Howdy folks,

A couple weeks back I came across a nice old 639. Took it to the range this weekend with a 5906 and a 4506 and wrung it out a bit. If you're interested, I've posted some pics and I'll share my thoughts about the 639 vs. the 5906 and 4506.

First, pics:



Above pic: 50 rounds at 15 yards--standing, unsupported





Above pic: 50 rounds at 15 yards--standing, unsupported




Above pic: 50 rounds at 20 yards--standing, unsupported




Above pic: 50 rounds at 20 yards--standing, unsupported

I'm still pulling the first show low. Since I wanted to see what kind of groups I could get, I just used that first shot as the start of each group.

So--it's plenty accurate. As you can see, the groups started opening up at 20 yards vs. 15. 20 yards is my practical limit shooting unsupported. At 25 yards, the front sight totally obscures a pistol target, making shooting--for me at least--very difficult indeed.

No malfunctions of any kind through 300 hundred plus rounds.

So, it's accurate. It's reliable. The grip feels amazing in the hand. With a thumbs forward grip, I can really relax my strong hand a bit, and get all of my support palm along the grip. Because of this, recoil feels light, easy to control and the gun is fast back on target. It's a great gun.

A few observations vs. the 3rd Gen. guns...

The trigger on the 639--while far from poor, and better than a lot of DA/SA triggers--wasn't quite as good as the triggers on the 3rd gen guns. The DA pull was a bit heavier, less smooth and stacked toward the end.

I actually like the stacking part, it makes it easier for me to stage the trigger, but otherwise the 3rd Gen. triggers are a definite improvement.

The SA trigger had a bit of creep before breaking and was just a little heavier than the 3rd Gen. guns.

So the trigger, although good by most standards, was definitely improved upon with the 3rd Gen. guns.

The adjustable sights--while very rugged, easily adjusted and just plain "Old-School-Cool" are not my cup of tea. The rear notch is too shallow and narrow for my preferences. Almost any of the newer "Hi-Vis, Combat-Style" fixed sights are much easier for me to use.

It's obvious the 3rd Gen. guns took what was already a great design, made a few small tweaks and made a great design fantastic--IMVHO.

However, I'm in no rush to find a new home for this fine old Smith Auto. I think it makes a fine addition to my small collection and I like it just as much for what it is as for what it is not.

Best,

Heekma

Darn it, Heekma; you've made me remember how much I want a 639! Color me jealous, amigo!

Thanks Erich!

These are neat old guns, made the old-fashioned way-get a bunch of steel and cut away everything that doesn't look like a gun.

The 3rd Gen. guns are a bit more refined, but the 639 is still a classic-and classy-gun.

The 639 takes a bit more concentration to shoot as well as a 3rd Gen. gun-but it WILL get the job done if I do my part.

Best,

Heekma

Great write-up, thanks. I recently purchased a 669. While I am not a huge fan of 9mm, I can't wait to shoot it. Now, don't ask me why I have more 9mm's in my safe. I haven't figured that out yet.

One of these days, maybe I will.

Great shooting and a beautiful gun. I agree with you about the send gen gun's triggers being a little heavier and longer than the third gen's triggers. BTW are you left handed?

Sniper,

A fella can never have too many in the safe-regardless of caliber!

Jeb,

I'm right handed, but left-eye dominant. Easy enough to compensate for shooting handguns. When it comes to rifles, anything more than 20 rounds and I reach for my shooting glasses with a patch on the left lens.

As for shotguns...I gave up shooting anything other than turkey years and years ago...ha!

Out of curiousity though, why do you ask?

Best,

Heekma

Nice shooting man

Thanks Twoguns. My great uncle was a dedicated bullseye shooter and reloader. He shot an old Colt 1911 made in the 50's built by a close friend of his who was an armorer in the army and a hobbyist gunsmith after retirement from service. I learned a lot about shooting from my great uncle. He could make smaller groups shooting offhand at 25 yards than I'll ever be able to at 15 yards with two hands.

I keep trying though. Maybe someday...

Best,

Heekma

Great job! Would you share with us what load you're using? You're doing better than I can:

__________________
-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

I'd love a 639, or 3906. I have a 439 with adj sights. Only one I have seen with a blued slide but a factory clear anodized alloy frame. Everyone I have seen is blued/black.

How hard is it to field strip? I couldn't STAND having to field strip my old-school model 459, that thing needed three hands to properly take down the slide stop pin.It was so bad I didn't shoot it for fear of having to clean it afterwards, whereas the 5906 and my old 4506 came apart and back together rather painless.

It's basically the same takedown as a 5906 or 4506 with addition of a barrel bushing like a 1911. Easy as pie.

Best,

Heekma

Krehmkej,

I wouldn't say I'm doing better, you would have easily outscored me with shooting like that-I'd love to post a pic like that someday. Nice shooting-very nice indeed.

I've been shooting a lot of 115 grain FMJ Bitterroot Valley Ammo from Cheaper Than Dirt for range practice. Accurate, reliable and relatively clean. Good stuff.

Best,

Heekma