A 39-2 Sale From 2022

[Goony]

This seems to me to be an entirely ordinary example in at best average condition (and I think I'm being charitable in this latter regard), yet it fetched a pretty high price. Is there something I'm missing here?

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[stansdds]

Looks like a well used, run of the mill, early production Model 39-2. Would I pay $800 for it? Hard "no". It's missing a fair amount of finish and looking at the frame where the back of the hammer shank hits the frame during recoil, there is significant finish loss, indicating it was shot quite a bit. But remember, January of 2022 we were still in the covid panicdemic, ammo and guns were high in demand and low in availability, so prices were at their peak.

 

[Ameshawki]

39s have been creeping up in recent years. Not up to $800 but getting there. That price is high to me, but someone was satisfied with it. The 639 is also getting up there but curiously the 439 doesn't seem to attract as much attention. I have all three. The 39 I've had for eons. The 439 was $400-ish four or five years ago. The 639 is a recent addition, $525 on GB, and that was the lowest I'd seen one of those is a while.

 

[Drm50]

$400 for a nice 39-2 will cost you $500 after shipping, fees and transfer.
That is about what they should run in a shop. I see a lot of PD trade ins.
Most easily picked out from finish off of alloy frame and Packs. Without in hand I wouldn’t want to go $300 total.

 

[Goony]

I see a lot of PD trade ins. Most easily picked out from finish off of alloy frame and Packs.

My former duty sidearm. Not issued, personally purchased. I hand selected a slide and barrel that mated to the frame just right. Carry in a well fitted, lined holster minimized rubs to the finish. Also upgraded to the MMC rear sight. Put on fresh Pachmayrs following my retirement (the existing ones did show some wear). A decades long companion that'll always be NFS.

 

[Drm50]

Couple weeks ago got this on just south of $400, had $500 in it with transfer. Did get extra mag , no box.

 

[Green Frog]

My former duty sidearm. Not issued, personally purchased. I hand selected a slide and barrel that mated to the frame just right. Carry in a well fitted, lined holster minimized rubs to the finish. Also upgraded to the MMC rear sight. Put on fresh Pachmayrs following my retirement (the existing ones did show some wear). A decades long companion that'll always be NFS.

Man, I wish MMC was still in business! I don’t think anyone ever made a better low profile adjustable rear sight for a 39 than that one!
Froggie

 

[Mostly Good]

New member here occasionally stopped by and read posts. This one on the 39-2 prompted me to join. As far as S&W other than 41s I am a wheelgun guy, that is until now. Last week I bought what I believe to be a NIB 39-2, Box, extra magazines, and an uninstalled MMC rear sight. Condition is what sold me along with a price that was in the neighborhood of the above mentioned.

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[Ameshawki]

New member here occasionally stopped by and read posts. This one on the 39-2 prompted me to join. As far as S&W other than 41s I am a wheelgun guy, that is until now. Last week I bought what I believe to be a NIB 39-2, Box, extra magazines, and an uninstalled MMC rear sight. Condition is what sold me along with a price that was in the neighborhood of the above mentioned.

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The MMC is $100 by itself, maybe more. I'd say you did well for that package.

 

[Green Frog]

Mostly Good, I’d say you found the package we’d all like to find. The MMC sight is so hard to find now, I’d put it at least $150 or more. The second NIB mag, which was supposed to be included in the original package, but are getting harder to find. As we say in the South, “Ya dun good. Ya dun reel good!”
Froggie

 

[Beemer-mark]

I recently bought me a nice 39-2 on the RIA auction. Finish about 98%, no box. Can't remember what I actually bid but once you added buyer's fee, sales tax and shipping (10%) I was at $700. Yeah I over paid but I've been looking for awhile to buy a decent one with no luck. Nothing local, GB and GI way higher.

 

[BC38]

This seems to me to be an entirely ordinary example in at best average condition (and I think I'm being charitable in this latter regard), yet it fetched a pretty high price. Is there something I'm missing here?

Attention Required! | Cloudflare

I paid 1/3 that price ($275 OTD) for one in comparable condition with two magazines just 4 years earlier (2018).
I also picked up a 639 with 2 mags the following year (2019) for just $250.
Admittedly, I got good deals on both guns.
But $800 in 2022 seems like a pretty high price for that 39-2.
For that matter, $800 seems like a pretty high price to pay in 2025 for that one.
JMO...

 

[stansdds]

New member here occasionally stopped by and read posts. This one on the 39-2 prompted me to join. As far as S&W other than 41s I am a wheelgun guy, that is until now. Last week I bought what I believe to be a NIB 39-2, Box, extra magazines, and an uninstalled MMC rear sight. Condition is what sold me along with a price that was in the neighborhood of the above mentioned.

[/URL]IMG_3438

Now that is a good deal for $800.

