Well, I had a little time on my lunch today at work so I ran down to the pawn shop I had an M&P 9 on layaway at to finish paying for it and take it home. Long story short, they had a 659 for less $ and the owner was more than happy to swap that in for the M&P once he saw how much I love 2nd and 3rd gen Smiths.

I don't know a whole lot about this particular model, I have shot a 5904 at great length and have a couple of revolvers. There is a little wear on the frame but the slide looks good and the bore is clean and damn near spotless. I paid $299 and they were nice enough to throw in a box of ammo as well. How did I do? Also, besides Numrich, where's a good place to get parts? Are there any issues I should keep an eye out for? I will try and get some pics up soon and give a range report

Thanks!

Check whether or not the serial number is within the range of the recall mentioned here - M 659 information?

Great price on a solid pistol. I like my 659 a whole lot. At the same time, my 659 is the pistol that I put next to a 5906 when someone is curious about the ergonomic upgrades that the 3rd Generation pistol brought. IMO, few handguns feel wider, more square and poorly ergonomic as the 659. It just feels h-u-g-e in my shooting hands.

No worry, as I seem to adapt to different handguns fairly well. For a slight bit of help, I believe the absolute best option in grips for a 659 are the very thin, yet sturdy and very grabby rubber panels offered by Uncle Mikes. I doubt they are still in production but they are very easy to find and for low money, typically spotted on Ebay.

There is a serial range of 659 that is subject to recall but I'm unsure of that range, one of our regulars always posts it and I'm sure he'll be along soon. **Haha, see? He has the serial range posted! **

Other than that -- no, I am not aware of any typical "problems" you should be aware of. These are workhorse pistols that stand up to abuse. Magazines for any 1-2-3rd Gen full size double stack 9mm will fit and function in the 659.

Someone has to do it

The 659 was the first semi-auto I ever shot and I have always judged other pistols against that first impression - really a fine pistol.

I just saw an ad for a used 659 at $1000 in excellent condition. 4" barrel 9mm with three extra mags and lifetime warranty. Seems you like stole that gun.

I carry it's grandfather. A SW40c.
This was the exact pistol that caused Glock to sue Smith&Wesson and WIN.
IT came very,very close to bankrupting and closing the doors at S&W.
Your pistol is accurate and will operate flawlessly.
If problem do appear, S&W will take care of you.

checked the SN, it begins with TBF, so it looks like I'm OK there. Thanks for the info!

Thanks everybody! I did do a little looking around at prices and looks like I got a good deal. Found one on gunbroker that was brand new, unfired for $800+ and climbing.

I've always loved older smith autos. The new M&P's are good, but I prefer these. I've been kicking myself ever since I let a model 39-2 slip through my fingers for $350, so I guess this is a start on the path to redemption!

I have a 659 that falls in the range (TAD shipped April 1985) and is confirmed to have been returned to S&W for "rework" in February 2004.

Did S&W put any kind of mark on these semi-autos that to confirm that the recall modifications were made? . . . as was done on the early 586/686 revolvers with the "M" stamp in the yoke.

Russ

Not that I am aware of.

Thanks . . . I looked over mine and didn't find one but will look again and report back if I find anything.

Russ

Excellent! That's a great price for a good 2nd Gen even better for a stainless one. I paid about $125 more for mine but it was like new.

well here she is. I had a little more time to play with it last night, everything works great, the trigger is a little gritty though at the beginning of the travel. And other than the chunk that got taken out of the beavertail the rest of the gun looks great! I'm going to clean it tonight and see if I can't smooth the trigger out. Can't wait to shoot this thing!

Attached Images

	P8160095.jpg (65.5 KB, 35 views)
	P8160096.jpg (71.2 KB, 39 views)
	P8160097.jpg (96.8 KB, 32 views)
	P8160098.jpg (64.7 KB, 31 views)