I would like to ascertain if there is a difference between the extractor springs in the models 39-2 and 39. Actually, I would really like to know which of the springs in the 39 will work in the 39-2. Brownells doesn't know, they only sell mod 39 springs. I have a newly acquired 39-2, need to replace springs, after 40 +/- yrs. Maybe...
Thanks

Should be an ez answer for the folks at gunsprings.com.

Thanks so much, I was not familiar with this group. I will endeavor to solve this with their help.
Thanks Again!

According to the S&W parts list, spring kit #191340000 works for the Model 39 through to the 3rd gen pistols which would include the 39-2.

Extractor Spring Kit

First question:

What size is your extractor? Don't assume that the slide on the frame is original.

There were three different and distinct extractors used between model 39 and 39-2.

Is your a long fatty? Approximately 3/16" wide x 2" long

Short fatty? Approximately 3/16" wide x 3/4" long

Or a medium slim? Almost an 1/8" wide by about 1" long, maybe a tad more...

I'd have to break out the calipers to give an exact dimension.

Actually it was Wolfe springs I spoke with that had springs for only the model 39 and didn't know which springs, if any, would work in the 39-2. Unfortunately, gunsprings.com guided me to Wolfe Springs also, so I still don't have a definitive answer about spring compatibility between S&W mod 39 & 39-2. So...any further help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Bob

Brownell's and Numrich are both fantastic places BUT neither is a place I care to purchase gun springs because they deal (a whole lot!) in used gun parts and piles of parted out guns. While the right tough to find USED gun part can obviously be key... a used gun spring is not likely ever what I am after.

Wolff basically -is- the answer. And while it is unlikely that your 39-2 has the old school pre-1970 long extractor... the typical coil extractor spring they do sell is almost assuredly what you need.

Wolff makes great stuff for fair money and they ship cheaply and quick.

Not to confuse the issue...
I went to the Wolff page and looked up the extractors for the S&W 39 series, and then cross referenced to my schematics.

S&W part numbers below:

Model 39-2 extractor spring p/n 6079.
Model 459 extractor spring p/n 063840000

Wolff lumps both of the above models under one part number, 27125. That doesn't make sense to me, as I would expect that if S&W used the same spring on both models the p/n would be the same. It might be a bad assumption on my part...a S&W armorer could probably give a definitive answer.

I have all three versions of the slide/extractor assemblies, but I personally have not disassembled to that level to put my own eyeballs on the springs.

If yours is 3rd gen extractor, I would expect 27125 to fit.

I just ordered one to see for myself.

Best of luck.

I have been a customer of Brownells for probably 25 yrs, I have never received a used gun part from them.
Numrich on the other hand has sent me some grappy used parts.

My mistake -- I had confused Brownell's with The Gun Parts Corp outta NY, which became one with Numrich a few years back. Brownell's is a different animal.

My 39-2 has an extractor about 1-3/16" long by 1/8" wide. Serial# A2911XX early 80's I believe. The very small amount I've fired this pistol, there have been no issues. I just want to change out springs because I'm "gun anal" you might say. Thanks so much for the help, I have from a newer (pre-lock) to old-ish and old S & W revolvers, the 1 auto, but have had others. A true fan...

My sources indicate that an A291xxx is more likely to be a 1976 ship date.

I cannot keep you from being "gun anal" but in my opinion, it is a BAD IDEA to mess with the extractor, extractor pin and extractor spring on a pistol that totally works all the time.

This gun is actually in great shape, minor nicks and normal wear. A slight "idiot scratch" from some other possessor in past. Shot a little more and no problems. New to questions and didn't know if it was "accepted practice" to give full serial number. I certainly don't mind, and now see others do so when help is needed. Maybe I should wait until there's a problem, before I fix it...

There are some guns that are SO DARN GOOD that everyone loved them a lot while they were in production, so many many many folks bought them, leading the manufacturer to build just tons and tons of them, which means that many years later... we are left with a huge supply of fantastic guns AND they can still be bought for a bargain simply because they made so darn many of them. They do become somewhat "collectible" but again, they are not scarce, so the bottom line is that we can find fantastic guns for decent money. It's a win-win-win. They built and sold almost 400,000 of the 39/39-2. Sure, many of them are out of service... but lots of those have been turned in to parts sources for the surviving ones. The 39-2 hasn't been produced since 1982!

As for serial number and "accepted practice", what you have here is somewhat akin to "modifying safety features" or "carrying handloads for defense" . On gun forums, there are very passionate OPINIONS that may or may not be based on tangible fact or legal precedent, but it will get argued to an exponential degree. When you reference a handgun and the serial number is part of the discussion, you may feel free to list the entire number if you like, but YES, there are certainly some reasons not to list the entire number and while that may be tinfoil hat thinking (mild paranoia, some would say) I might ask you... what specifically do you gain by including the entire serial number?! Anything and nearly every possible thing that we do with reference to the serial number is handled in the first half of the number, leaving the last 2-3 digits xx'd out.

