Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Smith & Wesson Semi-Automatic Pistols > Smith & Wesson Semi-Auto Pistols
o

Notices

Smith & Wesson Semi-Auto Pistols Other Smith & Wesson Semi-Automatic Pistols from the 1950's to Present


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 03-14-2009, 09:15 AM
IrvJr IrvJr is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: NH, USA
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default

Can you tell me more about the Smith and Wesson 659? A local shop has a nice 659 for sale. it looks like it's stainless. I'm familiar with the 3913 and 6906, but I haven't heard of a 659.

Is this a reliable gun? Does it shoot well?

Thanks in advance.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 03-14-2009, 09:15 AM
IrvJr IrvJr is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: NH, USA
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default

Can you tell me more about the Smith and Wesson 659? A local shop has a nice 659 for sale. it looks like it's stainless. I'm familiar with the 3913 and 6906, but I haven't heard of a 659.

Is this a reliable gun? Does it shoot well?

Thanks in advance.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 03-14-2009, 12:30 PM
handgunner356 handgunner356 is offline
Member
S&W 659 S&W 659 S&W 659 S&W 659 S&W 659  
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: SE Iowa on the Mississipp
Posts: 3,137
Likes: 1
Liked 352 Times in 230 Posts
Default

The 659 is the second generation verison of the 5906. All stainless full size 14rd 9mm. The 15rd 5900 series mags and some small parts fit.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 03-14-2009, 01:57 PM
IrvJr IrvJr is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: NH, USA
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default

Thanks handgunner 356. How is the reliability of the 659?

I've heard great things about the 5900 series gun. Are the 659's generally pretty good?
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 03-14-2009, 03:06 PM
TSQUARED TSQUARED is offline
Member
S&W 659 S&W 659  
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Michigan, USA
Posts: 2,260
Likes: 2
Liked 114 Times in 84 Posts
Default

The Model 659 is a stainless version of the Model 59. I shoot the Model 59, 659 and 5906. They all use the same 15 round magazines. All three pistols are extremely reliable. I have never had a malfunction with any of them.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 03-14-2009, 03:21 PM
john traveler john traveler is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: west coast
Posts: 1,486
Likes: 0
Liked 55 Times in 34 Posts
Default

The M659 series were hot contenders for police holster guns back in the 1990s before the polymer rage caught on. Generally it was a tossup between the more expensive Beretta 92SF or the US designed M459 and M659 guns.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #7  
Old 03-14-2009, 11:34 PM
norfdet norfdet is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: North East Coast of the S
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
Liked 9 Times in 5 Posts
Default

I carried a 659 in the early 90's as a duty gun. Mine was utterly reliable and although it was heavy it was a pleasure to shoot and carry.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 03-15-2009, 05:00 AM
IrvJr IrvJr is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: NH, USA
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default

Thanks fellas. The 659 at the local shop was a beautiful gun. Nicely finished, with wooden grips. I kinda like steel and wood over plastic/polymer.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 04-03-2011, 09:56 PM
submariner693 submariner693 is offline
Member
S&W 659 S&W 659 S&W 659 S&W 659 S&W 659  
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 1 Post
Default

My 659 is one of my favorite h-guns (it was like many now appearing on the market an old carry gun by the local police, ending up in a pawnshop), the weight and large grip make it a great shooter for medium to large hands. I've had mine since 98'
Do yourself a favor and only buy S&W mags, the aftermarket models are absolute junk (I know from bad experience). The only thing to show any wear on the entire gun has been the mag follower. New followers are available from Midway USA, pretty inexpensive so good for your rangebox. Do yourself a favor and use only SS recommended grease (like RIG). Gauling can occur on the slide to frame contacts (SS wears kinda weird) unless you have a thin coat of an approved lube. Don't count on regular gun oil for the barrel bushing, side/rail contacts and frame to barrel lockup areas.
Uncle Mike's at one time had a rubber over metal grip set, awesome and feels great on mine.
Count yourself lucky to have one with the original wooden sideplates, I've been looking at g-show's and online for years and haven't seen any. Will likely have to carve mine if I ever want any.
My trigger had a grittyness to it when unloaded. Old dirt and grease.
Flooding the mechanism with 1/2 a can of carb cleaner followed by a good squirt of CLP (call me old fashioned) smoothed everything and it's got a nice pull.
If you've picked up the gun you're likely very happy with the purchase!
Happy shooting!
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #10  
Old 04-04-2011, 08:26 AM
Win75's Avatar
Win75 Win75 is offline
Member
S&W 659 S&W 659 S&W 659 S&W 659 S&W 659  
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Southeast Missouri
Posts: 228
Likes: 47
Liked 53 Times in 18 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by norfdet View Post
I carried a 659 in the early 90's as a duty gun. Mine was utterly reliable and although it was heavy it was a pleasure to shoot and carry.
Same here except my LEO days were early to mid 80's. Great gun, I wish I had mine back.

