October 23, 2014, 04:15 PM | #1 |
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S&W Model 39 9 mm
Met a fella the other day who was conceal carrying a Smith Model 39 9 mm.
He showed it to me and let me handle it. Oh how I liked that model. I know that as an 8-shooter it might not have a place in today's hi-caps, but I still have fond memories of it. I know Smith could never bring it back, but I sure wish the company did. Been quite a while since I owned one. Maybe, just maybe a used one is in my future. Anyone else liked or have a fondness for the old Model 39? |
October 23, 2014, 04:44 PM | #2 |
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They are great little guns that were very popular with females due to the small grips
They made them for over 15 years so there should be lots of used ones around
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October 23, 2014, 04:47 PM | #3 |
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Get the M39-2..best. keep in mind they function best with FMJ bullets..they fit a man hand better than a girls .. not a small gun
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October 23, 2014, 04:49 PM | #4 |
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S&W Single Stack Pistols
They made three generations of them. Great carry pistols, even if they are only 8+1.
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October 23, 2014, 05:03 PM | #5 |
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PS Guy,
If I recall, the Illinois State Police were the first of any large department to adopt the Model 39 and the troopers were advised by Smith that it's really only an 8-shooter, meaning load magazine, let slide drop leaving 7 in magazine. Reason for that is 8 and 1 puts too much pressure on the fully loaded magazine and bottom of slide, possibly causing a jam. The 8-round magazines had very little to no "give" in pushing rounds slight farther down with the slide closed. A similar thing happens with 8-round magazines that are not designed to allow some "give" in an 8 plus 1 situation for the 1911. It's also a common "problem" with some hi-cap magazines. Ooops, now I think I've hijacked my own thread. |
October 23, 2014, 05:04 PM | #6 |
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I have a 39-2 in pristene condition. I have 4 factory mags for it also. It is extremely accurate. Its almost revolver like in its accuracy. And best of all it was given to me with the last 18 rounds in the only box of bullets that had been shot through it.
I have shot it a bunch since then. It feeds hollow points just fine. It has only had one malfunction. I let a guy that was about 6'5" shoot it and he limp wristed it! After I told him to hold on to it he shot fine. I also shoot lead bullets. Not quite as accurate but good enough for practice. I also have a model 915 that is pretty much the high cap version of the 39. And by using thin rubber grips the grip is the same size as the model 39. And I only paid $35 for that gun with an uncle mikes duty holster and two S&W mags and leather mag pouch. Plus this gun has had a trigger job done on it. If I could find out who did the 915 I would have the 39 done as well. |
October 23, 2014, 05:18 PM | #7 |
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Had one of the original ones. Dang nice, wish I had of kept it!
Dan |
October 23, 2014, 05:50 PM | #8 |
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Then came the M59 for those who miss a lot !
The M39 should be the #3 version , more reliable feeding !
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October 23, 2014, 05:53 PM | #9 |
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Sold my 39 about 8 weeks ago. Had it for years. Now I regret doing that.
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October 23, 2014, 06:35 PM | #10 |
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Isn't the current M52 a pretty direct descendant of the 39?
I'll occasionally scroll through gunbroker, looking at 39-2s and 439s. |
October 24, 2014, 10:06 AM | #11 |
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S&W 39s and 59s had a bad habit of breaking extractors. I suggest that if you own one of these buy a spare extractor.
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October 24, 2014, 10:19 AM | #12 | |
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Currently carry a 39-2 off duty in 8+1, never a malfunction. Mine is possibly one of those early ISP guns, and as a Deputy Sheriff in Illinois, I feel obligated to keep it on the job.
Seven High, Quote:
Great pistols, S&W needs to bring them back. |
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October 24, 2014, 10:28 AM | #13 |
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If you want a good single stack nine just get a Kahr. They seem to be the niche' for single stack anything!
