What's Wrong with the 908?
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ColbyBruce
Member
ColbyBruce
Member
I have read that the guide rods from the #3913 series will interchange with the #908. I have not seen a #908 that is DAO. I believe the #908 series guns were all traditional DA/SA with no half cock.
These are great guns for the money.
These are great guns for the money.
Oh, yes-that's what drew my attention to it. I am a bit skeptical how it would handle +P or +P+ loads, however. I have a G19 that eats Ranger T 127 gr +P+ rounds like they were 9BP rounds but I don't shoot them every week. I don't know if the 908 could withstand those or not but they're super accurate in the Glock.
Erich
Member
There's not a damned thing wrong with it.
jaysouth
US Veteran
Scuse me. They are butt ugly, have cheap plastic parts and deny you the chance to do fail to fire, fair to eject drills. They are like a cheap timex, just keep on tickin'.
Mine spent the night in saltwater bilge in a boat. The next day, I scrubbed it with simple green and reassembled. Kinda looks like it's got the mange now, but never bobbles even with my home cast reloads.
A drop of FP-10 every now and then keeps the rust down and gives more than adequate lube for the frame, slide and barrel.
Only real drawback is that they do not fit tightly boned leather or well made kydex holsters for the 3913/14.
smithman 10
US Veteran
What's wrong with the 908?
I just finished putting some skateboard tape on the front of the grip of the used 908 I picked up recently for cheap. Took the rubber grip sleeve off that it came with.
I've shot it twice. Nary a hiccup. Fired everything I put through it.
It's not handsome, but so far its been completely reliable. And I'll never have to worry about scuffing the finish or picking up a scratch here or there. Just an inexpensive utilitarian self defense tool.
It will be one of my carry handguns from now on, maybe most of the time.
Only thing wrong with it is - well, nothing that I can think of.
I just finished putting some skateboard tape on the front of the grip of the used 908 I picked up recently for cheap. Took the rubber grip sleeve off that it came with.
I've shot it twice. Nary a hiccup. Fired everything I put through it.
It's not handsome, but so far its been completely reliable. And I'll never have to worry about scuffing the finish or picking up a scratch here or there. Just an inexpensive utilitarian self defense tool.
It will be one of my carry handguns from now on, maybe most of the time.
Only thing wrong with it is - well, nothing that I can think of.
mgo
Member
The only thing I've noticed is a full magazine is nearly impossible to latch, so I carry it one short. Might be my individual example of the pistol.
The double action first shot trigger pull is pretty nice.
Glock 26 leather works with the blocky shape.
RRH
Member
"What's Wrong with the 908?"
Absolutely nothing is wrong with the 908! IMHO.
Absolutely nothing is wrong with the 908! IMHO.
ColbyBruce
Member
I have shot the Federal HST ammo through my gun with no problems.
Sarge45
Member
- Joined
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What's wrong with this little jewel ? NOTHING. The sights are no worse than Glocks. Well mounted and sturdy. It runs, and runs, and runs. The plastic guide rod is simply not a concern. All it does is keep the spring from buckling sideways in the slide. I bought this gun to take the place of my 3914 I sold years ago. It does that very well and is a real sleeper, IMO.
That a looker, Sarge. I think you have a 457 also I've seen. How does it compare? Is a lightweight framed .45 a hefty "kicker"? I'm looking at one now that looks nearly as nice as yours for just $350...a total steal but doesn't' have a box or papers. At that price, who cares?
I'm really looking for a carry guy and considered the Glock G26 as it shoots great, feels good but, a loaded Glock in an IWB holster just makes me nervous. At least with a Smith you have a decocker safety and I feel much better with that as I think a carry gun should have one in the chamber. If you need it, you need it quickly.
I'm really looking for a carry guy and considered the Glock G26 as it shoots great, feels good but, a loaded Glock in an IWB holster just makes me nervous. At least with a Smith you have a decocker safety and I feel much better with that as I think a carry gun should have one in the chamber. If you need it, you need it quickly.
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mgo
Member
Agreed. My carry guns are in and out of holsters, put on, taken off, and that drop safety is also a good thing when loading and unloading. I'm an ex-Glock 26 man as well, and I got rid of it for the same reasons you did.
The G26 is a fine pistol and will handle everything I fed it including Ranger T 127 gr +P+ but safer pistols exist. That's the only hangup I have about Glocks, although I own two. I consign them to the range and house guns. I don't have the audacity to holster one for carry.
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This is my mule, bought shortly after they first arrived here, back in what '94?.. It goes bang in an almost boring manner.
The slide started rusting because I sweat in our 90 to 115 degree summers, and it was hardchromed. After all these years, the trigger became unreliable (pull it and nothing happened) so that was fixed. No other real problems; holster selection is better now, and so are sights.
