Hello all,

I recently had an amazing trade that left me with an almost-new model 39-2. It’s been shot maybe once or twice, but there are virtually no marks or sign of use on the gun. It’s such a gem, and I love the weight and feel. As soon as I saw it I knew I had to have it, and we were able to work out an amazing trade. Now that I have it in my possession, I’m needing some advice. I know the owner of this firearm took immaculate care of it, oiling the wood, keeping it humidity controlled etc. I have two conflicting parts of me. One that wants to keep this piece flawless, and another that actually wants to use it. Shoot it, carry it, enjoy it. I’d be curious to see what you all think, this is my first quality older firearm, so I’d love to hear from those with some more years under their belt. Should I keep it immaculate? Or take it out and enjoy it?

Thanks for reading!

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You’re gonna get two pretty evenly distributed responses. Shoot it, that’s what it was made for, and you’ll never see another one in that condition again, so keep it pristine.

For me, I would shoot a cherry semi auto a few times and then probably put it away. For some reason, I feel differently about revolvers. I bought a LNIB 15-2 nearly 2 years ago and still haven’t fired it and I’m not sure I will. I have other K frame .38’s to shoot and want to keep this cherry 15-2 looking as good as it does, at least for now.

When I got my 15-2 I watched some videos on YouTube. Happened to find one where a guy was shooting his just passed away father’s never fired 15-2. He commented how much it meant to him to own the weapon his father loved so much, but it would have meant more if he had memories shooting it with his dad.

Your friend already fired it. Shoot a mag or two, clean it, and put it away if you have other guns to shoot. I wouldn’t carry it. Too nice to holster and bang around with.

IIRC they made something like 300,000 Model 39s.
I have one in similar condition with the box; but my slide is starting to go purple so ...... it may come out of retirement.

I'd shoot it. But yeah, I'm a "shoot everything" guy. I wouldn't make it my main range gun, but I'd also keep a piece of carpet remnant in my bag to put on the bench.

I have a long-time acquaintance that had an unfired Python tell me.. "Very few people own an unfired Python". My reply was "Even fewer people have been the first to shoot an unfired Python".

Shortly thereafter he shot it. He shoots a few hundred rounds a year out of it. It hasn't really hurt anything.

I would shoot it. You say it has already been shot, and if you care for it only you will know how many rounds are downrange.

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NRA Endowment Member

I never buy a gun to just look at it Shoot it.

I bought one that was unfired outside the factory. Did not want to shoot it, so I found another nice one to shoot. In your case, it has been shot, so shoot it. Continue to take good care of it, and it will likely always be worth at least what it is today. And if you never intend to sell it, who cares what it's worth after we are gone.

39's are too sweet not to shoot.

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Robert
SWCA #2906, SWHF #760

It's no longer NIB, so I'd shoot it and enjoy it.

You can do a little of both. Still take care of the pistol, by keeping it clean and oiling the wood. But a few times a year take it out and enjoy it. I wouldn’t carry it or holster it.

Since it has been fired by the previous owner, it is no longer considered NIB condition. So long as you don't abuse it, scratch it, scuff it, drop on concrete, etc., a few rounds through it, then a thorough cleaning is not going to significantly impact its value. If it had not been fired outside of the factory test firing, it would be a different story.

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

I vote for shoot it lightly. Already been fired so a few rounds sure won't hurt. Besides a good reason to clean which I enjoy. They are nice. Bought one in 74. Cost a whopping $125 new back then.

Don’t shoot it…….keep it flawless for the next guy to enjoy…..just like the previous owner, why break the cycle.

Shoot it, clean it, shoot it again!

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Pass it on.
Mark

I say shoot it!
But don’t holster carry it.
Carrying a Gun, especially the Alloy Frames ones puts on a lot of wear and tear.

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NRA LIFE MEMBER

Oops, duplicate post!

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Pass it on.
Mark

If you had a low mileage, 1964 GTO conv., four speed.
Would you drive it on a nice dry Sun. afternoon? Of course you would.

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

I am of the opinion that since it is not “new in box” condition, shoot it.
They made a whole lot of these.
The other piece of the pie is: they are amazing shooters. Not shooting it robs you of that experience.

I have a 59 I bought a while back , NIB .I ended up shooting it , still do once in a while . I have others I've collected , bought NIB , and will never shoot them . But one's like the 59 and the 39-2 that they made plenty of , why not shoot them ?

I shoot this one all the time.

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I shoot my S&W 645 fairly regularly. You can still get parts if something breaks. I do not shoot my 1918 Luger, all the parts (almost) are numbered. I did shoot it once, but it was not 100 years old yet :-)

I shoot my S&W M19, and M17 a lot. But they are not minty. And you can get parts. So it is a funny kind of call.

If you can buy a M39-2 shooter grade shoot it all the time. A minty one, try to keep as minty as you can.

