S&W Model 59. Buy or pass?

[ontarget]

I found a Model 59 with 4 mags that has my interest. I've only seen pics but condition looks good. I have a 6906 that I like so I was thinking of adding this 59.
Would you do it for a price under $400.00?
Thanks for any input.

 

[Mark_Mark]

I found a Model 59 with 4 mags that has my interest. I've only seen pics but condition looks good. I have a 6906 that I like so I was thinking of adding this 59.
Would you do it for a price under $400.00?
Thanks for any input.

why you even asking?!?!?! local buy? check if it’s hot

 

[ontarget]

why you even asking?!?!?! local buy? check if it’s hot

Yeah it's local. The shop will set it aside for me if I call and ask. I won't be able to get over there until the end of the week.

 

[243winxb]

$350 to $400 seems to be the going price. Guns are nearing 50 years old.

Before buying, check with factory, to see if they still repair the 59 model?

Its a pass for me.

 

[bc1023]

Had a couple of them. Grip like 4x4 and an aluminum frame are the downsides.

One of the first pistols to eclipse the Hi Power’s 13-round capacity.

 

[Bazoo]

I like them but the grips are too large for me in double stack. I like the middle 39 better for that reason.

 

[Boom Vang]

They are nice guns if you like them. S&W made lots of them. It's a fairly robust design, but of course it's an aluminium frame - which can crack - and S&W factory support at this point would not include a frame, slide or barrel replacement. I sent mine back 14 years ago for a functioning issue and the they changed the extractor. I think most major parts are long gone, and with the move to TN, maybe all the small parts are gone as well.

Gun Parts Corp has many parts for the Model 59, plus there's ebay for used parts. The later 5900 series magazines will fit and function, although they will not be flush fit. Original barrels and grips are going to be more difficult to source if you need them.

Mine is fairly accurate, but not to the level of a vintage SIG P226.

 

[1KPerDay]

For $400 I’d have a hard time saying no. Does anyone actually worry about factory support on 50 year old guns?

 

[ontarget]

I think I will give the shop a call tomorrow. This one comes with 4 or 5 mags, so that's a big plus.
It is at a LGS that I trust whole heartedly, and they know I'm a S&W guy, and they are a well respected Gun Smith shop, so I can be sure of their assessment of the gun.

 

[Mark_Mark]

For $400 I’d have a hard time saying no. Does anyone actually worry about factory support on 50 year old guns?

50 years! If S&W support that, that would be epic

 

[MachIVshooter]

For $400, yeah, good deal if in good condition.

It's more of a "shoot it a bit and admire it's place in history" piece than range blaster, though. If you want a robust shooter, get a 2nd or 3rd gen, especially steel framed models.

 

[ontarget]

For $400, yeah, good deal if in good condition.

It's more of a "shoot it a bit and admire it's place in history" piece than range blaster, though. If you want a robust shooter, get a 2nd or 3rd gen, especially steel framed models.

I have a 3rd Gen 6906. But yeah, for most range blasting, I use my M9 Beretta, or one of my 1911s.
I've actually been growing quite fond of my 9mm 1911 lately. Which I swore I'd never buy, cuz, ya know, 45...God's favorite caliber...and all.
Anyway, super smooth shooter, 9mm in a 1911.

 

[halfmoonclip]

PPs have covered it well; good gun, lousy ergos. Old Smith magazines can be an issue, but you're getting some spares.
Had one, always ran well, the 2x4 grip was the issue.
Moon

 

[Monac]

The early Model 59s had problems. This caused quite a stir, because the mainstream gun magazines did not report this. It got some new publications going, dedicated to getting more truth out about the products of gunmakers. Later, S&W fixed the problems and the guns were good, but by then, their reputation was mud, which was one of the reasons the 2nd Generation guns were introduced. This was back before I got into handguns, so I don't recall the problems, nor what the dividing line was between the early guns and the improved ones. I suppose having four magazines is a sign the gun was working well.

 

[lysanderxiii]

The Model 59 had some feeding issues with some hollow-point ammunition. As production progressed changes were made to correct this as well as improvements in bullet profiles. So just be aware that with these (and in my opinion any semiautomatic pistol) reliability is going to be ammunition dependent.

The other issue that S&W addressed when they went to the 459/659, was increasing the drop safety of the pistol with a firing pin lock.

 

[mm93]

Having a 59 now, and having owned one before, I'd be all over a 59 in nice shape with 4 mags for $400 or less! They are wonderful handguns, and I love the 59, and it's brother the single stack 39 too!
I've fired everything from jacket hollow points, to SWC cast lead, to round nose cast lead in both my 59 and 39 and never experienced any malfunctions.

 

[Nasty Canasta]

Model 59 was my first legal handgun purchase in ‘82. It filled my big hand perfectly & had a jacka$$ rig to go with it so I could have 43 rounds ready to go.
I trained heavily with it & never could master keeping the first double action shot & the second single action shot together on target, it certainly wasn’t a bullseye target pistol & accuracy was just OK. Moved off of it after about a year when I got into 1911’s & never looked back.
Not a bad pistol but for me no desire to revisit it.

 

[halfmoonclip]

I trained heavily with it & never could master keeping the first double action shot & the second single action shot together on target,

The eternal problem with DA/SA pistols. We had an M92 equipped local cop, who shot a guy who needed shooting. But he shot him twice, and the second round almost certainly got away from him.
For handling prisoners and such, the DA first shot is uncommon safe, but the transition is a bear...especially under stress.
Moon

 

[mm93]

I sure like DA/SA a lot more than DA all the time as many newer semiauto triggers are! I can shoot the 59 and 39 much better than others I own that are DA only! I dislike the long DA pull every shot.

 

[ontarget]

I don't mind the DA/SA pistols at all.
I shoot my M9 fairly often, and always train with first shot DA, even if I'm just practicing 2 shots from the holster.
Hit the decocker every time I finish a shot string, regardless of how many shots it is.

 

[FL-NC]

If I was into DA pistols I would buy it.

 

[bangswitch]

I found a Model 59 with 4 mags that has my interest. I've only seen pics but condition looks good. I have a 6906 that I like so I was thinking of adding this 59.
Would you do it for a price under $400.00?
Thanks for any input.

What are you waiting for? I had a 459 for a number of years, wish I still had it. It was a great pistol. I gave more than that for mine back when I bought it in 1983.

 

[Electrod47]

It was good enough for Starsky..............

 

[Mark_Mark]

I’m waiting for one of these to bece available locally

 

[fastbolt]

As a longtime issued user and owner of quite a lot of 3rd gen S&W's, and a factory-trained armorer who took the class 4 times, I'd be tempted by a 3rd gen, especially a late production 3rd gen (MIM, wide barrel tab, etc) in very good to excellent condition. Maybe even a 2nd gen, if in really good condition, although they were rougher in many respects in their machining. Personally, I'd have no interest in any 1st gen guns. I leave that to the collectors.