A dealer from whom I have purchased several pieces has a model 39-2 that he says looks un fired. It has the box and papers. He's asking $600. I'd be 650 in hand since he's out of state. Seems a touch high to me but I don't have a lot of experience b y ing semi autos. Thoughts? Thanks.

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Robert
SWCA #2906, SWHF #760

These have seemingly had an uptick in price lately, but definitely keep in mind that while the 39-2 has a long list of greatness, it is the polar opposite of rare. Well over 400,000 of these were made.

I cannot sit here and say without a doubt that $600 is "too much" for possibly unfired and seemingly ANIB, but for me -- the bottom line is that this is a pistol where you can certainly take your time and shop for a better deal if the price is a large factor in your decision to buy. Simply put, they aren't hard to find.

It sounds high to me, but it's worth what you're willing to pay for it. Are you a casual collector, or have you been scouring the earth for a LNIB 39-2?

FWIW, I found one similar to what you describe for $350 about 18 months ago.

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Because of the metric system?

It seems a little high to me but hey, if you want it...

For $650 in hand as you say, it would have to be unfired in original box with papers, tools and extra mag for me to part with that amount.

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JimC

Life is short buy the 39-2..

All that and a leather holster.

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Robert
SWCA #2906, SWHF #760

You don't have to talk yourself into it! If you don't have one, you'll really like the way it feels in your hand- and I maintain that it's the prettiest auto that Smith ever produced.

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Because of the metric system?

As Sevens said above, these guns are not rare. However, with that being said, I'm sure not seeing them as frequently in the stores as I was just a couple of years ago. Seemed like you could find a 39-2 about any day of the week. Might not be in great condition but you could find them. Not so today in these parts. High condition examples are getting scarce. If the gun you are looking at is truly ANIB with all the other stuff, then $600 may not be a bad price at all. I paid $350 for a very nice one about a year ago but no box etc.

Are you a collector, or a shooter? If you plan to shoot it, the value will plumment once you run a few mags through it. Used to be, you could find used 39-2's priced anywhere from $275 to $400 depending on condition at just about any LGS. NIB or LNIB could be found anywhere above that, depending on the seller. Obviously, a knowledgeable dealer will know that a pistol with condition will command a premium, but at the same time a private seller may be willing to part with his LNIB example for what he paid in 1973. The comments offered by the other members who have posted in this thread are all valid, only you can decide if the package is a value at $650. I think that if you are patient, and keep your eyes peeled, you may be able to find a similar package at a lesser price. Depends on how bad you want one. Good luck.

Much of your answer is found from your own preference to either "marry a virgin" or the nicest girl you've ever met? I looked for a couple months and went for the latter. If you ditch the box/contents and "possibility" of not having been shot, then you can easily buy for less-over time looking being one caveat that you may not like?
The "nice ones" are out there for less but do take much of your time to look.

To me, that price is way high if you ever intend to use it. I like the S&W 39-2 a lot, it fits my hand very well. It has been out of production for about thirty years and there is a plethora of less expensive and modern designs to choose from.

I traded this one to a forum member a few years ago for a S&W 3953, the finest carry gun S&W ever made.


It is about the same size as another favorite of mine, the Sig P225.

I agree with just about everything said so far, but I'll throw in my 2¢ anyway.

First: Condition! Condition! Condition! You can buy one cheaper for sure but would it be as nice as this one? Only you can decide that.

That said, there are two words from a seller that set me off like a fire alarm: "Looks unfired" Either it is, in fact, unfired (outside the factory) or it ain't. I hate the use of those words from a seller when he or she just means to say excellent or very good condition. I know it's a common sales technique to extract a few extra bucks, but I consider it marginally dishonest.

In any case, I own an original Model 59 that is truly unfired in its original box with everything. I wouldn't sell it for $600 (plus tax, fees and/or shipping)... so I cannot fault a seller with a Model 39-2 wanting that much money for a really, really good example, assuming in box with the works, etc.

A used holster never affects what I'm willing to pay for a (presumably) used pistol. Might even detract from the value since it verifies that the gun has been carried for some period of time. Neither does a little ammo or other **** being thrown in no matter its supposed value. Only extra magazines and spare gun parts cause me to sometimes offer a little more for a gun if their rarity or value is substantial.

In short, it's all about the condition of the gun and if that condition is worth it to you. Good luck!

Down here in SoF at a gun show, $600 LNIB is a fair price. If the serial number is below 300K and has the dust cover, jump on it. It happens.
Mike 2796

Well,you should be totally confused by now,especially since all of the previous posts have merit. I'll further muddy the waters by mentioning that a gun as you describe (nickel) sold here on the forum a few months back for $750,but I bought one,also as you describe, locally for $500 OTD. If it's something you really WANT,buy it. I seldom let $100 or so stop me from acquiring a gun that I just have to have. YMMV.
f.t.

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South Carolina-God's country

Thanks for all of the input. I've always wanted a 39. I'm more of an accumulator than collector I guess since I have a little of everything in my collection. I'd probably want to shoot it and I know I can find a cheaper one for that purpose. I've known this dealer for a decade and if he tells me it looks unfired, I trust him. Part of the issue is I have bought several pieces lately and even though I hate to pass up a good piece, I also have to rein in the spending at some point. So after all of this I'm still on the fence.. i appreciate the opinions.

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Robert
SWCA #2906, SWHF #760

I saw a shooter grade S&W 39-2 last week at Bulls Eye Gun and Range in Lawrenceville, GA for $299.99; it had a good bit of finish wear.

