S&w 39-2

[18DAI]

I recently have become enamoured with the S&W 39-2.

A friend let me shoot his blue version. Fits my hand perfectly and appears to be very reliable. The one I shot was a tack driver.

Are these trouble free pistols? Are the nickel versions rare, or simply scarce?

Anything to watch out for with this model? It would appear to be a very nice carry pistol. Thanks! TJ

 

[jsbethel]

The ergonomics of the S&W 39-2 are outstanding - they just feel good in the hand. I like single stack S&W 9mm pistols so much, I have four - a 39-2, 639, 3904 and 3906. They are all very accurate. I suppose the only downside to a 39-2 is that they have not been made since 1981 and eventually parts availability might become an issue. I wouldn't let that deter you if you find a nice example - they don't break down that often.

 

[don95sml]

The 39-2 seems to be the most popular of the series, and fits the hand well. The only complaint I can offer is that the safety lever (as on other slide-mounted safeties) operates UP to fire, DOWN for safe - just the reverse of guns like the 1911 or Hi-Power.

 

[rcmodel]

Don't use the safety.
Load it, de-cock it, and holster it, safety off.

Parts for them are getting hard to find anymore, if they ever break.

Other then that, what's not to like!

I've had mine since the late 1960's and I can't remember it ever jamming, even once.

rcmodel

 

[sparky923]

I just gave my nickel 39-2 Smith to my son. It was left to me by my dad when he passed away 18 years ago. It was his carry weapon when he went to work for the sherriffs dept. after retiring from the state police. It's got a lot of light surface scratches from being a work gun, but still a beautiful gun and really special to my family. I still need to find something to try and polish out some of those scratches though.

 

[A square 10]

rcmodel has it right , and yes i carry one

 

[Archie]

Excellent pistol, one of the few 9x19 pistols I find useful.

No wonder they quit making it.

 

[Maia007]

I have had mine since 1977 when I bought it new. I recall a stove pipe a time or two some years ago, but otherwise it has been trouble free. A very good 9 mm for the money, especially these days. You can buy spare mags for them from S & W that work well. I can shoot as well with it as I can with any 9mm I have ever tried. It seems like the weight and size is just right....not too light, not too heavy, not too big, not too small. I put some nice adjustable combat sights on mine when new.

For years, I carried the 39-2 or a Walther PP, both with a similar decocker "safety".

I really never cared for the checkering on the grips...a bit sharp for my taste, and I never cared for the pale walnut color and the crappy factory lacquer job. Rather cheap wood for a nice piece. So I put some Eagle non-checkered rosewood on mine not long ago. A guy on this Board turned me on to them and posted a photo of his. You could search 39-2 and probably find the photo.

If you have large hands the Pachmyr rubber grips with the backstrap are nice. Ajax makes some fake ivory grips that are really classy, but they will thicken up the grip enough to make the mag release a bit hard manipulate.

 

[capttom]

I was influenced by an early American Handgunner artical written by Massad Ayoob covering the 39 and latched on to one. Once I had a problem with the safety/decock locking up, tying up the gun, but other than that, nary a bobble. I've owned a few other s after that first one including one of the steel frame guns done on a trial basis.They were all combat accurate, but none were tack drivers. The design fits my hand. My current favorite carry gun is it's direct descendent, a 908.

 

[JZ06]

I had a 39-2 and a 59. I liked the 39-2 better and wish i hadn't sold it. If you can find one, grab it and keep it. They're great guns! Tack drivers indeed.