I had to make a trip this morning and of course had to check out the pawn shops. Only found three shops and only found one interesting gun, a nickel 439. I know nothing about S&W semi-autos and a quick google search didn't turn up much info on the 439. I haven't been to this area in a couple of years and probably won't be back anytime soon so I had to make a quick decision. I decided to make an offer and ended up with it. The nickel doesn't look to bad and should clean up ok. I did pull the grips off to make sure there weren't any surprises under them. The rubber grips will definitely go. I'm watching some original wood ones on eBay. SCSW4 says it is a 1982 model. In the quick search I did I didn't see any bad info on them so did I make a mistake in getting it?

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I think you did very well. You don't see many nickel 439's, I'd be very happy to add one to my collection. You're right the grips are toast, a nice wood set will look perfect!

Nice find, particularly for the price.

In a word…no, not a mistake.
Like you said, put some nice (wood) grips on it, clean & polish & enjoy.
Seriously, $315 is a good price, don’t think you could do much better…have you looked at gunbroker recently.

I would have hurt my shoulder quick-drawing my wallet to buy that gun at that price. A 439 was my first semiauto. Enjoy!

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Now go make God proud...

You stole that one, buddy.

Once you get some wood grips on it and give it a rubdown you will have one of the best looking autos S&W ever made.

Big congrats.

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“What you got, ain’t new.”

For $315, as long as it is mechanically good to go, I would have been all over that! The Goodyear Tire and Rubber grips definitely need to go.

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

Definitely not a mistake! Also I would have to put some nice checkered wood grips on it, but the rubber grips will suffice. Congratulations on your find! Once in a while you can score at a pawn shop.

Try using the rubber grips at the range before you dicard them..You may find that they are more suited for that than original wood that may look better in photos.

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NEVER GIVE UP YOUR GUN

I'm a longtime fan of Pachmayr rubber grips.
If its a gun I'm going to shoot, I'd keep them on there.
I didn't see any glaring issues with them. It just looks like the right rear piece needs to be tucked back under the right panel.

My 2.5" 66 came with a pair of Pachmayr Compac Professionals on it.
I've had it for about 6 years. They're still on it. Way too comfortable to shoot for me to swap them out for wood.

I may swap them out for a pair of Bianchi Lightning grips I have.
If I decide to carry it, that is.

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What would Jim Cirillo do?

I have a 639 that came with Pachmayr grips in similar condition. I sliced off the front strap and discarded the rear strap. After cleaning up the surface with dish soap and a tooth brush, I have a good looking pair of panels that contract nicely with the stainless finish. I think I'd try to find a new set of grip screws before worrying about the grip panels.
BTW, you got a great gun at a great price.

You can remove the ****** back strap cover from the grip and it will be an immediate improvement, IMHO. Great find.

A 439 deserves factory wood

I have a set of beat up wood grips if you want them. $10.

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That's just somebody talkin.

Thanks for the offer but I'm going to try to find a really nice set for it.

Thanks for all the input. I was concerned that with the low price these might have had some issues. I only had a few minutes to decide whether to get it or not. I've found some new grip screws and I'm going to modify the Pachmayr grips and use them until I can find a set of wood grips I'm happy with.

Nice gun. all the right features. I had one . Pachs will help shooting rapid fire
Jim