In my search for a 3913 TSW, I’m finding lots of regular 3913’s but the TSW version is quite elusive. It’s got me wondering, what exactly are the differences between the two? Anything mechanically?
Thanks
"Attack life, it's going to kill you anyway." Steve McQueen...
Posts: 7140 | Location: TEXAS | Registered: July 18, 2005
The TSW pistols have a tighter slide to frame fit, MIM triggers and hammers, and most also have a proprietary rail riveted to the frame. The later non TSW S&W 3rd generation pistols also had MIM parts. Some don't like them, but they produce a nice trigger pull. I really like the TSW pistols, although I'm not a fan of the riveted rail, which has been known to loosen.
I’ve owned a 5906 and a 5906TSW. I’d echo what was said above, I believe the 5906TSW was also a beefier gun with a heavier barrel. The trigger was supposedly improved on the TSW and in my case that would be correct as the DA on the TSW was noticeably smoother.
I think the S&W 3rd gen pistols were great for their time, and have several in my collection. The "TSW" series were the high point of the line, and incorporate numerous engineering changes and improvements over the earlier pistols. With that being said, they are long out of production, so parts (you probably won't need any), holsters, and sight options are becoming more limited. The series was really designed to be duty pistols, so in my experience aren't quite as accurate as Berettas and SIGs of the same era. I have found the double action trigger pulls to be better than the stock ones on my West German SIGs, and the reset is very short and crisp, if that matters to you. You may find the comments in the links below useful (especially those by the late great 18DAI and by "Fastbolt", who served as a police armorer on S&W 3rd gen pistols for many years.
I happened upon a 4017TSW for cheap. They are well built firearms.
The guy said it was a special order because he wanted one without the rail when it was standard.
Just has the two rivets on the frame.
Let us know what you find.
Posts: 9590 | Location: Somewhere looking for ammo that nobody has at a place I haven't been to for a pistol I couldn't live without... | Registered: December 02, 2014
What was the .356 TSW pistol? Didn't it take special ammo?
_____________________________ "A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government." George Washington.
Posts: 5334 | Location: Pottstown, PA | Registered: April 26, 2002
Originally posted by MRMATT: What was the .356 TSW pistol? Didn't it take special ammo?
IIRC, the .356 TSW (Team S&W) was a proprietary round that was developed for IPSC but not part of the TSW (Tactical S&W) pistol series. The TSW pistols were some of the last 3rd Gen’s released before the whole series was shut down.
Some of the first run of TSW pistols had the riveted light rail (I think the 5906 and 4006) but the smaller 3913 and 4013 did not. In the 2nd release I believe the single stacks got the rail.
I had a 3953 TSW that I dearly wish I hadn’t let go. Fantastic gun and at the time was one of the most compact 9mm pistols available. It was DAO with a fairly heavy trigger, but it was so smooth and short you didn’t really mind it being heavy. Alas I traded it for something newer and hotter that I also no longer have and have forgotten.
Originally posted by copaup: I had a 3953 TSW that I dearly wish I hadn’t let go. Fantastic gun and at the time was one of the most compact 9mm pistols available. It was DAO with a fairly heavy trigger, but it was so smooth and short you didn’t really mind it being heavy. Alas I traded it for something newer and hotter that I also no longer have and have forgotten.
Although not a TSW, I had the blued version of the 3953, the 3954.
That little pistol was fantastic. I preferred and still do, the DAO pistols. Mine was very accurate, and like you, I just had to have something different. The pistols were very slim, with no safety levers.You didn't have to think about putting the gun on on safe after shooting..
And they were very reliable. I had several 3rd Gen S & W's, but the 3953/54 was my favorite.
美しい犬
Posts: 6673 | Location: Near the Metropolis of Tightsqueeze, Va | Registered: February 18, 2007
I was told that the TSW models instead of being assembled out of random parts at the end of the line, were kept together from the start and hand fitted for tightness, whether its true or not you'd have to ask a S&W employee. That being said i have a 4553 TSW that to this day is a tack driver.