So yes, you may feel free to post whatever you like, I do not care to add the last 2-3 digits, and unless two guys wish to see if their two guns have consecutive numbers... it's going to be one RARE discussion where the last 2-3 digits of the SN actually matters. But still... forum warriors will argue over it, much like they argue over "reloads for defense" and "altering safety features..."

BINGO. I think this should be obvious. Changing something like a recoil spring is cheap and easy, it's a field strip, a two-second spring swap and it'll cost you like six bucks from Wolff. Changing the firing pin spring is a little more involved but doesn't really require tapping and banging and intense work. Changing out and extractor spring is quite a bit more involved and can be actually pretty obnoxious when you also consider that you will be asking a pin to move that is teeny tiny AND has not moved in some -40- or more years.

Honestly... if the pistols feeds, fires, extracts and ejects all of the time, I think it would be a poor idea to mess with the extractor or it's spring.

Good advice. If it's a pistol you really love to shoot, get critical spares and shoot it until it fails...then, take all your spares to a gunsmith and let him "revive" it, and put it back into service for another several decades.

I am going to get "obtainable" spares when available. This pistol had replacement grips, and I like the originals, just can't find anyplace to get them. EBay has them sometime, but mostly kinda rough, any ideas on an OEM grip provider? Lastly, does anyone see a problem with +P ammo in the 39-2, and if ok, is an "extra power" recoil spring (Wolfe terminology) called for?
Thanks for all the help and advice.
Bob

Original grips for the 39, 39-2, 439, 639 and also the 52/52-1/52-2 are all the same, and because of that, they are widely available. Very common to find at gun shows and Gunbroker has them often.

I would NOT use +P ammo in a 39-2 pistol, for a few reasons. Mostly because it is an aluminum alloy framed pistol. (I would in a 639 or 3906, for example) Another reason is that I don't believe there is a whole lot of gain with 9mm+P to make it worth the extra wear & tear. But beyond all those reasons, I would also not use it because I would not choose to use a 39-2 in a defensive role here in 2017 because there are a truckload of better choices and I love a 39-2 for reasons far different than defense.

To the last question regarding upping the spring rate -- I would definitely never do that either as you will absolutely be slamming the pistol in to lock-up (repeatedly) with more force than it was engineered around.

The pistol is fine as it is.

Makes sense to me, all but the defense angle. I do have other more "modern" designs. But a good running 9mm pistol, that was once a good defense weapon, should still be one, i.e. my 911 designs, my, almost as old as the 39-2, 24-3 & 4, 44's. & 38's. (2 Bodyguards) my 1st gen Glock 19, close to 30 yrs old, etc...I'm getting old, consequently, so are my defense weapons. I traded a 239 Sig, in 357.Sig, for the 39-2...so I'm hopeless on the old vs new defense weapon argument. But, my opinions are always open to change, I'll never be that old, I hope. Also my opinion on the 39-2 alloy frame, and stiffer springs mirrored "Stevens", just like to get other views. It is my 1st 39-2, and I am quite enjoying it.
Thanks,

What do you feel makes them "better" choices?

There are two ways I would argue my position on not using a 39-2 as a defense pistol. One way is simply cut & dried and is simply mechanical... the other is quite personal and "emotional" but both are strictly my own opinions so let's please keep in mind that this is merely how I see it:

1) the 39-2 lacks a firing pin lock and is not drop safe. This was updated with the 2nd Gen pistols. But perhaps more so than this (or rather-- in concert with this) there have been reports of complete metal failure of the rotating safety block (apologies as I don't know the proper name of this part) and if that part fails, you've got a pistol that is not drop safe with the decocker in any position and worse, a pistol that could potentially fire when specifically and purposefully manually decocked.

That's my "mechanical" argument, and yes, I would still absolutely choose a 39-2 over a Kel-Tec or a Taurus or a pot-metal handbomb but when coupled with my reason #2, it's a slam-dunk.

2) modern, extremely good and quality pistols simply don't cost much and just beg for the defense role. I love handguns with an absolute bleeding passion (), I think about them when I try to relax before falling asleep because they are my "happy place." I live, eat and breathe handguns and I say all of this to set up this: tupperware guns bring me none of that passion and love. But -damn- are they perfect for defense. They are light, durable, simple, easy to find a holster for, and no amount of sweat or filth or banging them in to a seatbelt buckle or door frame could ever possibly bother me.

To me, a 39-2 is a historic and iconic handful of joy, it is not a dirty rotten tool to take to hell and back. Much like an old Plymouth Fury was a great cop car back "in the day", a Crown Vic is a better answer here in 2017 and a Fury is perfect for a weekend cruise and a
car show. Can it get the kids to soccer practice or get groceries... or chase a bank robber? Well yes, just like it did in 1970. But there are dozens and dozens of better (far better) choices for all of those jobs.

At the minimum, if nostalgia and familiarity rule out, I would hunt down a 439 for defense before employing a 39-2.

Again, my opinions and this is how I argue them.

