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Old 02-24-2020, 06:15 PM
Green Frog Green Frog is offline
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Default Safety Screw 439 Situation Changed

Well, I got half lucky. In response to a request on WTB I got a tip on where to find the missing safety lever on my 39-2 (we put an ambi safety from a 439 on it years ago.) The unlucky half is that they didn't have the original screw to hold it on, and of course when I lost the safety lever, the screw went away too. What I would like to know is whether anyone knows the screw diameter and pitch so I can look for a generic screw if an original doesn't turn up?

I thought someone had posted the answer to this question on this forum, but apparently the archives don't go back that far(???) Any and all help greatly appreciated!

Froggie

Situation changed, see Post #6

Last edited by Green Frog; 02-24-2020 at 11:05 PM.
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Old 02-24-2020, 06:29 PM
Sevens Sevens is offline
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I just want to guess for fun...

Jsbethel, JohnHL or BMCM will have the answer! And if someone else proves me wrong, it’s all good as long as you get the info you need!
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Old 02-24-2020, 06:49 PM
Green Frog Green Frog is offline
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Yep, Jsbethel sent me the info about the lever (Cylinder and Slide) and a source for the screw. Unfortunately, the screw source listed one that doesn't fit!

Does anyone know of a non-OEM ambi safety conversion that would have been available back about 1990 for the 39/439? Mine takes a 6-32 screw which seems smaller than what others say to use... am I looking at an aftermarket ambi safety unit here? Have any of you heard of such a thing?

Froggie
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Old 02-24-2020, 06:58 PM
jsbethel jsbethel is online now
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Safari Arms
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Old 02-24-2020, 07:05 PM
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armorer951 armorer951 is offline
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Home Depot has stainless cap screws that have an allen socket in them.

They may be a little long, but might work, depending on the style of your lever. They may have carbon steel ones too, I didn't look further.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt...9648/100338682
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Last edited by armorer951; 02-24-2020 at 07:09 PM.
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Old 02-24-2020, 11:04 PM
Green Frog Green Frog is offline
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Well, things just get "curiouser and curiouser." It now appears that the ambi safety on my inherited Model 39-2 is not a S&W item from a Model 439. Rather it is an aftermarket unit from the now-defunct Safari Arms. It looks enough like the factory unit to fool the eye at first glance, but does not fit exactly like the original parts. Now I have to decide whether to buy the rest of an original unit, try to find the rest of a Safari Arms unit, or modify one of the original S&W units to fit the remnants of the Safari Arms unit I now have. I'm leaning toward the last... I'm getting tired of chasing parts! The one I got from GPC/Numrich is rough enough that I don't think anything I do to it could be anything but an improvement. Stay tuned for further adventures in gun smithing!

Froggie
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Old 02-25-2020, 02:18 AM
JohnHL JohnHL is offline
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I've got some of the S&W phillips head screws for the 2nd gen safeties.

Frankly, I've never checked the thread size or pitch, so I don't know if it's a common size, but I can check tomorrow if I get the time.

Are you certain you have a Safari Arms safety?

Does the ambi lever you sourced not fit?

I can spare a screw if you think it will work.

John
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Old 02-25-2020, 07:31 AM
Green Frog Green Frog is offline
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I got out my assortment of gun screws and the threaded hole is definitely a 6-32 as opposed to the 8-32 that I’ve been told should fit the factory unit. Of course my Brownell “gunsmith screw assortment” has only one inch long screws with Fillister heads. I just heard about someone who still has the Safari units, but only the whole unit, and they are in the Netherlands! This is turning into a quest rather than just a search!

Once again thanks to ll who have helped and provided information.

Froggie
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Old 02-25-2020, 04:12 PM
Doug44 Doug44 is offline
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Have you checked Grainger? They have some black oxide 6/32 Phillips head. Good luck.
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Old 02-26-2020, 10:38 AM
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OK, this is my ( new improved, but subject to change again) plan. I’ll wait until the original OEM lever gets here from Cylinder and Slide so I can identify once and for all what is actually in my gun. If the original part does not fit, confirming positively that I have a non- factory (likely Safari Arms) ambi sight unit, I’ll go to Plan B.

If the original doesn’t fit, I’ll probably take the really nasty example I got from GPC/Numrich and modify it by filing-milling the bar down on the back to fit the smaller slot on the Safari(?) unit, polish and blue it quickly to match the finish the best I can, and call it good for the moment.

It appears that GPC does have the original ambi safety main body and the accompanying pins, springs and screws... everything except the lever I’m getting from C&S, so as Plan C, I have the option of assembling a complete original set of parts, albeit from multiple sources. At this time, although I’m grateful for the input, I’m disinclined to order a Safari Arms unit from the vendor in the Netherlands... this just presents too great a challenge for order and delivery.

The adventure continues!

Froggie
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Old 02-26-2020, 12:01 PM
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I would go with assembling original parts, getting rid of the aftermarket parts. I would also suggest contacting BMCM and see what he says.
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Old 02-26-2020, 01:18 PM
stansdds stansdds is offline
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Instead of monkeying around with trying to modify parts for that Safari Arms safety, why not go with a 3rd gen safety? The 3rd gen safety is less bulky and more reliable due to the elimination of the screw in favor of pin retention of the right side lever.
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Old 02-27-2020, 07:17 PM
Green Frog Green Frog is offline
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It's official... the ambi safety that was installed in Dad's Model 39-2 about 30 years ago was NOT the factory unit. The newly acquired OEM lever from Cylinder and Slide has a bar that is much too wide to fit the slot in the piece still in the slide of his gun. The remnant is stable and I can use it (probably for the rest of my life) as it is now, a RH only safety and if I can get past that slot and screw hole, I might just do that. Otherwise I can fairly easily modify the horrible example of right side lever that GPC sent me and fit it to part that remains in the gun. Otherwise, I can order the (available) ambi safety body available from GPC and make it a factory OEM installation... a bit more expensive, but certainly the most elegant solution.

Meanwhile, I now am fairly certain what I have and am able to shoot and enjoy it as it now is. Thanks to all who have provided information and input so that this confused revolver guy can preserve and honor this inheritance from his Dad.

Froggie
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Old 02-27-2020, 08:11 PM
stansdds stansdds is offline
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Some people prefer a single side safety. Single side does make the slide thinner. Just saying.
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Old 02-28-2020, 12:36 PM
Green Frog Green Frog is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stansdds View Post
Some people prefer a single side safety. Single side does make the slide thinner. Just saying.
The single side safety works for me, and if the original were still in place, I probably would never have thought of it. OTOH, the exposed end on the right side with a slot and screw hole just looks so unfinished, and I don't have the original to put back in. Oh well, it's probably a tempest in a teapot, and I should just enjoy what I do have. BUUUTTT, if somebody were to offer me a right side lever for a Safari Arms ambi safety...

Froggie
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Old 02-28-2020, 09:04 PM
VASCAR2 VASCAR2 is offline
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I think I’d buy a new or used single sided safety for a model 39 as opposed to having the open hole in the slide. Numrich Arms list both new and used safeties.


Smith & Wesson Model 39-2 Parts | Numrich Gun Parts
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Old 02-29-2020, 09:45 AM
PJO1425 PJO1425 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by VASCAR2 View Post
I think I’d buy a new or used single sided safety for a model 39 as opposed to having the open hole in the slide. Numrich Arms list both new and used safeties.


Smith & Wesson Model 39-2 Parts | Numrich Gun Parts
Model 39 safety/decocker is a 2 piece part. The lever on my 1967 era Model 39 came loose from the internal part a couple of years ago. I would go with the new part (not used) if buying one.
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