Edit, I found another 659. I don't have to wish any more.

Last edited by Win75; 05-15-2011 at 06:30 PM.
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
  #11  
Old 04-04-2011, 09:55 AM
TSQUARED TSQUARED is offline
Member
S&W 659 S&W 659  
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Michigan, USA
Posts: 2,260
Likes: 2
Liked 114 Times in 84 Posts
Default

My 659 has been totally reliable with a wide variety of bullet shapes and weights. Accuracy wise they are not as good as the current M&P line but sufficiently accurate for defensive purposes. Mine provides ca 3 to 4 inch groups at 50 ft.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 05-13-2011, 07:48 PM
Handgun Man Handgun Man is offline
Member
S&W 659 S&W 659 S&W 659 S&W 659 S&W 659  
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default

Hello fellow posters. This is my first post to this site and I have thoroughly enjoyed reading the posts regarding the 659. I bought my first 659 shortly after they first came out and I couldn't have been happier with it. However, as my sons grew older and their teacher told the children in the class that they really needed to have access to a computer outside of the classroom. We were a bit low on funds for the purchase of a computer at the time, so I sold the 659 along with a few other things in order to have a home computer for the boys to keep up with their schoolwork, etc.. Now that the boys are both grown and on their own, I finally found another 659 that was in good shape, and bingo...I have a 659 once again. After having a local gunsmith do a little bit of work on it to take out some minor dings, it looks virtually brand new and I'm back in business. After doing some polishing here and there, and adding some Hogue Kingwood wooden grips, it's looking really sharp! Just as my original 659, my "new" one works great and can put the rounds right where I want them. I live in the Kansas City area, so if by chance, any of you might in this general area, please feel free to say hi and perhaps we can get together and squeeze off some rounds together sometime.

Once again, I just wanted to say hello and thank you all for what you've already posted here, I've really enjoyed your posts.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 05-13-2011, 08:55 PM
Handgun Man Handgun Man is offline
Member
S&W 659 S&W 659 S&W 659 S&W 659 S&W 659  
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Thumbs up

Quote:
Originally Posted by submariner693 View Post
My 659 is one of my favorite h-guns (it was like many now appearing on the market an old carry gun by the local police, ending up in a pawnshop), the weight and large grip make it a great shooter for medium to large hands. I've had mine since 98'
Do yourself a favor and only buy S&W mags, the aftermarket models are absolute junk (I know from bad experience). The only thing to show any wear on the entire gun has been the mag follower. New followers are available from Midway USA, pretty inexpensive so good for your rangebox. Do yourself a favor and use only SS recommended grease (like RIG). Gauling can occur on the slide to frame contacts (SS wears kinda weird) unless you have a thin coat of an approved lube. Don't count on regular gun oil for the barrel bushing, side/rail contacts and frame to barrel lockup areas.
Uncle Mike's at one time had a rubber over metal grip set, awesome and feels great on mine.
Count yourself lucky to have one with the original wooden sideplates, I've been looking at g-show's and online for years and haven't seen any. Will likely have to carve mine if I ever want any.
My trigger had a grittyness to it when unloaded. Old dirt and grease.
Flooding the mechanism with 1/2 a can of carb cleaner followed by a good squirt of CLP (call me old fashioned) smoothed everything and it's got a nice pull.
If you've picked up the gun you're likely very happy with the purchase!
Happy shooting!
If you're looking to find some nice wooden grips that fit the 659, I eventually found some really nice ones at Hogue, and they were quite reasonable compared to other grips I've seen. I believe they were appx. $39.00 for the ones I ordered. I chose the Kingwood grips and they really look nice compared to the original black plastic grips. No, I do not work for Hogue, but considering how long it took me to find some nice looking and reasonably priced wooden grips for my 659, I just thought I would pass it along to others who may he looking for something similar to what I found.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #14  
Old 05-15-2011, 10:55 AM
TSQUARED TSQUARED is offline
Member
S&W 659 S&W 659  
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Michigan, USA
Posts: 2,260
Likes: 2
Liked 114 Times in 84 Posts
Default

During the standard capacity magazine ban (1994-2004) I purchased some pre-ban 15 round Triple-K magazines designed for the S&W59 and Marlin Camp gun. They have performed flawlessly in my S&W 59, 659 and 5906.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 05-15-2011, 11:34 AM
W.E.G.'s Avatar
W.E.G. W.E.G. is offline
Member
S&W 659 S&W 659 S&W 659 S&W 659 S&W 659  
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Virginia
Posts: 1,368
Likes: 13
Liked 831 Times in 390 Posts
Default

Movie: Reservoir Dogs http://www.imfdb.org/index.php?title=Reservoir_Dogs

from Opinions...Model 659, re-visit with update and pics

Quote:
Originally Posted by victor937 View Post
Maybe this post will increase the demand...

