Any thoughts on the 3913tsw/smith and wesson

Mikey50 · October 19, 2004, 12:40 PM

After about 4 days of reading and rereading as much as I can on this site and every other info place I have pretty much decided on two 9mm 3913tsw smith and wessons.
Have any of you had experiences good or bad with the weapon, if so please tell me before I cut a check..

thanks guys

Dfariswheel · October 19, 2004, 02:40 PM

These S&W compact guns are top-of-the-line in quality.
They're accurate, and very reliable.

On the down-side, the S&W auto design is a bit "old technology". The S&W auto's basic design hasn't changed since it was introduced as the Model 39 back in the 50's.

The gun is somewhat larger, thicker, and more bulky than newer designs like the mini and micro Glocks and Kahrs.

The bore axis sits much higher than newer guns, and the gun tend to have a little more barrel flip than the newer designs.

However, if you want a traditional DA/SA auto, the S&W is about as good as it gets.
Sights are excellent, the design is quite safe and throughly de-bugged, and shoot-ability is excellent.

Most people who own these are quite satisfied.
The only reason I traded my 3913 in, was the Kahr K9 held only one less round of 9mm, has a better DA trigger, is less complicated a design, has excellent sights, but is in a much more compact package.

Handy · October 19, 2004, 05:53 PM

Just to add some perspective to the above comments, the S&W classic auto design isn't any different in terms of bore height, complication or size than the similar Sigs, HKs, Rugers or anything else with a hammer and DA trigger.

They seem to be good guns, and are a pretty good value when you consider the premium materials used in frame, slide and barrel.

Jim4003 · October 19, 2004, 06:34 PM

The Smith and Wesson TSW series is a great design. Granted it has evolved from an older design but look at all the 1911's out there. I have several of the Smith autos and they are dependable and accurate weapons. Sometimes the triggers are heavy and gritty but those that are can easily be remedied. The customer service dept. at Smith is probably one of the best around if you do encounter problems.

claude783 · October 19, 2004, 09:39 PM

Old Fart chimming in:

I have owned a S&W 39 since I got back from Nam. One of the first guns of many I have purchased...it is reliable, compact, and has given me great service...since it is the grand-daddy of what your looking, I would say the pedigree makes it a good weapon...there were quite of few of these floating around back in the "bad old days"!

SIGLOCKAUR · October 20, 2004, 03:20 AM

The 3913 is an excellent weapon. A friend had one until he shot a Sig P-239 9mm. Got rid of the Smith for the Sig. After trying both I went with the Sig. I liked the grip better. He had some problems with the Smith with some rounds. This may be unusual since I've always heard good things about the Smith. The 239 feeds everything, is totally reliable, and very accurate. Try both if you can.

Detective_Special · October 21, 2004, 09:09 AM

In my experience I find the Smith 3rd generation pistols to be excellent guns,they are indeed underrated. Accurate, reliable and the smoothest double action trigger. The only disadvantage is that the all steel framed models are quite heavy for concealed carry, even in a duty holster. This is not the case with the 3913 and other models that have an alloy frame.

don't shoot it's me · October 21, 2004, 09:59 AM

If I wasn't carrying a P7 I would be carrying a 3913....so I guess tha says a lot about them....

WESHOOT2 · October 24, 2004, 07:34 AM

The last 3913TSW I saw shot stunned me with its Bullseye-like accuracy (granted it was shooting special ammo; no, not mine, Triton calibration ammo).

Just unbelievable accuracy.

Always liked that particular S&W auto.........

JNewell · October 27, 2004, 09:05 PM

Quote:

less complicated a design

Amen to that. There sure are an awful lot of small parts in the S&W autoloaders, which are otherwise excellent and reliable pistols -- and usually excellent values, relative to the cost of other brands.

FALshootist · October 28, 2004, 08:55 PM

I have a pre TSW 3913 that I believe is the finest compact, single stack, 9mm on the market. The gun has been totally reliable, very accurate, and easy to conceal.

TrapK80 · October 29, 2004, 07:45 PM

Don't know if I can add anything that hasn't already been said but...the 3913 is by far, one of S&W best semiauto designs. As far as "old technology", that may be true. But if "old technology" also means consistent reliability, above average out of the box accuracy, then I'll take that "old technology" any day! I'm not familiar with the TSW, but my 3913 is a great compact 9mm, you can't go wrong with one.

