I went to my LGS today to buy some ammo...of course, I had to browse the cases, and they had a mint (seriously, it has not been fired; plus this is a very reputable shop) Model 59, nickle, 9mm with one magazine, box, papers, and cleaning rod. I bought on impulse, not really knowing anything about this model...I have owned a 3913 before, which is a 3rd generation, and this is a 1st generation, if I am not mistaken. I haven't called S&W to check the date of manufacture yet, but it probably is outside the warranty umbrella.

All the way home, I am thinking "dummy, dummy, dummy!" I usually research a gun I am considering buying, but ever so often I buy something on impulse...and usually regret it at leisure.

They had some Mec-Gar magazines that were supposed to work in the 59, but they wouldn't lock in...they had a base pad on them, and the S&W mag that came with the pistol does not, and fits flush, or even inside the frame. However, they also had a Pro-Mag with a base pad that did lock into place and held the slide open. It looked identical in size and shape to the Mec-gar... ... anyway, I bought one, but thought I'd wait to get any more to see what other magazines I could find; seems like I've read some negative opinions about Pro-Mag.

I tried searching here for some info on this model, and didn't find much. There isn't a great deal on their on the internet...some good reports, some say it is ammo sensitive.

So...what can you tell me about this pistol? Be kind if I made a mistake...I'm already beating myself up as it is.

Thanks!

THIS IS NOT A GOOD SIGN!!!

After I posted the message above, I looked at it, and my post count as of that message was 666!!!

OH (I can't say it.)

ya know the only way to tell if you made a mistake is to post what you paid for it.

they are great pistols!

I'm sure I paid too much...I usually do. Every time anyone posts gun prices in their area, I am amazed...the shops around here all seem so much higher.

Before I prove how dumb I really am, what would be a good price for a mint, apparently unfired 59 with the box, papers, one magazine, and cleaning rod?

here is one that might make you feel good.
don't know what they are selling for around here.

Nickel Smith & Wesson S&W Model 59 9MM, In The Box : Semi-auto at GunBroker.com

WOW! Yeah, I feel better...it was $450. OTD with tax and the extra mag was less than $500.

The box still has the original price sticker on it: $275. It also has the warranty card (which says 1 year) and the instruction manual (which is not exactly a manual...it is two pages long, printed front and back. There should have been two magazines, but it only came with one.

I've got a well-worn model 59 that has eaten everything I've put through it. I've got two of the Mec-Gar 17rd flush fit mags...one locks in, one doesn't and I'll be dipped if I can see the difference in the two. Factory mags are easy to come by. Get a few and don't look back!

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"I'm your huckleberry."

You done good!!!!

I have the older version - Model 39-2 - and have had it since 1975!

Thanks for your replies!

I have a 59 I bought new when they were first introduced.

Didn't like it much at first due to the da/sa trigger and squarish grips. But that is because the only other semi-auto I had at the time was a 1911 and is what I'd become use to handling.

I've long since warmed up to it. Now have a lot of semi's and the 59 is often the most accurate 9mm gun I own. Believe it or not, I consistantly shoot better with it than I do with my 952-1 which is worth about 4x as much.

I've also got a lot of both S&W and Mec-Gar magazines both with & without the base pad. All will lock in properly. Some of the basepad Mec-Gars will not lock the slide back. Those that won't seem to have slightly weaker magazine springs. Haven't swapped springs around to confirm if that is actually the issue.

Congratulations. Shoot it and I think it will grow on you.

You did well on the purchase. I bought one in the 70's when the came out. I shot a lot of reloads and factory stuff. It was flawless. I did break it down and clean it thoroughly before firing it.

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Ken

The M-59 was a real pioneer, the first of the so-called "Wonder-nines" that combined the double/single action trigger mechanism with a high magazine capacity. S&W made them from 1971 until 1982, when they were replaced by the Models 459 (aluminum frame), 559 (steel frame) and 659 (stainless steel construction). They were one of the first semiautomatic pistols widely adopted by American police departments. People seemed to either really like them or not like them at all. I have had a couple and they all worked just fine. Right now I have one that was made in the first production batch of 200 in 1971, but it hasn't been shot since leaving the factory so I don't know how it works but I would bet it works just fine.

