[randomman]

All right folks, how about some opinions and reviews of the steel/aluminum framed S&W Autos? I'm thinking one of the small 3.5" barreled ones would make a nice little carry piece. Specifically I'm looking at the models:

469/669
6904/6906
3913/3914
908

I'm particularly interested in the 908 as it's single-stack for slimmer profile and also the venerable(and larger) Model 39. I've found that the prices for these older S&W Autos seem to make them a super bargain, I figure this is because of Glocks and Sigs dominating the 9mm market.

So tell me about them gents, anyone carry one regularly? Find it comfortable? Reliability? Quality? Accuracy?

Thanks for your time,

-Rob

 

[erich]

You should cruise over to the S&W Forum and dig around there. The folks who have 3913s just love them (Ayoob says good things about them as well). The 908 is, of course, the less-finished version of the same gun, also held in high regard.

I've always been a big fan of the 69 series. I wanted a 469 so bad you wouldn't believe it when they first came out. i wound up with a used 439 that was in stock - it served me very well, and to some extent the 439 is the autopistol to which I compare all others. A fine gun.

The smaller 69-series are terrific little guns (the 3rd Gen versions are superb - I owned a 6946 until the friend who sold it to me asked if he could buy it back and I had to say yes).

The S&W semiautos are some of the best values out there: they work impeccably well, they have pretty good triggers, and they're pretty accurate. You can also find them slightly used for very little money, especially the police trade-ins. The DAOs are weird in that they don't allow second-strike capability, but I never required a second strike with the 6946 - that massive hammer always detonated any primer beneath it.

They're not the smallest gun for the barrel length or mag capacity, though. The Glock 19 is virtually the same size as the 69-series, but holds more rounds in the mag (15, without a +2 floorplate) and has a longer (4") and faster (polygonal "rifling") barrel.

I carried the 439 for a couple of years as a college student, and found it quite comfortable. I carried the 6946 for some time as well - I'd still carry it if my friend hadn't asked for it back (however, I did replace it with a Glock 26 - much smaller, but with the same length barrel in a polygon bore). I carry the 1076 on hikes to this day/ Frankly, I really like S&W semiautos. I feel they're some of the best bargains out there.

 

[Guest]

I've been extremely tempted by some used 6906 9mms I've seen in the Shotgun News

 

[pff]

I carried a 669 for a couple years, and a friend carried it off-duty for several more. Never hiccuped once, with any loads we threw at it. He could hold 3" at 25 yards with it.

It never pointed right for me, so I traded it when he didn't need it anymore. Square grip and flat backstrap; felt like holding a 2x2" tomato stake.

They are quite reliable though.

Regards,

Pat

 

[Chris Stephens]

Hi there,

I've owned two automatics in the S&W "American Pride Series". They were the 410 and the 457. They were both nice, but I longed for something nicer. Both shot well and were set up in the TDA configuration.

I would like to own a 3913 and think that it would be a great and concealable 9mm pistol.

I have also seen a couple of the examples of the Police Turn Ins in the Southern Ohio Gun Flyer and would take a chance on a nice stainless steel model. However, quality sometimes is an issue with police turn ins as far as exterior condition.

Chris

 

[randomman]

Shopping around, I've found a couple of 3913s at decent prices. When the budget allows, I think I'll pick one up. The feel of these guns is much nicer than the Glock 19 for me, and being a short person, I find the Glock difficult to conceal well. While the Smith being thinner is as easy to conceal as my 1911, but not nearly as heavy.

-Rob

 

[erich]

Can't argue with that!

 

[wags]

S&W are in a league of there own. Where I work the security team carries the Mod 99. The guys seem to like them. Too much plastic for me....... I prefer steel and alloy frames.

 

[Chris Stephens]

Hi Rob,

What kind of prices are you seeing in the market for 3913?

As previously mentioned, I would enjoy getting my hands on one as well.

Thanks,

Chris

 

[randomman]

Chris,

I've been seeing them on Gunbroker for around $280(used) to around $325(new). When I get the chance I'll check out the local gun shows and report back, but frequently I find that Gunbroker, Gunshows, and local shops are usually within $20 of one another.

-Rob

 

[Guest]

My first issue weapon was a S&W 4006. I bought it when we traded for new 4006s. I also have managed to aquire one of our old 4013s that was never issued but was included in the trade. This pistol has had less than 200 rounds through it.

