Can anyone tell me what the differences are between the model 39-2 and 639 pistols (other than the fact that the 39 has an alloy frame while the 639 is stainless)? Thanks. DW41F.

If I'm not mistaken, that IS the only difference, other than weight of course!

Sights....

Danka! Thanks for all your support!

In addition to the different sights already mentioned, the 439/539/639 design incorporated an additional firing pin safety mechanism. Also, these models were available with ambidextrous safeties, which was never an option with the 39-2.

__________________
SWCA #590
"Colligo ergo sum"

M39-2 is 2d generation; M639 is 3d generation.

Nope. 39-2 is considered 1st gen. The 639 is 2nd gen.
Goony covered it.

__________________
183rd FBINA

The only difference not mentioned is the availability and length of production. There are a lot more 39-2s out there than 639s. The 39-2 was made from 1970 to 1982/83. The 2nd gens were only made from 1981 to 1988 and the 639 came in the middle of the 2nd gen run, replacing the 539. Also by the time the 2nd gens came around people were favoring the double stack, hi cap 59 series (459/559/659) more than the single stack series.

__________________
J.D. Roy

Firebird speaks true! I've been looking for a second generation gun, not a 59 series, and they're hard to come by.

You are technically correct of course, and I should not have used the terms I did. My collector mentality was thinking of the Pre-Model 39 and the Model 39, with their long extractor, as "1st" generation, thus moving the Model 39-2 up a notch, to be followed with the Model 639. I know the difference in "official generations," but had a brain cramp due to my collector mentality. Sorry for the error.

How about this difference? The early 3 digit pistols had a different extractor, but then S&W went back to the 39-2 type pivoted extractor.

I've never had a 639 apart. Is the sear spring still a coil or a leaf like the 59?

Safety plungers and springs changed somewhere in there, too.

....And the hooked trigger guard on the later 3 digit.

My 539s and 639s had the flat sear spring. Seemed a much more solid, durable set up than the really tiny coil sear spring and plunger of my 39 and 39-2 guns. I spoke with a S&W rep. years ago at SHOT or NRA Convention, can't remember which, about the wide extractor. He indicated it was part of a requirement for a potential military contract. Something about the military wanting to be able to strip down the gun without having to use a drift to remove the extractor. S&W didn't get whatever contract they were trying for and went back to the pivoting extractor with a pin they'd been using before. At least that's the explaination I was given. My 539s had wide extractors and I owned 639s with both types.

__________________
NRA Life, COTEP 640

It is more than a bit confusing.

The original 59 series and 39-2 have the same uppers and actually the 3rd incarnation of the series.

The original #927 (1950's) Model 39's were all steel but not assembled or serialed until 1966 .

The first 39's sold commercially were alloy frame and began with serial 1001.

The 39-1 is actually the Model 52

Then there are 2 different extractors in the 459 series guns.