which is the more iconic/desirable Smith - Page 2

micromontenegro · October 16, 2017, 10:14 AM

52 all the way.

JDBerg · October 16, 2017, 02:50 PM

You left out the Performance Center 945, which would be my choice!

RickB · October 16, 2017, 03:21 PM

I've never thought of any S&W auto as iconic, except within the context of S&W products, but don't think I'd allow historical significance ahead of shootability, so I'd probably go with a 52 before any DA/SA model.

I have a 539, and while it's a beautiful example of gunmaking art, the trigger is terrible, as are the sights, and the 52 addresses both shortcomings.

JN01 · October 16, 2017, 03:48 PM

I'd pick the 39-2 as a classic, but then by going with one of your choices, I guess that makes me a lemming that can't form my own opinion.

JN01 · October 16, 2017, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickB

I've never thought of any S&W auto as iconic, except within the context of S&W products, but don't think I'd allow historical significance ahead of shootability, so I'd probably go with a 52 before any DA/SA model.

I have a 539, and while it's a beautiful example of gunmaking art, the trigger is terrible, as are the sights, and the 52 addresses both shortcomings.

It was the S&W TDA double stacks that really started the "wonder-nine" revolution. There was a time that most police holsters were filled with one model or another. I think that is what makes them iconic.

Hun Shooter · October 16, 2017, 04:20 PM

If you are collecting S&W you should have a 645

It's not the most refined or best looking but most definitely rare and different. Chances are you are not going to find another person with it at the range. I ended up trading it for a Springfield 1911

Snuffy308 · October 17, 2017, 03:25 AM

I voted 39 but I sure wouldn't give up my 1006 for one. Save up for the 39.

CajunBass · October 18, 2017, 09:52 AM

I've always liked the 39. It was the second semi-auto I purchased, after a 1911. I don't have a 1911 anymore. I do have a 39-2.

I'm sure you can find a nicer one if you look around a bit.

dgludwig · October 18, 2017, 01:17 PM

One thing I've always liked about the Model 39 is the relatively compact, screwdriver adjustable rear sight.

Sevens · October 18, 2017, 03:04 PM

The S&W 39/39-2 can absolutely be defined as "iconic" in almost any way you'd define the term. Absolutely the Grandfather (along with the 59) of the 9mm double action police sidearm in Notth America. And the ASP and Devel customs (modified 39's & 59's) were the precursor to compact & ultra-compact 9mm defensive guns.

To the poster above that gives the 1006 a nod over the 1076 for "significance in the history" (or development) of the 10mm round... you would have a very serious argument in the 1006 vs 1076, given that the 1076 was issued in very historic and significant LE duty contracts, most notably by the FBI and multiple large State Police organizations.

To the OP: as "iconic" goes, the 39-2 wins this particular matchup. Desirability however, the 1076 has an edge, mostly due to exclusivity. Around 400,000 units of the 39-2 were shipped by S&W where only 13,805 of the 1076 were made.

otasan · October 18, 2017, 07:48 PM

Get a Glock 17. You can go wrong with this fine firearm.

BBarn · October 18, 2017, 09:32 PM

Iconic just seems an odd description of most Smith semi-autos. The two digit and three digit Smith autos never seemed very popular to me. Some success seemed to come with the four digit autos, driven primarily by Smith's introduction of 10mm and 40 S&W models.

Even after nearly forty years producing autos, police departments bought the Austrian autos to replace their revolvers. It didn't help that at the time Smith semis cost about as much as a Sig, And when the four digit series came out Smith spent the first few years trying to figure out whether to build DAs with slide safetys or decockers, or DAOs with no safety.

My impression is that the Smith autos were rugged but had rather rough DA triggers, and were not cheap. As I recall, most people in the early 90s were buying Glocks, Berettas, Sigs, 1911s, CZ75s and clones, and even Hi-Powers.

Good guns? Perhaps. But very few that would seem to be iconic.

bamaranger · October 18, 2017, 10:02 PM

Given your poll choices, I voted M39. Paaved the way for all the wondernines and DA autos that followed. But the M52.....feeding .38 spl wadcutter and super accurate......nobody by S&W even came close to such a pistol.

There is a very good article on the M42 in "The Blue Press" this month as well.

otasan · October 19, 2017, 09:05 AM

True; I used to own a S&W Model 15 4-inch .38 Special revolver.

mavracer · October 19, 2017, 11:26 AM

Quote:

But the M52.....feeding .38 spl wadcutter and super accurate......

If you can get it to feed, one of the most frustrating guns I've ever loaded for.
Sold it when I got my CZ tac sport, it's just as accurate feeds anything and actually has a better trigger.

Mike38 · October 19, 2017, 06:27 PM

I'd say the S&W 952.

