Tell me about the S&W Model 39
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ReloaderFred
Member
The S&W Model 39 was the first double action/single action semi-auto pistol S&W produced. It was made for the Air Force, but they didn't adopt it. It's a single stack handgun, which means it carries 8 rounds in the magazine and one in the chamber. It's very ergonomic and mine shoots well. I also have the stainless steel Model 639, which also shoots well.
I'm not sure what information you're looking for, but used Model 39's can be a little spendy, especially if in good shape.
Hope this helps.
Fred
I'm not sure what information you're looking for, but used Model 39's can be a little spendy, especially if in good shape.
Hope this helps.
Fred
they were originally design to compete with the Colt Commander (also chambered in 9mm) for the air force contract.
mine was very accurate and it pointed very well, but the trigger was a bit mushy compared to newer designs
avoid very light bullets as the short OAL gave the M-39 some feeding problems
some folks object to the magazine safety inherent to the design
my personal favorite of the M-39 family is the 3913/3914
mine was very accurate and it pointed very well, but the trigger was a bit mushy compared to newer designs
avoid very light bullets as the short OAL gave the M-39 some feeding problems
some folks object to the magazine safety inherent to the design
my personal favorite of the M-39 family is the 3913/3914
Runningman
Member
The model 39 and 59 were 1st generation S&W autos. They are ok but nothing great. Had a S&W 59 years ago. It did not feed hollow points very well and accuracy was nothing to brag about.
The 2nd generation were the 3 digit model numbers. These generally feed hollow points well. And were reliable.
The 3rd generation have 4th digit model numbers such as 3913, 3914. The 3rd Generation ones were the best of the Series IMO. The accuracy was much improved over the 1st generation. Along with reliable feeding.
The 2nd generation were the 3 digit model numbers. These generally feed hollow points well. And were reliable.
The 3rd generation have 4th digit model numbers such as 3913, 3914. The 3rd Generation ones were the best of the Series IMO. The accuracy was much improved over the 1st generation. Along with reliable feeding.
jaysouth
Member
The Hi-power is a classic that is considered to be iconic by most. However, the Smith 39 broke more ground and engendered the trend to double action autos. For most, the 39 is a better carry gun with accuracy that may surpass the Hi-Power.
A 39-2 in decent shape is still a strong contender for daily carry, home defense, plinking, etc. For a serious shooter, get a 639 or 6906. You will not win enough lotteries to buy enough ammo to wear out either.
A 39-2 in decent shape is still a strong contender for daily carry, home defense, plinking, etc. For a serious shooter, get a 639 or 6906. You will not win enough lotteries to buy enough ammo to wear out either.
Sgt. Stiglitz
Member
S&W Model 39-2
I have had this one since the early 80's. Love it, would never think about getting rid of it!
Got it slightly used private sale, $250.00. I have two slides for it, the original Nickle and a brand new deep Blued one I picked up for $20.00 last gun show. I like the way it looks with the Blued Slide. Very accurate, easy to shoot. If you can find one in good shape you cant go wrong. In all I have like five 9 MM hand guns and enjoy them all. Got a 9 MM AR too. The Model 39 has the same comfortable grip as the Walther P-38.
I have had this one since the early 80's. Love it, would never think about getting rid of it!
Got it slightly used private sale, $250.00. I have two slides for it, the original Nickle and a brand new deep Blued one I picked up for $20.00 last gun show. I like the way it looks with the Blued Slide. Very accurate, easy to shoot. If you can find one in good shape you cant go wrong. In all I have like five 9 MM hand guns and enjoy them all. Got a 9 MM AR too. The Model 39 has the same comfortable grip as the Walther P-38.
ReloaderFred
Member
The Model 39, along with the Model 52 and Model 59, were designed by Joseph Norman, a career employee of Smith & Wesson. I had the pleasure of working along side him for two days in 1979, when our department upgraded our Model 59's to correct some of the early feeding and extraction issues. Mr. Norman was brought back out of retirement to work out the upgrades. He spent those two days telling me the history of the guns while we worked on over 300 Model 59's.
Hope this helps.
Fred
Hope this helps.
Fred
do not get confused between the M-39 and M-59. the original (double digit) single stack guns have always been more reliable and accurate.
between the M-39 and the Browning version of the P-35, i would take the M-39 as a shooter. the M-39 usually has a better trigger and is a more rugged design...the Browning's slide is a bit light
between the M-39 and the Browning version of the P-35, i would take the M-39 as a shooter. the M-39 usually has a better trigger and is a more rugged design...the Browning's slide is a bit light
BlindJustice
Member
As said, the S&W 39 and the COlt Commander were competitors for an
Air Force contract/adoption that didn't happen in the early/mid-1950s. In 1968 the Illinois State Police were the first major LEO agency to adopt a
Semi-Automatic with the 39. Some reliability issues resulted in
S&W coming up with fixes and the 39-2 was the result. The 39-2 was
followed by the 3913 then the DA/SA shortened Chiefs Special in 9mm or
CS9. Today, the economy finish version of this single stack design is the
S&W 908.
The 59 was the 39 in a double stack package the USN Seals were considering in the Late 60s, but also not adopted.
SO, the 39 is the first US made DA/SA Semi AUto
The 59 same but double stack.