__________________
WWSSD?
What would Skeeter do?

Last edited by W.E.G.; 05-15-2011 at 11:37 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 05-18-2011, 10:47 PM
Strike1 Strike1 is offline
Member
S&W 659 S&W 659 S&W 659 S&W 659 S&W 659  
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default Love the 659

My girlfriend (now wife) bought me one for Christmas in 1985. It is still the best looking gun that I have ever seen. The thing is built like a tank, solid SS. It loves FMJ, there was one box of cheap Walmart JHP that it didn't feed but after I got through that all other ammo feeds great. It likes hot rounds, slide is heavy. The thing is too heavy for CCG (39 oz) but has no kick and is very accurate. I want a Kahr for a BUG and summer CC.
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 05-21-2011, 12:42 AM
sniper47's Avatar
sniper47 sniper47 is offline
Member
S&W 659 S&W 659 S&W 659 S&W 659 S&W 659  
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Tucson
Posts: 983
Likes: 189
Liked 78 Times in 56 Posts
Default

Here is mine. It is wearing the discontinued Uncle Mike's rubber grip panels. I prefer these to the really nice nylon factory units. I hate to admit it, but I like this better and shoot this better than my 5906, which is my very first gun.

Last edited by sniper47; 02-11-2013 at 12:39 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 05-22-2011, 09:22 PM
Jerry944T Jerry944T is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Default

I own one with 15 round preban mags marked for police only. With one in the chamber that's 16 rounds. I like it. I'm a Bullseye shooter so for me the trigger pull is heavy but smooth.

Mine sports Uncle Mike's grips, as seen in post 17, which are very nice in feel. BTW these grips are still available if you search the online gun auction sites. Most replacement grips are way thick. Uncle Mike's are not.

The 15 round magazines are readily available on the online sites as well. Do not consider anything but S&W magazines

I consider the gun reliable and accurate. I have a CCP but don't carry it because of it's weight. Of course the weight dampens recoil so it's a light recoiling 9mm. It resides in the door pocket of my car.

Last edited by Jerry944T; 05-22-2011 at 11:50 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 06-27-2012, 09:33 AM
weasle94 weasle94 is offline
Member
S&W 659 S&W 659 S&W 659 S&W 659 S&W 659  
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default 659

My 659 went back to the factory 3 times , The last time for a cracked slide. They did not replace the slide,It looked like they milled it out and welded it and remilled it.I then sold it
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 11-19-2012, 09:17 AM
TripPowers TripPowers is offline
Member
S&W 659 S&W 659 S&W 659 S&W 659 S&W 659  
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: paulding county Georgia
Posts: 73
Likes: 54
Liked 7 Times in 5 Posts
Default

I wanted to add I bought a 659 ( round trigger guard ) a couple of weeks for 300 . It was in utterly terrible shape. Completely filthy. It still shot fine but upon cleaning it & taking it down I found a crack in the cheap black plastic back strap/insert that holds the spring for the hammer , after messing with it a little it soon completely broke. I've had a hard time finding the part. I've called smith twice , numeric was out of stock but Jacks first gun parts had them in stock. Maybe I'll post some pics .
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 11-19-2012, 02:46 PM
grif684 grif684 is offline
Member
S&W 659 S&W 659 S&W 659 S&W 659 S&W 659  
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Cleveland
Posts: 966
Likes: 403
Liked 522 Times in 244 Posts
Default

A model 659 should have an alloy backstrap, unless someone installed the optional plastic arched backstrap, which S&W sold as an accessory. The factory alloy backstrap is straight with vertical serrations, I frequently see them for sale online, check the auction sites or post a want ad here in the classifieds....also the plastic arched backstrap is extremely hard to find now, as S&W no longer makes them....
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 20120925_032619.jpg (70.6 KB, 788 views)
File Type: jpg SC20121119-141614.jpg (192.0 KB, 694 views)

Last edited by grif684; 11-19-2012 at 03:19 PM. Reason: Add pics
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 02-09-2013, 02:35 PM
flatfoot121 flatfoot121 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Pa
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default

the 659 is the best gun i ever owned carried it for years as LE. I am looking to put a rail for laser sight on my 659. anyone know where i can get one, i have looked all over the net with no luck. i am looking for under barrel rail not the laser grips or the rod laser. I don't want to gunsmith the gun. thanks you can contact me direct if you want at [email protected]
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 04-09-2013, 01:50 PM
Hamfisted Hamfisted is offline
Member
S&W 659 S&W 659 S&W 659 S&W 659 S&W 659  
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
Liked 19 Times in 13 Posts
Default

I've had my 659 since '81 and many guns in between. The 659 was always a favorite shooter and went on all our outings. It's probably had 5,000+ rounds through it and never skipped a beat. I experimented with a few aftermarket grip offerings and settled on the Pachmayr wrap-arounds. They offer great grip and shock absorbtion, even my wife loves shooting it. Although we've picked up several Glocks, Springfields, Colts, and other S&W pistols over the years the 659 is still much sought after when we make a trip to the range. It's just a blast to shoot and rugged as hell. I have a half dozen of the pre-ban hi-cap mags and replaced the stock stainless floor plate with the later generation thicker plastic floor plate to aid in seating the mag in the mag-well. It was my only other mod to the pistol and really makes a difference.


