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09-02-2021, 06:43 PM
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Checked a major box in my collection, the model 39-2
I've wanted one for a long time, but exuded great patience (not my strong suit) on this quest. Unwilling to pull the trigger on multiple GB opportunities, I waited.
I'd been very pleased with a recent purchase from a forum member on a mint Winnie 9422 and came upon this 39-2 in "mint" condition with the box from the same seller. S/N 162… puts it at 1973 I believe?
Long story short, I picked it up today from "Michigan Gun Jail". What a spectacular pistol! And thank you to an awesome guy, Rusty aka "Breadman1"!
I plan to clean it (I always clean my new guns, regardless) up tonight and run some lead this weekend. Any advise on ammo, quirks, etc that I need to know? Pics and advise ALWAYS welcomed!
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Mark
Last edited by KalamazooKid; 09-06-2021 at 07:08 PM.
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09-02-2021, 07:06 PM
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Mark, nice 39-2. And 2 extra mags, good deal.
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09-02-2021, 08:09 PM
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I bought a 39-2 about 6 months ago. Not as pretty as yours though. Really the only thing I have done to it is find an adjustable rear sight. Shot it last week with new rear sight and it makes a world of difference to me.
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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.
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09-02-2021, 08:21 PM
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Sweet 39-2, congratulations on a really nice example!
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09-02-2021, 08:42 PM
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Beautiful pistol. I’m glad it found a great home.
Jim
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09-02-2021, 10:47 PM
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When I inherited a 39-2 from Dad, I only had one problem with it… it was just too nice to take out and let it get beat up. These high grade examples are getting few and far between.
Froggie
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09-02-2021, 10:54 PM
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Very nice gun!!!!
What is the going price on these nowadays?
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09-03-2021, 12:56 AM
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It is good when a quest ends.
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09-03-2021, 03:00 AM
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Nice 39-2 you have there. You will enjoy shooting it as it has a nice balance to it. I have had one for over 40 years as it was my duty weapon,so it is not as nice as yours but still shoots great.
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09-03-2021, 08:12 AM
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That's a very nice Model 39-2. Appears to have been used little, cared for a lot. I can't think of any major quirks regarding the 39-2 as this variant marks S&W's perfection of the Model 39. I suggest a thorough cleaning, make sure there is not build up of gunk in the extractor channel as this is a common cause of extraction failures. Make sure the extractor hook is not chipped. Check the ejector, the sharp, inside edge where the ejector's tip meets the body of the ejector can crack and the tip will break off. I highly recommend a fresh, 14 pound, which is the stock rating, recoil spring.
As to ammo issues, the original design of the Model 39's feed ramp caused jams with hollow point ammo, but S&W corrected that before they started the 39-2 production run, so reliability should not be an issue. It has been my experience with a 39-2 and a 439, as well as some other 9x19 pistols, that best accuracy comes from 115 grain hollow point loads and just about any style of 124 grain ammo. 147 grain ammo using either solid or hollow point ammo may also produce good accuracy. The 115 grain FMJ loads, in my experience, are the ones that are most likely to disappoint when it comes to accuracy.
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09-03-2021, 08:22 AM
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Isn't there also a recommendation on this model to always feed a round in the chamber from the magazine as opposed to just putting it in the chamber and closing the slide?
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09-03-2021, 08:25 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Geno44
Isn't there also a recommendation on this model to always feed a round in the chamber from the magazine as opposed to just putting it in the chamber and closing the slide?
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Closing the slide on a chambered round is not good for the extractor. As Buford T. Justice said "You can think about it, but don't you do it!"
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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.
Last edited by AJ; 09-03-2021 at 08:26 AM.
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09-03-2021, 11:58 AM
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M39-2 the most under rated pistol of all time!
The only quirk might just be POA/POI with different ammo. This is NOT a target pistol bit provides excellent accuracy at self defense distances.
Reloading your own ammo can also change elevation since the rear sight is adjustable for windage only!
For example if you are printing low with factory 115 grain switching to 124 or 147 may print to POA!
If any ammo prints a group that you can cover with your hand at 10 yrds call it good! Be happy and don't drive your self crazy! (like I do, I like my S/D gun groups to be a little high at 10 yards!)
Smiles,
Last edited by jjfitch; 09-03-2021 at 12:02 PM.
Reason: Syntax
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09-03-2021, 12:45 PM
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Nice pistol!
Only down side is that 1st gen pistols are not "drop-safe".
John
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09-03-2021, 01:46 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Geno44
Isn't there also a recommendation on this model to always feed a round in the chamber from the magazine as opposed to just putting it in the chamber and closing the slide?
