Smith 3rd gen 915 worth

[Tyson]

Looking for realistic prices on a Smith & Wesson 915 in excellent condition and considering the current market conditions. The 915 model was made from 1992-1994 up until the Fed AWB took effect. If this was shot prior to my owning it, it wasnt much and I've put maybe 50 rounds downrange.

Thanks for your input

[buffybuster]

I'll take a WAG. The 915/910 was the decontented version of the 5904. In free America $300-400. CA premium probably $450-550. COVID insanity skies the limit it if comes with ammo.....

[drno4]

I collect S&W 3rd gens. More info will help me answer your question with an estimate.

Where did you purchase it? (Tell me its story, as far as you know.)

Any nicks, scratches?

Does it come with its original box, papers, etc.? Do you know the product code?

How many mags would come with it; what brand are they; what capacity?

>>>>>

ETA: my Smith & Wesson bible also says of the 915, "A limited run of 915s was produced in 1999 before the Brady Law went into effect. Product code on these was 104792..." (Supica & Nahas, 2016, p. 361). Original new MSRP was $467 (in 1990s money).

Other than that short run, you are correct the majority of 915s were manufactured 1992-1994, as a transitional platform from Smith & Wesson's all stainless or stainless/alloy models into their so-called "value series," which was a competitive response to the rapid growth of plastic guns (e.g., Glocks) hitting the market in the 80s and especially the 90s.

If yours could be shown to have been produced during that shorter pre-1999 run, and came with its original 15-round mags (which would have to be blocked for your California sale), it may command a premium for a collector.

Among my S&W collection, I own one 411 (essentially, the .40 cousin to the 915/910 9mm models); it's one of my favorite guns to shoot. Wouldn't mind buying this one from you, too, once you're ready to sell.

Look forward to hearing from you, with the answers to the questions above, and then I'll offer a suggested price for you to list it (regardless if I'm your buyer or not).

Peace, friend!

[pythonfan]

For what its worth I saw a 915 for sale recently in really good shape at a local shop for $550. It sat for months. (Precovid of course)

[DrewN]

They were inexpensive new, I can't believe they would go for more than $450-$500 LNIB. Not to say they aren't decent pistols. I loved mine.

[cantdance]

They were inexpensive new, I can't believe they would go for more than $450-$500 LNIB. Not to say they aren't decent pistols. I loved mine.

I bought my 411 new in the 90s, think it was in the $425+- range on sale. Same gun.

[Tyson]

I collect S&W 3rd gens. More info will help me answer your question with an estimate.

Where did you purchase it? (Tell me its story, as far as you know.)

Any nicks, scratches?

Does it come with its original box, papers, etc.? Do you know the product code?

How many mags would come with it; what brand are they; what capacity?

>>>>>

ETA: my Smith & Wesson bible also says of the 915, "A limited run of 915s was produced in 1999 before the Brady Law went into effect. Product code on these was 104792..." (Supica & Nahas, 2016, p. 361). Original new MSRP was $467 (in 1990s money).

Other than that short run, you are correct the majority of 915s were manufactured 1992-1994, as a transitional platform from Smith & Wesson's all stainless or stainless/alloy models into their so-called "value series," which was a competitive response the rapid growth of plastic guns (e.g., Glocks) hitting the market in the 80s and especially the 90s.

If yours could be shown to have been produced during that shorter pre-1999 run, and came with its original 15-round mags (which would have to be blocked for your California sale), it may command a premium for a collector.

Among my S&W collection, I own one 411 (essentially, the .40 cousin to the 915/910 9mm models); it's one of my favorite guns to shoot. Wouldn't mind buying this one from you, too, once you're ready to sell.

Look forward to hearing from you, with the answers to the questions above, and then I'll offer a suggested price for you to list it (regardless if I'm your buyer or not).

Peace, friend!

You know what, I dont have much information about this from the previous owner as it was a consignment piece at our local shop I pressed the shop owner but he didnt seem to know. I didnt come with any mags unfortunantly only a Mec gar bought later on. Here is the link to the post I'm taking a shot in the dark with price although there are a number of Blocks going for 60-80% over the non covid rate so I priced it at 50% higher than the non covid, off roster rate. No known product code, if sharing the serial number in a PM would help I could share that info.

