Here in Europe, I often see used model 39’s at very low prices, down to the equivalent of 200$. Mostly, they look like stored in a drawer for a quarter of a century, so I would say perfect buys. And they do not seem to sell ?!

I am not too familiar with S&W auto’s (wheelgun fan), but I am very tempted to buy one, for some range fun. So what could possibly be wrong with them : alleged alloy frame weakness, too big competition from CZ, Glock and others here (9mm are VERY popular), or buyer’s ignorance, … ?

B686

there is nothing wrong with the 39 series pistols, i have one myself, alot of people here are hung up on high capacity, but if you can shoot well the single stack guns are fine. parts for the 39s are getting a little harder to get as it is not in production at this time, but it is the best feeling auto that s&w has ever made.

I concur with Ronnie Gore. I own two and they are some of the best handling semi-autos I own.

Just not "in''. This is the era of lazy folks and SS and polimer. I you want bueaty and soul buy one !!

I must agree. They are probably the best looking auto i own. Have not fired one in probably 38 years,but I like the way it feels and looks.

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J. Mark McCarver

I've owned a Model 39 since about 1980. It is one of the best looking, finest shooting auto pistols I've ever owned. I agree with previous posters that a lot of people are hung up on high-cap pistols nowadays. This little pistol was a work-horse in Vietnam and for decades later in Law Enforcement. Great little gun. Easy to carry concealed. I'd buy every one I could find for $200. A real S&W classic, in my opinion.

I bought one for myself for Christmas 1975......I still use it and sometimes carry it.

It just fits my hand.

The Model 39-2 has an alloy frame and an 8 shot magazine that has kept prices low. Take advantage of it!!!! BUY TWO.....

I'm absolutely delighted to have a 3906 join my little collection! It's a beautifully made semi-auto, and I only wish I could find one for $200.... (Paid a bit more than that for mine).

The early 39s did have a problem, the feed ramp was supposedly at odd angles and wouldn't feed anything but ball ammo. But Smith cleaned that up with the 39-2! Now there is a handgun! Like scootergirl said; it did yeoman service with the SEALs in Vietnam as the "Hushpuppy" weapon and was adopted by both the Illinois State Police and Salt Lake City Utah police in 1967 IIRC.
I have owned 3 of these pistols over the years, one of which was worked over by DEVEL! They're accurate, reliable and tougher than most think! Get one and know you have the archtype of all S&W autos! Dale

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"Long live the S&W 3rd. Gen.!"

The 39 is a great gun and I find it fits my hand better than about any gun. The only issue with the early 39's is the original long extractor is prone to breakage and it is very hard to find a replacement. The 39-2 will have the new style extractor which is more reliable.

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John. SWCA #1586

+ What they all say. Only downside is that it isn't "cool" for the "spray and pray" crowd.

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-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

All what been said just confirms what I expected, nothing wrong at all with the gun, but with people and fashions.

Now I really want one, but will be looking for a 39-2 if possible, as I intend to shoot it regularly, something like 500rds a year I would expect, (else my other S&W will complain I do not take them out anymore).

Are they fine with lead reloads (assumed I find a 39-2), or do I better stick to FMJ ?

Thanks for your precious feedback as usual.

B686

The 39-2 can be fired with most any commonly available 9mm ammo. Lead is fine, just remember to clean it afterwards to prevent leading.

Like everyone else has said, I think the 39 series is one of the best pistols made. They are comfortable to shoot, combat accurate, and look good too. You can't go wrong with a 39.

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J.D. Roy

Lead's OK, with the reservations already stated.
With mine, I went to the middle ground, Berry's 115gr plated bullets, with excellent results.
I load my range ammo pretty mild, to about 1075 f/s.

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-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

The 39 is a fine gun. I NEVER saw one in Viet Nam, so I have NO idea what Scootergirl is talkin' about with that "work horse" inference. I was a US Army Staff Sergeant in Viet Nam in 1968 and 1969. The only S&Ws I saw were .38Spl revolvers. The Govt. issue semi-auto was the 1911 in .45ACP. I DID see a coupla silenced Rugers in .22 LR.

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

I recall reading that the Navy Seals used some M39s in the Vietnam conflict. In the Army, they were an unknown, of course.

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-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

From another site:


During the Vietnam conflict, the US navy sponsored development of the silenced pistol for use by its SEAL teams. Nicknamed the hush-puppy because of its intended function of killing enemy watch dogs, this modified version of the steel framed Smith & Wesson model 39 pistol was put to other clandestine used as well. Called the mark 22, mod. O pistol by the navy, the hush puppy had a slide lock to keep the mechanism closed and silent while firing. It fired a special green tipped 9mm parabellum projectile weighting 10.2 grams (158 grains that yielded a muzzle velocity of 274m.p.s. (900 f.p.s), below the speed of sound. Use of standard supersonic ammunition quickly degrades the effectiveness of the silencer insert. With subsonic ammunition, an insert is good for about 30 rounds; with standard velocity cartridges the insert may have to be replaced after six shots. Official navy designation for the silencer is mark 3, mod.0 . Ammunition and replacement silencer parts are supplied as accessory kit MK26, Mod.0. Each accessory kit includes 24 9mm pistol cartridges MK144, mod.0 and one silencer tube insert.
All the work on the model 39 hush-puppy was carried out by Smith & Wesson before the end of 1968. Subsequently, Smith & Wesson provided two prototype 13-shot pistols made from stainless steel. These weapons were improved to overcome problems such as extractor breakages, which had been experwnced with the model 39. This modified pistol in a slightly different form as later commercially marketed as the model 59 Smith & Wesson 9mm parabellum pistol.

