Posted: 8/25/2026 8:55:42 AM EDT
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A S&W model 915 popped up on a local gun board and I was thinking about getting it. Don't really know much about the S&W pistols of this kind as I was a kid/teenager when they were first out. Any info on it? Would just be a range toy. Thanks |
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The 915 was the “budget line” of the 3rd generation Smiths based on the model 59. Overall, they’re built like tanks. Most have a very short trigger reset, at least my 59 and 5906 do. Overall, really good hammer fired guns. Lots of police departments used them and some are still being surplused out. The biggest knock on them is the magazine disconnect, but that can be removed very easily. |
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Value version of the 3rd gen 5900 series. Alloy frame, fixed sights, all in a plain blue. Parts and mags interchange with all other 3d gens. Good guns, I have one. Plain, basic, but mechanically the same as all the other Smith autos. The 915 still used metal for sights, mag release, etc. The later model, the 908, went with polymer. The frame is slightly wider than other gen 3 pistols. Most holsters should work, some of the tighter kydex may not. Mags are easy to find and generally reasonably priced. Parts are getting a bit harder to source but they're out there and it's unlikely you'll need any. |
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FTA: OEM mags are around although a bit pricey, but Mecgar makes them up to a 17 round flush fit and they are excellent and reasonably priced. Numrich shows a pretty good parts availability. Original flat and curved grips are available through Midway and are NOS. Not bad pricing either. Hogue makes rubber grips but you really need big hands they are that large. I tried a set but went back to the NOS ones from Midway. My hands are not small in the least but the Hogues were just too big. |
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It was my first pistol. My dad bought it for me as I was under 21 when I moved out. Was during the ban so it came with 10rnd mags. Was liberated from my truck by an upstanding citizen in Jackson, middle of the day at a building I was renovating. It always worked, was reliable and fairly accurate. It is certainly outdated now. |
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Originally Posted By Ameshawki: Value version of the 3rd gen 5900 series. Alloy frame, fixed sights, all in a plain blue. Parts and mags interchange with all other 3d gens. Good guns, I have one. Plain, basic, but mechanically the same as all the other Smith autos. The 915 still used metal for sights, mag release, etc. The later model, the 908, went with polymer. The frame is slightly wider than other gen 3 pistols. Most holsters should work, some of the tighter kydex may not. Mags are easy to find and generally reasonably priced. Parts are getting a bit harder to source but they're out there and it's unlikely you'll need any. The 910 & 915 were both "Value Line" end of the S&W Third Generation production based on the double column 59 / 5900 series. The 908 was the "Value Line" end of the S&W Third Generation production based on the single column 39 / 3900 series. A number of 910 & 915 pistols have been imported back from Israel where they were issued as police / Kibbutz / Settlement security sidearms. Bigger_Hammer  |
LIFE'S JOURNEY IS NOT TO ARRIVE AT THE GRAVE SAFELY IN A WELL PRESERVED BODY,
BUT RATHER TO SKID IN SIDEWAYS, TOTALLY WORN OUT SHOUTING "HOLY $H!T...WHAT A RIDE"!!
BUT RATHER TO SKID IN SIDEWAYS, TOTALLY WORN OUT SHOUTING "HOLY $H!T...WHAT A RIDE"!!
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Originally Posted By fortydelta: It was my first pistol. My dad bought it for me as I was under 21 when I moved out. Was during the ban so it came with 10rnd mags. Was liberated from my truck by an upstanding citizen in Jackson, middle of the day at a building I was renovating. It always worked, was reliable and fairly accurate. It is certainly outdated now. Let’s see Reliable Accurate High capacity Nothing outdated about that |
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Originally Posted By captain127: Let’s see Reliable Accurate High capacity Nothing outdated about that Originally Posted By captain127: Originally Posted By fortydelta: It was my first pistol. My dad bought it for me as I was under 21 when I moved out. Was during the ban so it came with 10rnd mags. Was liberated from my truck by an upstanding citizen in Jackson, middle of the day at a building I was renovating. It always worked, was reliable and fairly accurate. It is certainly outdated now. Let’s see Reliable Accurate High capacity Nothing outdated about that I’m with you, one could do a lot worse! |
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Originally Posted By Z09SS: I like mine. Get one, OP!  The Model 915 is simply an "economy model" of the Model 5904. During the production of the 5904. S&W did a change from the first variant to the second. The adjustable sights were ditched, replaced with NOVAKs, and the squared off combat trigger was rounded. They did that to streamline production and reduce costs.   But even then, that wasn't enough. GLOCK, Beretta, SIG, and HK were eating their lunch. So, S&W brough out the 915, an even further attempt to reduce the costs. The major differences are the following: 1. The frame doesn't have the machined step before the dust cover like the 5904. 2. No NOVAK sights, instead, S&W used up the earlier Second Gen rear sights they had sitting in inventory. Sights from the 459. 3. No ambi safey/decocker. Just a lever on the left side. That's because they still had parts going back to the original Model 59. Internally, a 915 is a 5904. Same barrel, same slide, same trigger, same mag release, etc. The hammer and trigger were machined, not MIMed The Model 910 was the true "Value Series" gun and that was a departure from the original Third Gen guns like the 5904 and 915.  No machines barrel lugs for lock up into the slide. Instead, it used the barrel hood for lockup. The guide rod, magazine release, and some other parts were not interchangeable with Third Gen guns. The sights were their own pattern, made from polymer and similar to the sights used on the SIGMA series. Also used MIMed parts like a MIM hammer and trigger. |
