622 and 639, pros cons, likes dislikes?

I can tell you that if a 639 ever shows up for sale local to me in California... I'd give up my left testicle for it... maybe even the right one too.

The 639 is the epitome of the Model 39 series (best ergonomic pistol ever made) in my opinion and why I'm willing to sacrifice the man berries for one.

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Conrad
SWCA #1830 SWHF #222

Conrad, I'd be more concerned with meeting the person who would accept that form of payment.

John

LOL.. good one John

Sometimes I get the feeling that's what some of the sellers on Gunbroker are trying to extract, with the prices some of them are asking for their guns.

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Conrad
SWCA #1830 SWHF #222

Yer killin' me...........

I agree with you and other posters on this forum that the full size 39 series pistols are very attractive looking weapons, but I don't buy them now and I didn't buy them when they were new for the same reasons most pistoleros didn't much care for them back then:
That's a mighty big price for a mighty big gun that holds such a small number of them little 9mm cartridges.

John

Pros, SS frame and slide construction, DA hammer / trigger, thinner grip frame than the double stack 9mm, becoming collectable so will go up in value.

Cons heavier then the aluminum frame 30, 39-2 and 439 and new plastic guns , 9 round capacity vs 14 of double stack.

Depends what you want,
The 639 is a classic S&W 9mm semi auto that is reliable and fairly accurate.
It is not a modern Polymer framed striker fired gun.

Pros: good looking wood stocks on a sexy shaped ergonomic grip frame, low recoil, weight to help it hold steady while you squeeze off a shot, and optional adjustable sights.

Cons: large and heavy compared to 9mms built for concealment, a difficult first shot and low capacity compared to 9mms built for action pistol type matches, and ho-hum accuracy compared to other service pistols.

The 3rd generation improved the DA pull and tightened groups by going to a simi-permanently installed pressed in barrel bushing. Although it’s more important with double stack pistols 3rd generation 9mms also reduced grip circumference and trigger reach for better leverage working the trigger DA.

Is it worth giving up your manhood for a better looking gal that does not perform as well?

Can't speak to the 639, but the 622 and the similar 2206 are two of my favorite Smith & Wesson plinkers. I love the look and the feel. Despite some of the reviews you may read, I never saw or heard of any reliability problems with a shooting buddy's 622 back in the day. I'd trade any of my plastic .22 plinkers today to have a 622 or 2206 in the collection. But then again, almost always I prefer metal over plastic.

Actually, I would own a beautiful "slightly used" 622 right now except for my own stubborn stupidity and a price difference of just $25.00 between my best offer and the owner's firm asking price. Oddly enough, a misunderstanding over taxes & fees meant there was virtually no $$$ difference at all, but I didn't understand that at the time .

Later, I had another shot at a bit more "used & abused" 622 complete with box for a song, but I couldn't get the pristine one I had lost out of my mind. I passed on it and it eventually sold to someone else... so I'm still waiting for another really nice one to appear. Next time, I won't let my super-tight finances stand in the way.

I have S&W 39-2, S&W 639, S&W 3913, S&W 910S, S&W 60, S&W 61-2, S&W 2213, S&W 2206.

My S&W collection ought to be complete when I get that S&W 66 back and a S&W 629.

Didn't care for them? Made for more than 30 yrs in 1st gen configuration followed by a decade of 2nd gen followed by another 10+ years in 3rd gen! The TDA S&W single stack 9mm has been HUGELY successful and only stopped due to cost! Many of us prefer the single stack and the 39 is THE best looking/feeling 9mm ever made IMHO. I can keep up with any fantastic plastic in dependability and accuracy (there's that word) shooting a 39 or any single stack Smith TDA 9mm. But the plastics aren't even in the game when it comes to good looking...I know...eye of the beholder, but still.

My love for these guns is, of course, JMHO but it is widely shared. YMMV.