To that end, I have a '64 no-dash 39 and I have two 39-2's... one is a re-import beater from 1977 that looks extremely used (love it) and the other is minty, looks box-fresh and is from 1980. I carry a Glock 29, a Walther PPQ that can stare down a Glock and claim to be even uglier looking, and for secondary guns... employing a Ruger P95 and a S&W 469 for "high risk for loss" guns, on days when life takes me somewhere I may not legally car and I am forced to leave a gun in the car to potentially be stolen.

All good, and valid, opinions, God I miss having people to sit and kick this stuff around with. But, and as stated, "my opinion only" a well maintained, and not "shot out" 39-2 can still hold up as well as it did for, say, the Illinois Hwy Patrol, I think it was, back in the day, as well as others.
I have never felt under gunned with 8 rounds, if that is a consideration. And just for the fun of it, in equal condition, an all steel Fury, might suit me better than a modern Crn Vic. Lastly, I really feel much more comfortable with this 39-2 than I did with the 357. sig, Sig, I traded for it. It just didn't feel "good" to me. Was heavy and I couldn't "hit" with it. My Glock is accurate, but uncomfortable. The 39-2 is light, accurate, and quick with follow ups. I fortunately don't find myself "in the bad areas" anymore since retirement. But, I think I would be fine if I was. All, of course, personal opinions, nothing more. And it will, most likely, be for home defense. Of course the M-2 Benelli 12 gauge, does offer that extra "fuzzy" feeling when, or if, the dog gets spooked.
Thanks for the input, all valid.

Quick update, I put about 120 rounds through my 39-2. Handles great and quite accurate. Mostly FMJ but also some hollow point I expect to carry for function. I had only 1 FTF, and it was one of last 3 rounds out of a new 9 round mag I purchased from Brownells. I'm leaning towards the mag as the problem. A sweet gun. Didn't even care to take Ed Brown out of bag and shoot him, so to speak, old Smith was too much fun. I do wish to obtain a new extractor spring, when I can find one, maybe even an extractor, just to have on hand. I really want to have full confidence in this pistol. Which I pretty much do! FYI, for anyone who cares, I did, finally, test fire my little tiny Ruger LCP 380 auto. I've had it for a couple years, and bought it for an ultra concealment carry in hot S. Texas. A more horrible, uncomfortable, inaccurate gun I've never shot. Which was kind of expected, but jeeze! Will go back to J-frame 38 spl, or even 32 Beretta Tomcat ... both are at least a shootable. I mention all this in case anyone that is considering one, will have an opinion from an owner...

The extractor spring can be ordered from Wolff at gunsprings.com and since you *really* seem to want them, also buy extra recoil springs, a mainspring (hammer spring) and a firing pin spring. And then go plum crazy on magazine springs if ya like. Wolff can pack a huge buncha springs in a small postal Priority box, so go hog wild.

I haven't checked Numrich lately -- but their stock is CONSTANTLY changing. So check today, tomorrow and next week. Three items you may find:
1) used extractor
2) new manufacture reproduction extractor
3) new old stock 3rd Gen 5906 extractor

If you find #1 it is possible that it drops in and works just that easy. However, no way in the world to guarantee that AND no way to know how much life that used piece has left.

If you find #2 or 3 then you will have the golden part that will make you sleep better but it will almost 100% surely NOT WORK because it will be the full part not at all dressed and shaped for feeding. It'll extract haha, but it will resist feeding every round until you file it to fit.

I think your best option is a few deep breaths and MORE range trips!

I got the new spring in, and removed the extractor to compare to factory spring.
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See the two springs. The upper one is the extractor spring removed from slide. The lower one is the new one, still in the bag. Same, same.

I must be the odd man out on the springs topic....I don't change any of them until they become a problem.

Come to think of it...I have only changed out one recoil spring and that was in a 1911 Springfield Armory National Match gun from 1967...seemed like a good idea at the time. I did that in 1988 and the gun still runs perfectly.

Randy

I'm with ya'...

I've never actually experienced a failure, and needed to install new springs. I've changed some springs for performance gains, though.

In this instance, I just wanted to verify because there seemed to be some conflicting information, and this line of pistols is new to me.

Have put a couple hundred + more rounds down range. Still getting 1 or 2 failures to extract, causing double feeding. Spoke, by chance, with an experienced gunsmith, who has rebuilt and "tweaked" different model 39 variants. His opinion was some rounds can "stick" due to cartridge expansion, and a well polished chamber can alleviate the problem post haste. So that is what I'm doing. His " opinion on springs is much the same as most of y'all. So...if chamber/ramp polishing repairs prob, great. Springs were cheap, and I have them if needed. The extractor was fine, he opined. I really like this guns feel, and weight, etc. Was going for a 439 on an auction. My 1st, looked new, box, papers, etc. I finally dropped out when it got above $700, although it was probably worth it. These 39 variants are getting $$$ down here in S. Texas, and environs.
Thanks for all opinions, very much appreciated.
Bob