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Yes, and that goes for the vast majority of magazine fed firearms.
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09-03-2021, 07:28 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by toddstang
Very nice gun!!!!
What is the going price on these nowadays?
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To be honest, on the alloy guns like this one, $500 - $1000. Condition means a lot along with box etc. The rarer all steel frame ones can be $2000 - $3000.
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09-04-2021, 09:31 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by whitestang
Nice 39-2 you have there. You will enjoy shooting it as it has a nice balance to it. I have had one for over 40 years as it was my duty weapon,so it is not as nice as yours but still shoots great.
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I've had a S&W Model 39 (zero) since it was issued to me in the IL state police academy in 1968. I bought it from ISP in 1980, when it was replaced by the 439. It is mostly retired now that I have a 5906 for fun at the range.
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09-04-2021, 09:59 AM
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What a great find, Kalamazoo. A pristine example. My first love was the BHP, then I fondled a M-39-2... and became a polygamist... LOL!
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09-06-2021, 07:05 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jjfitch
The only quirk might just be POA/POI with different ammo. This is NOT a target pistol bit provides excellent accuracy at self defense distances.
Reloading your own ammo can also change elevation since the rear sight is adjustable for windage only!
For example if you are printing low with factory 115 grain switching to 124 or 147 may print to POA!
If any ammo prints a group that you can cover with your hand at 10 yrds call it good! Be happy and don't drive your self crazy! (like I do, I like my S/D gun groups to be a little high at 10 yards!)
Smiles,
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This just adds to the fun for me as it will be fun testing some of the dozen or so types of 9 mm I keep around. And I'm not a perfectionist - if I hit a 6" gong it's all good! If I can back out to 25 yards and hit it 6 of 8 times it's a good day!
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09-06-2021, 08:01 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KalamazooKid
This just adds to the fun for me as it will be fun testing some of the dozen or so types of 9 mm I keep around. And I'm not a perfectionist - if I hit a 6" gong it's all good! If I can back out to 25 yards and hit it 6 of 8 times it's a good day!
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I have a load of a 147 grain cast bullet with 3.5 grains of Bullseye. Getting old and old eyes do not see as well. So, I shoot at 15 yards now. I can keep this load in the 10 ring at that range. Makes me happy.
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09-07-2021, 10:13 AM
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Late to the party with congratulations Mr Kid. You asked about ammo quirks, and I would say that since it was designed to be a duty weapon for a large number of users, it was designed inherently to be anything but choosy in the ammo it accepts.
POI vs POA is another matter. If you plan to shoot it frequently with a variety of ammo, you might try to track down one of the fully adjustable sights that S&W offered as an option back then. They haven’t been made for a long time, but I’ve seen them fairly recently at what I consider reasonable cost. I put one on my 39-2 and wouldn’t have it any other way.
Froggie
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09-08-2021, 09:30 AM
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KalamazooKid,
It’s also worth mentioning that the 2nd and 3rd Gen ambi safeties can be installed on a 39-2 with minimal or no special fitting. Some folks dislike the “extra” width of the right side lever, others like the convenience… your call! FYI, I put a 2nd Gen ambi on mine because it was there… the 3rd Gen unit has a spring and plunger retaining the right side lever, so no screw to lose.
Froggie
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09-09-2021, 10:23 AM
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Just bought a 39-2 on the forum. Now waiting for it to ship. Looks like a nice early 39-2 .A123 515. 1971 I think.
Jim
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09-09-2021, 11:43 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jimbo728
Just bought a 39-2 on the forum. Now waiting for it to ship. Looks like a nice early 39-2 .A123 515. 1971 I think.
Jim
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I look forward to pics! Congrats!
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09-09-2021, 12:13 PM
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Hello Jim, appears to be right at the tail end of the transition.
But could have a few parts leftover. Give us some pics. Mike
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09-09-2021, 01:53 PM
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Pics still up in guns for sale in forum
Jim
Last edited by jimbo728; 09-09-2021 at 02:38 PM.
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09-09-2021, 03:42 PM
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Jimbo, looks like a 2-tone, Pinto. Hammer has a hole, so its early.
Did not see front bushing or mags, The mags should be X steel follower, long , S&W marked base plate. Not plastic follower.
Nice buy. Mike
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09-09-2021, 06:55 PM
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I think the lighting is just bad .blue slide.
Jim
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09-10-2021, 12:58 PM
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Jimbo, after several more views, I retract my Pinto idea.
Old eyes play tricks. Still a nice gun and fair buy. Should have a stepped feed ramp.
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Mike 2796
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