at Smith & Wesson Model 39 9mm Pistol

Anybody know where these guns might have come from?



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It's already saying sold out. I would have considered one really hard...

I probably would have bought one too. Bummer that they're already sold out. I bet some dealer bought their whole stock. We'll be seeing them on GB with another $100 added to the price soon.

I pounced on it as soon as the email hit my inbox Friday afternoon.

Got a shipment confirmation this morning.

Still would like to know where these guns were in service.
Wikipedia mentions that the Swiss used the Model 39.

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Looking forward to seeing some pictures. I just subscribed to their mailing list. Maybe I'll get a shot at one in the future.

I remeber reading somehwere that a bunch went to Sweden as well.

Heads up.

I was curious to see what they got for them and the link above is showing "1 available". Don't know how accurate AIM's online inventory is, but if one's left, I'd like to see one of you guys on the forum get it.

The Swiss used them? Over the P210?! Now that's saying something!

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Picked up the Model 39 today.
Looks like it will make a good shooter.
No safe-queen here.

Please excuse the fuzzy pics, and the fuzz IN the pics.




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Turns out its actually a Model 39-2



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Always a good decision.



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Re-import mark.
Have no idea who these guys are.



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The ugly (note damage to lanyard loop)



The ugly (worn grip – worn wood would have looked so much better than worn rubber).



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Grip screws need some serious attention – mag catch looks like it made it unscathed.



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Business end looks good.
(couldn’t get the camera in the bore – but the bore is ship-shape too)



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Breechface has lots of red primer-sealer residue – otherwise no cause for alarm.



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Barrel hood.



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Barrel proofs.



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Slide proof.



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Hammer is GTG.



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Rear sight.
Leaf is slightly dinged on outboard edge from right-side carry.



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Mag well shows some wear.



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Magazine has goodly amount of surface rust.



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Feed lips look serviceable.

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I would say it falls into the "carried a LOT" category It'll be interesting to see how it performs.

That's a fairly late production model. High serial number, last version barrel bushing.

Can anyone decipher those proof marks? Would "TGI" be TG International in Tennessee?

Really would like to get my hands on some WOOD grips with medallion that show wear consistent with the "character" of this gun.

If anybody has a lead, I'd be much obliged if you would contact me.

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I suspect you could find some on ebay.

I have grips from a 539 that are more used dirty than worn.
They are from my `82 539.
If you havnt found a set yet PM me.
Jim

Having been presented with that final challenge, I wasn't going to be able to sleep until it was met.

So, let us commence.

I dug my most teeny-tiny allen wrench out of the tool box.
(I can remember wondering WHAT would I ever use such a small wrench for...)

I wish I could have taken a pic.

No way that sight was going to pivot without some goodly force.

There I was, holding the slide down against a 2x4 on the floor with my knee, and prying the sight with the little wrench, and holding a brass punch, an swinging a hammer to strike the punch. I just did not have a fourth hand to wield the camera simultaneously. Bad enough that I was hammering in the basement, at one o’clock in the morning right under the bedroom where the wife was trying to sleep.

This is the best I can do for a pic of the outset.



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Aint broke it yet



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Bingo!

Not too terribly dirty after all the preceding hosing and scrubbing and air-blasting.



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Dingus and spring



NOW, I can rest.

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I couldn’t rest until I put it back together… which I did without breaking it.

Sort of.

The rear sight adjustment screw already had a horizontal scratch on it when I got this gun.
Somebody must have had that sight off at some point in the life of the gun.

After tonight’s effort, the scratch is a mite larger.
Pivoting the sight base without first removing the windage screw will likely scratch the head of the screw.

So, the caution for any of you owners of 39’s that don’t already have scratched rear sight adjustment screws is this. You need to disassemble the windage screw and sight leaf from the base before you pivot the base, if you want to be sure to not scratch the head of the windage screw.

You have been warned.

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Not to derail, but my BHP came in today. Haven't gone to pick it up yet though. Let's compare photos over at the other place.

Now back to the Model 39 photo thread!

This isn't a weapon I need...but to add to the feeding frenzy, I recall about 40+ years ago when these pistols were being scalped for more than retail price.

TGI = Tennessee Guns International. They import a lot of AK stuff.

