I was sitting here tonight and was holding my 39-2 and I ask myself a question.Is there any handgun that fits my hand better than my S&W 39-2? My answer was no, not even my 1911's feel as right in my hand.How about you guys-Is there a handgun that feels as good as the S&W 39 in your hands?

I would tend to agree with you.. I never bought one, but they sure feel good in the hand.

I'm not sure about a 39-2. I prefer the way my 52 feels

Nope. Smith & Wesson did their homework on this one. Too bad other manufacturers haven't paid as much attention to ergonomics.

Compare the profile of the backstrap on a M-39 to the backstrap on a roundbutt K-frame. Very similar. Could be why so many people, myself included, like a roundbutt k-frame over any other revolver.

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Expect no quarter.

SIG 239
Star Firestar. (piece of ****, but it fit my hand very well.)

I have one of the older Browning Hi-Powers )1970's) that really seems just made for me.

I agree that the Model 39 is a really great pistol, and a great fit. I sure wish I had not traded mine away

Close call, but I say Browning Hi Power. I have owned both the Browning and the 39-2.

Just an opinion

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The Witness Tanfoglio fits my hand better than any other gun.

For me it is my 4506. S&W really did it right with the 3rd generation handguns in my opinion.

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I am a sheep dog!
1601 (ret)

I agree with the general trend here.

First choice by a small margin is the Browning HiPower.

Second would be the Model 39.

But another contender for me is the 1907 Savage. It may have other shortcomings but in hand it feels like it has become a part of my body.

I will continue all this conformity!

Browning Hi-power (and even the Browning BDM)

S&W 1st, 2nd & 3rd Gen autos

CZ autos (and clones)

S&W Sigma (early series and Enhanced series)

Glock (just kidding )

I have one of the older Browning Hi-Powers )1970's) that really seems just made for me.

I agree that the Model 39 is a really great pistol, and a great fit. I sure wish I had not traded mine away

Original Browning Hi-power with the original wood grips. . . ..then again I am almost ashamed to say it but my M&P 9 fullsize is a real close second. . . . .

When I think of "perfect fit" - I think of a 39-2 also. The Browning bites me - unless I want to pay for an extended tang.

Regards,

Jerry

As far as pistols go, I rank them as S&W 39-2 ties Browning High Power, followed very closely by 1911.

The M&P full size is quite good. For some reason, the SIGMA has an excellent feel to it, but the trigger reach is just a tad short, and if I crank my hand around just a little, the "beavertail" whacks the knuckle of my shooting hand thumb in .40 caliber. I do not have this problem with the M&P.

IIRC when S&W was designing the M-39 (M-639 for me) they studied the Remington M-51. Its designer, J. D.Pedersen, spent a lot of time working
on its grip to make it comfortable and a fairly natural pointed.

Hi Power
S&W M52

If there is I haven't seen one. I'm looking for another compact auto and was in the gun shop the other day when I noticed a stainless or nickel 39-2, picked it up and the shop employee commented on the nice feel of the 39 before I said a word. Even though I already own a 39-2 I seriously contemplated purchasing this pistol. Great trigger and the looks and feel can't be beat.
But the age and parts scarcity is something I had to consider. Sure wish S&W would resurrect it like some of their other classics.

What current production S&W compact would come close to the 39?

Once upon a time I had 2 Nickel 39's and a Mod 52 that I shot in Bullseye Competition. I also shot a 1911 in the BE competition as well.

I much prefer the 1911.

I even put a set of Herretts "Trainer" grips on my 22 LR Mod 41.
They make it feel much more like a 1911.

I agree that the 39-2 fits the hand perfectly. Like a fool I sold mine years ago, but the good news is I just found a 639 Novak conversion for sale. It is being shipped to me as I write this. I learned my lesson, and this one will never be sold. Another gun that fits my hand well (I have large mitts) is my S&W 645. It just seems to feel better for me than the 1911. Anyone else feel this way?

The best fit for my hand ever. I sold my original 39 back in the 80s. A few years ago I found another exactly like it new in the box. It even had the hole in the hammer. I plan to keep this one.

The mod 39 fits my hand perfectly but so does the Luger pistol's grip. CZ75 Compact follows right along with the Browning HiPower although they are both a mite thick.

Charlie

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SWCA # 2294

My 5906 with Crimson Trace Grips feels like it was made for my hand.

I really like the fit of my model 59's. I have two that I use for CC. There is also that warm fuzzy feeling that I get knowing that there are 15 9mm JHP's at my disposal should the need arise.

If it were to ever get really ugly, I have a leg mount holster and a shoulder rig so I can carry both at the same time. That means 30 rounds with 4-6 extra mags on the straps should the need arise.

Of course, that would only be necessary during Zombie uprisings...

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James Redfield
LM #497

Please, don't anybody shoot me; but I'm going to say my 9VE.

Every gun that I ever pick up will be judged against it for ergonomics.

Lee

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SD9VE, American perfection!

I have a 3906 which I like a lot. Is the grip profile of the original 39 the same?

This grip is almost if not perfect, however I like the feel of the CZ-75 and the Beretta Cougar also.

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joseph whitney

Browning High Power for me.
If it's only from the S&W semiautos line, then in order I say:
model 952, 945, 1911 and the M&P series.

