What changes/improvements were made to later models of the S&W Model 39? ie; 439, etc? Thanks for sharing your knowledge!
Bill Schertz

Different sights and a hammer drop safety are the changes I am aware of.

18 changes that I know about
1. Undercut front Strap
2. Rounded Trigger
3. Partial radiusing of edges to eliminate sharp corners
4. 3 dot sight system, interchangeable front sight.
5. Polished feed ramp
6. Dull finish
7. Eliminated stainless springs
8. Beveled magazine well
9. Magazine capacity numbering
10. Combat style magazine butt plate
11. One piece wrap-around grip
12. Improved slide stop
12. Red safety off dot
13. Improved double action pull
14. Extended trigger guard
15. Plunger lock ambidextrous safety lever
16. Fixed barrel bushing
17. Redesigned trigger drawbar
18. Optional Novak 3-dot sights

Thanks guys, you're a big help to me! Bill

RM, weren't those the changes made to the 3rd Generation pistols? I think the OP wanted to know the changes made to the 2nd Generation pistols as in the 439 and 639. At least, I would like to know.

prescobd,
You are Correct those are the changes from the 439/639 to the 3904/3906. The only change I could add to the list of 439/639 guns was the elimination of the lanyard loop.

Basically, the primary differences are that the subsequent versions would fire more than one magazine of ammo without jamming, wouldn't go Bang! if you dropped them on the pavement and had better sights. It was the 59/39 that gave S&W a black eye when it tried to get into big bore autos. (I really wanted a 59 when they came out, but later went with a Beretta 92 Italian because of all the complaints.) S&W fixed the problems just before the second gen came out. Sadly, the new models didn't have that bodaciousally beautiful nickel finish the 59s had, so I eventually got a 659, then, later, a 5906. Neither has ever jammed.



S&W 659



S&W 5906



°°°

I would disagree a bit with Stargater. I have owned and currently own several of these guns in all generations. I have always "heard" about the questionable reliability of these guns but with the the possible exception of the original 39 (not the -2), I have not found this to be the case.

I admit that I really like these guns, though (and just gave my adult son his first centerfire handgun that is his own...a 639). Maybe I am not objective. Perhaps I have just been lucky but I suspect most of the internet stories or reliability problems can be attributed to one or more of several things:

1. Some folks had feeding problems or failed extractors with their 39 and broadly blamed the 39 and 39-2.

2. Some folks bought well-used or abused guns and attributed performance issues to the model in general.

3. Some owners had reliability problems with specific ammo and attributed those as general problems with the gun. The development of the 9mm cartridge over the past 35 years has not been without its oddities.

4. My belief is that shooting very much +p ammo in at least the 39-2 and 439 is not a good idea and will lead to excessive wear or breakage, which often results in that gun finding its way into the used market.

The original 39 had some well-documented specific issues, but of the handful of 39-2, 439 and 639 pistols I routinely shoot, all reliably feed and extract any ammo I choose to use.

The possibility of one of the earlier guns discharging if dropped with sufficient force on its muzzle never really concerned me too much although the later change was welcome.

I agree that the later generations are superior in many ways, and I would choose a recent model for most serious purposes, but I have 39-2s and 439s that I would not hesitate to put in a holster and take on duty.

I don't think these guns gave S&W a black eye. believe they were actually quite successful for S&W and there was a time when many, many law enforcement agencies approved or issued these guns with a lot of success, but of course being the first successful DA pistol in this country, they faced a lot of resistance at first, followed later by dozens of competitors who offered substantial competition in the marketplace.

Seems 5906 with square trigger guard were the remainder of the 659 frames after which were round trigger guards, so the 5906 can be found in both configurations. Not sure which is less produced but likely the square trigger guard frame 5906.

__________________
ANTIQUESMITHS
LM1300 SWHF425

I know some had trouble with their 39's but I did not. It was the very first semi-auto I ever bought, and I never, not once, had a failure to feed or eject. I didn't just feed it FMJ, either. Back then (early 80's), I fed it a steady diet of Winchester Silvertips. Loved that gun, and hated to sell it when times were tough with a new baby and a multi-thousand dollar hospital bill the insurance wouldn't cover. I later bought a 439 to replace it, and it has exhibited the same reliability, with whatever ammo I've put through it. It's the best grip I've ever felt. It just fits my hand.

Attached Images

439 right side.jpg (73.0 KB, 18 views)