S & W Model 59

[msimonds]

My Kalabash (almost like blood) father gave me a Smith & Wesson Model 59 and cannot remember when he actually purchased the weapon. It has only had aroun 50 rounds through it and I am trying to find out if this weapon is any good!

Can I contact S&W and find out when it was made if I give them the serial number? Has anyone done that/

TIA,
Mike

 

[MachIVshooter]

Can I contact S&W and find out when it was made if I give them the serial number?

Should be able to. You can also sometimes narrow down production to within a few years (or even months) with some searching online and through books.

 

[Pilgrim]

I owned one and used it in the reserve police academy. I earned the class marksmanship award with it. I was very happy with it.

On the downside, the safety/decocking lever was fragile and I broke it. It was easy to replace, but Smith & Wesson shortly afterwards stopped providing safeties to people not recognized as 'qualified' gunsmiths.

Parts for the Model 59 are not always interchangible with the Model 659 and 5906. On that basis, I would be hesitant to shoot a Model 59 a lot.

Pilgrim

 

[Black Knight]

I have several Smiths and called S&W about the dates of manufacture. They were more than glad to give the year they were made.

 

[GRIZ22]

I had experience with a late 70s M59 and an issued 659. The 59 I traded a M39 for (should have kept that one) I had zero problems with it. I can't even remember it malfunctioning. I wound up selling it (once again shouldn't have) to fund other purchases after about 7-8 years.

The 659 was the stainless with the stainless frame. Heavier but control in rapid fire was like holding a garden hose. All the weight sure soaked up recoil. Once again no problems and I'm sure it never malfinctioned.

I think they did a better job on the S&W autos up to the 3 digit model designations. The agency I worked for adopted the 6906 (filled the role of duty and off duty gun) in the middle 80s. There weren't a lot of problems with the 4 digit models but there were none with the 2 and 3 digit models. I have a friend who has carried a Model 59 since 1979. he has had to have at least 20-25K rounds through it and never had any problems.

 

[msimonds]

Thanks all for the insight I appreciate it very much

 

[CajunBass]

I've never fired a Model 59, but I have a Model 39-2, which is basically the same gun, just without the high capacity magazine, so the grip is thinner (and has an arched mainspring, while I think the 59's is more straight). It's my favorite carry gun. Never jammed, as accurate as I can shoot it anyway.

 

[msimonds]

I have been doing some research on the web and most sites state that production for this gun stopped in 1980. That would make this gun at least 37 years old. I found the form on s&w to get the history behind this gun > costs $ 30.00 to get it though!

Is that worth it?

 

[wally]

I found the form on s&w to get the history behind this gun > costs $ 30.00 to get it though!

Is that worth it?

Only you can decide. But since you seem to know your father bought it new, and shot it little; other than date of production, what other "history" could it have?

--wally.

 

[msimonds]

True > I was just wondering if this is something that I should hold on to that is all.

He also gave me an Uzi that looks brand new too!!

 

[NORTEXED]

Had a 59 in the 80's, sold it to a buddy when I was strapped. Have tried for 10 years to get him to sell it back to me (with a profit), and he won't. That is probably the most accurate pistol (bar none) I've ever owned, and certainly the most missed. Mine loved the flat point FMJ's but functioned well with all. I used it out at a hunting ranch to clip mesquite limbs about the size of a pencil, at 30-40 feet, and it would do it all day.

 

[msimonds]

I guess the best thing for me to do is to take it to the range and fire it, since 9MM is so cheap these days. Then decide if it is worth keeping
I am also going to order the history of this gun from S&W to see when it was actually made

 

[M92FS]

quote by msimonds : True > I was just wondering if this is something that I should hold on to that is all.


it's S&W second pistol, production from 1954-1980. since it's still in good condition , my advice is to keep it rather than sell it.

 

[msimonds]

it's S&W second pistol, production from 1954-1980. since it's still in good condition , my advice is to keep it rather than sell it.

Yeah I will probably just keep it, its not just in good condition, it really looks brand spanking new to be honest. I thought for a moment that it might be worth something, but from what I have read so far on the net, it is not worth that much

 

[Sundles]

I had an early 59 back in the 70's. It would malfunction with every magazine and try as I might, no matter what type of ammo I fired, the gun would fail to feed. Sold it.

My model 39, (same vintage) on the other hand, functioned flawlessly.

 

[msimonds]

Well that does not make me feel that good, lol!! Hmmmmm Maybe it deserves a Pawn shop visit

 

[Bohemian]

I have had a S&W Model 59 since 1978 and have fired over 30,000 rounds through it with zero problems with the weapon itself... it takes any ammo I put through it; hot ammo by the 100 including the Cor-Bon 115 grain +P JHP and Federal 147 grain Hydra-Shok JHP, 124 grain FMJ ball military surplus by the 1000, you name it; the 59 eats it. Do not believe anything you hear about the 147 Hydra-Shok being a junk round either. The only problems I have ever had are with old ammo for target practice failing to fire and this was a problem with the ammo and not the weapon. And these failures you could count on one hand over the last 3 decades...
This piece has never seen a gunsmith or had a part replaced, I only use quality magazines...
This is my primary CCW, although I have an affinity for my .45 ACP S&W 1911's, love the feel of having a handful like you do with double stacks...
Pachmayr Grips are my only custom accessory, love em...
Sempher Fi

 

[Ala Dan]

I haven't owned a S&W model 59 in quite a few years now; but I did just
recently acquire a Smith & Wesson model 39-2, the single stack variant
of the same weapon. I've owned several of these over the years, but
did not have the presence of mind too keep 'em. This one came from an
estate sale over in Mississippi, and the gun + 2 extra magazines + 1
additional set of grips cost me only $150~!

 

[MICHAEL T]

My Kalabash (almost like blood) father gave me a Smith & Wesson Model 59

He GAVE THIS TO YOU and you talk about selling/not wanting You don't deserve it. Works or not, pretty or not It was a gift. You should have refused it To start with.

 

[armoredman]

Keep the classic pistol, or give it, (don't sell a gift), to someone who needs it.
BTW, 1980 production means it's 27, not 37.
I had a 59 several years ago, great sidearm, never jammed, even with the 20 round extended mag I used in it sometimes. Didn't quite fit me right, but still a good pistol.

 

[msimonds]

Nah I am going to keep it, I just wanted to get some feedback on this weapon. I actually took it to the range and fired it last week and it is outstanding, very accurate and had hardly any kick

I will keep the gun, you are all right, it is a gift!! and thanks for the math correction, you're right, it is at least 27 years old. I am going to get a exact date and probably place clean it and store it as a relic (even though it is probably not going to be a historic gun)