Model 39-2

[Jupiter01]

For years, I've had a "thing" for the blued model 39...anything that doesn't have the protected sight ears. What are the problems, like cracked frames, to look for when purchasing, and is it true, what I've heard about the first generation models having feeding problems that were finally sorted out with the -2?
Thanx

[loeman]

The Md 39 is indeed a beautiful gun! And you are correct that the 39-2 has had the problems worked out. One of the things I look for is how nicked up and scratched the frame is. Since it is anodized alloy many examples seem to be pretty nicked up. So, finding a nice one that has a nice frame probably indicates it has been taken care of. Good luck.

[racemi]

I've had a thing for the model 39 too! And I've had it for the last 41 years! My 1976 M39-2 is the one pistol that I have kept through all the years of buying and selling guns because it is the one I like the best. I shoot about once a month, about 100 rounds each time. I've never had a single problem with this pistol. I do shoot FMJ all the time so I can't talk about the feeding problems you mentioned as I have never had any feeding problems. I just changed the recoil spring for the first time. I noticed that the new spring was about 1/4 inch longer than the one that was in the gun, looks like it was time for the change! So even though I neglected the spring, for a long time, I didn't crack the frame. Of course, maybe the new spring is just made 1/4 inch longer, I don't know.
It is still the sweetest shooter I'v ever shot. Feels great in your hand, (just about any size hand) and I think it looks great too.

I laugh when I see all the talk now about: single stacked 9 mm, and 1911 size guns shooting 9 mm, I already have that and have had it all this time. That is one of the things that got me to try a M39-2 in the first place. I was a 1911 person back in the day, when one of my buddys let me try his M39. All it took was about 10 rounds and I was hooked. I sold my 1911 and got the M39 and I have never looked back. It's just about the exact same size as a Commander and the 9 mm is just so much less expensive and softer to shoot.

I'm also a "double action/single action" kind of guy. I've tried DAO and you can have keep them, the're not for me. And don't even mention plastic wonders...been there, never again.

I hope you find one that is in the condition you want.
They are getting pretty old and the parts are getting a little difficult to find, but springs are still available and I bought a full slide a few years back so I have extra slide parts, if I ever need them.

You will enjoy the model 39-2, (I can't speak to the model 39 as I never had one, and I would not want one due to know problems with them)

[growr]

Great handgun isn't it? I only have three.....

Randy

[lhump1961]

Not much to complain about in a 39-2. Best SA trigger around. This thread begs for a pic or two.

[Lee's Landing Billy]

I like to hand folks a 39 and have them pull the trigger DA and hold it back while I recock the hammer. Then have them S L O W L Y release the trigger to experience the finest reset on the planet. When I hear about people praising the modern resets I know they have never tried a 39 series gun.

[Aircrewman]

Generally, the first 39 models were manufactured to fire a FMJ bullet as per the initial specifications for the U.S. military tests developed and done after the second world war. There was a "hump" of sorts that interfered with feeding soft point or hollow point bullets. Other issues were the extractor and bushing failures. The 39-2 addressed these issues after substantial input from the Illinois State Police which were interested in adopting the 39 for duty/off duty issue by Troopers.

Subsequent improved manufacturing procedures and improvements in ammunition came to make the model 39 a very good service sidearm. Illinois State Police were largely responsible for these improvements and made the MODEL 39 the gun it became. Cracked frames were not much of an issue, if ever, as far as I have known or read about.

About the only real limitations of the 39-2 was the lack of the ability to adjust the rear sight for elevation, although at the combat distances usually encountered, that need/necessity was not much of a problem. One did need to try different "service/duty" ammo for function before taking them into the field. The original Remington 115 JHP worked well as did Federal's version and (my experience), the Winchester 100 gr. "Powerpoint."

[Bozz10mm]

I found a used one in 1980 in a pawn shop. Didn't know what it was, I just liked the way it looked and the S&W name. It is a sweet shooter. No feeding problems with any kind of ammo. I did replace the RSA and the magazine springs a couple years ago.