My dad has his model 39 from when he was a detective 30 years ago. He says the steel pins in it have worn the alloy frame making them loose. Also says there is an issue with something being worn of the barrel (not sure what exactly). He says these were common issues for the 39s .

Would S&W do anything if he sent it back to them ?

Additionally what was the expected service life of these guns ? My dad seems to think it was on'y 10,000-15,000 rounds.

My dad has his model 39 from when he was a detective 30 years ago. He says the steel pins in it have worn the alloy frame making them loose. Also says there is an issue with something being worn of the barrel (not sure what exactly). He says these were common issues for the 39s .

Would S&W do anything if he sent it back to them ?

Additionally what was the expected service life of these guns ? My dad seems to think it was on'y 10,000-15,000 rounds.

Call them and ask, but I would guess they would.

I'm willing to bet the Illinois State Police had/have quite a few Model 39's that have gone well beyond the 15,000 mark. There was a State Police Captain who had personal knowledge of a model 39 that was well beyond 50,000 rounds, much of it the +p an +p+ 9mm that they were issued for duty ammo.

As to the warranty work, why don't you call and ask them?

Maybe I am too paranoid , but since they don't have the parts to fix it , I am afraid they will see it, decide it is unsafe and destroy it. Then send me a coupon for an M&P 9mm or something.

Do you know they don't have the parts to fix it? You need to call.

The main concern would be if the frame was worn out of spec in any area. Since it is the registered part once it's beyond repair there is little that could be done with the gun. Barrel, bushings and pins are probably still available if not through Smith, through Numrich, Jack First or such.

If they send you a new M&P, you could sell it & buy a used 39 and make money...

I have a Model 39 no dash (yours is probably a 39-2 if it's only 30 years old) from 1965. About 8 or 9 years ago the extractor broke and I sent it back to S&W. They returned it at their expense with a note saying they no longer had parts and couldn't repair the gun.

I was shocked to find that I had gotten so old that a gun I bought new was now obsolescent!

Just give them a call and they can tell you if they're still supporting service on your gun.

The gun has sentimental value, I remember , as a kid, how cool my dad looked when he went to work with that 39 in the his shoulder holster.

I believe I would contact one of the better gunsmiths (Hamilton Bowen comes to mind) and ask him for his opinion. I've emailed him and found him very responsive, professional and courteous.

Best of luck,

Dave

I believe Novak's shop is also expert on the S&W autos.

They would not just destroy your property without your permission, would they? I have trouble believing that one.

I can see them refusing to send it back until you sign a release or something stating that it is unsafe and so forth, but I doubt they would destroy it without your permission.

If this is your concern, you should just ask them that over the phone.

Call Wayne (Novak's) Pargersburg WVa 304 428 2676 see what he says.....good luck great pistol!

Two years ago I sent a revolver to S&W for repair. They said it was "obsolete" (made in 1982) and they no longer stocked parts for it. They offered to trade it out for a brand new similar revolver of my choice. I declined their offer and they returned my revolver on their dime.

A few months later I located a new set of the needed parts and S&W performed the repairs using my parts. I was very happy with the way Smith & Wesson treated me.