LOOKED LIKE A HI-POWER

[hotshot357]

I was at a local pawn shop and I saw what I thought was a Browning High Power. After further investigation I found out it was a S&W 39-2. It's a little "rough". The grips are well worn. The bluing is not bad. They are asking around $600.00. I was just looking at it and the salesperson said he would "see if there was any wiggle room". Is there still rebuild stuff out there. I don't have any idea when this model was made so I figure a tune up may be in order. Any info would be welcome. Thanks in advance.

 

[photocosmo]

Those are great, sexy guns and represent the beginning of S&W's awesome history of semi-auto excellence! There is one in my area that sold for about the same price. Condition? They're old and should have been well used and loved. That said, there are less expensive, more advanced and probably easier to find parts for evolutionary models. But you won't find many with that beautiful blue finish! If I just won the lottery though; I'd be on it like... well, start saving!

 

[TNZ71]

The Model 39 was introduced in the mid 50's and was made up until the late 70's. Aluminum frame steel slide. The early one had a long extractor and the 39-2 had a noticeably shorter extractor. The gun was adopted and used by the Illinois State Police. Parts like springs are still available from Wolfs while other parts are a little harder to source. Magazines from any 3900 series will fit. To me $600 is high unless like new. For a well used example I'd say $300-400 tops.

I gave $350 for this one

 

[rogerwnuss]

You mean, 3900 not 5900, ya? 59 series were double stack mags...

 

[BB57]

The Model 39 was produced from 1954 to 1982 with the last one shipped from S&W on 2-15-1983. The model number was added in 1957 along with some changes including a larger tang, larger safety, a different extractor, and a different backstrap. 927 of these had steel frames (produced in the mid 1950s but released for sale in 1966) and these sell for serious money up around $1500-$2000 excellent to NIB condition.

S&W added an A pre-fix to the serial in 1970, and the 39-2 was introduced in 1971 with a different extractor system to address problems with breakage.

There was no 39-1, it basically became the Model 52A.

The S&W book places the price for a NIB 39-2 at $400, but its values in general lag a couple hundred compared to actual sales prices.

The last half dozen completed sales on gun broker (with an actual "sold" auction) are as follows:

- Excellent condition with box - $573, 26 bids

- Excellent condition with box - $687, 11 bids

- Fair to good condition, no magazine, $290, 17 bids

- Good condition, $378, 29 bids

- Very good condition, holster, 3 magazines, $492, 13 bids

- Good condition, $420, 20 bids

Based on the recent GB sales, I'd offer $350 and wouldn't give more than $400 tops for a 39-2 in "a little rough" condition. Unless of course it really speaks to you. Then $600 is an ok price, you're not paying too much, you're just buying it several years to early.

S&W discontinued parts supports for their 3rd gen pistols a few years ago, and the 1st and 2nd gen support was terminated before that so if you break something you're on your own in terms of finding replacement parts.

 

[TNZ71]

You mean, 3900 not 5900, ya? 59 series were double stack mags...

Correct you are

 

[flagman1776]

M39-2 are great pistols & not really prone to breakage. Springs are normal wear items. That said, condition is everything & if the grip are beat, the rest likely is too. I think that's too high for a mid-range shooter grade.

 

[hotshot357]

WOW!!! Thanks everyone for the info. I will keep you folks informed as to what happens. Thanks again.

 

[photocosmo]

HEY!
Offer $475.00, unless that would hurt someone's feelings and then you might not be welcome there; in which case you could miss out on other cool guns and the seller would lose a potential life-long friend.

Just kiddin'
sorta

'coz

 

[hotshot357]

'coz, as quick as he brought up "wiggle room" I'm guessing he really wants to move it. I'm thinking around a offer of $275- $300 range. The pistol looks to be well used. As far as hurting his feelings is a non-issue. I don't go in there very often. Maybe I should!!

