Here is a interesting episode of Forgotten Weapons on the ASP modified S&W model 39. Not sure I am saying that right, I had never heard of them before. What are your thoughts? It seems like a whole lot of money back then to dump into a brand new gun. Thanks for letting me share.

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USAF AMMO

Neat guns. Yes, well known to S&W aficionados. If you think they were expensive back then research how much they are going for today if you're lucky enough to find one.

I remember when these came about. I even was able to handle one, but couldn't quite get the hang of the guttersnipe sight. Very radical at the time. Also, the price was way beyond my means. Had a chance to buy one in the late 70's for around $1100 and just could not bring myself to do it. I have regretted it ever since.

ASP,Trapper and Devel...........all "chopped and channeled" custom 39s from the mid-80s ...... S&W caught on and introduced the 3913 in 1989.

The ASP was truly an innovative pistol.

S&W "borrowed" heavily from it and the Devel guns in their 469 and later 39XX series guns.

I've never been able to justify the outlay of money to buy one. And an original one far exceeds my gun funds.

So I have contented myself with the 3914NL and CS9. Direct descendants of the ASP, with better sights. Regards 18DAI

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7 +1 Rounds of hope & change

Yes, they're slick little guns with some interesting history.

I've read that there were 200 machining operations involved in the conversion.













Retaining magnets in the mag pouch!


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I don't have a Semmerling (as mentioned in the video), but I do have an early Detonics...

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"I also cook."

That was the precursor of all of today's sub compact pistols.

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Eccentric old coot

I got to handle an ASP over the weekend. It was offered for sale by a couple who knew it was worth $3-4K but were hesitant to name a price, they wanted offers. The gun was beautiful with little to no wear, 5 magazines but the left lucite grip was star cracked at the bottom screw. I wish now I'd made an offer but the broken grip worried me.

A detective I worked with when I was a rookie firearms instructor owned one and I was lucky enough to shoot it a few times. The gun was a jewel but I never got the hang of the guttersnipe sight. Very cool custom handgun.

I traded in to one 'way back, and it was quite nice. The sight was pretty funky, but surprisingly effective once I got the hang of it. I'd say I wish I'd never sold it, but the fact is I got into a tight and simply could not turn down the offer that was made for it, so...

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Pisgah

so far ahead of their time, paving the way of what we take today for granted! not surpisingly, Parsons, Devel, Novak, all used the S&W platforms for their brainchilds! this means a lot about these pistols.

I’ve handled one somewhere in my earlier years. Like others, I had to settle for a 3914 until my dear sweet wife found an seemingly unhandled 3913. It came home. I recently came upon a 3913 NL I can’t tell if it’s ever been fired. Now to find a ASP or Devel and maybe a Detonic combat master

I had a serious craving for an ASP way back in the old days, but like others here I just didn't have enough surplus income to justify buying one. The Model 39 had been my most desired pistol since before I was in high school, and I was gratified in 1967 (the year I graduated) when the Illinois State Police adopted the M39 as their one-and-only approved handgun. (That the ISP did some stupid things--bad holster design, not authorizing even one spare magazine--is beside the point.) Somehow I never got around to buying a M39 or one of its descendents--after I bought a SIG P225 there seemed not to be much point.

Just in case anyone is looking for an ASP, I was in Grice Guns in PA a couple months ago, and noted one for sale. The semi-clear "round counter grips" caught my eye, and I recognized what it was from reading about them back in the day. I really don't remember the asking price, but I assume they know the value, so... Might still be there?

Larry

I could never justify the price of the ASP, or Devel for that matter. But, I sure would like a set of see-through lexan grips and a cutout magazine for my M-39.

I have one 😉
Not sure if I will ever sell it...

Considered selling mine a couple of years ago. My wonderful spouse said "No." It doesn't eat much.-

My father loved his revolvers, but for concealed carry, he was a big fan of the custom chopped Smiths. He had the ASP, Devel 39 & 59, and the Behlert 39 and 59. I inherited his ASP and Behlert-modified 39. The ASP has a lot of wear, but he loved carrying that gun.

I remember these from way back. Have to think the 70s. I had a 39 then later a 59. Wanted one of these for a back up when on duty. They were hard to find and too expensive. I have a 6904 now and looking to get a CS9. I really like the third gens. Not crazy about the new stuff.

Have forced myself to "settle" for a couple (one somewhat used and one virtually NIB) 3914NL pistols and never looked back! The used one is my co-pilot in the car and the other is a replacement if that time ever comes. Great guns!

I picked up a lightly used ASP back in the early 90s, it cost me a left nut but bought me back a nut and a half when I sold it a few years later. I still have a brand new Guttersnipe sight I bought from them around 1988.

I love these guns and have more than I need! They were a great carry gun and probably my favorite concealment pistol. Thanks for all the posts and pictures. Love them!!

I ordered ASP info years ago , here are copies.

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SWCA 1932 SWHF 135

I love the Glaser ad in the previous post. I think I found my new bear round!

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Because of the metric system?

I had a complete ASP set (the book, holster etc) in MINT condition. I picked it up about 15 years ago and ten years ago I had to sell it to help fund a business venture... Ive been looking for a complete set the past few years and have had no luck... I actually would buy a complete set and one in just good condition to carry if I could find them! (The business venture paid off). It’s honestly one of my favorite types of sites for carry, works perfect for close range which is the only shoot out Id end up in these days and the handgun would only be a tool to get to my longgun. I can clearly see how my SVI Ti Tiki sight system was inspired by the ASP.

I like the custom stuff with the 39 and 59 as a base. I LOVE the 39 and have wanted one for ages. I particularly want a nickel version. Beautiful pistols.

The other day I happened to be reading about the DEVEL and ASP customs. I’d love to have either one but would pick the DEVEL.

CORRECT ME if I’m wrong, but isn’t Wayne Novak a huge ASP and DEVEL aficionado and collector? I read that he was. I think there were only less then 150 DEVEL conversions done back in the day. Pretty rare stuff.

Also, not sure if this is right or not, but the DEVEL and ASP customs use a stock length 39 slide, right? I mean the ‘Smith didn’t chop the slide did he? I would think that there are plenty of gunsmiths today that could take a 39 and do some incredible stuff with it. It would be interesting to see what would come out if you told him/her that you wanted a DEVEL or ASP and to get there however he wanted.

More pics please!!

Larry

Larry,

If you look at S&WChad’s post number 6, second photo down, I think you’ll see that the slide and frame are both cut.

Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064