View Poll Results: which Smith
1076	9	20.00%
39-2	26	57.78%
get a Glock because I'm a lemming and can't form my own opinion	10	22.22%
Voters: 45. You may not vote on this poll

October 16, 2017, 02:50 PM	#27
JDBerg Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2015 Location: PA Posts: 1,835	You left out the Performance Center 945, which would be my choice! __________________ Words to Live By: Before You Pray - Believe; Before You Speak - Listen; Before You Spend - Earn; Before You Write - Think; Before You Quit - Try; Before You Die - Live

October 16, 2017, 03:21 PM	#28
RickB Senior Member Join Date: March 1, 2000 Location: Boise, ID Posts: 8,518	I've never thought of any S&W auto as iconic, except within the context of S&W products, but don't think I'd allow historical significance ahead of shootability, so I'd probably go with a 52 before any DA/SA model. I have a 539, and while it's a beautiful example of gunmaking art, the trigger is terrible, as are the sights, and the 52 addresses both shortcomings. __________________ Runs off at the mouth about anything 1911 related on this site and half the time is flat out wrong.

October 18, 2017, 09:52 AM	#33
CajunBass Senior Member Join Date: May 6, 2005 Location: North Chesterfield, Virginia Posts: 4,767	I've always liked the 39. It was the second semi-auto I purchased, after a 1911. I don't have a 1911 anymore. I do have a 39-2. I'm sure you can find a nicer one if you look around a bit. __________________ For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (NKJV)

October 18, 2017, 01:17 PM	#34
dgludwig Senior Member Join Date: February 12, 2005 Location: North central Ohio Posts: 7,486	One thing I've always liked about the Model 39 is the relatively compact, screwdriver adjustable rear sight. __________________ ONLY AN ARMED PEOPLE CAN BE TRULY FREE ; ONLY AN UNARMED PEOPLE CAN EVER BE ENSLAVED ...Aristotle NRA Benefactor Life Member

October 16, 2017, 10:14 AM	#26
micromontenegro Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2010 Posts: 647	52 all the way.

October 16, 2017, 03:48 PM	#29
JN01 Senior Member Join Date: May 16, 2005 Location: E Tennessee Posts: 828	I'd pick the 39-2 as a classic, but then by going with one of your choices, I guess that makes me a lemming that can't form my own opinion.

October 16, 2017, 04:20 PM	#31
Hun Shooter Member Join Date: September 11, 2017 Location: Hillsboro, OR Posts: 23	If you are collecting S&W you should have a 645 It's not the most refined or best looking but most definitely rare and different. Chances are you are not going to find another person with it at the range. I ended up trading it for a Springfield 1911

October 17, 2017, 03:25 AM	#32
Snuffy308 Senior Member Join Date: October 3, 2005 Posts: 220	I voted 39 but I sure wouldn't give up my 1006 for one. Save up for the 39.

October 18, 2017, 03:04 PM	#35
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 11,756	The S&W 39/39-2 can absolutely be defined as "iconic" in almost any way you'd define the term. Absolutely the Grandfather (along with the 59) of the 9mm double action police sidearm in Notth America. And the ASP and Devel customs (modified 39's & 59's) were the precursor to compact & ultra-compact 9mm defensive guns. To the poster above that gives the 1006 a nod over the 1076 for "significance in the history" (or development) of the 10mm round... you would have a very serious argument in the 1006 vs 1076, given that the 1076 was issued in very historic and significant LE duty contracts, most notably by the FBI and multiple large State Police organizations. To the OP: as "iconic" goes, the 39-2 wins this particular matchup. Desirability however, the 1076 has an edge, mostly due to exclusivity. Around 400,000 units of the 39-2 were shipped by S&W where only 13,805 of the 1076 were made. __________________ *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.

October 18, 2017, 07:48 PM	#36
otasan Junior member Join Date: April 17, 2005 Location: Hartford, Vermont Posts: 519	Get a Glock 17. You can go wrong with this fine firearm.

October 18, 2017, 09:32 PM	#37
BBarn Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2015 Posts: 887	Iconic just seems an odd description of most Smith semi-autos. The two digit and three digit Smith autos never seemed very popular to me. Some success seemed to come with the four digit autos, driven primarily by Smith's introduction of 10mm and 40 S&W models. Even after nearly forty years producing autos, police departments bought the Austrian autos to replace their revolvers. It didn't help that at the time Smith semis cost about as much as a Sig, And when the four digit series came out Smith spent the first few years trying to figure out whether to build DAs with slide safetys or decockers, or DAOs with no safety. My impression is that the Smith autos were rugged but had rather rough DA triggers, and were not cheap. As I recall, most people in the early 90s were buying Glocks, Berettas, Sigs, 1911s, CZ75s and clones, and even Hi-Powers. Good guns? Perhaps. But very few that would seem to be iconic.

October 18, 2017, 10:02 PM	#38
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,300	voted one way, believe another Given your poll choices, I voted M39. Paaved the way for all the wondernines and DA autos that followed. But the M52.....feeding .38 spl wadcutter and super accurate......nobody by S&W even came close to such a pistol. There is a very good article on the M42 in "The Blue Press" this month as well.

October 19, 2017, 09:05 AM	#39
otasan Junior member Join Date: April 17, 2005 Location: Hartford, Vermont Posts: 519	True; I used to own a S&W Model 15 4-inch .38 Special revolver.

October 19, 2017, 06:27 PM	#41
Mike38 Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2009 Location: North Central Illinois Posts: 2,710	I'd say the S&W 952.

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