I know that MOST of the 3rd gen pistols are those with four numbers in the model number; 4506, 4006, 5906 and all their variants. And there are a few "economy" models like the 915 and the 410 models.

And I know that the 2nd gen bottom feeders all have three numbers in their respective models; 645, 659, 439, etc.

But, are the only first generation pistols the models 39 and 59? I'm guessing, the .45 auto didn't arrive until the 645 came onto the scene in the mid 80's and the .40S&W cartridge wasn't invented until 1990/1991.

So are the models 39 and 59 the only first gen pistols? Did the stainless steel models not show up until the 2nd gen guns?

And I thought the revolver's model numbering system was complex! There are more variants in the 3rd gen lineup than you could shake a stick at!

Correct, the 39 and 59 were the first generation S&W semi auto's.

The 645 was the first S&W 45 semi auto. Reportedly there was a model 52 modified to 45 ACP, which was the father of the 645.

I just got Emailed that I will qualify this coming Tuesday. I need to get my 645 out of layaway this weekend. Regards 18DAI.

I think the model 52 also qualifies as a 1st generation gun.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

+1 18dai, the model 39 began development in 1949 and hit the market in full production in 1955. In 1970 S&W introduced the model 59, with a hi-cap double stack magazine, 14 rnds. vs 8 rnds. both 9mm. The mod.39 featured a curved backstrap, mod.59 was straight. S&W discontinued both models around about 1980 or so. Basically, all later S&W cenerfire semiautos are further developments of the model 39.

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2nd Admen.-Right to bear AR 's

Bottom feeders?! IMO that firing pin safety was a big leap forward in safety and allowed so many future advances. Without the FPS, could there have ever been a 1076?

Are you talking only mass production?

There is also the Model 44 single action, the 52-A .38 AMU, and you could include the Mark 22 Mod O Hush Puppy and the 147A which came about getting ready for the 559 but does not have a firing pin safety.

Regular production, yes. I read two of the Hush Puppys were made of stainless.

The stainless 639 and 659s came out in 1982, replacing the all steel 539 and 559.

They did offer a curved backstrap for the 59 too.

Yup, all S&W centerfire pistols are the result of the Model 39

snw19_357 We may have to rename you.

Do you know how many 4546s were made?

Dude! Don't get your feathers all ruffled! When I said "bottom feeders" I was referring to the way a pistol works. Where do you insert the magazine? From the bottom! Get it?

Don't feel bad. You're not the first person to get offended by the word "bottom feeder."

OOOOOOooooohhhhhhhhhh.......... I'm a little slow but, with help, I usually catch up.

It's a good thing I am. I have been trying to PM handejector since I read that, trying to get you banned.

I just love those 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gen pistols.

[QUOTE=Don't feel bad. You're not the first person to get offended by the word "bottom feeder."[/QUOTE]

Nothing wrong with bottom feeders, I eat Catfish and Crab legs whenever I get a chance. I do pass on the Oysters. LoL!

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2nd Admen.-Right to bear AR 's

Bottom feeders, autojammers, jam-o-matics - they are all just generic terms to describe the genre....

Nothing wrong with the early S&W autos, someone has to be pioneers and take some risks....

If I could only find a M44, now that would be a find, even for a guy that likes DAO models almost exclusively....

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.............SmithNut

THREAD TOPIC DRIFT ALERT!

Salt Lake City P.D. adopted the Model 39-2 in the 1970's. They had some problems, some say training issues, some say gun issues, but the pistols were truly disliked by some.

One now-retired officer I know referred to them as "the Smith & Wesson Model 39 seldom-automatic pistol." I thought that was kinda funny.

The M-39 and -59 were truly ground breakers in the U.S., the -39 being the first semiautomatic pistol adopted by large police departments, and the -59 being the first of the so-called "Wonder Nines" combining a double action mechanism with a double column, high capacity magzine. The well-known brand name of Smith & Wesson on them really helped open the door for adoption, as S&W literally owned the American police handgun market in the 1960's and 1970's and cops trusted the brand. "First generation" is a label they can wear proudly.

I've had a few of each. They all worked pretty well.

"The 645 was the first S&W 45 semi auto. Reportedly there was a model 52 modified to 45 ACP, which was the father of the 645."

TRIVIA ALERT!

The first S&W .45 automatic was called 'the Supergun." It was built by a S&W engineer named Tom Campbell. Campbell was also an early IPSC competitor, was pretty good at it and was part of S&W's factory sponsored IPSC team.

IPSC scoring rewarded the use of large caliber handguns that fired heavier bullets. They were classified as "major caliber" as opposed to smaller bores, like the 9mm, which were classified as "minor caliber." Center hits with major and minor rounds got full points, while non-center hits with the minors got fewer points than the same non-center hits with majors. As a result, 9mm shooters were at a pretty big disadvantage when competing against 1911 designs usually chambered in .45 ACP. Often, big matches were decided by just a few points.

S&W made no .45's, and Campbell pretty much had to shoot a S&W, being on their team and working for them. So, he took 2 Model 52's, basically split them vertically and then rejoining two of the halves so the resulting pistol was wider. Many of the parts, like the barrel and magazines, were pretty well hand-made by him and a few friends.

Tom won more than a few matches with Supergun and won or placed very highly in a lot of very major matches. Quite a talented guy, both as a shooter and as an engineer.

He used to tell people who asked him what he did at S&W, that he "made once-fired brass."

Good post and good info. Now I need someone to find a picture of that "Supergun" to post!

I think that there was a good article with photos published years back in AMERICAN HANDGUNNER magazine. They may have an on-line index.