913NL fits perfectly in holsters for the Sig P239, and the 3913 fits the holster for the 225. (Leather of course)
I routinely carry a 3913 in a Mitch Rosen pancake for the Sig. (Don't own any sigs but have several holsters for them)

 

[squidsix]

Back of the same holster

 

[Engine49guy]

I carry a 3953 and sometimes a 6906.
Recently was thinking about picking up a 3913 to work into the rotation but high condition examples have been a bit pricey.

For about the same price of a clean shooter seems I can get a new S&W polymer frame 9mm or pocket 380 with a lifetime warranty.

Hate to say it but likely a polymer frame is in my not so far off future.

 

[BMCM]

Is my fear or concern unreasonable?

In my opinion, yes, yes it is.

You know when I read your post up top it came to mind I don't own a single firearm that is in current production. Nope not a one!

My small bunch of 3rd gens would be the youngest of my modest collection, or the ones most recently out of production so twenty years or thereabouts since many were made. I shoot them regularly and carry several without concern over parts breakage. If my pants are on there's one on my belt. And if not there's one or two within reach.

The oldest arms I own have been out of production for well over a century.

Military rifles dating from the Spanish American War up through the early Cold War years...Out of production.

Sporting arms from the 1890's up to 1955... Out of production.

There are plenty of parts out there for all these, even NOS parts for guns made in the nineteenth century.

Back to the 3rd gens... Tons of parts are out there. S&W shut down all the warranty repair stations in 2016 but those guys still have parts inventory and there are many other sources for parts.
I carry these guns because in my view they are superior anything currently produced for my purposes. The only current production pistol that has caught my attention is FNH's FNX-45... though not exactly well suited as a CCW

So I'll carry my 4506, 4516CCO, and Shorty45 mk2, and '1014'. They're all remarkably robust arms but in the extraordinarily unlikely event something breaks, I'll source the replacement part (assuming I don't already have one) and fix it. And... In the even more unlikely event I can't find the part I need I will bloody well make the thing and fix the gun anyway.

Life's too short that one must put up with cheap plastic rubbish throwaway guns with crappy triggers. Go get that 3913 or 3914 or perhaps a LS or NL variant or even a 3913TSW or perhaps a CS9 or 909 and enjoy.

Cheers
Bill

PS: Quality arms deserve quality leather goods. Personally I'm a big fan of Kramer's Horsehide, darned near as stiff as kydex but quiet and won't crack or break. I think those folks have blueguns for just about everything.

 

[EMP3]

While I'm a revolver guy,I own a few autos and I must say that the 3913 IMO sure beats a lot of ''new kids on the block''.

I agree.

Why is it that old kids that are replaced by new kids are superior? Why not continue manufacturing what has been proved to work as advertised?

 

[BAM-BAM]

I used to have a 915 and then a 457, both are long gone. I got out of them due to the fear of lack of spare parts as the metal DA/SA guns are no longer manufactured and not many people outside of S&W or Novak are familiar with fixing them. They're not like Glock or 1911

Now I'm getting the itch again to get a 3913. Is my fear or concern unreasonable?

Yes.... but to be safe get a backup

I've had more than a few 3rd Gen autos for over 25years... and have yet to "break" or wear out a gun!!!