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Kind regards, Heinz

If you choose not to shoot it, great, but understand this: You're depriving yourself of the pleasure someone else is going to experience!

I really agonized over my answer, then decided that if it had been fired at all (and apparently it has) then there was no reason not to enjoy shooting it some more. Obviously nothing abusive, but an occasional afternoon at the range would be appropriate. As I said on a previous thread, it’s like the one I inherited, too nice to take any abuse though! Enjoy!

Froggie

I am in the group that favors shooting it.

I am an accumulator, not a collector. The model 39 series is one of my favorites and in my opinion was made to be fired and enjoyed.

If you don't shoot it the person who buys it from your estate sale will.

This is what I overheard someone tell another guy at a local gun shop years ago.

It stuck with me.

I no longer have "Safe Queens".

If it was a mildly used mid late 70's era gun Id say shoot it but
That's an early 39-2 with the early features which makes it much more valuable IMO.
I would buy a slightly worn shooter to shoot but a LNIB early 39-2 will only go up in value...if you shoot and carry it u make it a shooter grade gun.
I wouldn't make a $1000 gun a $550 shooter when you can buy a shooter for $550

All just my opinion and worth exactly what you paid for it.

Mr. brad, for the new guys, pls. list the features of the earlier
39-2s. What would you say on Sns., A105K to A120K?

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

Is that a A1664xx serial number?

The reason I ask is my early 39-2 is A1664xx.

If you are not a collector then you have two choices:

1.) Sell it to a collector for more than you paid for it and buy a shooter version (read not as pretty).

2.) Shoot it and use it.

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

I have only one LNIB factory test fired only firearm, a nickle 29-2 .44 mag. I have a lot of safe queens that only get shot occasionally at the range. My 39-2 was someone's safe queen when I bought it years ago. It now looks like a duty pistol. I like carrying it. Its sister a really nice 539 only goes to the range once in a while. Yours is really nice... Shooter grade 39-2s come along at a reasonable price fairly regularly... ...Just sayin'...

Hey AJ, how about this. Keep the NIB and buy a shooter.
Just another alternative. Keep your options open.

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

He could, but that would call for expending more funds. Whereas if he sold it for more than he paid for it, he may be able to buy a shooter M39 and something else to play with. To me more is better. I am an accumulator, not a collector.

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

AJ, valid response. But,,, now I forgot my snappy come back....Hate gettin older! B-day comin up, 9-17. A card would be nice. Mike

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

Come on up and shoot with me and you'll get your card hand delivered!

AJ

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

Got my first-ever M39-2 about a year ago. In really good shape, but I got it to shoot and carry.

As some here have suggested, and I have done with a various models of my accumulated hardware - if so desired, keep that one as a safe queen and find another as a 'beater', ie, gun for hard use.

I've done this on a number of occasions - for example, a very used S&W M1937 Brazilian .45 revolver is my stand-in for a pristine S&W M1917.

An FEG Hi-Power clone is a stand-in/beater for my very nice Browning HP.

A Charles Daly M1911 5" has proved to be a great woods beater/stand-in for my Colt Series 70.

If you're truly afflicted with gun-itis as many here are, you'll have fun inventing reasons to acquire.

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Ret'd LEO
SWCA #2275

Mr Mike,
you are a true Mod 39 aficionado like myself,
While there are plenty of Model 39 evolution posts describing their subtle changes I would say this,
Anytime you find a high condition lnib early S&W 9mm with a hole in the hammer ( Op's gun pic is too dark but my bet is its there) your spidey senses should go on alert that it might be of interest to collectors.

Mr. Brad, all ways good to hear from you!
How about that thar front barrel bushing and the barrel feed ramp. And the figured slide stop and no thumb nail cut on the front of the grip down by the mag. For the short base plate on the mag.

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

Yes ,
all carry over features from the older version that slowly disappear by the early mid 70's

I have always discounted any claims of "un-fired" guns. I have seen all the ads for the paraphernalia that comes with a gun. I have also had "collectors" tell that they were going to "put a gun back in NIB" conditions. No one can tell if a gun has been fired at the factory only, or been shot after leaving the factory.
Your 39 is a production gun, not an interesting or unique variant. Enjoy it! If that means shooting it, by all means do so.

If I had only known when I stuffed one of them in the waistband of my pants every day 35 years ago that they were such a valuable collector's item...I'd have still done it because they are and were a fine piece of defensive gear. If I had one today I doubt I'd carry it, because the Shield and M&P are also very capable, but I would unquestionably shoot it.

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I need ammo, not a ride.

I probably wouldn’t carry it, but I would certainly shoot it. It’s not unfired, so a little judicious use will do no harm, and shooting old guns makes me happy.

Shoot it make sure it functions as it should. Clean and wipe down regularly.
Jim

The only way to know it actually works is to fire it...c'mon...it'll clean right back up!