S&W 39-2 Can I Shoot +P's?
- Thread starter keederdag
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James Bondrock
Member
How many +Ps are we talking about? A 39-2 will be 25-30 years old by now. IMO, a few hundred or so will not blow the gun up or anything, but much more than that will cause accelerated wear, especially on 25-30- year- old springs (unless you change them). It may also cause functioning problems due to the increased slide velocity and recoil, which this was not designed for. If it were mine, I would just stick with standard pressure hollowpoints that have a rounded nose profile (as opposed to a straight-sided truncated cone profile), e.g., the Federal 9BP.
I have a S&W 39-2.
Been told and read that I should not fire any +P ammo in it.
So to be on the safe side, I'm not going to.
Only way I would is if the SHTF and it's the only type I have on hand...
By the way, Precaherman made a thread on recalled guns.
The S&W 39 has a warning attached to it.
Here's the link to the thread:Recall/Warning list
Been told and read that I should not fire any +P ammo in it.
So to be on the safe side, I'm not going to.
Only way I would is if the SHTF and it's the only type I have on hand...
By the way, Precaherman made a thread on recalled guns.
The S&W 39 has a warning attached to it.
Here's the link to the thread:Recall/Warning list
Not really concerned with shooting loads of +p's, just some for function and carry ammo. Practice with standard stuff. Truly wondering about the corbon powerball? Very intrigued by that stuff, havent got my hands on any yet though.
Gordon
Member
Stick in a fresh set of heavy Wolf recoil springs and blast away!
AZ Jeff
Member
The whole aluminum frame durability issue has been VERY overplayed. Yes, an AL frame is less durable than it's steel counterpart, but BOTH types of frames will outlast most users.
About 15 years ago, one of the gun rags did a durability test on a S&W M59 with an AL frame. They ran some ungodly number of rounds through it (well over 10,000), and finally, one of the locking lug ramps that cammed the barrel down cracked off the rest of the frame. None the less, the pistol continued TO WORK NORMALLY. They ran a few hundred more in that condition, with no loss in reliability.
Now how worried are you about the frame in your M39 again?
About 15 years ago, one of the gun rags did a durability test on a S&W M59 with an AL frame. They ran some ungodly number of rounds through it (well over 10,000), and finally, one of the locking lug ramps that cammed the barrel down cracked off the rest of the frame. None the less, the pistol continued TO WORK NORMALLY. They ran a few hundred more in that condition, with no loss in reliability.
Now how worried are you about the frame in your M39 again?
AZ Jeff
Member
It's interesting that you mention that S&W was leary of use of +P+ loads in their M39.
The Illinois State Police carried the M39, and it's sucessor, the M439, for many years. (They were the first state police agency to employ the 9x19 as a standard issue pistol, IIRC.) In an attempt to maximize the effectiveness of the 9x19, they worked with Winchester to develop a special version of Winchester's "Silvertip" round, a 115gr. +P+ load that was VERY INTENSE, and pretty effective. (This ammo was not available over the counter to non LEO buyers.)
I never heard reports of S&W crabbing that ISP was destroying M39's by using excessively "hot" ammunition. That would make me think that S&W was not terribly concerned about the M39 being able to tolerate these loads.
The Illinois State Police carried the M39, and it's sucessor, the M439, for many years. (They were the first state police agency to employ the 9x19 as a standard issue pistol, IIRC.) In an attempt to maximize the effectiveness of the 9x19, they worked with Winchester to develop a special version of Winchester's "Silvertip" round, a 115gr. +P+ load that was VERY INTENSE, and pretty effective. (This ammo was not available over the counter to non LEO buyers.)
I never heard reports of S&W crabbing that ISP was destroying M39's by using excessively "hot" ammunition. That would make me think that S&W was not terribly concerned about the M39 being able to tolerate these loads.
Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
WOW! $130 BUCKS, OUT THE DOOR!
Man oh man, you might have gotten the best deal on this side of the world?
Contrary to most poster's, I would not shoot a
steady diet of +P, or +P+ in this relic; cuz they are
too darn hard to find! If you want to use this weapon
as a CCW, find some of the old 9m/m Federal "Nyclad"
ammo; or only carry +P's for that specific purpose.
Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
Man oh man, you might have gotten the best deal on this side of the world?
Contrary to most poster's, I would not shoot a
steady diet of +P, or +P+ in this relic; cuz they are
too darn hard to find! If you want to use this weapon
as a CCW, find some of the old 9m/m Federal "Nyclad"
ammo; or only carry +P's for that specific purpose.
Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
Yeah, I know all of this already.
That's one of the reasons why I was a bit confused about S&W telling me NOT to use them.
Add to that, over the years I encountered other print sources that mentioned frame cracking in the M-39 series due to the use of +p loads over time. Not a huge amount of rounds either.
Plus, I find out the other day( through Preacherman's thread about Firearm recalls/warnings) about another "problem" with the M-39 series.
By the way...
They did stop M-39 production for a couple of reasons...
Like I stated before, I'm going to play it safe and not do it if possible. Why take a chance in light of the info. I recieved?
By the way, do you own an M-39?
That's one of the reasons why I was a bit confused about S&W telling me NOT to use them.
Add to that, over the years I encountered other print sources that mentioned frame cracking in the M-39 series due to the use of +p loads over time. Not a huge amount of rounds either.
