In the 1980s, police departments across the country started trading in their Smith & Wesson revolvers. They looked to a familiar source for their new 9mm autoloaders — Smith & Wesson. The first generation S&W semi-autos were standard issue for law enforcement officers across the country. These offered full-size, double-stack “wonder nines,” like the Model 59 for patrol officers. Likewise, it also provided a more compact versions like the 69 and the 39 for detectives and plain-clothes types.
These early autoloaders paved the way for many more. The wheel guns were eventually considered to be obsolete for modern law enforcement. The S&W semi-auto guns evolved and improved. However, they were also met with stiff competition from other manufacturers. While the S&W guns are still in wide use by law enforcement, other guns like Glocks and SIG Sauers seem to garner far more attention these days.
Change Comes in the 90s
It seems now that firearms companies rush to market every year with new compact designs for concealed carry.
Since the late 1990s, however, the firearms market has changed dramatically. The passage of “right to carry” legislation in states across the country has resulted in hundreds of thousands of civilians having the ability to carry concealed firearms. A whole new market has exploded. Civilians eschewed traditional full-size guns and gravitated to smaller, thinner, lighter and easier to carry guns. It seems now that firearms companies rush to market every year with new compact designs for concealed carry.
While S&W certainly arms a very large portion of the CWP holders in this country, it is most noticeably with their lightweight snub-nose revolvers. S&W autoloaders are often overlooked by the gun magazines and the glitterati of the firearms community as old news. However, S&W auto pistols, in particular, the 3913 and related models, have an almost cult-like following often overlooked. This is a modern interpretation of a classic firearm that deserves your consideration.
A Proven Design
The “TSW” moniker is marketing-speak for “Tactical Smith & Wesson.” The TSW pistols are the top of the line guns. They have slightly different sight packages and different checkering, and later models all sport a tactical light rail. This same, basic gun has also been recently offered as a “standard” 3913. It is currently offered as a “value model” 908 and 908S. In the past, this same basic gun has been made as a Model 39, and later as a 439, 639 and perhaps others. One attractive aspect of these guns is that many of them have been produced over the years. These can be found relatively easily on the used market.
3913 TSW Specifications
The 3913 TSW is a single-stack 9mm, meaning the magazine is designed to hold only a single row of ammunition. In a world of double-stack Glocks, Berettas, SIGs and H&Ks, the single-stack 9mm has become a bit lost in the crowd. While capacity is “sacrificed” to a mere nine rounds, the benefits abound.
A thin gun is much easier to carry and conceal. The grip portion of a gun is usually the most difficult portion to hide. The bulk of a double-stack 9mm grip can be problematic. The 3913’s grip is adorned with very thin plastic grips approximately 1 inch wide. The slide measures only .9 inches across, although that width is increased by the width of the slide-mounted safety lever.
The 3913 TSW comes configured with what S&W calls “traditional double-action” or TDA. In the TDA configuration, the gun has an ambidextrous, slide-mounted, de-cocking/safety lever. The gun is designed to be carried with the hammer down, requiring a long, DA pull to fire the first shot. All subsequent shots are SA, with a bit of take-up, but a reasonably lightweight pull. The gun can be carried with the safety on (requiring the disengagement before firing the gun), or with the safety off (relying on the weight of the DA trigger pull for safety). This is a matter of personal preference and training.
If you don’t care for a safety, S&W can convert the gun to a “de-cock only” configuration with no safety. S&W can convert the gun to a true “double-action only” with no protruding levers at all.
Some Additional Specs
This S&W does not have a factory key-lock, which is appreciated by many. It does have a “loaded chamber indicator.” This consists of a small hole in the barrel at the top of the ejection port that will show if a piece of brass is present. This is not bad thing to have. But you should never rely on a visual inspection through a tiny hole to determine if your gun is loaded.
On a more controversial note, this gun also has a magazine disconnect safety. The gun cannot be fired without a magazine in place. Some believe this is an undesirable, unnecessary safety feature. Others appreciate the magazine safety as a way of essentially disabling the gun if in danger of being lost in a struggle. That is your call to make. The safety could theoretically be disabled. I would never suggest that you do so.
While S&W certainly arms a very large portion of the CWP holders in this country, it is most noticeably with their lightweight snub-nose revolvers.
The 3913 TSW is equipped with Lo Mount Novak 3-dot sights that provide a clear sight picture. Night sights are available for upgrade. The gun is not offered to the civilian market with factory night sights.
The firearm also comes with two high quality magazines that have finger-rest bases, clearly numbered index holes and a high-contrast, orange follower. Spare magazines are a bit pricey (about $40 from S&W). I have had great luck with the much cheaper Mec-Gar units.
The TSW models also have an integrated light rail for a weapon-mounted light. This flashlight won’t solve all your lighting problems, but it is a nice addition.
Take-down is relatively simple, and proper maintenance should not be a problem. Most importantly, the gun is backed with the S&W Lifetime Repair Policy and S&W’s legendary customer service.
How Does It Shoot?
The TSW shoots very well for me. I think it is a combination of a nicely ergonomic, single-stack grip, good sights and a pretty decent single-action trigger.
The 3913 TSW digested several types of ammo. This included my carry favorites (Gold Dot 115 grain JHPs) with no problems at all. These guns are not typically very ammo sensitive. This particular example certainly was not. I have personally put over 500 rounds of assorted ammo through the gun used for this review without a single malfunction of any kind. The gun is rated for 9mm +P ammo, and seems to handle it without any problems.
The TSW shoots very well for me. I think it is a combination of a nicely ergonomic, single-stack grip, good sights and a pretty decent single-action trigger. Double-stack 9mms have been the rage for so long, that I had almost forgotten how nice a single-stack 9mm fits my hand. Obviously, the fit may be different for you, but I like it.
The Novak sights also help put this gun easily and quickly on target. The trigger pull on this gun leaves a bit to be desired, but it is still quite workable. The double-action is heavy, although reasonably smooth. Fortunately, most of your shooting is likely done in single-action, which is a lot more manageable. There is little take-up and a short reset. This makes the gun easy to shoot, whether slowly for accuracy or for quick follow-ups.
A bit of attention from a decent gunsmith could make the DA trigger quite a bit better. This would result in faster and better first shots out of the holster. Of course, you will always have to train and pay special attention to mastering the transition from the first DA trigger pull to the following SA trigger pulls. This is a common problem on traditional, DA guns. This skill, like any other, is acquired through training and practice.
I don’t find a lot of value in firing concealed carry guns from a bench rest at 25 yards. The target shown was fired without support in singles and pairs at 30 feet. This gun is more than capable of good combat accuracy. The “9 Tactical” will do its job if you do yours.
Closing Thoughts
I would not presume to tell you what gun you should carry. I can’t tell you what model will fit your hands or your lifestyle. I can tell you, however, that the S&W 3913 TSW is worth your consideration.
It is not the latest, the highest tech or the most popular concealed carry firearm on the market. Unlike a Glock, you can’t walk into any gun show and buy hundreds of accessories and do-dads to hang off of your gun. And yet, the S&W 3913 TSW and its closely related kin have been out quietly doing their jobs for decades. It is worth a close look in your quest for the perfect carry gun.
About the Author
[Duane A. Daiker has been a life-long shooter and goes about his life as an armed, responsible and somewhat opinionated citizen. He can be reached at Daiker@RealWorldCarryGear.com and additional information can be found at RealWorldCarryGear.com]
