S&W M59 questions

[336A]

I inherited this some years ago from my late father, it was one of his favorite handguns. I'm not much of a semi auto fan and haven't even shot it since I've had it which has been since 2006. I was thinking about selling it to front other firearms related items, maybe even to put the proceeds forth to another firearms purchase. However I've decided to give the ol' 59 a fair shake and see how it works out.

Anyone here have a M59, if so how do you like it and how reliable is it?

 

[GBExpat]

I have a 659 that I purchased in ~'87 after wanting one since I first read about the 59s in the latter half of the '70s.

It is a bit heavy & bulky, but has always been accurate & reliable for me.

 

[dex58]

My first handgun was a Smith Model 59. I purchased the gun used/unfired in 1987. It was a fun gun to shoot, but accuracy was not that great so I sold the gun and bought a 6" revolver (still have the revolver). Looking back I think the ammo I was using was probably the major contributing factor to the poor accuracy and occasional feeding problems. Ammo has come a long way since then and sometimes I wish I still had mine. I would at least take it to the range and run a few boxes through it and see what it can do. If you can't get it to shoot then I would sell it to fund another project. Btw mine ran best with 124 grain fmj. Good luck.

 

[RickMD]

I once owned a S&W 39 which is the same gun with a lower capacity magazine. It was a very nice pistol but not terribly accurate. You're also relegated to using standard pressure 9mm's due to the alloy frame. S&W strongly cautions against using any +P loads in these pistols. I eventually sold it and purchased a Browning Hi-Power to handle the heavier loads.

 

[336A]

I hit the range with it this afternoon. I was using some old PMC 124gr FMJ that I had laying around. Accuracy wasn't bad at 10yd however I had several FTF issues, I'm thinking it was the ammo though. I'll try it again with some different ammo in the future but I'm starting to think about letting it go for something else hmmm maybe a Beretta.

 

[Red Cent]

They work for me.





I bought these used in the 70s. They have ran well. The 59 has been fired a lot more than the 39. They are factory stock. Interesting fact. A reload that will function well in the 59 will not function the action in the 39. Both function very well with the correct rounds.
Both will do 3-4" off sandbags at 25 yards. These early barrels were not known for accuracy. Often been tempted to put new barrels in the firearms.

 

[Fishslayer]

I inherited this some years ago from my late father, it was one of his favorite handguns.

I think you might eventually regret selling this one...

 

[336A]

I think you might eventually regret selling this one...

I know that is what has kept me from selling up to this point.

 

[Jed Carter]

There are better designs available My first pistol was a model 39 and later found a model 59. I do miss the old 39, not the 59 so much, but it was not left to me from my late father either. Without sentimental value the 59 would be sold by me but if it came from "my Dad"...

 

[The Lone Haranguer]

It is unlikely but possible that the first-generation models can fire if dropped just right and without the safety engaged.

 

[jrw69]

I love mine and will never sell it, so if you find your getting rid of it, shoot me an email. Depending price and condition I may take it off your hands. Mine is accurate, fantastic to shoot, and after 2000 rounds has never malfunctioned. I use CCI Blazer 115gr and never an issue and hardly anything to clean, it also likes Remington but a lot dirtier rounds. Just put 200 rounds through mine Monday evening.