My current 4006 has not had a malfunction in the three years that I have carried it that wasn't my fault. Twice I have failed to seat the magazine fully. My original 4006 malfunctioned the last time I qualified with it. The armorer then changed the extractor and all the springs and plungers and such. This was a couple of months before the trade, and it had been in service for 12 or 13 years, and I had personally put 5000 rounds through it in the three years I carried it on duty. I have no idea what the total round count on it was at the time it was retired.

I'm very fond of the S&W bottom feeders. I think you'll get good service out of a 3913.

 

[16gauge]

I have a S&W M39 that I bought years ago, just before the 'assault weapons ban' was about to take place....someone traded that gun in to get a gun with a high cap magazine before the law went into effect. I'm glad he did.....I love this gun!

It is quite accurate at combat distances, never hiccuped except on a couple of cast bullet handloads that I fed it where I loaded the bullet to deep, & carries like a dream. It has a magazine disconnect safety (some folks don't like this feature....I do), and my only regret is that there arent more aftermarket items for this gun such as holsters, grips, sights, ect.

 

[randomman]

16gauge a couple of questions for you. What is the height of your M39(approximate works), would you say the gun would work well in the concealed roll? I know you said only problems with cast loads, any problems with HPs?

While shopping for a 3913, I ran across several M39s at bargain basement prices and began thinking about them. Unfortunately, no one seems to have much information about the M39s.

Thanks,

-Rob

 

[erich]

Randomman, you want to make sure you get a 39-2 and not a straight 39. The 39-2 incorporates most of the upgrades found in the later 439 (which would be better still). The original 39s had some feeding issues, but these were cleared up by the upgrades in the 39-2 (the 39-1 was a target gun that fired a modified .38 spl wadcutter, the .38 AMU).

You can find out about all the differences between the models by running a search on the S&W Forum.

As I said up-page, my 439 (identical to a 39 in size) was quite easy to carry concealed as a "I can wear whatever I want without drawing undue attention" college student. They're about the size of a Browning Hi-Power, notably smaller than a full-sized 1911.

 

[randomman]

Erich, thanks for the description, the gun I'm looking at is a 39-2. The only downside to it I'm seeing is the need for custom leather and the lack of drop in sights. Either one is ok, because I was already figuring on having fun with it.

Hmm, might as well start thinking big, a 39-2 with Novak low mounts or XS Big-Dots, and refinished in Birdsong Black-T. Yep, I bet that'd make a mighty fine companion to my 1911 for concealed carry.

-Rob

 

[16gauge]

Randomman;
I measured the gun; it is roughly 5" or so from the bottom of the magazine well to the top of the slide. I don't know much about the 39-2, 439, et al....erich seems to be the expert in that regards....however, my gun is marked "M 39" and I haven't had a problem with it re: HPs (maybe I just got lucky? ) To date, I've fired Federal hydrashoks, Win. Silvertips, Remington golden Saber, Speer Gold dots, and PMC El Dorados through it without a hitch, as well as the conventional HPs in both 124 & 115 grains. Currently, I am carrying the Speer GDHP. A couple of negatives....spare magazines are getting hard to find, and the sights are only adjustable for windage, not elevation. This gun is currently my primary carry piece, and I use a IWB Don Hume 715 rig...my only beef with it is that it could use a little more leather topside to keep my side from contact with the gun. Other than that, it works quite well.

 

[bullittorange]

Not to scare you off, but I had a police trade in 6906 that was quite possibly the least accurate firearm that I have ever owned. Loved the look, feel, and reliability, but after owning it for a few months and never being able to get it to group at all, even from a rest and in more talented hands, I had to trade it. The crown looked fine, everything seemed tight, bore and trigger were good, but no one I met could do much with it for more than 1 out of 5 shots. I'm pretty sure that this had to be an isolated case, but it horrifies me that it was ever a duty gun. If you get a chance, shoot before you buy, I am convinced these are good deals if you are a lucky kind of guy!

later
Bullittorange

 

[Guest]

carolinaman,

I quote:
"I've owned two automatics in the S&W "American Pride Series". They were the 410 and the 457. They were both nice, but I longed for something nicer."

I am sure my M457 is nice enough for you. Let me know if it isn't up tp your standards.

Regards,

Richard

 

[erich]

That's the nicest looking 457 I've ever seen. The grips really set it apart.

 

[Chris Stephens]

Hi there Richard,

Yes, it does look much nicer than the bead blasted and blued 457 I used to own. Much nicer and I agree with Erich that those grips really accent the nice finish.

Chris