The slide started rusting because I sweat in our 90 to 115 degree summers, and it was hardchromed. After all these years, the trigger became unreliable (pull it and nothing happened) so that was fixed. No other real problems; holster selection is better now, and so are sights.
ecrawmer
Member
I like my 908. Like others have said they just work. It's got a smooth DA/SA action and carries very well. The grip doesn't fit my hand as well as my Sig P239, but it points easily as well. The finish is thin and prone to blemishes. Nice HC job poohgyrr. I've been looking for an affordable place that will hard chrome guns. I also carry mine with the flat mag base instead of the pinky finger one.
xopher88x
Member
My 908 is awesome. It's the perfect carry piece (size, weight) not to mention it's reliable as sunrise. Yeah, it gets rust spots from time to time when it's hot out and that does require a moderate amount of babying (as you could imagine mine looks nothing like Sarge45's) but all in all it's a great gun. Did I mention it's accurate?
Just for giggles I replaced the plastic guide rod with the steel 3913 one and I recently put in a fresh recoil spring and fresh mag springs. I keep it religiously clean and I feel it will be around for a long, long time.
If you still have the chance to buy one, I fully recommend it.
Just for giggles I replaced the plastic guide rod with the steel 3913 one and I recently put in a fresh recoil spring and fresh mag springs. I keep it religiously clean and I feel it will be around for a long, long time.
If you still have the chance to buy one, I fully recommend it.
469Shooter
Member
Based on my experience with the 410 I would buy a 908 in a heartbeat!
From what I can tell a 457 would not be a bad purchase either. I would not worry about any of the "plastic" parts either. They simply have not been an issue.
From what I can tell a 457 would not be a bad purchase either. I would not worry about any of the "plastic" parts either. They simply have not been an issue.
have one of the first ones to come out it will do anything u will ever ask from it. house/car/ccw
RRH
Member
What he said.
I had two 908s: a blue one and a stainless one. Not a thing wrong with them and I used to think of them as the Mossbergs of Smith and Wesson autos. Cheap. Rugged. Dependable. I would still have them except I finally found what I really wanted which was a 3913 Ladysmith. I love the LS but still kind of wish I had the two 908s back...
handlebar
Member
I just bought a NIB 908S (born in 2009) from a forum member for $450 shipped. I think that was a great price for a great gun. I had 2 in the past and like a jerk, sold them. This one is not going anywhere. I haven't shot it yet, but I have no worries. My others always went bang, so will this one.
908 until 3913
I agree with Junker and many of the others. Non-rail, or traditional 3913s are not all that easy to come by. It makes the 908 and 908s worth a look. Given what members have said in this thread, a 908 will likely be my next pistol, and will be right at home with my 6904, 6906, and 3906. That 3913 will show up one of these days. There's plenty of interest out there in all-metal pistols, the M&P series and Glocks are great guns - BUT many of us prefer the "original recipe". It may have taken a while for me to fully appreciate that, having tried other series and brands. I'm now totally sold on 3rd Gen pistols!
I agree with Junker and many of the others. Non-rail, or traditional 3913s are not all that easy to come by. It makes the 908 and 908s worth a look. Given what members have said in this thread, a 908 will likely be my next pistol, and will be right at home with my 6904, 6906, and 3906. That 3913 will show up one of these days. There's plenty of interest out there in all-metal pistols, the M&P series and Glocks are great guns - BUT many of us prefer the "original recipe". It may have taken a while for me to fully appreciate that, having tried other series and brands. I'm now totally sold on 3rd Gen pistols!
smitret
Member
alde
Member
I have had my 908 to the range 2 times so far. It's a great little pistol. I too wanted a 3913 and "settled" for the 908 but it fills the need just fine. The 908 is accurate and has worked perfectly with reloads, several different store bought loads and my chosen SD ammo.
A fully loaded magazine is also difficult to insert with the slide closed on mine. It seems like a common problem with them.
I have been thinking of putting some Duracoat or something on the slide. Is there a better product?
A fully loaded magazine is also difficult to insert with the slide closed on mine. It seems like a common problem with them.
I have been thinking of putting some Duracoat or something on the slide. Is there a better product?
I agree 100%
I think this is good practice for any and all Self Defense pistols. Downloading one less round in the magazine allows so much less binding on the rounds loaded in the magazine.
mrmike7189
Member
very nice guns
i own a 410 ...the value version of the 4003/4006. it has performed better than i thought it would...the 908 is almost identical...plastic guide rod , i keep a spare in case it breaks(but it has not after thousands of rounds.it probably will NEVER break!) the aluminum frame is very light....but not as strong as steel . thus it requires LUBE...(not just oil) lube works better.
the Matte black finish is very dull...but stronger than i thought it would. This works well for concealed carry in low light it will not shine and give you away...if you like black guns, the 908 is very black...
overall the 908,910, 410, 457 will surprise you. they may be cheaper ...they they are great quality guns.
theres' my 2 cents.
i own a 410 ...the value version of the 4003/4006. it has performed better than i thought it would...the 908 is almost identical...plastic guide rod , i keep a spare in case it breaks(but it has not after thousands of rounds.it probably will NEVER break!) the aluminum frame is very light....but not as strong as steel . thus it requires LUBE...(not just oil) lube works better.
the Matte black finish is very dull...but stronger than i thought it would. This works well for concealed carry in low light it will not shine and give you away...if you like black guns, the 908 is very black...
overall the 908,910, 410, 457 will surprise you. they may be cheaper ...they they are great quality guns.
theres' my 2 cents.