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October 24, 2014, 10:51 AM | #14 | |
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Quote:
The Model 39 is an iconic American handgun and here is something great that everyone in this thread should know: They made 347,551 of these pistols, and that info comes from Roy Jinks. That means no matter their iconic status, they are anything but rare and that keeps the "value" in check. That means there is no excuse to not add one to your shopping list. You needn't get crazy and start chasing them, just keep your eyes peeled and one will come to you. There are -PLENTY- for all of us. And you don't have to pay a heap. I got mine this spring, mine was made in 1977 and it had one minor ding on the mainspring housing and it was missing it's original wood stocks, wearing Pachmayrs instead. And I took it home for $400. It's fantastic. You can also use new production 3906/952 magazines in them, they hold 9 rounds and they don't fit completely flush at the bottom of the grip, but it's also not a horrendous, huge thing sticking out. It's far less apparent. Get one for yourself!
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October 24, 2014, 10:58 AM | #15 | |
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Quote:
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All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better. |
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October 24, 2014, 11:00 AM | #16 |
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I was obviously referring to the Performance Center 9mm gun, and not the old, long ago discontinued .38 Special model.
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October 24, 2014, 11:03 AM | #17 |
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I loved it becaus eof the small grips. I original had a model 39 for several years. It had fixed sights so I "sighted it in" with handloads. Sold it to my brother. I missed it, and got ahold of a 439 which was the same thing with adjustable sights and still have it as a house gun.
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October 24, 2014, 11:54 AM | #18 |
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The S&W 39-2 was the first gun I purchased and owned. I developed my range skills with it, way back in the day. Also carried it. This thread brings back good memories.
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October 24, 2014, 12:07 PM | #19 | |
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Quote:
Numrich has a fixed-price Gunbroker offering right now for the extractor at $30.30 for one. But act quickly... they are only listing five hundred of them for sale. As to the Model 39 extractor, it was redesigned very early in it's production life to a part that was more robust and less prone to failure.
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Attention Brass rats and other reloaders: I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss. |
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October 24, 2014, 01:31 PM | #20 |
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S&W sure used to produce some nice looking guns, what the heck happened.
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October 24, 2014, 02:21 PM | #21 |
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My 39-2 was my first 9mm back in the 70's - it still has the price ($119) on the S&W label. Bought it from a hardware store back home. I've fired it some but I've never holstered it. It'll be my last 9mm (of, admittedly, only a few) that I'll depart with. It's a shame S&W no longer offers, AFAIK, the gloss blue anodizing on aluminum frames.
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October 24, 2014, 03:02 PM | #22 |
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Yes, I am a bit of a fan of the 39 series. I've owned a 39, multiple 39-2s, 639s, 3906, 3913, 952 and 952-1. The 39 and 39-2s were most reliable with ball ammo, but much as I liked them didn't seem totally reliable with any type of ammo. The later 639s, 3906, 3913, 3914, 952s, etc were reliable with any ammo. I wish they were still in production too. I certainly did my part to support the 39 series. While they were in production, all that I owned were purchased new.
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October 24, 2014, 03:51 PM | #23 |
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44AMP: I just looked on Numrich's website for SW 39 parts. They currently show a manual safety as available.
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October 24, 2014, 05:09 PM | #24 |
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The fact that it's only an 8 shooter bothers me not at all. I think it's a great gun and really wish I had one. To me, it's the most handsome gun ever made
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October 25, 2014, 09:41 AM | #25 |
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FWIW I'm a fan of the 2nd-gen x39 series because they have various design improvements, a RH-side ambidextrous decocker/safety can be had, and SS finish was available, yet they still have separate screw-on grip panels. I used to own a 3rd-gen M3904 and I never quite warmed up to the skinny and slippery 1-piece grip.
IMHO two of the best enhancements on the 2nd- and 3rd-gen guns are a trigger actuated firing pin block and an improved fixed rear sight. The M39 decocker/safety locks the firing pin in the SAFE position but the design relies solely on an inertial firing pin in the FIRE position- not the safest option for DA safety off carry. The M39's screw adjustable rear sight blade has a reputation for shredding cover garments and for breaking easily if the pistol is dropped. |
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