I think you did okay.

My best buddy went through our state police academy with a Model 59 in about 1976 or 1977. Out of a class of about 40, he and one other guy from his agency had been issued 59's while everybody else in the class had 6 shot revolvers. All of the firing strings and drills were based on 6 shots. He found it amusing to just be standing around while everybody else on the line was fiddling like a rabid raccoon reloading their revolver.

Congratulations again on your find. I have a old blue 59 and I wouldn't take for it. I modified a set of pachmayr grips shortly after I got it.

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Terry

Congrats, sounds like you did good. Where are the pics?

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5903TSW 5904 5906 6906 4006

I called S&W and this particular pistol was made in 1977. The lifetime warranty began in 1989, and in fact, the CS rep said they couldn't work on this pistol, even for a fee. (I don't know if that is a standard answer or not...I've heard that same thing from others on this forum, but if I remember correctly, some have had S&W repair older models.) What was also of concern to me was when I broke it down, it looked like it had some rust in some of the internals...and maybe some galling on the inside of the frame rails. I'm sure that must have been from hand cycling the slide, because this pistol doesn't look like it has been fired. It was really gummy inside.

I know there are many who may not agree, but I really don't like to deal with older guns that are not in warranty and can't be serviced by the manufacturer even for a fee. I called the gun shop owner (nice guy) and explained my concerns, and he said he would take it back and either give me a full refund or allow the purchase price amount toward another gun of my choice. We are going out of town for a week or two, and I knew this was going to be weighing on my mind...so, I decided to take it back and traded it for a M&P 45. (Hardly the same, right?) The gun shop owner couldn't have been nicer about it (I've traded there a lot) and gave me two extra magazines for my inconvenience (which I thought was very nice.)

Interesting note: one of the employees in the shop said he was glad to see the gun come back, because he had intended to buy it, and now he could. Maybe I missed out on something good, and many may disagree with me, but I feel better now than I did.

Edited to add: no criticism implied of those who like, enjoy, collect, or shoot older firearms. It's just my preference...mainly because I am not a gunsmith, and I've almost always bought new guns rather than used...same for cars, houses, food, etc.

GKC,
I thought that you may have been a little hasty on returning the 59. I believe that you would have been very pleased with your impulsive purchase. I bought one of the first ones available to individual Law Enforcement Officers, which was rather early and they were being bought in large quantities by agencies who allowed the 39.
I really liked it and it fired well and was a great handling gun. I regret selling it but I just had to have something else at the time and so it went. I would snap up one like you bought in a second if I could find one.
On the other hand, I firmly believe that one should be happy with their purchase and if you were not, then you did the right thing by getting something else that made you happy. I think that you will be pleased with your subsequent acquisition. In the future though, you may want to get one of the old Smith autos. They are super autos, sometimes finicky on ammo, but so are some 1911s, revolvers, rifles....Best of luck.

I had a 3913 TSW before, although it was made after 1989...so it was covered...but then I never had any problems with it. I didn't really care for the rail...and so I traded it toward a 1911. This same shop has a 3919 LS, which I might take a look at. It would be better for CCW.

I wouldn't have to surrender my man card if I carried a LS, would I?

I have regrets as well. I regret I did not find such a gun and would have been willing to give you $100 profit on the gun, if not more had I known you wanted to get rid of it.

The Mec-Gar mags for S&W double-stack 9mm's are 0.005" FATTER than the factory mags. This was a problem on my 659. The drawbar was hanging-up on the mag.

I bought a couple Gen. 2 S&W crunchentickers last year, and the prior owners had made the mistake (in my opinion) of equipping them with the great big fat sticky rubber Pachmyr grips. I installed the Uncle Mike grips in their place, and the guns fit my hand MUCH better.

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WWSSD?
What would Skeeter do?

W.E.G.

I agree on the grips. I had a friend who picked up a 459 with huge Pacy grips and I slipped on a set of the UMs I got for $5 and he loved it.

I've never owned a 2nd gen, but I should have kept those grips in case I do

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I miss my 4546 the most.

ANY 39 Series is a nice find, and should prove to be a good gun, LS or not. I've been known to carry a 60LS myself.

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Fast is fine;accurate is final