439 help.

[4200chevy]

Hey guys this is my first post. I recently started collecting smith "all metal" auto pistols. My first purchase was a 645 lnib. My second purchase was a 439 in nickel with walnut

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grips bnib. I'm wanting to know a little bit more about the gun. Is it a common gun in this finish? Production numbers and a possible production year.and if I overpayed.
Paid 600.00 shipped.. thanks in advance for responses!!

[jsbethel]

The SPEC ORD number on the box end label will give the production date in Julian form.

[4200chevy]

Have no clue how to read that number.. could you educate me?

[reccpd101]

Does the markings on the gun how it as an original nickel gun?

[4200chevy]

Here is the box. Any help is appreciated guys20200123_171753.jpg

[4200chevy]

Here is the box. Any help is appreciated guysAttachment 430580IMG_0005.jpg

[hoytx10]

Probably made in 83 or 84 by the looks of the label. I think you did good price wise.

[reccpd101]

You did fine I just paid $360 for a beater in blue for a shooter. Now look for a 639 so you can use the same mags. The 5906s are usually rode hard & put up wet.

[4200chevy]

I cant seem to find a lot of information on it. I'm not finding very many 439s for sale. Do you know if it's getting harder to find this model.?

[lkabug]

The serial number puts it at 1982, according to SCSW 4TH Ed page 490.
Box indicates original nickel. Yours has a round trigger guard some of that era had square. Great shooter the next generation up from the 39, and 39-2. You probably have the long extractor . Some earlier ones had a short extractor, they later changed back to the long which the 39-2 has. Enjoy.

[4200chevy]

Yessir it is the long extractor. I honestly intended it to be a safe queen. Would anyone know a ballpark value?

[stansdds]

The second generation 9mm pistols have not garnered that much collector value as of yet. The second generation introduced a firing pin safety system that is often reported to have made the trigger pull heavier than the first generation pistols. As for value of your Model 439, it does have the nickel finish, most were blued, so that increases value. Yours also has the fully adjustable rear sight, again, that increases the value. And you have the box. I think $600 is reasonable.

Will the second generation pistols gain collector value? I believe they will. There are a lot more first gen pistols out there than there are second gen, so the really nice examples that are still in their boxes are going to become collector items.

[4200chevy]

Thanks everyone for all the help!!

[mbliss57]

That is a very nice pistol. The 439s are not rare but not nearly as common as 39-2s. Both the 439 and its successor 3904 were fairly short lived as the full size 59 series took off in popularity with it's larger magazine capacity.

[4200chevy]

I will say it again. It's amazing that these guns can be had for poly gun prices. Imo for a 1982 production year this 439 is in amazing condition. I cant wait to find more! My wife is going to divorce me! She says I'm obsessed.20200125_073404.jpg

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[mbliss57]

The wood grip panels on the 39s and the 439/539/639 always impress me. They really class the gun up. S&W went to the Delrin plastic grips with the 3rd gen series. I am sure due to cost. IMO it just makes the 1st and 2nd gen 39 series more desirable especially as a collector.

[4200chevy]

Yessir it really does. Currently looking for some reasonably priced checkered walnut grips for my 645.

[jsbethel]

Make sure your 439 passes the recall test - http://smith-wessonforum.com/139617057-post5.html