For a short production a certain bunch of 439s and 459s are found with a short, wide extractor, then subsequent models go back to the standard 39/59 type extractor.

What was that all about and what other models had that short, wide extractor for a single slice of time back in the day ?

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Salvatore Raimondi

Hello Sal, I've owned two 539s and a 639 with the short extractors. I spoke with a S&W Rep at SHOT one year. He indicated that the extractor was created for a hoped-for military contract. He said that the military required an extractor that could be R & R without a hammer and drift,etc. The rep further indicated that after S&W failed to get the contract, S&W returned to the pivoting extractor we're all familiar with.

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NRA Life, COTEP 640

Hey, that's interesting info there, appreciate you sharing!

Every time I saw one over the past 20 years, I picked it up if it was in nice condition and wasn't priced in the stratosphere.

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ANTIQUESMITHS
LM1300 SWHF425

Both my 1982-vintage 459 and 559 have the "short, fat" extractor that looks like Glock later used. My older 59 has the extractor that is typical of the S&W 3rd Generation guns.

I may be in the minority, but I prefer the 2nd Generation grip frame due to the replaceable "back strap/mainspring housing" and grip panels. I find that grip much more consistent for me than the later 3rd Generation guns. The flip side is that long trigger makes me feel like I need to bury the trigger into the rear of the trigger guard to fire the pistol.

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Scott

That extractor was done for the 539/559 back when the FBI was buying 559s.
Knowing how Smith and Wesson despises wasting things, I am certain that the leftover blued slides were used on models that were selling . . . e.g. 439/459

And while they say it can be changed without tools, you better have strong fingers

I have had to replace more than one over the decades.