S&W M39 vs. M439?

mbinky · #1 08-25-2010, 08:55 PM

Can anyone tell me the differences between these two models? Changes, updates?

I've been looking around at 39's also. I see mostly -2's, and some non dashes. Is there somewhere I can read up on the differences?

Thanks!

FirebirdV8 · #2 08-26-2010, 04:06 PM

The biggest differences in the Mod 39 and 439 is the choice of an adjustable sight and fixed sight in the 439, where the 39 and 39-2 mostly came equipped with a windage only adjutable sight and the rare early adjustable sights (which didn't have the protective "ears"). Also, some 439's have ambi style safety levers and all of them have a firing pin safety, neither of which is available on the 39/39-2.

I forgot to mention, to learn more pick up a copy of the Standard Catalog Smith & Wesson (aka SCSW), it will tell you alot about the differences between the first 3 generations of S&W semiautos and anything else that has had a S&W on it.

BruceB · #3 08-26-2010, 09:08 PM

Hi FirebirdV8

You mention a rare early adjustable sight for the M39. the unfired very late model M39-2 I acquired a month or so ago came with the usual windage-only sight installed, but there was a same style mount but fully adjustable sight included in the box. It uses a tiny little tool to move a slanted screw to change the elevation, and has a white outline around the rear notch. Is this the sight you were referring to ?

Oh, and it's no longer an unfired M39-2. After a couple of magazines of FMJ through it as a bit of a break-in, and some minor windage adjustment, it shoots very tight groups right to point of aim. They are wonderful pistols!

FirebirdV8 · #4 08-28-2010, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BruceB

Hi FirebirdV8

You mention a rare early adjustable sight for the M39. the unfired very late model M39-2 I acquired a month or so ago came with the usual windage-only sight installed, but there was a same style mount but fully adjustable sight included in the box. It uses a tiny little tool to move a slanted screw to change the elevation, and has a white outline around the rear notch. Is this the sight you were referring to ?

It sounds like it could be, but without seeing a picture of it, I can't be sure. There were aftermarket fully adjustable sights out there as well. I have even seen someone adapt a revolver target sight to a model 39. They are hard to describe. Take a look at the two links below from snw19_357 in his album and you can see a side shot of the S&W fully adjustable sights.
S&W Forum - snw19_357's Album: Blued 59 series - Picture
S&W Forum - snw19_357's Album: Blued 59 series - Picture
They usually came as a S&W made accessory, but every once in a while they came installed that way from the factory.