Mount a Red Dot sight on a S&W model 39

Tom Myers

Tom Myers

Member
Joined
Mar 31, 2020
Messages
11
Location
Nimrod Minnesota
My eyes just are not what they used to be.

My go-to handgun is a S&W Model 39.

I would like to mount a Crimson Trace CTS-1550 Red Dot sight on the Model 39 but am having trouble finding the right adapter.

Has anyone had any experience with this setup?
Or any setup that would mount a Red Dot type sight?

Thanks in advance for any help.
 
Tom Myers said:
My eyes just are not what they used to be.

My go-to handgun is a S&W Model 39.

I would like to mount a Crimson Trace CTS-1550 Red Dot sight on the Model 39 but am having trouble finding the right adapter.

Has anyone had any experience with this setup?
Or any setup that would mount a Red Dot type sight?

Thanks in advance for any help.
Click to expand...

Do you have a good local gunsmith that could help you out? I have TK Custom mounts on my S&W revolvers for my Vortex sights .
 
Last edited:
sevt_chevelle said:
www.egwguns.com

Red Dot Sight Mount for Smith and Wesson (S&W) Model 52 (fits Trijicon RMR / SRO, Holosun 407c / 507c)

Mounting Hardware is IncludedThis mount fits:Smith & Wesson Model 52This mount does not fit:Smith & Wesson Model 4 Please note: Trijicon recommends the use of a sealing plate to prevent water from entering their red dots. Save $20 and get free shipping when you purchase a Holosun Sight with this...
www.egwguns.com www.egwguns.com

For a 52,
Might work might not
Click to expand...
Nope. The model 39 has a long extension toward the front.
 
Have you had a pistol with a red dot before? In my experience with red dots they work best if you have the slide milled so that the red dot can be mounted as low as possible and then also have a taller front sight installed to co witness so that you can see the front sight in the lower 1/3rd of the glass. That greatly helps in acquiring the dot quickly. If you haven't used one before you might want to try another pistol with a red dot before you commit to having your slide milled.
 
The model 39 has some kind of spring and detent which are held in by the rear sight's extension. Milling for a RDS would need some kind of custom smithing making it a tad expensive. A mount plate which slides into the dovetail, which are not as good as a milled slide in my opinion, would have to be purpose built just for the Model 39.
Much as I think the 39 is cool and didn't get as much love as it deserved, it's probably cheaper to buy something newer that's set up for a red dot. Or at least break-even if you keep it.
 
I'm not sure about what mount to use but I have a comment on the crimson trace red dot . I have a model 1500 and it is a pretty low end red dot. The 1550 model looks to be similar. Indoors the1500 isn't bad, outdoors is another story. The dot isn't the brightest in full sun and depending where the sun is located the lens will get a bunch of white glare. I also have a Riton red dot that has the same foot print as the crimson trace. The Riton has the same features but is better quality. It has shake awake with a brighter dot that's easier to see outdoors. They are $100 here.
https://www.cdnnsports.com/riton-optics-3-tactix-mprd-2-micro-red-dot.html
 
I looked up the parts mentioned in my previous post. They're for the ejector, maybe detent was wrong, and they're not held down by the forward extension of rear sight, just the sight itself. Posting after 11 pm while watching TV may not help the memory so much. :oops:
Anyway, they are:
6013 Ejector-depressor Plunger
6014 Ejector-depressor Plunger Spring
39 slide.jpg
 
@Tom Myers, it will probably be more expensive to have the slide milled for a dot, that may or may not work on your older S&W, than buy a gun built for one from the get-go.

If you cant part with the 39 (I certainly understand!) you could also have the fixed front sight removed and milled for a dovetail. Then mount aftermarket sights like Tru Glo fiber-optics or an Ashley Big Dot. These modern sights are much, much easier to see that the factory blade and give new shooting life to those of us who are losing our youthful vision as we age. ( I am in the same boat you are.)

Good luck!

Stay safe.
 
JohnMc said:
I looked up the parts mentioned in my previous post. They're for the ejector, maybe detent was wrong, and they're not held down by the forward extension of rear sight, just the sight itself. Posting after 11 pm while watching TV may not help the memory so much. :oops:
Anyway, they are:
6013 Ejector-depressor Plunger
6014 Ejector-depressor Plunger Spring
View attachment 1184231
Click to expand...

I have no experience with a S&W model 39 specifically, but that shouldn't pose an issue for the dot. Would just mill the red dot recess even with the bottom of the sight cut and the dot will hold that part in place. Would just need to make sure to choose a dot that has a sealed battery compartment instead of one with the battery on the bottom because the sealing gasket won't seal obviously
 
someguy2800 said:
I have no experience with a S&W model 39 specifically, but that shouldn't pose an issue for the dot. Would just mill the red dot recess even with the bottom of the sight cut and the dot will hold that part in place. Would just need to make sure to choose a dot that has a sealed battery compartment instead of one with the battery on the bottom because the sealing gasket won't seal obviously
Click to expand...
That could work, but it goes back to my smithing comment in post 8. Much as I'm against selling guns, more is better and all, it might be in someone's best interest to sell an older gun like a 39 and get something already cut for a red dot, especially with the other features of modern guns like compactness & double stack mags.
That said, I am a metal frame, hammer fired, DA/SA sort and prefer the 39 over modern options for its looks and how it feels. But even a dinosaur like me has got to admit the benefits of the modern pistolas.
It's the OP's choice in any case.
 
The 39 is a great pistol; good ergos, feels great in the hand. There's a reason Smith used it as the basis for the 52.
Yep, hang on to it (unless really minty, the 39 doesn't command a lot of money).
Most modern pistols come prepared for an optic.
BTW, try an optic; they aren't a perfect solution.
Moon
 
EGW does make a red dot mount for the M-52, but the M52 has a rear dovetail that the M39 does not.
This is a Burris Fast Fire on a M52
259e3310.jpg


You might try to look for an old Leupold mount for the M52, which should fit the frame of our M39
img_1811.jpg


dscf0840.jpg
 
9mmepiphany said:
EGW does make a red dot mount for the M-52, but the M52 has a rear dovetail that the M39 does not.
This is a Burris Fast Fire on a M52
259e3310.jpg


You might try to look for an old Leupold mount for the M52, which should fit the frame of our M39
img_1811.jpg


dscf0840.jpg
Click to expand...
That model 52 just has classic semi auto looks. Purdy!
The 1911, the Hi Power, the CZ 75 and these S&W semi autos just have it in the looks department, IMHO.

But on a thread topic note, are the grip stocks, as the parts list says, on the 52 and the 39 interchangeable? I've seen those things for 1911s on the interwebs, but not S&W specific ones. Interesting.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Tom Myers
Red Dot Sight on a S&W Model 39
Replies
0
Views
109
Tom Myers
Tom Myers
J-Bar
  • Locked
CZ sub-compact…dot or Crimson Trace?
Replies
5
Views
276
I6turbo
I
S
  • Locked
Ruger Mark II with a Red Dot
Replies
20
Views
4K
priv8ter
P
aHFo3
  • Locked
red dot on Ruger MKII
Replies
5
Views
529
aHFo3
aHFo3
Richard Jay King
  • Locked
Red Dot mount for adjustable sight S&W 3rd gen Autos
Replies
4
Views
581
Richard Jay King
Richard Jay King
Back
Top