 

[vegasgunhand]

I picked this one up locally about three weeks ago for $250.00

 

[gmborkovic]

Mr. vegas, for $250 any day all day! Just wait till next year and see what they go for.

 

[4T5GUY]

Two years ago I paid $500.00 locally for the 39-2. No box or papers, BUT three original, period correct excellent magazines. I paid too much, but still happy.

Almost exactly one year ago, I got the '69 "T' Series, again locally for $690.00. It is as new in pouch with original owners pamphlet. The original price was $99.99, (in 1970.) I did not pay too much, but still happy.

We needed a picture of both together, but I was tempted to put the HiPower with a 59, but that's not what's being talked about here.

* Just had to do it, added a pic of a HiPower with a great rival, the S&W 59. *

Jim

 

[Jaymo]

Two years ago I paid $500.00 locally for the 39-2. No box or papers, BUT three original, period correct excellent magazines. I paid too much, but still happy.

Almost exactly one year ago, I got the '69 "T' Series, again locally for $690.00. It is as new in pouch with original owners pamphlet. The original price was $99.99, (in 1970.) I did not pay too much, but still happy.

We needed a picture of both together, but I was tempted to put the HiPower with a 59, but that's not is being talked about here.

Jim

Nice scores. I've always liked both of those pistols.
I find the HiPower's grip to be very comfortable.

 

[moralem]

I am looking at a nickel version but was wondering how one can tell if is factory nickel? The big book of SW indicates the 39-2 nickel version should have a safety and slide stop that are blue. And that the 39 nickel version, steel frame, should be the only one with a nickel safety and slide stop.......any opinions?

 

[kobsw]

I am looking at a nickel version but was wondering how one can tell if is factory nickel? The big book of SW indicates the 39-2 nickel version should have a safety and slide stop that are blue. And that the 39 nickel version, steel frame, should be the only one with a nickel safety and slide stop.......any opinions?

Moralem, From the information I have access to that gun should have a Blue side plate, slide stop, safety de-cocker, extractor, mag release, magazine, rear site, hammer, trigger pin and trigger.

Also, from the pic it appears that the hammer might not be factory.

Others with more knowledge than me will chime in since sometimes there are oddities out there but I hope this helps a little.

Nice gun by the way.

Best Regards,

Kobsw

 

[photocosmo]

I'm thinking around a offer of $275- $300 range. Maybe I should!!

I am rooting for you hotshot but as that offer represents basically "half-price" I'd be pleasantly surprised if seller accepts. Maybe he'll counter at $450. which; even without another magazine could be good as far as I would be concerned since it does wear that beautiful blue.

As you might surmise, I'm kind of a sucker for blued handguns although the same model in shiny nickel is equally appealing!


'coz
P.S. I am beginning to think that everyone who lives around here is way "better off" than I am!

 

[moralem]

Moralem, From the information I have access to that gun should have a Blue side plate, slide stop, safety de-cocker, extractor, mag release, magazine, rear site, hammer, trigger pin and trigger.



Also, from the pic it appears that the hammer might not be factory.



Others with more knowledge than me will chime in since sometimes there are oddities out there but I hope this helps a little.



Well I went ahead and acquired the gun.....like I need a hole in my head....anyway the hammer anomaly you see is a plastic cover which easily came off to reveal a stock hammer. Up close inspection shows it to be factory nickel so it is hard to say if the slide stop and decocker are stock nickel as well, but it is now mine.....I have got to stop reading these posts......I paid $500. More than I wanted too but that is what I would have paid for a plastic gun.

 

[gmborkovic]

Stop reading the posts? What is wrong with you? Then you will not broaden your interests, and buy.

 

[Jhp147]

39-2s are neat guns, and I always think about the ISP adoption and how they kind of led the way for autos on cops hips. Saw one one stuffed backwards in the waistband of a local narc narc not more than 15 years ago. That being said, at a $600 ask, there better be enough wiggle room to let it drop through a key hole without scraping the side.