Found this on the web.
About Us : TGI Online Store, Your Source For Military Surplus Parts and Accessories

About Us
TG International is your source for military surplus parts and accessories. We have been proudly importing the finest quality surplus from Russia, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Finland, Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, and Austria for more than a dozen years. We strive to comb the farthest corners of the former Soviet empire and hand select only the highest quality items available at the best possible value and then import them to the US for you.

Many of our parts and accessories are available direct through our secure online shopping cart for your safety and convenience. Our firearms are not available directly, so please see our list of distributors here for firearm sales.

Thank you for visiting our site. We appreciate your patronage.

TG International
P.O. Box 787
Louisville, TN 37777
(865) 977-9707

Contact us with your ideas, questions, suggestions, comments or reviews.

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W.E.G., you're a prince of a fellow for putting up such great pix - thanks. Max, big grin on the Sherlock quip.

W.E.G.,

Thanks for posting the pictures. I hope it shoots well for you. It's definitely not what I would have expected though. The picture from the website and what you received seem to be worlds apart. I don't remember what the description said, but I'd consider that a little more than "typical holster wear".

Makes me significantly nervous because I just bought one of the Hi-Powers from AIM yesterday! If what I get is that much different from what they posted on their website, I'll be making some calls.

I've come to expect a little less than what the throw-'em-in-a-pile pics internet pics suggest.

I succumbed to one of the AIM BHP's too.

I reckon we pays our money, and we takes our chances.

I just want a good shooter that I don't have to keep in a velvet case.

This stuff is all just entertainment to me anyhow. When I decide I don't want it anymore, I know I won't do too bad. If the entertainment value is worth anything, I'll get over in spades. Heck, I could hardly take the wife and the kid to a pro ballgame, and get any kind of good seats, and not spend nearly what I paid for the 39. All that just to see my team lose.

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That's a good way to look at it.

We'll have to compare pictures of the hi powers. Which one did you decide to get?

I got the oldest and most beat up one.

I'm sure of it.

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Proof marks on frame, barrel and slide are definitely from Liege, Belgium.
cfr. European Union Marks: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/hearin...o/genco_en.pdf
Please consider that proof marks of every single state member of the EU is recognised by the whole Union, but mean that the gun has been imported (and proofed) in Belgium.

That's pretty cool!

Thanks!

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I'd say the internals will look really good once you get everything cleaned up. I figured from the pictures that it hadn't been cleaned up real good yet. Didn't want to tell you to give it a good cleaning if you already had!

And I've never liked rubber grips on black guns to begin with, so I'd say if you slapped on some decent original wood grips, that thing would look like a completely different gun.

Now looking forward to the range report.

I got to monkeying with it some more while I was digging the better part of Jacques' sweater out of the nooks and crannies.

Decided to take a crack at getting the selector lever out.

Pushed on the tail-end of the firing pin with a narrow punch, until the tail of the firing pin was farther forward than the selector shaft.

Then I was able to push on the flat side of the selector to force it out the opposite side.

Firing pin and spring then came right out the back. (and without flying all the way across the room!).




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I was concerned that the selector detent would go flying.
I was initially of the impression that the detent for the selector is captive in the frame by a separate pin that is secured under the dovetail of the rear sight. That is incorrect. When working on a SECOND M39, I nearly lost the detent and spring when I removed the selector shaft. Do this job in a clean area, over a towel, or you can easily lose these small parts when the selector shaft is removed.



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I was a little worried about this spring-loaded slide-dingus (technical term).
This is the magazine-disconnect plunger.
Figured it would go flying too.
It stayed put, as it is secured by the rear sight assembly. We will remove the rear sight, and this part shortly.



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The whorl-marks from the cutter that did the cut-out job for the selector had me fooled initially. I thought one of the whorls was actually the head of a blind pin of some sort. Nope. Just whorl-marks from the cutter.


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Several view of the selector.
(note remnants of Constable Jacques’ sweater and some of his lunch on the shaft)





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Very crusty (but not corroded) firing pin.



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Tip looks decent.

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AIM hang tag attached to trigger guard when received.

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Invoice

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You went mad scientist on that thing! Great pictures of the process too.

That 'dingus' is the magazine disconnector. It's kept in place by the rear sight. Since you've removed everything else from the slide, you might as well remove the sight, too. As explained to me by Model 39, when I queried on this site a few days ago (Model 39 Rear Sight Removal), you pry up the long spring at the front of the sight. There's a notch in the slide for this. Don't pry too much, as the spring can break. Then pivot the sight 90º either way and lift it off. The dingus and dingus spring will come out too. When I did it, the amount of crud under the sight was amazing; I wouldn't doubt that yours is in similiar condition..