Japanese Nambu T-14 or P.08...two of the most naturally pointing pistols I have ever shot.
1911, just because I have shot one so much
Colt SAA
N frame with Magna stocks

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Have Canon, Will Travel

Hey, I have to agree with you on the Sigma's. They do feel great in the hand.

my 39-2 was definitely the best feeling gun in my hand. Didn't stop me from selling it, though...Too bad I couldn't get one in .40S&W.

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"I'm your huckleberry."

I have a 39-2, M52-2 and Browning Hi-Power......it's a toss up.

I'd probably choose the 39-2 if push came to shove.

The 39-2 does fit my hand well but the CZ-75 fits a whole lot better than any pistol Ive ever picked up! Glove size X-large. Just depends on the size of your paws.

Hmmmmmm. Now that you mention it, why didn't I think of that?

Funny how you sometimes can remember things better than they really were. I am so used to shooting my M&P9L that I didn't even think about it in a historical context.

I shot a hundred rounds or so with it today and I can't imagine anything fitting me any better or being easier to shoot accurately. So with all due respect to the 39's and HiPowers, I am changing my vote.

Just my opinion, I respect yours

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browning for me. had one of the first model 59 that came out. liked the gun but never felt as good as the browning. i find all the glowing reports of the sigma guns interesting. back in the day, you couldn't give them away. wholesalers would give you one if you bought enough other stuff from them just to get rid of them.

I switched from a 39-2 to a 469 for daily carry when the 469s came out. As well as the 469 packed, it never felt as right in my hand as the 39-2 and my qualification scores reflected it. I sold the new gun and found another 39-2.

I can't tell from the pictures whether the 3913 (etc.) truly have the same grip frame or are just named after the original single stack S&W 9, but I may have to try one if they are close.

My Witness .45 is close, and, oddly, so is the Ruger P-85. The Ruger and Browning are the only double-stack 9s that didn't handle like a piece of lumber for me.

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I need ammo, not a ride.

well, a 439 of course! My first pistol I ever bought was/is a 439. I also own a Ruger KP-95DC, a H&K USP 9, a 5906 and a 6909, and a KelTec P-11. Nothing fits me like my 439 with the rubber Packmayer grips. I have some wood finger groove grips for my 439 as well. The 6906 with Hogue grips is a close second.

+1 on the 3rd Gens, although the new M&P's are very close.

There can be only one, the 39.

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Stay safe people!

Yes, all four of my glocks fit my hand perfectly. I don't own a S&W autoloader, but have shot a mdl. 39. Thanks, but I'll stick with a the venerable Glock.

No! The model 39 is my favorite, by a wide margin. There are others I really like, but for feeling good and feeling right, the model 39-2 wins. Mikey

The 59 (aka 2x4)shouldn't even be in this discussion; as the owner of 3 39s, nothing yet has come close - there was that Sig once, but I didn't buy it.

I believe the grip frame for the 39 and the 52 are identical but I could be wrong. I no longer own a 39, but my model 52 fits my hand better than ANY other auto including my 1911's and Sig. I could identify a 39/52 blindfolded, as probably many others here could attest.

One of the many reasons I enjoy this forum is the variety of opinions and views. So, it is with the utmost respect that I would disagree entirely with the grip shape on the Glock. Glocks have always felt ackward to me. I was forced to carry one from the mid-90's (?) until 2004 when I retired from law enforcement. While I would never argue the extreme reliability of the Glock....we carried 40 cal model 22's with nearly everyone using a 27 as a backup....the gun always felt uncomfortable to me. Not enough muzzle weight, the blocky slide, the ackward (to me) hand position......I never liked the gun. Shortly after I was issued it, I added the slip over rubber grip with finger grooves, which helped somewhat. When I retired, I sold my 27 and never looked back.

Again, respectfully, I enjoy reading the views of each of you, but I would strongly agree with the poster here....model 39.....and perhaps the High Power after reading other posts here.

Lots of interesting comments and opinions here...
Some Qs for everyone.

1. What pistol would you buy if you had to have a current production model auto to replace the 39/39-2 ?

2. If anyone knows the answer to this -- was the nickel 39 only called a 639? I swear the bright finished one I saw said 39-2 on the side, but I read the only non-blued 39 was a later production nickel plated called a 639

UCLALAW:

A nickel 39 is just that: a Model 39 with a nickel finish. The 439 would be the blued "2nd Generation" version/upgrade of the original model 39. The 639 is the stainless steel version of the 439.

Sorry guys, you all know I'm not an expert, but I love to jump in when I know the answer! (For you 40+year-olds; think Horshak raising his hand in Mr. Kotter's class!)

A 639 is an all stainless fullsize single stack like the m 39. Some 639 have a square trigger guard.

The PC945 models feels custom-made for my hands. That extra bit of length from front strap to back (as compared to the 1911) makes it perfect for me.

The Model 39/439 series feel by far the best to me. A close second place is the Walther P.38, followed by the Hi-Power if fitted with thin grips. I guess I'm the odd man out because a Glock 19 with finger grooves fits my hand like it was moulded to it.

639 stainless. Sweet, but I think I'd change that big rear site.
Now where to find one...

Attached Images

Smith & Wesson Model 639, a stainless steel, 2nd gensingle-stack 9mm.jpg (215.5 KB, 48 views)