What's Wrong with the 908?

[ColColt]

As the title implies, these look like fine little carry pistols, mimicking even the 3913, 3914 but I've seen very few really bidding or buying them. What's the story with this model?

 

[ColbyBruce]

The S&W #908 is a great pistol

The #908 is a bit blockier than a #3913/3914, the sights are different and made of plastic, as is the guide rod and mag catch. The finish is less than robust. I like this model.

 

[ColColt]

A plastic guide rod... can a SS rod replace it? The one I saw was listed as DAO but I think that's a mistake.

 

[ColbyBruce]

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.

 

[ColColt]

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]

There's not a damned thing wrong with it.

 

[jaysouth]

There's not a damned thing wrong with it.

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]

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.

 

[mgo]

As the title implies, these look like fine little carry pistols, mimicking even the 3913, 3914 but I've seen very few really bidding or buying them. What's the story with this model?

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]

"What's Wrong with the 908?"

Absolutely nothing is wrong with the 908! IMHO.

 

[ColbyBruce]

I have shot the Federal HST ammo through my gun with no problems.

 

[ColColt]

They are butt ugly, have cheap plastic parts and deny you the chance to do fail to fire, fair to eject drills.

What are the "cheap plastic parts" and can they be replaced if wanted? I've located a LNIB 457 which is similar but in .45 I'm looking at as well and would fall under the same umbrella as the 908.

 

[Sarge45]

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.

 

[ColColt]

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.

 

[mgo]

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.

 

[ColColt]

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.

 

[Poohgyrr]

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.

 

[ecrawmer]

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]

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.

 

[junker]

I love my 908....notta thing wrong with them. Reliable, easy to carry, and fun at the range. It will stay my EDC until I find that illusive 3913 I'm waiting for.