October 19, 2004, 12:40 PM	#1
Mikey50 Junior Member Join Date: October 17, 2004 Posts: 8	Any thoughts on the 3913tsw/smith and wesson After about 4 days of reading and rereading as much as I can on this site and every other info place I have pretty much decided on two 9mm 3913tsw smith and wessons. Have any of you had experiences good or bad with the weapon, if so please tell me before I cut a check.. thanks guys

October 21, 2004, 09:09 AM	#7
Detective_Special Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2004 Posts: 293	S&W3913 In my experience I find the Smith 3rd generation pistols to be excellent guns,they are indeed underrated. Accurate, reliable and the smoothest double action trigger. The only disadvantage is that the all steel framed models are quite heavy for concealed carry, even in a duty holster. This is not the case with the 3913 and other models that have an alloy frame.

October 24, 2004, 07:34 AM	#9
WESHOOT2 Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 1999 Location: home on the range; Vermont (Caspian country) Posts: 14,324	Real eye-opener The last 3913TSW I saw shot stunned me with its Bullseye-like accuracy (granted it was shooting special ammo; no, not mine, Triton calibration ammo). Just unbelievable accuracy. Always liked that particular S&W auto.........

October 29, 2004, 07:45 PM	#12
TrapK80 Junior Member Join Date: June 8, 2004 Location: AZ Posts: 4	3913... Don't know if I can add anything that hasn't already been said but...the 3913 is by far, one of S&W best semiauto designs. As far as "old technology", that may be true. But if "old technology" also means consistent reliability, above average out of the box accuracy, then I'll take that "old technology" any day! I'm not familiar with the TSW, but my 3913 is a great compact 9mm, you can't go wrong with one.

October 19, 2004, 02:40 PM	#2
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,562	These S&W compact guns are top-of-the-line in quality. They're accurate, and very reliable. On the down-side, the S&W auto design is a bit "old technology". The S&W auto's basic design hasn't changed since it was introduced as the Model 39 back in the 50's. The gun is somewhat larger, thicker, and more bulky than newer designs like the mini and micro Glocks and Kahrs. The bore axis sits much higher than newer guns, and the gun tend to have a little more barrel flip than the newer designs. However, if you want a traditional DA/SA auto, the S&W is about as good as it gets. Sights are excellent, the design is quite safe and throughly de-bugged, and shoot-ability is excellent. Most people who own these are quite satisfied. The only reason I traded my 3913 in, was the Kahr K9 held only one less round of 9mm, has a better DA trigger, is less complicated a design, has excellent sights, but is in a much more compact package.

October 19, 2004, 05:53 PM	#3
Handy Junior member Join Date: August 31, 2001 Posts: 8,785	Just to add some perspective to the above comments, the S&W classic auto design isn't any different in terms of bore height, complication or size than the similar Sigs, HKs, Rugers or anything else with a hammer and DA trigger. They seem to be good guns, and are a pretty good value when you consider the premium materials used in frame, slide and barrel.

October 19, 2004, 06:34 PM	#4
Jim4003 Member Join Date: September 18, 2004 Location: Virginia Posts: 76	The Smith and Wesson TSW series is a great design. Granted it has evolved from an older design but look at all the 1911's out there. I have several of the Smith autos and they are dependable and accurate weapons. Sometimes the triggers are heavy and gritty but those that are can easily be remedied. The customer service dept. at Smith is probably one of the best around if you do encounter problems.

October 19, 2004, 09:39 PM	#5
claude783 Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2004 Location: people's republic of California Posts: 386	Old Fart chimming in: I have owned a S&W 39 since I got back from Nam. One of the first guns of many I have purchased...it is reliable, compact, and has given me great service...since it is the grand-daddy of what your looking, I would say the pedigree makes it a good weapon...there were quite of few of these floating around back in the "bad old days"!

October 20, 2004, 03:20 AM	#6
SIGLOCKAUR Senior Member Join Date: August 10, 2004 Posts: 279	The 3913 is an excellent weapon. A friend had one until he shot a Sig P-239 9mm. Got rid of the Smith for the Sig. After trying both I went with the Sig. I liked the grip better. He had some problems with the Smith with some rounds. This may be unusual since I've always heard good things about the Smith. The 239 feeds everything, is totally reliable, and very accurate. Try both if you can.

October 21, 2004, 09:59 AM	#8
don't shoot it's me Senior Member Join Date: March 29, 2001 Location: NY first/LA second Posts: 1,537	If I wasn't carrying a P7 I would be carrying a 3913....so I guess tha says a lot about them....

October 28, 2004, 08:55 PM	#11
FALshootist Senior Member Join Date: June 24, 2002 Posts: 589	I have a pre TSW 3913 that I believe is the finest compact, single stack, 9mm on the market. The gun has been totally reliable, very accurate, and easy to conceal.