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Originally Posted By Miami_JBT: The Model 915 is simply an "economy model" of the Model 5904. During the production of the 5904. S&W did a change from the first variant to the second. The adjustable sights were ditched, replaced with NOVAKs, and the squared off combat trigger was rounded. They did that to streamline production and reduce costs. https://images.guns.com/prod/2025/04/23/68093ffcd50b43c77bfd2b0a99d40ab88fbafdd35d20f.jpg https://i.imgur.com/bYcEnQV.jpeg But even then, that wasn't enough. GLOCK, Beretta, SIG, and HK were eating their lunch. So, S&W brough out the 915, an even further attempt to reduce the costs. The major differences are the following: 1. The frame doesn't have the machined step before the dust cover like the 5904. 2. No NOVAK sights, instead, S&W used up the earlier Second Gen rear sights they had sitting in inventory. Sights from the 459. 3. No ambi safey/decocker. Just a lever on the left side. That's because they still had parts going back to the original Model 59. Internally, a 915 is a 5904. Same barrel, same slide, same trigger, same mag release, etc. The hammer and trigger were machined, not MIMed The Model 910 was the true "Value Series" gun and that was a departure from the original Third Gen guns like the 5904 and 915. https://i.imgur.com/fBKCXdn.png No machines barrel lugs for lock up into the slide. Instead, it used the barrel hood for lockup. The guide rod, magazine release, and some other parts were not interchangeable with Third Gen guns. The sights were their own pattern, made from polymer and similar to the sights used on the SIGMA series. Also used MIMed parts like a MIM hammer and trigger. So you used my 5904 taken from the smith-wessonforum in your write up. I feel honored.... The red front sight is give away along with blue line blocking Serial No. plus my wooden food tray it's sitting on. I like some of the 3rd Gen S&W pistols and the 5904 is one of them.  Attached File Attached File |
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Originally Posted By Miami_JBT: The Model 915 is simply an "economy model" of the Model 5904. During the production of the 5904. S&W did a change from the first variant to the second. The adjustable sights were ditched, replaced with NOVAKs, and the squared off combat trigger was rounded. They did that to streamline production and reduce costs. https://images.guns.com/prod/2025/04/23/68093ffcd50b43c77bfd2b0a99d40ab88fbafdd35d20f.jpg https://i.imgur.com/bYcEnQV.jpeg But even then, that wasn't enough. GLOCK, Beretta, SIG, and HK were eating their lunch. So, S&W brough out the 915, an even further attempt to reduce the costs. The major differences are the following: 1. The frame doesn't have the machined step before the dust cover like the 5904. 2. No NOVAK sights, instead, S&W used up the earlier Second Gen rear sights they had sitting in inventory. Sights from the 459. 3. No ambi safey/decocker. Just a lever on the left side. That's because they still had parts going back to the original Model 59. Internally, a 915 is a 5904. Same barrel, same slide, same trigger, same mag release, etc. The hammer and trigger were machined, not MIMed The Model 910 was the true "Value Series" gun and that was a departure from the original Third Gen guns like the 5904 and 915. https://i.imgur.com/fBKCXdn.png No machines barrel lugs for lock up into the slide. Instead, it used the barrel hood for lockup. The guide rod, magazine release, and some other parts were not interchangeable with Third Gen guns. The sights were their own pattern, made from polymer and similar to the sights used on the SIGMA series. Also used MIMed parts like a MIM hammer and trigger. Originally Posted By Miami_JBT: Originally Posted By Z09SS: I like mine. Get one, OP! https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55285796802_ddfc8bdf05_b.jpg The Model 915 is simply an "economy model" of the Model 5904. During the production of the 5904. S&W did a change from the first variant to the second. The adjustable sights were ditched, replaced with NOVAKs, and the squared off combat trigger was rounded. They did that to streamline production and reduce costs. https://images.guns.com/prod/2025/04/23/68093ffcd50b43c77bfd2b0a99d40ab88fbafdd35d20f.jpg https://i.imgur.com/bYcEnQV.jpeg But even then, that wasn't enough. GLOCK, Beretta, SIG, and HK were eating their lunch. So, S&W brough out the 915, an even further attempt to reduce the costs. The major differences are the following: 1. The frame doesn't have the machined step before the dust cover like the 5904. 2. No NOVAK sights, instead, S&W used up the earlier Second Gen rear sights they had sitting in inventory. Sights from the 459. 3. No ambi safey/decocker. Just a lever on the left side. That's because they still had parts going back to the original Model 59. Internally, a 915 is a 5904. Same barrel, same slide, same trigger, same mag release, etc. The hammer and trigger were machined, not MIMed The Model 910 was the true "Value Series" gun and that was a departure from the original Third Gen guns like the 5904 and 915. https://i.imgur.com/fBKCXdn.png No machines barrel lugs for lock up into the slide. Instead, it used the barrel hood for lockup. The guide rod, magazine release, and some other parts were not interchangeable with Third Gen guns. The sights were their own pattern, made from polymer and similar to the sights used on the SIGMA series. Also used MIMed parts like a MIM hammer and trigger. Yes, exactly. I have a 910 around here someplace too. I like the 915 better. Still looking for a 5904 that both speaks to me and I can afford. |
Vintage Ain't Retro.