I thought I might raise a few hackles with that statement, but before I get kicked off the forum for offending the "Slavishly Devoted to the 39" contingent herein let me repeat: "the full size 39 series pistols are very attractive looking weapons."
The handling is subjective. Some may like the way they feel more than others.
They were the equal (within their respective generations) of any other S&W metal framed, center fire, semi-auto pistols in quality of manufacture, durability, and most importantly, reliability. But the double stacks outsold them to the point of discontinuation. Only the compact single stacks remained and they were eclipsed in that role (concealed carry) by the CS9.
Prices today for the single stacks are way high compared to the double stacks even though back in the day, Mr. Smith & Wesson himself priced the single stacks lower than the double stacks!
They sure didn't make as many so they are more rare. But in gun collecting, rare doesn't always mean more valuable.
When the 1st gen 39s were around, the only other semi produced by a major American company was the Colt 1911 and due to ammunition sensitivity and (frankly) misconceptions, most departments elected to go with the revolver. The 39 was expensive compared to the revolver and had a relatively limited exposure in the market place. The eventual recognition of the superior design and reliability of the 39, coupled with improvements in 9mm ammunition and the desire for more firepower lead to the changeover to automatics but not without the obvious question first being asked: "Can you make this thing hold more bullets?"
To which the answer was the model 59.
And the 39 series has been in its shadow ever since.

BTW No fair playing the "plastic" card. I didn't compare anything to the plastic pistols. I don't own any but I can see their utility.
I like and prefer all of the S&W metal frame pistols that grew out of the model 39. Single and double stacks. 9mm, .40s&w, .45acp, 10mm. And I believe they continued to improve until they were dethroned by the mongrel plastic hoards from the east.

Your passion is completely understood.

John

Seeing is believing. How could you not love this stainless steel work of art.

I concur. Looks pretty good in blue as well!

Attached Images

39's.jpg (55.0 KB, 15 views)

John, You have made some very good points that are well worth considering. I am a big fan of the Model 39 and its brethren. However I look at them more for their ergonomics, drop dead good looks and history! Also, I don't ever plan to carry them, nor do I use them for home defense. They just go with me to the range every once in awhile. So that being said one must ask what they will use them for. So, if you are like me, get a 639. If you are not like me then give JohnHL's comments consideration.

Thanks for your response, loeman.
And please, 39 fans, put away the tar and feathers.
I like the model 39, I just don't love any gun.
I would be proud to own one, I'm just not willing to pay a premium for a pistol whose improved versions sell for considerably less.

John

Sometimes it offends people when you point out that the Emperor is naked.

I have to ask since you've said it twice... What is the premium price you mention.

Compared to the indifferent accuracy of Glocks, I'll take a 39 series any day.
I'm quite fond of my 5906, 5946, and 6906. Not to mention the soon-to-be-mine 4566.

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What would Jim Cirillo do?

Thank you for asking!

Currently:
3913s command a higher price than 6906s.
3906s command a higher price than 5906s.
639s command a higher price than 659s.
39s command a higher price than 59s.
As evidenced by GB auctions and posts on this forum.

John

Speaking for myself I'm not offended in the least...just batting the ball around a little for fun! I won't take you to task on your evaluation of the evolution of handguns not because I necessarily agree with all of it but because it's a well articulated opinion that from your point of view makes perfect sense and holds water. What a person prefers in guns is what they should own...hence all the variety. If we all had the same stuff it wouldn't be nearly as much fun!

As for the plastics? Yeah, I have a couple. They, too, have a place.

I appreciate your response, lhump1961.
Apologies to the OP.
I didn't mean to hijack your post with my contentiousness.
I really do understand people have their favorites.
Some folks love their single stack nines.
Others go for the .45.
Still others feel the 10mm is the living end.
Everyone owns a double stack 9mm and almost no one will admit to loving the double stack .40 above all others (although it certainly seemed to represent the zenith in S&W metal frame, center fire, semi-automatic pistol design and engineering).

IMHO there ain't a bad one in the bunch.
I could no more pick a favorite than I could with my children.
But just like when my children were born, I am always most excited about my next one.

I agree. Buy what makes you happy.

John