It shoots like a dream and has a nice trigger and its in very nice condition. I bought it because it was off roster and have a thing for G19 sized pistols.

https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1643824

Thank you for the info

[drno4]

You know what, I dont have much information about this from the previous owner as it was a consignment piece at our local shop I pressed the shop owner but he didnt seem to know. I didnt come with any mags unfortunantly only a Mec gar bought later on. Here is the link to the post I'm taking a shot in the dark with price although there are a number of Blocks going for 60-80% over the non covid rate so I priced it at 50% higher than the non covid, off roster rate. No known product code, if sharing the serial number in a PM would help I could share that info.

It shoots like a dream and has a nice trigger and its in very nice condition. I bought it because it was off roster and have a thing for G19 sized pistols.

Thank you for the info

Hello again,

Given what you've shared here, and seeing the pics you've also since posted, I would suggest you could get $500-550 for it. I personally would pay no more than $600 for it. Tops.

(I haven't bought anything during COVID, so I am ignorant of so-called "COVID premiums." My suggested list price here has no such premium factored in.)

At the end of the day, it's worth whatever someone is willing to pay you for it. You may well get more for it than what I've suggested...perhaps a lot more, if someone is motivated and interested. And if so, great for you!

RE: serial numbers (and dates), my S&W guides list the following:
1993 TZU
1994 VAMxxxx

Can't tell from the pictures, exactly, but it seems yours may have been produced late in 1994, near the end of the main run of 915s.

Hope your sale goes well for you, my friend!

Peace.

[Tyson]

Hello again,

Given what you've shared here, and seeing the pics you've also since posted, I would suggest you could get $500-550 for it. I personally would pay no more than $600 for it. Tops.

(I haven't bought anything during COVID, so I am ignorant of so-called "COVID premiums." My suggested list price here has no such premium factored in.)

At the end of the day, it's worth whatever someone is willing to pay you for it. You may well get more for it than what I've suggested...perhaps a lot more, if someone is motivated and interested. And if so, great for you!

RE: serial numbers (and dates), my S&W guides list the following:
1993 TZU
1994 VAMxxxx

Can't tell from the pictures, exactly, but it seems yours may have been produced late in 1994, near the end of the main run of 915s.

Hope your sale goes well for you, my friend!

Peace.

Thank you for your infomation.

I have VCJ#### as a serial.

[JTROKS]

Foh Fiddy maybe a bit more. Depends what you got with it.

[drno4]

Thank you for your infomation.

I have VCJ#### as a serial.

You bet. Glad to help.

Supica & Nahas (2016, p. 492) note that "[r]eported triple-alpha, metal frame semi-auto pistols" for the year 1994 include the prefix VCJ. This dates yours more certainly during that year.

And if you *really* wanted to get precise, you can write to Smith & Wesson and they can identify the born-on date (which an original box would also have on it), and first wholesaler or retail buyer of your exact handgun.

Peace!

[Tinknocker]

I wish I bought one years ago, the 915 fit my hands perfectly. If I didn't buy a Glock a couple months ago I would be interested good luck with the sale.

[thehunted777]

The Smith and Wesson model 915 was Smith and Wesson's first attempt at a "Value Line" version of they're highly acclaimed 3rd generation of semi-autos. They did small cuts like a non-ambidextrous safety, a less refined finish, downgraded sights, and cuts on the frame itself. Even with all those cost saving measures it was still extremely well made, that's how good Smith & Wesson was back in the day. The 915 had all steel parts, proved to be very reliable and accurate. I own one and would never sell it, it's a true workhorse. Far better than the 910 which followed after the AWB in 1994, even though the 910 is also a great gun just having plastic parts. If you guys ever run across a 915 for a reasonable price of $450 to $650 tops depending on condition, mags, box, and paperwork don't hesitate to buy it. You won't regret it, it's truly a great gun with character.

[Helixfury]

A pistol frozen in time

A S&W 910s in like new condition, complete with serialed case, manual and 2 ten rd original magazines. A true example of the S&W build quality of the yester years . The pistol was acquired just recently here in Calguns.
Message_1598734903074.jpg

[thehunted777]

A S&W 910s in like new condition, complete with serialed case, manual and 2 ten rd original magazines. A true example of the S&W build quality of the yester years . The pistol was acquired just recently here in Calguns.
[ATTACH]930918[/ATTACH]

Very very nice! I was third in line for that 910S, you scored a great gun! Let me know if you ever want to sell it Haha. They truly don't make them like that anymore!