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Originally Posted By wagsfn: So you used my 5904 taken from the smith-wessonforum in your write up. I feel honored.... The red front sight is give away along with blue line blocking Serial No. plus my wooden food tray it's sitting on. I like some of the 3rd Gen S&W pistols and the 5904 is one of them. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/90173/20251226_151753_jpg-3819415.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/90173/20251226_151646_jpg-3819416.JPG Originally Posted By wagsfn: Originally Posted By Miami_JBT: The Model 915 is simply an "economy model" of the Model 5904. During the production of the 5904. S&W did a change from the first variant to the second. The adjustable sights were ditched, replaced with NOVAKs, and the squared off combat trigger was rounded. They did that to streamline production and reduce costs. https://images.guns.com/prod/2025/04/23/68093ffcd50b43c77bfd2b0a99d40ab88fbafdd35d20f.jpg https://i.imgur.com/bYcEnQV.jpeg But even then, that wasn't enough. GLOCK, Beretta, SIG, and HK were eating their lunch. So, S&W brough out the 915, an even further attempt to reduce the costs. The major differences are the following: 1. The frame doesn't have the machined step before the dust cover like the 5904. 2. No NOVAK sights, instead, S&W used up the earlier Second Gen rear sights they had sitting in inventory. Sights from the 459. 3. No ambi safey/decocker. Just a lever on the left side. That's because they still had parts going back to the original Model 59. Internally, a 915 is a 5904. Same barrel, same slide, same trigger, same mag release, etc. The hammer and trigger were machined, not MIMed The Model 910 was the true "Value Series" gun and that was a departure from the original Third Gen guns like the 5904 and 915. https://i.imgur.com/fBKCXdn.png No machines barrel lugs for lock up into the slide. Instead, it used the barrel hood for lockup. The guide rod, magazine release, and some other parts were not interchangeable with Third Gen guns. The sights were their own pattern, made from polymer and similar to the sights used on the SIGMA series. Also used MIMed parts like a MIM hammer and trigger. So you used my 5904 taken from the smith-wessonforum in your write up. I feel honored.... The red front sight is give away along with blue line blocking Serial No. plus my wooden food tray it's sitting on. I like some of the 3rd Gen S&W pistols and the 5904 is one of them. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/90173/20251226_151753_jpg-3819415.JPG https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/90173/20251226_151646_jpg-3819416.JPG Still lifting photos from other people?  I picked up a 909 with a single 9 round magazine for $210 back around 2003. I just so happened to have a magazine, brand new in the package that I got on eBay in 1999 for $3.25 shipped. I picked up another pair of magazines from someone over on the Smith & Wesson forum for somewhere around $30 total. I have been taking my girlfriend to the range, I have a double action only Taurus 85 but I left with her but she started to like me 909 so I let her use that for a while. She said she felt bad and she wanted to pay me for it, and against my better judgment, I let her  . It's been over 20 years since I've seen it.
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Froot Loops are all the same flavor. They just taste like froot. Whatever the heck that is.
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Originally Posted By DavidY: I picked up a 909 with a single 9 round magazine for $210 back around 2003. I just so happened to have a magazine, brand new in the package that I got on eBay in 1999 for $3.25 shipped. I picked up another pair of magazines from someone over on the Smith & Wesson forum for somewhere around $30 total. I have been taking my girlfriend to the range, I have a double action only Taurus 85 but I left with her but she started to like me 909 so I let her use that for a while. She said she felt bad and she wanted to pay me for it, and against my better judgment, I let her . It's been over 20 years since I've seen it.I remember in early 90's when Smith & Wesson introduced the budget 3rd Gen 910 an 915. Had to look up the 909.... I bet finding single stack OEM S&W magazines at a reasonable price is not going to happen. |
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