 

[cmansguns]

Overpriced? Maybe...but...

So $800 for used with no box, goodies or xtra mag does seem pretty steep, especially when you have to add the buyers fee, shipping, etc. (i've heard 17% with big box houses).

However.....on the other hand I was just yesterday, revising my "handgun values" sheet that I use for insurance purposes. This spreadsheet is a combination of completed auction prices at GB (without adder fees) and /or SCSW 4th. The reason for yesterday was that I just received my SCSW 5th Edition and WOW....some prices are getting right up there and I'm pretty sure this publication was going to press at least a year ago or so. The prices might just be 2023 with inflation still rising.

Anway...My 39-2 with box and all is on my sheet at $950. SCSW 5th has it at $1,000 ANIB, $750 Exc; my 639 is same $950, SCSW 5th is same $1,000 ANIB, $750 Exc; My 745 is at $900, SCSW 5th is at $1,000 ANIB, $800 Exc.

I sell only here on the Forum so don't have exposure to the "bidder wars" that show up on GB for really nice stuff, but I think that "scarcity" is beginning to enter into pricing no matter where you shop.

Like some above have said... factory original extra mag, box, tools, or docs can add to anyone's price, and yes condition is still utmost, but.....as always......THEY DON'T MAKE THESE ANYMORE. You need one, want one, see one for sale...only two choices....buy it or pass.

 

[cougar015]

I have been collecting the first and second generation Model 39's for 40 years and have about every variation and finish of pre-39, 39, 39-2 439, 539 and 639 and trust me there are many. Back in the early 80's thru 20XX there was little interest in them and you could pick them up for a great price as there was little competition. There were many times when I was the only bidder. This has changed in the last 3 years and there is a lot more interest in the guns with many new bidders. My first factory engraved pre 39 cost $881 and now they sell for $3000+ and a Factory engraved 39-2 can go for $4-5K. Interest in pre-39's has dropped but 4 digit 39 prices are increasing. 39-2's are selling well and nickel vs blue finish go higher. For the 2nd gen guns 439's are still priced reasonably followed by 539's and 639's are selling at higher prices. As with all of the above, gun condition, original box, tool kit, correct magazines and original paperwork can greatly affect the price. Many times I see where a gun will get down to two bidders who both want the gun and this will drive the price up higher than it should be. I suppose this is all true of any collectables. I have paid more for a specific gun than I should have simply because it is one I wanted or maybe needed to round out my collection.

 

[demkofour]

I have been collecting the first and second generation Model 39's for 40 years and have about every variation and finish of pre-39, 39, 39-2 439, 539 and 639 and trust me there are many. Back in the early 80's thru 20XX there was little interest in them and you could pick them up for a great price as there was little competition. There were many times when I was the only bidder. This has changed in the last 3 years and there is a lot more interest in the guns with many new bidders. My first factory engraved pre 39 cost $881 and now they sell for $3000+ and a Factory engraved 39-2 can go for $4-5K. Interest in pre-39's has dropped but 4 digit 39 prices are increasing. 39-2's are selling well and nickel vs blue finish go higher. For the 2nd gen guns 439's are still priced reasonably followed by 539's and 639's are selling at higher prices. As with all of the above, gun condition, original box, tool kit, correct magazines and original paperwork can greatly affect the price. Many times I see where a gun will get down to two bidders who both want the gun and this will drive the price up higher than it should be. I suppose this is all true of any collectables. I have paid more for a specific gun than I should have simply because it is one I wanted or maybe needed to round out my collection.

Gospel^^^^^^^^^^

I’ve recently found this can be quite a challenge and a very deep rabbit hole to get into…
Here’s two recent acquisitions. 1959 and 1966 Vintage.

 

[Mostly Good]

As this thread has been centered on current prices, I paid $600 for the 39-2 and at the same time I got this 59 for the same amount. This was from a dealer and not an auction. The MMC rear site was actually in the 59 box and to my eye looks as it would fit either gun. I put it with the 39 as that's how it was labeled. Apologies for the thread drift from the new guy.

 

[stansdds]

As this thread has been centered on current prices, I paid $600 for the 39-2 and at the same time I got this 59 for the same amount. This was from a dealer and not an auction. The MMC rear site was actually in the 59 box and to my eye looks as it would fit either gun. I put it with the 39 as that's how it was labeled. Apologies for the thread drift from the new guy.

Welcome to the S&W Forums. The Model 39-2 and 59 shared the same slides and associated parts, so the MMC sight is the same for the models 39, 39-2, and 59.

 

[Tntcwg3]

Welcome to the forum! You'll find a wealth of information and support here for any of the 39 family.

 

[Marshal Sam Holland]

I picked a decent condition 39-2 at a recent Gunshow. The older gentleman didn’t want to haggle, so I paid the $500. Gun and two mags, no box.