-Mike




Last edited by Hamfisted; 04-09-2013 at 01:54 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 05-25-2013, 02:40 AM
IRONVIC52's Avatar
IRONVIC52 IRONVIC52 is offline
Member
S&W 659 S&W 659 S&W 659 S&W 659 S&W 659  
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 45
Likes: 18
Liked 16 Times in 11 Posts
Default

I just recently bought my first 659 at a local pawnshop. This is my fourth S&W semiauto and I find them to be excellent pistols. The 659 had a fair amount of scratches on the sides of the slide, but with careful sanding and Dremel polishing wheel it looks great-the shiny slab sides of the slide look slick, contrasting with the sandblasted top and she shoots like a champ. Mine carries the Pachy rubber grips and even with my small hands, this baby feels good in hand. I'm looking for factory issue plastic grips, but would also consider Hogues. If I can't find anything, I could live with the Pachmayrs. I'm thinking of taking a single edge razor blade and slicing off the mainspring housing wrap around section off so it thins the grip a bit, exposing the gun's backstrap, making it look like Sniper47s Uncle Mike's set up. don't want to monkey with the rubber grip's backstrap area until I get some replacement grips in case the idea doesn't work well.

I've only run a couple hundred rounds through this great gun and already it's wormed its way into my heart! I'm reloading a pile of 9mm rounds and plan to hit the gravel pit this week and really get to know this gun.

Last edited by IRONVIC52; 05-25-2013 at 02:43 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #25  
Old 05-21-2016, 09:28 AM
scampman1973 scampman1973 is offline
Member
S&W 659 S&W 659 S&W 659 S&W 659 S&W 659  
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: New Tazewell, TN.
Posts: 5
Likes: 1
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Talking I also need help with my 659

I just picked up a nice 659 and love it. Had one years ago and let it slip away. I am trying to pen down the date of production. Help.
SR# TB845## :
Reply With Quote
  #26  
Old 05-21-2016, 04:40 PM
824tsv's Avatar
824tsv 824tsv is offline
Member
S&W 659 S&W 659 S&W 659 S&W 659 S&W 659  
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Earth
Posts: 3,222
Likes: 3,749
Liked 3,780 Times in 1,388 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by scampman1973 View Post
I just picked up a nice 659 and love it. Had one years ago and let it slip away. I am trying to pen down the date of production. Help.
SR# TB845## :
I'll assume the 3 letter serial# prefix is TBA = 1987ish
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #27  
Old 05-22-2016, 09:32 AM
scampman1973 scampman1973 is offline
Member
S&W 659 S&W 659 S&W 659 S&W 659 S&W 659  
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: New Tazewell, TN.
Posts: 5
Likes: 1
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default great guys!!

I love this site you all are so helpful. Thanks once again. This one wont get away
Reply With Quote
  #28  
Old 05-23-2016, 09:34 PM
Hamfisted Hamfisted is offline
Member
S&W 659 S&W 659 S&W 659 S&W 659 S&W 659  
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
Liked 19 Times in 13 Posts
Default

Its a very tough durable pistol, that you'll enjoy for a long time. My only knock on mine was the trigger action. The trigger return spring rides in a horizontal tunnel just above the trigger guard in the frame. The coils of the return spring chide on the sharp edge of this tunnel and you feel that in the trigger movement. That and the overall gritty feel during the long take up movement. That can all be polished out, and the edge of the return spring's travel tunnel can be rounded and polished smooth. Giving the gun an excellent duty trigger. My model has the adjustable rear sight and Pachmayr wrap around grips. I bought this gun new in 1980 and it still rides in my truck today.


-Mike


Model 59 Pachmayr grips from Handgungrips.com

Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
  #29  
Old 05-28-2016, 06:43 AM
triaxle triaxle is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,116
Likes: 2
Liked 463 Times in 265 Posts
Default

About all 2nd gen Smith guns are good to go you dont see them all around for sale like you did at one time. They keep going up in price .
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
3913, 5906, 659, 6906, beretta, bullseye, gunsmith, hogue, kahr, polymer, preban, smith & wesson, smith and wesson

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:18 PM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)