Appears that I didn't make my point very well.

"Unfired" (for real) in original box with all papers and accessories brings a sizable premium in my neck of the woods... and it should.

"Look unfired" really means "it appears excellent and clean but I really have no idea about its history."

The term "looks unfired" has been used on me by sellers so many times for guns that have clearly been used and fired many times (and even refinished) that it is a meaningless indicator regarding premium value. It's just a seller's embellished term for "excellent, clean condition" and not a whole lot more.

You should trust your dealer if you've been successfully doing business with him for a decade. All I'm saying is that the term "looks unfired" does not mean that the gun is unfired. Certainly not in my world anyway. Good luck!

Since you have bought from the dealer before you should have some basis for evaluating his assessment of condition. Since you are a repeat customer, I'd guess he is likely trying to give you a fair assessment.

The 39s are one of the true classic single stack 9mms and one of the best feeling/pointing semi-autos ever produced IMO. And also IMO, $600 is not too much to ask for one in exceptionally high condition with the box and goodies. If you pass, how long might it be before you find another, and for less? If they were made today, what would the street price be? If I did not have a couple of examples, I'd be asking you for the dealer's contact info.

My suggestion: Buy the gun and enjoy.

MB

TTSH I wasn't being defensive and I realize that the only person who can know if something is unfired is the original purchaser. I respect your opinion. If this was a $500 gun it's a no brained but the dilema, since I'm not a true collector, is if I buy it and it truly is unfired, then I'd want to buy another to blast away with. I'll probably end up with it.

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Robert
SWCA #2906, SWHF #760

I think it's a good buy, your gonna pay almost the same money for a new plastic 9 mm. With the 39-2 you will be getting one of the best 9 mm's ever built. Also they don't make one of those plastic 9's that will fit the hand like the 39-2. Best of luck?

I put it on lay away till next month. Why not? It's only money.

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Robert
SWCA #2906, SWHF #760

You did fine. I have one NIB paid more than that. Also, two shooters that came without their boxes

So I picked up the model 39 today. All the box paperwork tools everything in place the box in almost perfect condition. The gun is in superb condition it appears as if it has never been fired. So I guess this one's going in the safe and I need to find a shooter. The backstory on the gun dealer told me was that it was owned by an 80 year old gentleman. He was selling off guns because his wife has all Alzheimer's. And apparently these guns were given to him by his father in law who was a distributor for Smith and Wesson for the South American territory. He told my friend dealer that he was not a gun guy so he just put the guns on the shelf. And now that he's older and his wife is ailing he's moving to live near his children and he doesn't want to move the guns. Unfortunately, he sold several of these to my friend the gun dealer and I didn't learn about any of them except for this one apparently they were all in the same kind of condition.

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Robert
SWCA #2906, SWHF #760

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=486088574

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Robert
SWCA #2906, SWHF #760

Glad you got it. If you wanted one for a long time an extra $100 ain't much money. I had one I bought new back in 74. Price was $125 back then as I found my old paperwork. Now my one and only is a Chief Special CS-9 which I am Keeping. My foolish trading days are over!! Bet these 3rd Gens will be bringing good money for a long time.

So the model 39 showed up in unfired condition and I didn't want to shoot it. so I was looking for a shooter grade and today I picked one up in a pawn shop for $300.uploadfromtaptalk1446832121372.jpguploadfromtaptalk1446832140210.jpg

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Robert
SWCA #2906, SWHF #760

Im a 39 fan, and in my eyes you did great on both guns. You got a queen and a shooter. I have done it. You will be a fan very soon.

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

I got $650 for what would be very similar to what you are describing. Mine looked unfired, everything was there, even the cleaning brush in the plastic bag. The paper was still there and the extra mag was still wrapped in the wax paper.

For that condition, the value should only go up. However, I am a shooter, not a safe queen collector so I knew I would spoil that one if I held onto it. I now have a shooter 39-2.

S&W Model 39, blued was my first automatic back in the 80s. I traded a Colt, blued, 357 6" (I believe) Trooper for it. Wish I still had the Trooper! Haven't traded a gun since, except to my brother.

Hello jr1, pretty soon you will get the Mod 52 bug. I know, it happened to me 30 yrs. back. You will get a LNIB and a shooter. But dont worry there is more. You will pursue the Mod 952. They are a little hard to find. They made less than a 1000 of them. I would suggest you go the Mod 59 avenue. I did. You have been bitten. Welcome to the club.

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

This is my 4th s&w auto. I have a double action only 40 Cal, a 645, and the two model 39 s. So apparently infection is already spreading.

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Robert
SWCA #2906, SWHF #760

I got a LNIB one last year for $500. . .had all the stuff with it and really had never been fired. It seemed a little high but not too bad. The LGS was getting into Gun Broker so, his prices were escalating daily. As soon as that happens, I stop patronizing that LGS. They are super nice guns made after the old German P38, and I do love an old P38. I would bicker on the price a little. As others have posted, I haven't seen any for sale this year. Don't know why. Maybe they are all getting bought up.

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Dr. B

I bought a "NOS" 39-2 nickel from a dealer on GB, $500.00 and got a used 39-2 nickel in a S&W revolver plastic box. Gave the ripoff artist a ****** rating. First time I didn't get what I paid for on that site. Buyer beware.

Robert, you are done. Stick you with a fork. I see no use for anymore conversing. Go your course in collecting. Just check in occasionally.
To see if you are OK. Which you are not. Best. HA, HA, you got bit real good.

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member