A local pawn shop has a Model 439 sitting on the shelf for $425, I don't know if there is a box to accompany it. It has the winged rear sight assembly. Another shop has a 908S for about the same price...I'm in a buying mood.

Buy the 439. You won't be disappointed.

__________________
Expect no quarter.

That depends, for a few reasons:
1. The Model 439 is a legitimate third-generation heir to the Model 39 (Note: think about it. If so, one would realize that it might well be a fourth generation gun if model numbers or, rather, one no-model numbers are taken into account). If you seek a more highly developed Model 39, the 439 is certainly a stop along that evolutionary line.
2. While on the Model 439, it was produced for roughly seven years ('81-'88, replaced at the latter time by the 3904) and there's a nice little feature that makes some 439s more desirable than others: the extractor. "The first few thousand were supplied with a short wide extractor before reverting back to the Model 39-2 style extractor." (Blue Book of Gun Values)
3. The 908 was developed as Smith & Wesson's "value gun" line with the 908S following as a stainless steel version. Some will say the 908 is a continuation of the 3913 LS (or NL) but only so with respect to the exterior.

However, the 908/S are decently-accurate guns. I've got a 439 (actually, three) that I've not shot. But I have regularly shot one of my favorite 39-2s, just last Sunday placing 12 of 16 rounds in the head of a full-size human profile at 20 yards. I dare say so too will a 439.

The two guns, graded at 100-percent, are within $5 of each other according to the Blue Book of Gun Values ($495 for the 908S and $500 for the 439, or is it the other way around?

Good Luck.

Life is short buy the 439.

Hello.buy the 439 I got one in a 3 gun deal 3 years ago was shocked to find out that I love this gun more than than I thought I would You won't be disappointed.

There is no comparison buy the 439!!!

The 2nd Gen Model 439 was a step up from the terrific 39-2. The protected sights, I did not really like them at when they first came out, work very well. They tend to grow on you. My 39-2`s windage only sights had a lower profile but elevation was a judgement call.
The gun is reasonably light and lends it self to comfortable carry.
Reliability? I`ve had only one second gen Smith 9 that was picky.
$425.00 is not bad. The last 439 I bought is nickle. I paid $395.00 and that was 10 years ago.
The big question is yours and yours alone. Do you like it? If so buy it, you won`t regret it.
Jim

If there weren't enough recommendations for the 439, then I will add mine.

They were among the finest of the real guns. . . (before striker fire and plastic). ..

Buy it!!!! While I have shot Glocks for years, I am a fan of Smith's "Real" pistols. In fact, I am putting the Glock 19 into the safe, and using the sweet, minty 669 I found as my daily carry weapon. I also have a Model 59 ist gen that I carry in uniform on my security contract instead of the Glock. I have fired many thousands of rounds through the 1st and 2nd gen Smith & Wesson 9mms since 1975, and carried them in one form or another for 30 of the last 40 years, most in my LEO career. I have trusted them with my life.

I have both a 439 and 908 and like the 439 just a bit better, as it fills my hand well. That said, if I'm going to CCW and not pocket carrying my model 60 .38, it's the 908 in my holster...it's just a bit smaller and I have complete confidence in it. (Buy the 439....THEN buy the 908.)