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10-15-2017, 05:07 PM
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New to me Model 39
I just picked this up yesterday. I've always liked these. This one might be too nice to shoot.
I'd appreciate knowing the year of manufacture. No. 61953
Thank you.
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10-15-2017, 05:32 PM
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Sweeet......................
Flip that over....... long or short extractor???
Nice package .... what did it set you back? It's how we learn.
Last edited by BAM-BAM; 10-15-2017 at 05:34 PM.
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10-15-2017, 05:41 PM
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I agree that SCSW doesn't give much help for five digit SN Model 39's. However I don't 1955-56 is accurate for a 61953.
I have a 33xxx Model 39 and I believe mine is somewhere around 1964.
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10-15-2017, 05:42 PM
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Paint me green with envy, that's a dandy.
Bam-Bam,
I keep seeing references to long and short extractors. I have a CS45 and it looks like it is probably a long one.. What is the difference and why?
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Eccentric old coot
Last edited by Iggy; 10-15-2017 at 05:44 PM.
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10-15-2017, 05:42 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TTSH
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Numbers started in 57 IIRC ......the steel frame guns were built; starting at about 39000 in 1966 the 39-2 was introduced in 71/72 IIRC
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10-15-2017, 05:44 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Iggy
I keep seeing references to long and short extractors. I have a CS45 and it looks like it is probably a long one.. What is the difference and why?
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Early 39s (and pre-39s) had a long extractor..... which can/ has been known to break ( if slide is dropped with a round in chamber) and no replacements are known to be generally available.
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10-15-2017, 05:46 PM
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S&W used three style of extractors. The "long extractor" was only on the 39 no dash nd 52 no-dash and 52-1 models. The 39-2 and 52-2 (and nearly every other 1-2-3rd Gen) uses the standard extractor.
A few 2nd Gen 9mm's used an odd tall, really short extractor, these are nearly irrelevant in the grand scheme. Your CS-45 has the standard extractor.
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10-15-2017, 05:48 PM
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Late 1964 or early 1965.
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Kevin Williams SWCA1649 HF208
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10-15-2017, 05:49 PM
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I didn't know there was a long/short extractor.
I have $530 into it with tax.
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10-15-2017, 06:13 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sevens
I agree that SCSW doesn't give much help for five digit SN Model 39's. However I don't 1955-56 is accurate for a 61953.
I have a 33xxx Model 39 and I believe mine is somewhere around 1964.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BAM-BAM
Numbers started in 57 IIRC ......the steel frame guns were built; starting at about 39000 in 1966 the 39-2 was introduced in 71/72 IIRC
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Opps!!! Sorry guys, I read the serial number wrong (left off the last digit). My bad. Post deleted!
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10-15-2017, 06:18 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sevens
S&W used three style of extractors. The "long extractor" was only on the 39 no dash nd 52 no-dash and 52-1 models. The 39-2 and 52-2 (and nearly every other 1-2-3rd Gen) uses the standard extractor.
A few 2nd Gen 9mm's used an odd tall, really short extractor, these are nearly irrelevant in the grand scheme. Your CS-45 has the standard extractor.
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Thanks for the info.
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10-15-2017, 06:18 PM
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$530! in the box, 2 mags and that shape. Wow, you did great.
Of course go shoot it. Chamber from the mag. Shoot, clean and repeat.
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10-15-2017, 06:36 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by iwanna
I didn't know there was a long/short extractor.
I have $530 into it with tax.
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That's the early long extractor........ take care
A collectable more than a shooter IMHO....... but a shootable range gun............ with care
Last edited by BAM-BAM; 10-15-2017 at 06:39 PM.
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10-15-2017, 06:46 PM
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Yeah, I'm thinking collectable the more I look at it. I thought I would shoot it when I bought it. Not a real expensive pistol, but now I'm not so sure.
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10-15-2017, 07:42 PM
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Shoot it. They're not rare nor are they anything special as far as shooters go. You may as well enjoy it.
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10-15-2017, 07:52 PM
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That is a beautiful, early 39 with the box, etc. Shooting it would be a shame, and you run the risk of breaking that long extractor. For what you could probably sell it for you could buy two 39-2's and shoot to your hearts content.
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10-15-2017, 09:01 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by iwanna
I didn't know there was a long/short extractor.
