I just purchased a Model 39 that appeared to be barely used. Unfortunately it didn't have original stocks but had the box et al. The gun is an outstanding shooter. I could shoot this over and over again with tremendous satisfaction. HOWEVER, what is the fate of the extractor? I handload all ammunition for my guns and have been shooting Rainier 115 grain HP and TiteGroup ~ 4.1 grains. Outstanding groups and cases are tossed out neatly in a pile. This puts my early 9 mm Colt Combat to shame. Any info would be helpful. I searched and didn't come up with anything here or on Google. Thanks Charlie

If yours is a model 39-2, your extractor should last for many years. Replacement extractors are readily available. Enjoy your fine model 39.

Charlie

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SWCA # 2294

I've owned one since 1980 and carried it for three years as a Deputy Sheriff,great gun. Mine is a 39-2 and as Raider pointed out it will last a very long time. Shoot it as often as you can and most of all enjoy.

So this is a Model 39, no dash, serial number 86,XXX so I believe it could be vulnerable. I just don't know when? I do know a retired Illinois State Police officer who never had a bit of trouble, same vintage.

Thanks for the replies.

Charlie

Here a couple of images. I did find some original stocks.

Attached Images

	S&W 39.jpg (136.0 KB, 194 views)
	S&W Model 39 left.jpg (172.4 KB, 162 views)

Charlie,

It appears to me that most of the extractor breakage in the 39 was probably caused by dropping a round into the chamber and letting the slide go forward. As long as the rounds are fed from the magazine it should last a long time.

Dave

Sweet pistol! I wouldnt shoot it too much but I would shoot it. Safety breakage was also an issue and I have seen it happen on a 39 no dash. I wish I had one!
Jim

Thanks gentlemen. I figured they have to be more robust with normal use. Also it appears that Illinois State Police often used Winchester +P loads. My reloads are pretty standard. I'm not sure if that makes a difference? Also Smith & Wesson emailed with a list of potential contacts for obsolete parts. I will share. One place had 1 which was custom made for $60. I'm hedging for NOS or less money. After all, mine isn't broken.

The Fed 115 gr BP was issued for a while prior to going from the 39 to the 439. I don't recall if we had already gone to the 439 when we started issuing Fed BPLE. If the BPLE was issued prior to the 439 it wasn't carried long before we traded our 39s for 439s. Prior to the BP the issued rds were W-W 115 Silvertip, Fed 95 gr JSP, W-W 125 JSP - none of the +P.
This was my issued 39-nothing. When we went to the 439 I bought my 39. The thing is a tack driver. Still the best gun I was ever issued. I don't carry it anymore as I'd be sick if something happened to it. Now it gets babied with nice soft reloads. If S&W or anyone made a 39 clone I'd buy another in a second and carry it.

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183rd FBINA

What a cool gun! I have always thought it was the best looking, best feeling auto ever.

ispcapt,
Didn't your agency use the Winchester 100 gr. "PowerPoint" rounds? Or was it developed for but not used? I remember using it with my 39 when I was with LASO and carried mine off-duty. It seems that I remember a magazine article that mentioned the 100 PP round that ISP used. I will say that round was marvelously accurate with my 39 and allowed me to shoot DX once I a while when we qualified monthly! Anyway, your 39 is just beautiful! Grizzled, but beautiful!!

Charlie Francisco, outstanding acquisition! You will be very fond of that gun, especially since it is in the great condition that it is in! I'm envious.

Hello again. Thanks for sharing the picture ISCAPT and also thanks for being an Illinois State Trooper! So your 39 appears to have the center pivot extractor which I thought was S&W's fix. Mine is one piece. When I spoke about +P and 115 grain, it was from hearsay from a local gunsmith so thanks for the real story. Now for the good news. I would contact JackFirst: Jack First Gunshop - First in Gun Parts - Rapid City, South Dakota 605-343-9544
They machine replacements. They are $60 likely better than original. Also I think it would be just great to purchase something from Jack even if you have a current shooter. Jack is WWII Marine and Iowa Jima veteran and is located in a beautiful part of the USA, the Blackhills, not that eastern Illinois cornfields are not! For me and the rest of you "old style extracting S&W model 39 owners, I am not going to reserve my 1969 S&W Model 39 for certain days. It is a tack driver and I am going to shoot the hell out of it! I would put this gun up against most competition pistols.

Hello again. Thanks for sharing the picture ISCAPT and also thanks for being an Illinois State Trooper! So your 39 appears to have the center pivot extractor which I thought was S&W's fix. Mine is one piece. When I spoke about +P and 115 grain, it was from hearsay from a local gunsmith so thanks for the real story. Now for the good news. I would contact JackFirst: Jack First Gunshop - First in Gun Parts - Rapid City, South Dakota 605-343-9544
They machine replacements. They are $60 likely better than original. Also I think it would be just great to purchase something from Jack even if you have a current shooter. Jack is WWII Marine and Iowa Jima veteran and is located in a beautiful part of the USA, the Blackhills, not that eastern

Correct. Issued rd in the mid/early-70s. Sorry but too far back for me to remember exactly when.
Until the Fed 95 gr SP the issued rds were of a round nose design for better feeding and there wasn't much out there from the major makers.

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183rd FBINA

Sorry for the duplicate post. I'm excited because we had some good rain!

There's a bit more history to my Model 39. The gun was a german import by Simpson's in Galesburg, IL. Here's a plug for them too. I have a lot of family in Germany and know recreational shooting and hunting is definitely restricted. This, I believe, why this gun appeared virtually unfired when I got it. Simpson does laser engrave a very, very small name on all their imports on the frame and was told they are requried to do it. You can see it on the left side just below the serial number I don't mind; this is not a collectable since I shoot all of my guns and I like them. It also has rollmarks on the slide. Lastly, the rosewood stocks on the pistol currently are late 60's Eagle Grips imported by Art Jewel Enterprises in Berkeley, IL. I have the box in which they came. All my wood stock rifles and pistols get linseed oil for care. As soon as it cures, I'll put them on it. The Eagle's are o.k. but a little too thick for my hand.

Charlie Francisco: Does it have German proof marks too?

Sorry for delays. Yes my pistol has German proofs. Haven't decided if I want a letter of authenticity. There's a chance this was a military pistol.

I shot today. Again can't believe the accuracy.

Do you want to sell the non factory grips ?

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Scott from Canton Ohio

Being a neighbour to Germany I can almost certenly say it was never a militarypistol in Germany

Well, the Model 52 was a competition pistol and it was based on the 39.

BTW, I still think the 39 is the best looking auto pistol ever made.
Or, tied for best looking with the 52.

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What would Jim Cirillo do?