closed post

Pretty sure that's the original factory follower. Others will be around soon to add more information and snarky comments . . .

__________________
Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

That is correct - the plastic follower came later.

IIRC the figure 8 style in the OP's post are technically the second type used as the very earliest had a flat follower.

The ones pictured were used in the 60's era 39 no dash and early 70's 39-2 until they switched to a plastic follower.

As refers to S&W OEM magazines ... many shooters / collectors prefer the model 39 stamped steel figure 8 follower magazines as you show above.

These specific mags were made in several variations with just slight changes such as the size and shape of tongue on the magazine bottom plate and differences in the magazine body, placement / depth and type welds, finish of the entire magazine (matte or smooth blue / black finish), etc. and, of course, the military magazines with the open side window for an easy bullet count. Most magazine bottom plates are slightly stepped, some on later / newer mags are flat. Those that are stepped, the stepping on some are more pronounced than others.

Some of the earlier figure 8 mags are found with a freakishly long tongue magazine bottom plate that would protrude about 1/16" to 1/4" forward of the grip frame (after inserted in the gun) on some.

Essentially, they will all function properly in either a 39 or 39-2 regardless of plastic follower or stamped steel figure 8 follower.

The earliest magazines with the flat follower, were used in all the original release pre-model 39 models (up to about SN: 2605 appx when they were thereafter stamped "Model 39") and 39s up to about serial number 4000-5000 (or so IIRC) when the stamped steel, figure 8 follower made it's first appearance.

Even with a 39-2, I prefer the early mags instead of those newer 39-2 mags with the plastic follower even though I have never seen a S&W factory mag with the plastic follower break.

I have, however, seen the plastic follower in certain after market (non-S&W manufacture) 39-2 magazines just fall apart. Triple K brand, the worst of them, unless Triple K has corrected them in the past 5 years.

__________________
ANTIQUESMITHS
LM1300 SWHF425

I'm going to "school" you a little right now. Don't be mad.
Your semi-auto pistol uses a magazine.
99.99% of all pistols use a magazine.
Here is how to tell the difference between a clip and a magazine.
1. A magazine ALWAYS has a spring in it,,,,ALWAYS.
A clip does NOT have a spring. Got it?
OK then,,, and Thanks for bringing this up.

While I agree with the premise of what you are saying, you are wrong about the spring. Many clips do have springs, though they are flat springs, not coiled. They are used to put pressure on the base of the cartridge, pushing it against the lip of clip and thus keep the cartridge in the clip. You can find these on the clips used for Springfield 30.06's as well as some of the clip fed AK types.


And Muss, you called it!

__________________
So many S&W's, so few funds!!

"I'm going to "school" you a little right now. Don't be mad.
Your semi-auto pistol uses a magazine.
99.99% of all pistols use a magazine.
Here is how to tell the difference between a clip and a magazine.
1. A magazine ALWAYS has a spring in it,,,,ALWAYS.
A clip does NOT have a spring. Got it?
OK then,,, and Thanks for bringing this up."

"While I agree with the premise of what you are saying, you are wrong about the spring. Many clips do have springs, though they are flat springs, not coiled. They are used to put pressure on the base of the cartridge, pushing it against the lip of clip and thus keep the cartridge in the clip. You can find these on the clips used for Springfield 30.06's as well as some of the clip fed AK types."

I was waiting for this...

When talking about "clips," it is customary to inquire whether one means "ten round-clips," "ten-round clips," or "ten-round magazines."



Muss Muggins made me do it!

Attached Images

	10 round clips paper.jpg (6.3 KB, 29 views)
	10 round clips.jpg (8.6 KB, 29 views)
	10 round mag S&W 9c.jpg (5.0 KB, 24 views)

ENOUGH ALREADY!! I GOT A HEADACHE
Thank you for your time

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SWCA #2306
DAV in honor of POP