Was Smith 659s Too Boxy?

[Confederate]

I've read where some gun writers complained of the old 659s being too "boxy" for their tastes, but I had mine out the other day and it felt fine to me. Does anyone have a 659 and have they had any problems feeding JHPs? I also understand there was a recall of the next model up, what was it, the 6059? If it's what I'm thinking about, it had to do with the decocker.

P.S. I meant to say Were Smith 659s Too Boxy. [Blush]

 

[JoeHatley]

Back in the day when gun writers would have been reviewing the 659, yes... they would have been considered boxy. However... compared to some of the "black bricks" being sold today, the 659 is down right elegant by comparison.

Joe

 

[isp2605]

A lot of people didn't like the oversized squared grip and flat backstrap. As Joe said, compared to the double stacks today it's not any larger. The 459 (blue alloy) and 659 (stainless) are tanks.
I carried a 459 (below) for several years as my duty gun and while on SWAT. I replaced the flat backstrap with an arched which gives it sort of a SIG feel. Mine has been 100% reliable with all kinds of ammo. I've run many many thousands of rds thru it, all +P or +P+ duty ammo. Never a problem.



There was a recall by S&W on the 5904/5906 models due to the grip design. If the old grips received an impact in just the right way they would crack. The new grips fixed that problem. The newer grips can been IDed by a small detent in the end. The detent is located between the big hole and the mag well.

 

[Coronach]

A lot of people didn't like the oversized squared grip and flat backstrap.

*Raises his hand*

Guilty as charged. The gun is fine, if you like the ergos. They run great.

Mike

 

[isp2605]

I'm not a fan of the flat backstrap either. That's why I put the arched on mine. Makes for a completely different feel.

 

[Confederate]

There was a recall by S&W on the 5904/5906 models due to the grip design. If the old grips received an impact in just the right way they would crack. The new grips fixed that problem. The newer grips can been IDed by a small detent in the end. The detent is located between the big hole and the mag well.

Was this something one had to send the gun in to fix or would they send it directly to users?

I replaced the flat backstrap with an arched which gives it sort of a SIG feel.

Where can one get the backstrap? I've got both the 659 and the 5906, but would like to get one for the 659.

The 659 also has the old-style barrel bushing which I believe was changed in future models. Was this done because of cost or because there's an advantage to the newer design? Finally, when the 559 and 659 were introduced, they had a new, thicker extractor that was touted as being more reliable than the skinny M39/M59 extractors; however, soon the 559/659s began appearing with the regular skinny extractors. What was that all about?

Thanks.

 

[isp2605]

Was this something one had to send the gun in to fix or would they send it directly to users?

The grip replacement on my 5904 was a dept gun at the time. S&W sent us a bunch of them to replace. I bought my 5904 when we went to Glock. If yours doesn't have the detent then might call S&W and see if they'll send you one. No biggie to replace.

Where can one get the backstrap?

I got mine thru Ray O'Herrin in Danville, IL but that was in 1982 or 83. Don't know if O'Herrin can still get them. When you call S&W might see if they have any.

The 659 also has the old-style barrel bushing which I believe was changed in future models. Was this done because of cost or because there's an advantage to the newer design?

Correct. 1st & 2nd gen S&W had a removeable barrel bushing. Don't know why the change in the 3rd gen guns. Speculation only but it's probably cheaper to produce and 1 less part to make and fit.

559 and 659 were introduced, they had a new, thicker extractor that was touted as being more reliable than the skinny M39/M59 extractors; however, soon the 559/659s began appearing with the regular skinny extractors. What was that all about?

The early 39s had the wide, long 2 piece extractor. The 39-2 then went to the short, 1 piece extractor. Our range guys had something to do with S&W making that change. Our head range guy at the time liked the short extractor and made the recommendation S&W go to the short. Some of the others liked the long. There was more than 1 heated discussion over which was better. I don't know if that argument was ever settled between the guys at the range. I've got guns with both styles and haven't had a problem with either. I kind of lean towards the feeling that the more bite the extractor has on the rim the better. However, some feel the wider extractor can lead to feeding problems.