I live in the Hartford area which is right down the road from Springfield MA. When the TSW line was out the dealers around her were flush with them. First version were the non railed ones, and the 4013TSW was the first one i bought as the .40 S&W was the hot new round. I eventually had almost all of them, 3913, 3953, 4566, 4568 (steel frame on the 66, alloy on the 68). I even had a 5906TSW which was one of the best 9mm's ever made in my opinion. Big and heavy but great shooter. You could also get the 5903, same gun just an aluminum frame. They then came out with the railed versions a fews years later and they were a little different. In addition to the rail, the 3913/53 went to standard 8 rounds instead of 7 in the original (I liked the original better just because it was a little smaller) and I think other than the tighter fit and the supposed manufacturing process (keeping the parts together as someone said) i think the only difference in the 40 series, 59 series and 45 series was the rail and the controls.The railed ones had black controls instead of the stainless on the originals. If there was one thing the i wish Smith would bring back it would be the TSW pistols. They were accurate, rock solid reliable, good looking, and concealable/good for carry if you went with the aluminum frame versions which they offered in all 3 calibers. If you find one now in decent shape make sure it comes with several mags because Smith will not make them anymore, and will not support these guns with parts. I know that first hand because i was going to buy an unfired 3913TSW a few years ago, had the dealer hold it and I called Smith to see what if any support still existed for these. None i was told. No parts, no mags, nothing. Buy a new plastic M&P was the message i was sent. I regrettably passed on the TSW. Another great line sent to the grave by the smaller, lighter, plastic, cheaper to make wonder guns of the modern era. RIP
Originally posted by longjohn: I live in the Hartford area which is right down the road from Springfield MA. When the TSW line was out the dealers around her were flush with them. First version were the non railed ones, and the 4013TSW was the first one i bought as the .40 S&W was the hot new round. I eventually had almost all of them, 3913, 3953, 4566, 4568 (steel frame on the 66, alloy on the 68). I even had a 5906TSW which was one of the best 9mm's ever made in my opinion. Big and heavy but great shooter. You could also get the 5903, same gun just an aluminum frame. They then came out with the railed versions a fews years later and they were a little different. In addition to the rail, the 3913/53 went to standard 8 rounds instead of 7 in the original (I liked the original better just because it was a little smaller) and I think other than the tighter fit and the supposed manufacturing process (keeping the parts together as someone said) i think the only difference in the 40 series, 59 series and 45 series was the rail and the controls.The railed ones had black controls instead of the stainless on the originals. If there was one thing the i wish Smith would bring back it would be the TSW pistols. They were accurate, rock solid reliable, good looking, and concealable/good for carry if you went with the aluminum frame versions which they offered in all 3 calibers. If you find one now in decent shape make sure it comes with several mags because Smith will not make them anymore, and will not support these guns with parts. I know that first hand because i was going to buy an unfired 3913TSW a few years ago, had the dealer hold it and I called Smith to see what if any support still existed for these. None i was told. No parts, no mags, nothing. Buy a new plastic M&P was the message i was sent. I regrettably passed on the TSW. Another great line sent to the grave by the smaller, lighter, plastic, cheaper to make wonder guns of the modern era. RIP
That 1st run 4013 TSW was the one I had - it was a fantastic pistol. Basically it was a standard production model of the Performance Center Shorty 40. It was an 11+1 double stack that was the same config as a 6906.
By stormin " That 1st run 4013 TSW was the one I had - it was a fantastic pistol. Basically it was a standard production model of the Performance Center Shorty 40. It was an 11+1 double stack that was the same config as a 6906."
Shorty 40. Boy, I wanted that pistol so bad. That was when S&W was introducing a new model every week. I couldn't afford Performance Center stuff back then, it would be the equivalent of me buying a Ed Brown 1911 now. Ain't gonna happen.
And local dealers back then never had the TSW stuff, always had guns like Colt Gold Cups, etc.
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Posts: 6673 | Location: Near the Metropolis of Tightsqueeze, Va | Registered: February 18, 2007
Stormin you are correct. I had a PC shorty .40 and PC shorty .45 and the TSW series were production versions of the PC models. I had a .45 CQB PC 4566 as well. The TSW's didn't have the briley bushing or PC match barrels. Those PC models were the hey day of the PC ! But in all honesty, I didn't notice any huge difference in how the TSW versions shot versus the PC models. But they sure were nice pistols I wish I had not sold.
The only 3rd Gen Smith I still have is the 4013 TSW, although it never had the rail. I’ve mostly gotten out of .40 cal, but it’s one of the few that I chose to keep.
Posts: 3479 | Location: South FL | Registered: February 09, 2007