I have $530 into it with tax.
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For a 39 no-dash, with box, both magazines and in great condition, you got a good deal. If I stumbled onto something like that, I think I would either sell it for more cash or store it away for a few more years as an investment.
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10-17-2017, 08:11 AM
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Looks like this one gets stored. Thanks all for the helpful information.
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10-17-2017, 08:26 AM
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Wow...just Wow.
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10-17-2017, 07:26 PM
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I would say 1965, as one I have #60720 was shipped 9/1964. When I got a shipping date from Roy he said "That is interesting, you should letter it". Well, when Roy says that I had to, Letter revealed it was a single shipment to Sweden as a test gun for the Swedish Air Force. Must not have preferred it as it looks to have never been fired. It does have the long extractor, and with it's near mint conditon I haven't fired it. Now I'm looking for a shooter 39-2.
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Last edited by H Richard; 01-16-2019 at 11:59 AM.
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10-20-2017, 09:57 AM
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That is a beautiful Model 39. I have one that is 616XX and it was shipped in early 1965. So as others have said, yours could have shipped in 1964 or 1965. Since they didn't ship in serial number order the only way to know for sure is to get it a letter from S&W.
For what its worth, I do shoot mine, just not a lot. These early model 39s are very accurate, as they have a different twist rate to the barrel. It also means they are more ammo picky for that accuracy, but it will still shoot almost anything.
Thanks for sharing your new addition.
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10-20-2017, 10:09 AM
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There is another interesting thing I like to look for on the Model 39 no dash. If you look at where H Richards serrations are on the slide and on mine (see the image below) you'll see they are moved back, right under the safety. Yours is just forward of the safety. I don't think it means anything but its an interesting change that happened right around the 61XXX serial number with the serrations mostly forward of the safety after that.
Don't get me started on the lazy &........
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Last edited by FirebirdV8; 10-20-2017 at 10:15 AM.
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10-20-2017, 01:33 PM
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The lazy ampersand is a funny deal. In particular, I notice this about the Model 52/52-1 from the same era.
While we usually associate the lazy ampersand with the older guns...
The original no-dash 52 seems to typically appear with a more upright, modern ampersand whereas the 52-1 pistols typically all have a distinct lazy ampersand on the slide.
I don't know why this is!
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10-20-2017, 05:49 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FirebirdV8
That is a beautiful Model 39. I have one that is 616XX and it was shipped in early 1965. So as others have said, yours could have shipped in 1964 or 1965. Since they didn't ship in serial number order the only way to know for sure is to get it a letter from S&W.
For what its worth, I do shoot mine, just not a lot. These early model 39s are very accurate, as they have a different twist rate to the barrel. It also means they are more ammo picky for that accuracy, but it will still shoot almost anything.
Thanks for sharing your new addition.
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Several of my favorites really only get shot on "special occasions" so to speak. So I would consider that. I think I want to keep this one, but not just as a collector-only.
Interesting remarks on the early 39's accuracy. I would be more than curious to see how it shoots. My last 9 was a cherry '70s era Colt Commander, all steel. The accuracy was just terrible. So that didn't last. The one before that was a beautiful 1969 Colt Super 38. Same deal. Not accurate at all, which was no big surprise on that one. So, yeah, I dared to shoot two beautiful collectable pistols, but they both eventually went, along with their boxes.
I just hate it when I'm practically afraid to pick the dang thing up without museum gloves on. I have all the respect in the world for the "real collectors" out there. I'm more of an accumulater/shooter.
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10-20-2017, 06:45 PM
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Very nice Model 39 package,
The Model 39 is a very interesting study since there were several design changes from introduction (Around 1955 IIRC ?) up to the 39-2 and then several more that happened in the mid 70's and late 70's setting them apart.
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10-20-2017, 08:34 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sevens
S&W used three style of extractors. The "long extractor" was only on the 39 no dash nd 52 no-dash and 52-1 models. The 39-2 and 52-2 (and nearly every other 1-2-3rd Gen) uses the standard extractor.
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And the modified long extractor.
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10-20-2017, 08:50 PM
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Nothing new or important to add except that we are discussing the most beautiful semi-auto that S&W ever produced. Okay the Mod. 52 might be a close consideration.
