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Smith & Wesson Semi-Auto Pistols Other Smith & Wesson Semi-Automatic Pistols from the 1950's to Present


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Old 09-18-2017, 09:14 AM
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American1776 American1776 is offline
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Model 539 and the second gen. Model 539 and the second gen. Model 539 and the second gen. Model 539 and the second gen. Model 539 and the second gen.  
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Default Model 539 and the second gen.

I have a model 539, I bought it in NIB condition.

Was this model, and the 2nd generation autos, designed specifically to feed JHP? Or just FMJ and *maybe* JHP?

Also, I'm pretty sure that this model is safe to carry with the safety in the fire position? That is, it has an active firing pin block?

Thanks.
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Old 09-18-2017, 09:25 AM
Sevens Sevens is online now
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I have not heard that they were specifically engineered to handle any particular kinds, shape or style of ammo, but their reputation is that they certainly will run most any typical ammo. The earliest 1st gen pistols had some trouble with different designs (including JHP) but all 2-3rd Gens have a reputation for solid feed reliability.

You are also correct in that a 539 is safe to carry with the safety off, there is indeed a trigger-actuated firing pin lock that should prevent any firing pin movement without a trigger pull. Typical carry of this style of pistol would be safety off and hammer down, so that the first shot comes after the long double action trigger pull.

The 539 was not made in nearly the volume of all the other 2nd Generation pistols. "Rare" may not be the perfect description but "scarce" seems to apply. Nice gun!
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Old 09-18-2017, 09:33 AM
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Thanks for the info. Here's a nice photo of the pistol. It's not too big and not too small. Very thin, like a commander 1911.
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Old 09-18-2017, 09:51 AM
muzzleblast muzzleblast is offline
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The 39 series includes some of my all time favorites. The 3953 is the most used, followed by the 39-2. The 539 gets pulled out of the safe for occasional range sessions and pictures. :-)

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Old 09-18-2017, 04:26 PM
stansdds stansdds is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by American1776 View Post
I have a model 539, I bought it in NIB condition.

Was this model, and the 2nd generation autos, designed specifically to feed JHP? Or just FMJ and *maybe* JHP?

Also, I'm pretty sure that this model is safe to carry with the safety in the fire position? That is, it has an active firing pin block?

Thanks.
Early production model 39's had a barrel feed ramp that was not straight, but had a hump in it. These barrels usually will not feed hollow point ammo. The feed ramp design was changed, definitely by the time the 39-2 was introduced, to one that was straight and reliability greatly increased. The second generation 9mm pistols introduced a few more enhancements, most notably, the firing pin block. My 439 has been perfectly reliable with round nose, truncated cone and hollow point ammo, as was my previous 39-2.
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Old 09-18-2017, 04:31 PM
Lee's Landing Billy Lee's Landing Billy is offline
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If that little short extractor gives up, you will have a real problem finding one. If anybody knows where one is ,we could sure use one. Thanks
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Old 09-19-2017, 03:54 PM
Qc Pistolero Qc Pistolero is offline
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I feed all my short guns(and most long ones)with lead.Mine never protested with my Saeco 125gr TC.And the groups were not bad either!
Qc
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