S&W model 39-2

[8mmman]

Smith & Wesson Model 39-2. I just picked up a 99% in the blue box with two clips from an older man who is going into a retirement home. I know the Model 39 was designed to be competitive in military contracts back in the early 1950's and was wondering how the durability of the 39's are and how long the aluminum frame will hold up.

As it is so nice and all I wondering if I should shoot the pistol or just make it a safe queen and let it sit.

Anyone know the durability of these pistols... Thanks. Tom

 

[bobinoregon]

Don't know about reliability but I regret the day I sold mine, actually traded it to a DR for something I needed at the time. I'd buy another in a heartbeat if I saw one

 

[PapaG]

On my third one. Local cop, retired, said they had a problem with breaking extractors. I have not experienced that but total rounds through all three is under 1500. My second was an ISP trade in and had a lot of wear.
Loved them in pin matches with 147 grain flat point lead. Too big for CCW since my Pro Carry is no bigger outside and lots bigger in bore.
I like it now for burning up ammo that my other nines don't like.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

Nice pistols...

 

[Confederate]

I wouldn't shoot the gun as it has considerable collectors value. The second and third generation stainless pistols are affordable and they're all steel. Wonderful guns. I actually prefer the 2nd generation line of pistols and would gnaw off my left arm for a 639. They're beauties!

The extractors on the early 2nd gen pistols were thick and didn't break, but S&W redesigned it and changed the heat treat, and now they're very close to the 39's extractors. Whether they'll work in 39s is beyond me, but they don't fail in the newer models.



The S&W 5906 (top) and 639. Both are great shooters.

 

[bannockburn]

8mmman

One of the classic post-war 9mm. pistols that used aluminum for the gun's frame (the Colt Commander and the Walther P38/P1 being two others). The Illinois State Police were one of the first large agencies to adopt the Model 39 which started the transition of law enforcement switching over from revolvers to semi-autos. The Model 39-2 had most of the earlier design problems worked out and should be a reliable and durable pistol for many years to come.

 

[280shooter]

I been kicking my self every time I think of me selling my 39,damn I wish I still had.along with my colts that I sold..

 

[RX-79G]

My opinion is that the similar aluminum framed 459 pistol struggled making it to 5000 rounds in the XM9 trials. I would not consider the earliest aluminum framed S&W autos to be tougher than that.

 

[Tirod]

Of interest is that Colt first offered the aluminum framed Commander as part of the Pistol Trials of 1954. Alcoa did the forging work. When the SA decided that 2.5 million 1911's were more than enough to cover things and that a newer design wasn't needed, they all went to commercial sales to repay the development.

There's a LEO trade in gun dealer in Feasterville PA with a sale on right now (11/26/2016) and they are offering 5906 and 6906 models for $325.

Snooze you lose. Buying older S&W's isn't going to get better. Remember HK P7 Border Patrol models going for $450? More like $1000 now, they aren't making any more and the collectors are snagging up older all metal guns as fast as they have the money. Considering they sell for 1/3 to 1/2 of new why not?

Fleet trade ins of older S&W's are dwindling fast. There were some $200 beater sales a few weeks ago on GB. If you aren't looking tho they disappear before the word gets out. These guns aren't going to come to you.

 

[Starter52]

I love my nickel Model 39-2. One of the best looking classic automatics ever produced. Very reliable with my 124 grain loads. Perhaps not quite as accurate as some guns, but good enough for me. A keeper.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

One of my favorite 3rd generation S&W's is my single stack 9mm 908.




6946 double stack 9mm is a good one also.