S&W 915

PKJ

PKJ

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Anyone have a S&W 915? Opinions on it for reliability, trigger, etc? A friend asked me about a handgun for protection. He hadn't shot a handgun before so I took him to the range and let him shoot several of mine plus some range rentals. He really liked the P365XL and seemed to be sold on it. Then he comes to me a few days later and asked about the S&W 915. Seems his son has this 915 he will give him. I told him I had no experience with this firearm but would ask knowing that some of you probably have.
 
The S&W 915 is a no-frills, solid gun. They were considered a less expensive version of the 59xx series pistols.
 
If its anything like my 3rd Gen 4506 it will have one of the best trigger resets you have ever felt. Love these SA/DA American made guns with a real cockable hammer. Just be aware of magazine and spare part availability - can be hard to get or at $$$$ ebay prices.

'Despite using a three-digit model number, both the Model 915 and the Model 910 are in fact 3rd Generation Smith & Wesson auto pistols, and were part of the Value Series that incorporated several features to cut the costs associated with manufacturing. The first two digits reflect the caliber (9, 40, or 45). The 915 and 910 are both based on the Smith & Wesson 5904 - the numeral 9 stands for "9mm" (the caliber), and the following digits 15 and 10 for the magazine capacity, respectively.[1] Like the Model 5904, both the 915 and 910 utilized a carbon steel slide and an aluminum alloy frame.

In order to reduce production costs, both the Model 915 and Model 910 were made with only one safety/decocker lever (left side) as well as a matte finish with certain external machine operations omitted on the exterior of the pistol. The Model 915 was made with all-metal parts, while the follow-on Model 910 utilized additional economies including a plastic rear sight, recoil guide rod, and magazine release button, as well as additional omitted finish machine operations to further save on manufacturing expenses.[1] The earlier Model 915 also has a lug on the barrel and a corresponding cut in the slide, while the later 910 omits the barrel lug by locking the barrel hood against the front of the slide ejection port. Both models have a reputation as reliable, robust service-type pistols.'
 
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vp9c said:
yes

that gun is good to go!

3rd gen S&W are accurate, reliable with a good capacity.

if this is for EDC it will be bigger and heavier than sig P365 but so will just about everything else in 9mm


@Jeppo @Amanda4461 @18DAI
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I haven’t shot mine (yet). :rolleyes:
 
It is a good pistol, the frame is aluminum alloy, its not as heavy as an all steel pistol. Mags were plentiful for S&W 59 a few years ago so keep an eye out for them.
 
I have 2 at the moment. 1 is like new and is in cold storage. The other has more that 20k rounds through it over the last 25+ years I've owned it. They are solid, reliable and accurate guns. Just like all 3rd Generation Smith and Wessons. There are more plastic parts in the 915 when compared to the 4 digit 3rd Gens but only in low stress parts. The only thing I've come to not like is the slide mounted safety. My pudgy thumbs can't reach the lever.
 
Excellent pistol. Far better made than anything being pushed out of the factory today. :)

Great, smooth trigger in DA and crisp let off in SA. Bet your life reliable. I have upwards of 2700 rounds through mine with zero malfuntions. None. Tell him to buy it, shoot it, love it. Regards 18DAI
 
mikehrl said:
It is a good pistol, the frame is aluminum alloy, its not as heavy as an all steel pistol. Mags were plentiful for S&W 59 a few years ago so keep an eye out for them.
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Mec-Gar makes 10-, 15-, 17-, and 20-round magazines for the 915.
 
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Button Pusher said:
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He explains that 915s were only produced between 1992 and 94 but that the gun was very popular with law enforcement throughout the 80s and 90s. 🤔
 
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When I acquired my 52 I found a 6 pack of used mags on Ebay for $200. They had been modified as +1 and had a name engraved on them, clumsy thick rubber buttpads glued on with rubber cement.
Thought I was being frivolous but turned out one of the smartest buys ever!

Never underestimate the value of extra mags !
 
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