I wouldn't call a specialized weapon such as this, which is used in certain instances by an elite force that makes up a small minority of the US forces serving in Viet Nam "a workhorse". In semi-auto pistols, the Govt. Model 1911 in .45ACP was the true workhorse of the US military from its inception up through Viet Nam and until it's replacement with the current issue Beretta in 9mm. Certain elite units continue to carry the 1911 in .45 ACP. Ya gotta give credit where credit is due--even on a S&W forum.....

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

You are certainly correct - the 1911 saw far more service than the S&W. I just thought it was an interesting write up and a cool pic, thats why I posted it .

I have owned three 39-2 pistols, One was worked by ISP armors, one by the late Joe Bonner of Novaks and one by /Actions by T. All three were jewels. the extractor problem is long gone and nothing fit my hand like the 39 series....At 200 I would buy all that I could obtain.

Only complaint I can come up with; it's not a target gun (combat accuracy). But that is like complaining that it is hard to eat soup with a fork, or my truck doesn't corner well.

Don't overlook the 639 either. It's just the stainless version of the 39 (second generation). That stainless frame/slide makes it even tougher than the alloy version. Mine handles normal and +P handloads with equal ease although I did install a slightly heavier recoil spring.
These are excellent guns and have a very comfortable grip.

They are pretty darned accurate. My M39 no-dash can put a full magazine inside 1.5" at 15 yds with just a 2 hand hold, better than my 5906, or the new 39-2. I expect the new 39-2 to improve a bit after it's broken in. It's only got a couple hundred rounds through it so far. I do have a spare extractor if the original ever breaks.

Oh yeah...

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-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

I'll say!! pretty darn good for a combat arm.....GOOD SHOOTING

I remember the days of $250 used Model 39-2 's long ago .
Remember thinking the same thing "Why so cheap?"
So I bought both a Nickel and a Blued version.

I suppose it had something to do with the craze and demand for Hi cap 9's

If I ever see another that cheap I would buy it in a heartbeat.

Im sure some day people will say the same thing about the $350 Sigma guns available these days...

I would pick a 39-2 over a Sigma anyday but thats me..

Europe is not lacking good 9mm pistols made in factories closer than Springfield, MA. However, the 39 fits many hands better than most pistols. Different strokes for different folks.

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Formerly Model520Fan

How necessary is getting the -2 model? I'm looking for one to just use as a fun range gun. No hot loads or hollowpoint ammo.

Just that it's been said that the early 39s sometimes had trouble feeding even ball. That said if your just going too use it for a range gun, try one. Dale

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"Long live the S&W 3rd. Gen.!"

You would be lucky to find a no dash 59 with steel lower in good condition.
Incidentally found a NIB 39-2 today for $475.00

Just picked up this 39-2 recently repatriated from Israel for $320.
Very little firing wear or evidence. Mostly knicked up a bit from armory rack storage. Can't wait to shoot it.

Well, there you go Joe we just can't be aware of every thing,Thanks for
your service!

Bob

What does the "Devel" mean on a 39-2? I see that designation on some on GB.
Thanks!

google " devel model 39 "........should get you the info..........

something about altering the pistol for cc......

By the way.....I sure do enjoy my Model 39...it's a Ill. S. P. example.

john in missery

I had a 439 and a 539, the alloy and steel-framed 2nd gen replacements, respectively, for the 1st gen 39. I bought them because I had always been intrigued by the way they felt in the hand. Intended to make them carry/home defense guns. The 439 was reliable, but the 539 not so much, even after returning it to S&W for extraction issues. Practicality won out and I eventually replaced them.

Downsides of the 439/539: harder to install tritium sights than more modern guns because of the milled front sight, didn't care for the two different trigger pulls associated with DA/SA, rust was more of an issue than with more modern designs, parts were not as available as current production guns, grip screws tended to work loose, holster availability was IMO too limited.

I saw and was allowed to shoot a M-39 while in Lybia in 1962. returned to the states in 1964 and sold a mint 1916 all matching Luger for $65.00 and purchased a new M-39 for $65.00 including the sales tax. Of course the Luger is worth much more now but I still have my 39. I never had a problem with feeding it, it shot everything I loaded in the mag. I just picked up a nickel 39-2 w/box and papers for $400.00 and sold the extra mags and holsters and grips for $100 so I ended up with a $300.00 purchase.

SWCA 892

The only thing wrong with Model 39 is that I don't currently own one. Within the limitations of its caliber, it was as fine a sidearm as I ever carried. It fit my hand, carried well and fed everything.

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I need ammo, not a ride.

Thanks again to all for your replies.

Buford57, you are right, the only thing wrong about it is currently having none, but surely hope to solve that soon.

B686

I bought one new sometime around 1977-78, had a problem with the slide locking back, and it wasn't that accurate for me compared to other auto's I've owned.

Sold it, never looked back. It was good-looking pistol that fit my hand well though.

1981