Considering buying this 39-2...

[CKPOMEH]

Hi guys -

So, I picked up the below 639 at the LGS, and noticed they had the following 39-2 for sale as well.



The 39-2 has a correct box and all paperwork with it, but not original to the gun - box is labelled to A534XXX or so SN. It has a new spare magazine that does not appear to be original S&W - it has a metal follower (kind of the ones on the colt woodsman).



They will sell it to me for 630 + tax. I see prices ranging from $450 to $1,000 sold on GB. Given the condition above ( I would rate VG+/E-), would this make a good buy? I already have one in very similar condition, picked for a similar price last year, so I am a little on the fence. If it were nickel, I would be all over it, as I do not have a nickel one...

Trigger is mushy as all DA/SA S&W from that era were, so I do not plan on shooting, just a collectible.

Thanks for any inputs and observations on the above!

 

[CKPOMEH]

Oh, forgot to ask - take a look at the medallions on the 639 - those do not resemble anything I have seen from S&W. Shall I assume aftermarket grips, or the SS 2nd series wonder 9s had some specific medallions to them?

 

[toddimusnimski]

The 39-2 looks to be in great shape and has the adjustable rear sight. A good find but already having one I'd be on the fence too.
I haven't seen medallions like the 639 has either.

Todd

 

[Sevens]

I have also never seen those medallions. They are kinda neat!

 

[larryofcc]

I have 3 M39-2's and one early M639. One M39-2 is nickel. Both in original boxes. Big Larry

 

[stansdds]

The overall contours of the stocks on your 639 do not look right to me. I'm thinking they are aftermarket replacement stocks. $630 for a Model 39-2 with box and in the condition pictured is not a horrible price at this time, but I'd definitely try to negotiate a better price.

 

[CW3RDL]

Hi guys -

So, I picked up the below 639 at the LGS, and noticed they had the following 39-2 for sale as well.
View attachment 761945
View attachment 761947

The 39-2 has a correct box and all paperwork with it, but not original to the gun - box is labelled to A534XXX or so SN. It has a new spare magazine that does not appear to be original S&W - it has a metal follower (kind of the ones on the colt woodsman).
View attachment 761948

View attachment 761949
They will sell it to me for 630 + tax. I see prices ranging from $450 to $1,000 sold on GB. Given the condition above ( I would rate VG+/E-), would this make a good buy? I already have one in very similar condition, picked for a similar price last year, so I am a little on the fence. If it were nickel, I would be all over it, as I do not have a nickel one...

Trigger is mushy as all DA/SA S&W from that era were, so I do not plan on shooting, just a collectible.

Thanks for any inputs and observations on the above!

Oh, forgot to ask - take a look at the medallions on the 639 - those do not resemble anything I have seen from S&W. Shall I assume aftermarket grips, or the SS 2nd series wonder 9s had some specific medallions to them?

Nice looking 39-2; the rear sight doesn’t look right from my viewing angle. If it works and you ever want to shoot it, the spare magazine is worth $22. Otherwise it and the box are not worth $30 to a collector or knowledgeable later buyer. Not knowing sales tax percentage where you are, I’d offer $600 OTD. Unless you have two children or nephews/nieces who love you and S&Ws you’d want to leave them to, you are just hoarding…like I tend to do. Hahaha. As to the monogrammed medallions on the 639, I’d go no more than 50-50 that they are S&W original. But I don’t know why anyone would replace stocks on such a good looking piece. I suppose they could have been scuffed or otherwise used damaged without damaging metal. The silver color is okay, but they are mirrored and are almost up out of the wood. All I have seen are “sunk” noticeably below the wood.

 

[Bozz10mm]

For the 39-2, $630 seems a bit high to me. I'm thinking more in the $550 range.

 

[gmborkovic]

The mag with the metal follower is wrong for that Sn. It should be the black plastic.

 

[CKPOMEH]

The mag with the metal follower is wrong for that Sn. It should be the black plastic.

yep, the second mag is not correct for it. One mag has the black plastic follower.