High Power was the first double stack adopted as a service pistol
by an armed foreces - Belgium - Actually, the double stack
was a requirement by the French - John M Browning didn't think it
was needed - after his death his successor took the working prototype
( which is as it was because JMB was working around patents Colt
Held ) and finished the High Power. The french backed out and chose
a double stack pistol by a french/swiss engineer, Peders, which has a
inverse slide predecessor to the Sig P210.
The Walther P-38 was the first full size DA/SA Semi-AUto
enough
Randall
Air Force contract/adoption that didn't happen in the early/mid-1950s. In 1968 the Illinois State Police were the first major LEO agency to adopt a
Semi-Automatic with the 39. Some reliability issues resulted in
S&W coming up with fixes and the 39-2 was the result. The 39-2 was
followed by the 3913 then the DA/SA shortened Chiefs Special in 9mm or
CS9. Today, the economy finish version of this single stack design is the
S&W 908.
The 59 was the 39 in a double stack package the USN Seals were considering in the Late 60s, but also not adopted.
SO, the 39 is the first US made DA/SA Semi AUto
The 59 same but double stack.
High Power was the first double stack adopted as a service pistol
by an armed foreces - Belgium - Actually, the double stack
was a requirement by the French - John M Browning didn't think it
was needed - after his death his successor took the working prototype
( which is as it was because JMB was working around patents Colt
Held ) and finished the High Power. The french backed out and chose
a double stack pistol by a french/swiss engineer, Peders, which has a
inverse slide predecessor to the Sig P210.
The Walther P-38 was the first full size DA/SA Semi-AUto
enough
Randall
bluemalibu
Member
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I could not stomach all of the failure to feed/failure to cleanly extract problems that my 39 experienced at the range, nor would I ever entrust its performance to defending my family if called upon... therefore it was traded in on a Colt Officer's ACP. (The ACP has kept a smile on my face for 25 years!)
ReloaderFred
Member
My Model 39-2 and 639 have been boringly reliable for all the years I've owned them. I bought the Model 39-2 used (Santa Barbara, CA, PD trade in) in 1977. It has never, ever failed to feed or fire. The same with the Model 639, which I bought new when they first came out.
Hope this helps.
Fred
Hope this helps.
Fred
Thanks very much everyone...
Slide says 'Patent Pending'...Frame says 'Model 39'...has a four digit serial number.
So...I assume, may be an early one.
Hmmmmmmmm...
Definitely an interesting Pistol...the '39' in general I mean.
I bet S&W spent a fortune developing it.
Slide says 'Patent Pending'...Frame says 'Model 39'...has a four digit serial number.
So...I assume, may be an early one.
Hmmmmmmmm...
Definitely an interesting Pistol...the '39' in general I mean.
I bet S&W spent a fortune developing it.
I bet S&W spent a fortune developing it.
Not really. The DA/SA design was basically copied from Walther who had been making it since 1921. Variations of the Walther design are used by SIG, Ruger, and just about every manufacturer of a DA/SA auto.
Not really. The DA/SA design was basically copied from Walther who had been making it since 1921. Variations of the Walther design are used by SIG, Ruger, and just about every manufacturer of a DA/SA auto.
EOD Guy in VA
Member
Unless, you're looking for a collectible, my recommendation would be to stick with S&W, but look at the more current models.
Deus Machina
Member
+1 on EOD.
Third gens especially, will be more numerous, more reliable, and have a better trigger.
Still love my 469 (compact double-stack, 2nd gen) but the accuracy is... Well, let's hope it's true that most SD occurrences are under 7 yards.
Mine, and I have no reason to think a 3rd gen would be able different, was reliable as a hammer. Bone dry and full of lint and sand--worked. FMJ, hollowpoint, weird bullets of all kinds. The only things it wouldn't feed were empty brass and Winchester's bonded (not the new Black Talon) Rangers.
Third gens especially, will be more numerous, more reliable, and have a better trigger.
Still love my 469 (compact double-stack, 2nd gen) but the accuracy is... Well, let's hope it's true that most SD occurrences are under 7 yards.
Mine, and I have no reason to think a 3rd gen would be able different, was reliable as a hammer. Bone dry and full of lint and sand--worked. FMJ, hollowpoint, weird bullets of all kinds. The only things it wouldn't feed were empty brass and Winchester's bonded (not the new Black Talon) Rangers.
Still love my 469 (compact double-stack, 2nd gen) but the accuracy is... Well, let's hope it's true that most SD occurrences are under 7 yards.
Deus, there may be something wrong with your gun or technique. The agency I worked for issued 669s and 6906s and I didn't see one of these that shot more than 4" at 25 yds and that's standing not benched. I was a firearms instructor and oversaw about 100 of these S&W 9mms at the time.
Deus, there may be something wrong with your gun or technique. The agency I worked for issued 669s and 6906s and I didn't see one of these that shot more than 4" at 25 yds and that's standing not benched. I was a firearms instructor and oversaw about 100 of these S&W 9mms at the time.
The early Model 39's were known for problems. I wouldn't get an early production model as a shooter. Now, if you just want it to have it as a neat collectible, that's different.
For a shooter, stick with a 39-2, or one of the 2nd or 3rd generation S&W autos that followed the design. I hear great things about the 3913, but have yet to get one. (Fired one a few times and liked it, but not enough to really form a solid opinion).
For a shooter, stick with a 39-2, or one of the 2nd or 3rd generation S&W autos that followed the design. I hear great things about the 3913, but have yet to get one. (Fired one a few times and liked it, but not enough to really form a solid opinion).
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