Plus, I find out the other day( through Preacherman's thread about Firearm recalls/warnings) about another "problem" with the M-39 series.
By the way...
Where does that say they tested an M-39?
They did stop M-39 production for a couple of reasons...
Like I stated before, I'm going to play it safe and not do it if possible. Why take a chance in light of the info. I recieved?
By the way, do you own an M-39?
Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
I've owned three NIB 39-2's over the years; one of the
most beautiful weapons I ever owned was a factory
nickel 39-2, with the factory walnit grips. I've been
cursed for getting shed of it!
Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
most beautiful weapons I ever owned was a factory
nickel 39-2, with the factory walnit grips.
I've beencursed for getting shed of it!
Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
tbeb
Member
I once owned a S&W 39-2. Mine liked Federal 115 gr. JHP (9BP). This is a good standard pressure load for self defense. Try it, you'll like it.
AZ Jeff
Member
Jim JD wrote:
Where does that say they tested an M-39?
They did stop M-39 production for a couple of reasons...
Like I stated before, I'm going to play it safe and not do it if possible. Why take a chance in light of the info. I recieved?
By the way, do you own an M-39?
**************************************************
The model 39 and the model 59 share a common locking system and a common barrel/slide system. The only things that are different are due to the model 59 having a double column magazine. Thus, it would be a reasonable assumption that the durability of the M39 and M59 would be roughly the same.
S&W stopped M39 production because the models 439, 539, and 639 took it's place. The model 439 is essentially the same gun, with some product improvements. The locking system was NOT changed on the newer guns.
I have owned both a model 39 and a model 639 over the years. I found them to be EXTREMELY reliable, almost Glock-like
I would think the philosophy of not shooting a steady diet of +P+ loads in ANY pistol would be prudent, if you want the maximium life out of the piece. However, a few boxes now and then are NOT going to destroy the piece unto themselves.
Besides, who could AFFORD to shoot those kinds of loads day in and day out?
Where does that say they tested an M-39?
They did stop M-39 production for a couple of reasons...
Like I stated before, I'm going to play it safe and not do it if possible. Why take a chance in light of the info. I recieved?
By the way, do you own an M-39?
**************************************************
The model 39 and the model 59 share a common locking system and a common barrel/slide system. The only things that are different are due to the model 59 having a double column magazine. Thus, it would be a reasonable assumption that the durability of the M39 and M59 would be roughly the same.
S&W stopped M39 production because the models 439, 539, and 639 took it's place. The model 439 is essentially the same gun, with some product improvements. The locking system was NOT changed on the newer guns.
I have owned both a model 39 and a model 639 over the years. I found them to be EXTREMELY reliable, almost Glock-like
I would think the philosophy of not shooting a steady diet of +P+ loads in ANY pistol would be prudent, if you want the maximium life out of the piece. However, a few boxes now and then are NOT going to destroy the piece unto themselves.
Besides, who could AFFORD to shoot those kinds of loads day in and day out?
benEzra
Moderator Emeritus
BTW, S&W also has a warning against +P in current production 3913's and so on. May be just covering themselves against ammo that is way over spec, since I understand that a number of people on this board carry Cor-Bon in their 3913's.
BluesBear
member
This is the warning regarding the S&W 39:
*************
SMITH & WESSON
MODEL 39,
9MM LUGER CALIBER PISTOL
WARNING: An accidental discharge may occur when manually unloading a pistol if there is an obstruction of the ejection port.
When semiautomatic pistols are manually unloaded:
1. Engage the safety in the "safe" position.
2. Remove the magazine.
3. Point the muzzle in a safe direction.
4. Retract the slide without obstructing the ejection port.
If the primer of a cartridge comes in contact with internal parts, such as the tip of the ejector, an unintentional discharge may result. This can occur because the cartridge strikes an object which prevents ejection from the port during the extraction/ejection process.
**********
Well DUH.
This "warning" is repeated verbatum for several S&W automatice.
Also be advised it doesn't appear that this warning actually came from S&W.
I'm waiting for the warning that says it's not safe to mix roofing nails and ammunition in the same coffee can.
*************
SMITH & WESSON
MODEL 39,
9MM LUGER CALIBER PISTOL
WARNING: An accidental discharge may occur when manually unloading a pistol if there is an obstruction of the ejection port.
When semiautomatic pistols are manually unloaded:
1. Engage the safety in the "safe" position.
2. Remove the magazine.
3. Point the muzzle in a safe direction.
4. Retract the slide without obstructing the ejection port.
If the primer of a cartridge comes in contact with internal parts, such as the tip of the ejector, an unintentional discharge may result. This can occur because the cartridge strikes an object which prevents ejection from the port during the extraction/ejection process.
**********
Well DUH.
This "warning" is repeated verbatum for several S&W automatice.
Also be advised it doesn't appear that this warning actually came from S&W.
I'm waiting for the warning that says it's not safe to mix roofing nails and ammunition in the same coffee can.
stans
Member
I don't think a limited amount of +P ammo is going to destroy a 39-2. A steady diet of +P ammo will certainly accelerate wear and I would not recommend doing such a thing. I have a 439 which I set up with a 15 pound recoil spring and it digests Remington's +P 115 grain JHP ammo just fine. When I practice with this pistol, I do put the 14 pound spring in it and do most of my practice with standard pressure ammo. Before leaving the range, I put the 15 pound spring back in and fire one or two magazines of +P ammo for familiarization.
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