 

[CKPOMEH]

The 39-2 looks to be in great shape and has the adjustable rear sight. A good find but already having one I'd be on the fence too.
I haven't seen medallions like the 639 has either.

Todd

I had not noticed the adjustable rear sights until you mentioned it. Mine has fixed rear sights. Which ones are more rare? I assume adjustable are more desirable...

 

[CKPOMEH]

For the 39-2, $630 seems a bit high to me. I'm thinking more in the $550 range.

They are bringing it down from $700 but I also think it is worth buy if I can land it in the 550-600 range. I will be buying a 10-7 snubby as well, so perhaps negotiate both as a package...

 

[CKPOMEH]

The overall contours of the stocks on your 639 do not look right to me. I'm thinking they are aftermarket replacement stocks. $630 for a Model 39-2 with box and in the condition pictured is not a horrible price at this time, but I'd definitely try to negotiate a better price.

Yes, the right grips are straight - and do not have the relief cut, but I have a 39-2 with the same setup. I have read in the SWSC about both options, but do not recall the details.

I do think the medallions are a little too flashy and busy for them to be S&W OE, so I am assuming aftermarket. 39-2 grips are not hard to come by, I can replace with OEM at some point.

The 639 has a couple of dings around the take-down pin / lever, will try to buff out but since those do not come often for sale, I bought it. Ideally if I can find a NIB at some point, I will rotate out of this one into a NIB. I would never shoot a wonder 9 again as a range toy - shot 50 rounds through a 459 six-seven years ago and just internalized why they phased them out - their triggers are just bad - no way to dance around it...

 

[mauser9]

Really like the rear sights on the 639. Always favored them myself.

 

[toddimusnimski]

I had not noticed the adjustable rear sights until you mentioned it. Mine has fixed rear sights. Which ones are more rare? I assume adjustable are more desirable...

They are easily swapped out I believe - not sure how uncommon the adjustable one is. I picked one up from a forum member once but have not installed it yet.

Todd

 

[1775usmarine]

I paid 550 for my 39-2 similar condition but correct box papers and 2 mags today at my local store I had on layaway for a month. Looks like it was made around 1975.

 

[CKPOMEH]

I paid 550 for my 39-2 similar condition but correct box papers and 2 mags today at my local store I had on layaway for a month. Looks like it was made around 1975.

Thanks for the comp! It looks like $500-600 would be the right price given the above and feedback from others. My plan is to offer $600 and if they take it, great, if not - so be it, move on.

 

[Hugo Stiglitz]

I picked up a 39-2 back in 1982 for 300 bucks I still have it! A few years ago I snagged a 539 and I paid less than 600 bucks for it. Also have a 5906 Police trade in that was unissued from the Phoenix shot show a fews years ago for 289.00. I think I gave 650 for the 4506. I swapped out the Novak rear sight on the 5906 with a LPA fully adjustable rear sight. The 4506 is a Tank, former Sheriff Dept trade in.

 

[CKPOMEH]

I picked up a 39-2 back in 1982 for 300 bucks I still have it! A few years ago I snagged a 539 and I paid less than 600 bucks for it. Also have a 5906 Police trade in that was unissued from the Phoenix shot show a fews years ago for 289.00. I think I gave 650 for the 4506. I swapped out the Novak rear sight on the 5906 with a LPA fully adjustable rear sight. The 4506 is a Tank, former Sheriff Dept trade in.





View attachment 762340

That 539 has an interesting plating - initially I thought it may be SS (the matte finish on the frame) but then when I looked it up it is nickel plated. I have a 459 in nickel that looks more like your 39-2 there...Do you find those differences as well?

As to the 06 series - yes, they are tanks indeed. I have an LE trade in 4006 TSW, and this thing was built for a heavy duty use - frame, slide, rail are all wide and bulky - no metal spared there!

Thanks for the feedback on the pricing!

 

[Road Rat]

I had not noticed the adjustable rear sights until you mentioned it. Mine has fixed rear sights. Which ones are more rare? I assume adjustable are more desirable...

I'll have to look into the sights. I have three 39-2's - all with adjustable rear sights. Hmm.