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01-15-2019, 01:18 PM
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The extractor broke after 2 outings and 24 shots. I found a new replacement for $100 and paid a gunsmith $60 to fit and install. Sold it on down the line. The gun broke my heart. I was warned.
It was a beautiful pistol. Just my style.
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01-15-2019, 02:10 PM
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Mr. iwana, breakage of these long extractors has been a study of mine.
So, it broke after 24 shots. Did it break while shooting or charging the chamber? Do you have a pic?
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01-15-2019, 02:23 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by iwanna
The extractor broke after 2 outings and 24 shots. I found a new replacement for $100 and paid a gunsmith $60 to fit and install. Sold it on down the line. The gun broke my heart. I was warned.
It was a beautiful pistol. Just my style.
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WOW.... that's a shame!!! Glad you found a replacement.
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01-15-2019, 02:32 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gmborkovic
Mr. iwana, breakage of these long extractors has been a study of mine.
So, it broke after 24 shots. Did it break while shooting or charging the chamber? Do you have a pic?
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It broke while shooting. Did not extract. I knew instantly what had happened. The empty was still in the chamber. Loose, but didn't quite shake out. I could see the tip broken off the extractor pawl. I took the gun inside for examination. Empty case falls out easily and then a big piece of the extractor just fell off. About a quarter inch or so. Looked like a gap tooth from the outside. So as far as I can tell it actually broke in two places.
No photos unfortunately. I didn't even want to look at it after that. But I was warned right here on the forum.
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01-15-2019, 02:36 PM
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I was told once to never insert a round in the chamber and let the slide slam forward. Always have a round feed from the magazine.
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H Richard
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01-15-2019, 03:03 PM
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Out of the 24 rounds, did you slam the slide on a chambered round?
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01-15-2019, 03:10 PM
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Heck no. Not even close.
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01-15-2019, 05:12 PM
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Forgot to ask, shooting nice fresh factory ammo?
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Mike 2796
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01-15-2019, 05:30 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by iwanna
The gun broke my heart. It was a beautiful pistol. Just my style.
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No need to deny yourself - there are plenty of nice 39s out there with the later extractor.
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01-16-2019, 08:02 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gmborkovic
Forgot to ask, shooting nice fresh factory ammo?
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Yes. Plain old name-brand factory target ammo. Brass cases. Remember, I was leery of this thing to begin with. Not like I'd be pushing +Ps through it or anything hot.
Regarding closing the slide on a round, I doubt I've ever hand-fed an automatic pistol in my life. Can't imagine a circumstance where I would have done that. I was also warned about not doing that right here on this thread.
Last edited by iwanna; 01-16-2019 at 08:14 AM.
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01-16-2019, 03:08 PM
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This is a sad turn of events indeed but I appreciate your updating of the pistol and details of what happened.
I own a likely 1964 Model 39 no-dash with a 31xxx serial number and the long extractor. It is not dead mint and no box, but it is absolutely gorgeous and though I have had this for almost 3 years now... I haven't shot it.
I have gone back & forth in my mind about shooting it or not shooting it. I own two other 39-2's, a 639, a pair of 3906's and a pair of 952's, so I have (and I absolutely LOVE!) my single stack 9mm S&W metal pistols from the 1-2-3 Generations and PC.
Gun forums are oozing with the "bah, I won't own it if I don't shoot it" mouthpieces, but I shoot my 6,000-10,000 rounds a year through other handguns, I don't care much about peer pressure from folks who might never get it.
My position: I'm 100% behind anyone who owns a 39 no-dash and wants to shoot it. I'm also 100% behind anyone who owns a 39 no-dash and never shoots it. I can't find a good enough reason to actually shoot my 39 no-dash. Maybe I will one day.
Today is not that day.
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01-16-2019, 03:54 PM
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Sevens, agree completely with you. If you want a nice 39 and dont want to take the chance on a broken extractor, dont shoot it. Just have a 39-2 to
shoot the poop out of.
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01-16-2019, 04:20 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gmborkovic
Sevens, agree completely with you. If you want a nice 39 and dont want to take the chance on a broken extractor, dont shoot it. Just have a 39-2 to
shoot the poop out of.
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I should have done that. That also got mentioned in this thread. I just decided to chance it. I mean it would have taken me years to get to 500 rounds. That 39 was meant to shoot on special occasions. I gotta shoot the ones I own.
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