Smith and Wesson model 59

[litenlarry]

I have been absent a long time..I have a chance to reacquire a model 59 in pristine condition, I have reason to believe it has never been shot. 2 mags, box & papers..
How desirable is the pistol and what value would you place on it..
Thanks in advance..

 

[stansdds]

Model 59's still trail the Model 39's when it comes to desirability, but if it is NIB, not fired since it left the factory, probably close to $1000.

 

[litenlarry]

Model 59's still trail the Model 39's when it comes to desirability, but if it is NIB, not fired since it left the factory, probably around $1000.

Wow ! When I say as new, that's not to say it has not been handled , but very little with no dings..As close to 99% as you can get..
Thank you for your quick response..

 

[reccpd101]

There is a reason they trail 39s. I have experimented with both but the double stack was like gripping a 2x4. I could not get a good firing grip without cocking my wrist to the right. The large grips on N frames do the same thing to me so I use magnas and a T grip.

I still own my 59 & 39s. My son in law has hands the size of country hams. I think I'll give the 59 to him.

 

[cherrypointmarine]

I bought my NIB 59 off the forum here a while back for $600 . Of course that was before the madness . Also it was from someone with less than 10 posts , a lot of guys won't touch them .

 

[litenlarry]

There is a reason they trail 39s. I have experimented with both but the double stack was like gripping a 2x4. I could not get a good firing grip without cocking my wrist to the right. The large grips on N frames do the same thing to me so I use magnas and a T grip.

I still own my 59 & 39s. My son in law has hands the size of country hams. I think I'll give the 59 to him.

My first semi auto was a 39 as well. Times got tough and it had to go. Very hard to take a bite out of one..
So I got the 59 , I thought it would fit the bill..The double stack was just too big..I found a 908, the 59 went and the 908 stayed..

Then I got Glock fever..lol ? Still have the 908, it's my bedside go to..

 

[litenlarry]

I bought my NIB 59 off the forum here a while back for $600 . Of course that was before the madness . Also it was from someone with less than 10 posts , a lot of guys won't touch them .

My 39 came from Jacksonville NC..aka jville,to us Jugies, circa 1971..

 

[Green Frog]

The single stack 39 is just so ergonomically pleasing compared to that wide bodied 59 that it just feels better in average sized hands. The double stack 59 was the first "Wonder Nine" though!

You step up, pay your money, and take your choice.

Froggie

 

[sodacan]

The single stack 39 is just so ergonomically pleasing compared to that wide bodied 59 that it just feels better in average sized hands. The double stack 59 was the first "Wonder Nine" though!

You step up, pay your money, and take your choice.

Froggie

Yeah, you'll wonder why you bought it. It was a weak attempt to compete with the Browning Hi Power.

 

[stansdds]

I agree with what has been said about the ergonomics of the 59 and x59 pistols, they do feel like a 2x4. As to value, fewer and fewer NIB examples out there, so value is finally increasing and especially these days of few firearms available and lots of dollars being pumped into people's bank accounts. Not long ago, at a fairly local shop, there was beaten to death Model 459 for $450. I would not have touched it with a 10 foot pole, but it sold quickly.

 

[hammy5150]

I've never held an older 59-series gun but the 5906 feels just about perfect to me, I didn't like the mainspring retention design it uses though so I always wondered if S&W made a mistake moving on from the traditional backstrap and grip panels that the 59 series had before. Seeing how Sig's newer E2 grips also use the one piece plastic clamshell design but with a more ergonomic shape and texture maybe S&W was onto something.

 

[Green Frog]

I agree with what has been said about the ergonomics of the 59 and x59 pistols, they do feel like a 2x4. As to value, fewer and fewer NIB examples out there, so value is finally increasing and especially these days of few firearms available and lots of dollars being pumped into people's bank accounts. Not long ago, at a fairly local shop, there was beaten to death Model 459 for $450. I would not have touched it with a 10 foot pole, but it sold quickly.

As a fellow denizen of the Old Dominion, I fear that the various new laws and regulations, using the Wu Flu and other excuses (or perhaps no excuse at all) will be driving the prices of all firearms, especially handguns, semi autos and the dread "black guns" ever upward. At my age and time of life, I'm beginning to wonder whether I'll be buying any more guns or whether I'll be able to even keep the ones I have. Things are looking pretty grim.

