Awhile back I helped S&W with some things and in return they offered me a pistol of my choice. At the time I really didn’t know what I wanted. I then received the June issue of SWAT magazine. In it, was an article about the S&W model 908, but more specifically the article was about the conversion that Charlie Kelsey (owner of Devel Corp) was doing to the S&W model 39. After reading this article, I became very interested in doing some sort of custom, updated version of the 39/Devel gun.
I searched the S&W website for handguns that fit what I had in mind. I did not want the 908 (as it is a cheap entry level gun) and I did not want the model 3913 because of the rail on it. So I told the good folks at S&W what I wanted and asked them to see what they could come up with.
A Mr. Gordon @ S&W reached WAY back in some safe at S&W and pulled out a 3953 (which is no longer made for those that do not know). Apparently they have only 3 of these left at their facility and I got one!
So what did I ask for? I am not a fan of SS guns, so I asked them to melonite the gun (no small task as S&W does not do it at their facility). Keep in mind that S&W does NOT melonite ANY of their steel guns! I then asked for Novak NS’s and for the custom shop to do some trigger work on the gun (wanted a clean/smooth DA pull).
The finished product arrived at my door about 2 weeks ago (had no idea it was coming). I opened the box and took a look at it. I thought to myself what is this and when did I order it? Then I flipped the gun over and realized that it was my custom ordered 3953!
I must say that this is one of my favorite weapons of all time and will be handed down to my sons when I am gone.
These guns are well known for being VERY accurate. Winter is upon us here though and I do not believe that I will be able to shoot any groups for awhile.
I like my 3913 quite a bit (I bought mine many years ago) and in my opinion it does conceal a bit easier than a G19. They are fantastic CC pieces, IMO.
My dad used to have an old Model 39, it was very smooth and accurate. It’s hard for a single-stack 9 to compete in the market today but that looks like a cool setup for a low-profile carry gun.
Thanks much. I too liked the Devel guns and is what inspired me to do this project.
The big question now, is there a market for the above gun? A smooth DA, melted down, single stack 9mm melonited in flat black. If there is, then we might be able to get S&W interested.
Sweet lookin’ piece Grant. All the “experts” I talk to trash the S&W autos but like the S&W wheel guns. But I ask them, have they shot an auto, and of course not a one of them has. It’s all second hand, third cousin data they’re spouting.
Put me down as interested in one if they ever roll out.
I’m not a big fan of the DA/SA double stacks ONLY because the grip thickness is more than I can handle with the long first trigger pull. That’s why my 915 sits in the safe while my M&Ps get all the fun.
But a 3953 suffers neither of those drawbacks. This reminds me. Tomorrow I am going to call S&W to ask about sending in my 915 to get the hammer bobbed and the FC system changed to DAO and see what they quote.
I’d love to see them make these. But they are all about the M&P now. If they did make your gun available I’d buy one, and know of three others that would too.
Would I buy one? Probably. At the right price and with the money on hand, I’d be hard pressed to resist. Then again, I’m the sort of guy who finds out that CDNN is selling police turn-in 5906 handguns and immediately hops on the phone to place an order. I’d like some up close and personal time with your pistol before handing you a check, but without that I’d still be at around 90% certainty.
Would lots of other people? Probably not. All the S&W semi-autos are, after all, “junk” and a “POS” and various other things in the eyes of lots of people who have never spent any time with one.
