Back around the first of the year (just before the advent of Kung Flu) I got interested in first my 1st Gen Model 39-2, then decided since it was a family heirloom I wanted to have a "shooter grade" metal frame S&W auto pistol. For some reason, I just can't warm up to the one piece grips with built in plastic mainspring housing as found in the 3rd Gen guns, but like everything else about them. Enter Generation 2.5 as discussed in another thread. With a 639 lower and a 915 upper, I think I've found true happiness. Fortunately there were enough of these in circulation a mere 7-9 months ago that shooter grade examples were available at reasonable prices. Primo grade examples of all three Generations are going up in price quickly and even the shooter grade guns for those of us of the working class are getting harder and harder to find at the attractive prices we recently enjoyed. GaryS, you can let your beard go long and buy a robe and safe... you're a prophet!

Froggie