I've never held an older 59-series gun but the 5906 feels just about perfect to me, I didn't like the mainspring retention design it uses though so I always wondered if S&W made a mistake moving on from the traditional backstrap and grip panels that the 59 series had before. Seeing how Sig's newer E2 grips also use the one piece plastic clamshell design but with a more ergonomic shape and texture maybe S&W was onto something.

Agreed. There is simply the matter of the size of the average human hand vs the volume required to contain a double stack of any cartridge within a pistol grip. The original double stack 45, the Para Ord, is a very attractive concept, but I never shoot one these days... it's too much like a 4X4!

The matter of the one piece wrap around grips also strikes me as a step in the wrong direction... Browning's great 1911 design has changeable back straps/mainspring housings with separate grip scales on the sides, and that's worked quite well for 110 years so far. I tend to favor the 2nd Generation S&W family of 9mms for that very reason, and I guess if my hand were large enough I'd latch onto a 659. As it is, a 639 seems to fit pretty well. YMMV.

Froggie

 

[Sevens]

Yeah, you'll wonder why you bought it. It was a weak attempt to compete with the Browning Hi Power.

Oops, your ignorance is showing. It was actually an attempt to mesh the high capacity of the BHP with the DA/SA system of the Walther P-38. And while it cannot claim the worldwide success of the Hi-Power, it was absolutely the pioneer of the sidearm in American law enforcement for the next 2+ decades.

 

[JohnHL]

Yeah, you'll wonder why you bought it. It was a weak attempt to compete with the Browning Hi Power.

Oops, your ignorance is showing. It was actually an attempt to mesh the high capacity of the BHP with the DA/SA system of the Walther P-38. And while it cannot claim the worldwide success of the Hi-Power, it was absolutely the pioneer of the sidearm in American law enforcement for the next 2+ decades.

In deference to the opinions of the afore quoted gentlemen, it is my understanding that the inimitable talent of Dwayne Charron was behind the widening of the model 39 grip frame to accommodate more rounds (at the behest of the Navy Seals in Vietnam) and not an attempt to mimic any existing design.

John

 

[JudgeColt]

I LIKE the feel of the Model 59 grip shape, which apparently is a minority position! The pistol points perfectly for me.

As mentioned above, the combination of a double-stack magazine and a double-action trigger mechanism was unique for a while, and made the Model 59 a "must have" for a lot of law enforcement.

 

[ispcapt]

If you don't like the flat boxy feel of the 59/459 guns then look for an arched backstrap. It does add a little more bulk to the grip but it gives it a completely different feel. At least for me it was a major improvement.

 

[dmar]

Personal choice. Do you find the gun interesting? I don't believe that they're very desirable, in general, but anything in top condition with box and docs will have a market (probably what interests you in this particular gun). Not sure on value, in the condition you describe, maybe $700-750???

I'm not sure how much he's asking for the gun, but for me, I'd probably pass. I'd rather look to put the money into something that I know truly interests me. I've walked past a fair amount of those guns (and 39s), usually around $500-$600 +/-. Too many similar guns that I like better. I'd rather have a nice High Power (although much more money these days...), Beretta 92, CZ-75, Sig 226, or a Gen3 Smith. But, that's me, what I like...

Good luck with your choice.

 

[Trooper224]

I might be willing to go as high as $700, if it really spoke to me. Sometimes you have to decided which you want more, the gun or the money.

A couple of years ago, I turned down a pristine 39, in box with all the ancillaries, for $695. I kind of regret that.

 

[10mtn]

The first through third gen autos seem to be commanding much higher premiums now than ever before, especially if unfired in the box. I have a 59 that I cherish, gift from my father, great gun. I have seen 5906's unfired in box commanding $1k--1500 on GB over the past few months.

Take that what for what is, a few (less than 5) anecdotes within the last 2--3 months, though I would argue an unfired 59 with box and all accessories would easily and reliably command $850--1000 today. Could be a result of the demand or could be that there are less floating around available, unfired also.

 

[austintexas]

I saw my first 39 when stationed at Wheelus field Lybia. When I got back to the states in '64 first thing I did was sell a mint 1916 Luger for $65.00 and buy a brand new '39 for $65.00. Yep, I know that the Luger is worth more today but don't regret getting the '39. I still have it, When the '59 came out I bought a blued one about '74 I think and I still have it. Since then I've picked up a nickeled '39 and '59. I guess you might say I like them. As for double stacks I have P-38s, Hi-powers and 1911s, I guess my hands are big enough to hold them.
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