Mad Scientist eh?...

I think I excavated enough goo from around the sight base, that I think I can see that little notch for lifting the spring-leaf. I think I follow the drill for how to get that apart.

I just got everything back together after the mega-detail-cleaning. I'll have at it tomorrow afternoon!

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Now that she’s all cleaned up and inspected, time to think about holsters.

There are some very nice (and expensive) leather holsters still made just for the M39.

Before I run out and spend a lot of money on another holster, let’s have a look at how the M39 rides in some holsters already on hand.

On top of the pile are several FOBUS kydex holsters.

Let’s start with the one that I got for my Ruger P-95.
The manufacturer-marked this model “RU-97”
This particular model is the “roto-holster” model – which if you don’t know FOBUS holsters, means it is adjustable for cant. I assume the pouch that holds the gun is made from the same mold as the other FOBUS holsters, like the paddle-model, and belt-model.

The M-39 fits into the RU-97 with a satisfying “click” sound.
Once you get past the click, it does rattle a bit.
Otherwise the fit seems normal and unobtrusive.



It passes the inversion test, but only just barely. The belt in the pic is belted around the back of an old office chair. If you kick the chair while the M39 is inverted in the RU-97 holster, the M39 falls out of the holster.

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The FOBUS paddle holster for the “full-size” Glock (i.e. G17 or G22, etc.) is marked GL2.

The M39 will go in the GL2 holster
It does not click in, and it does not rattle.
But, I am not comfortable with the security of the M39 in this holster.

The GL2 holster fails the inversion test.
I was able to cram the M39 into this holster, and it would hold the M39 just long enough for me to start to get set up to take the pic, then the M39 would fall out of the holster, and onto the floor before I could press the shutter-release.

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I have a Lobo Pancake (Model 1 ?) leather holster that keeps my M39 very snugly in place. The basic holster isn't too bad at $41.95 and they still show it as an available model.

Those look really nice, and at an attractive price!

Lobo Gun Leather - Model 1 Pancake Style holster

Link fixed: Lobo Gun Leather - Current List of Handgun Models Accomodated

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One more FOBUS holster I already own.

This one is for the “Baby Glock” (i.e. G26, G27, etc.)
Aptly marked GL26
Another thread on this board mentioned the GL26 holster as an option for the M39 - found: a modern holster for the S&W mdl 39
This suggestion inspired me to do all this experimentation with my FOBUS holster collection.

The M39 actually fits MORE snugly in the smaller Glock holster than it did in the bigger Glock holster. Yet, it doesn’t fit snugly enough to ensure the gun won’t become dislodged during vigorous activity. The GL26 holster does not reliably pass the inversion test. At first it seemed like it was holding the M39 quite well. Then suddenly, the M39 just fell right out on the floor. Not good. If you cram the M39 into the holster really hard, it will fool you. I’m here to tell you, don’t trust it on its own.



So, what to do if your holster on hand isn’t trustworthy for retaining the M39 (or whatever other gun you may stuff in it)? If you are concealing, or if you simply refuse to be a slave to fashion, an inexpensive cordlock (available at any camping outfitter), and a length of para cord, and you are 100% secure against a gun-grab or a bungee-jump.

The “tails” of the para cord are left conspicuously free for the purpose of the photo. The tails could be tucked behind the belt and/or into your trousers in such a way that only a keen eye would even notice the presence of the para cord. The cordlock would probably appear to be just a feature of the holster itself.

Yes, it adds time to your quickdraw -- but you can always unfasten the loop if you are in Indian territory, and expecting savages. The loop does not have to be removed from the belt or the cordlock – just loosened. Be sure to remember to re-secure the loop before the track-and-field event commences.

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Range report.

Zero malfunctions.

All firing done from unsupported offhand position.
Two-hand grip.
Single action only.

Tested with:
Winchester (FMJ)
Remington (FMJ)
Wolf (FMJ)
Winchester Silvertip (hollow-point)

5 shots


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5 shots


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5 shots


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What a sweet-shooting gun!

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Would the M39 still function without the mag disconnector ? I've never been a fan of them, and have one in My 469. If they work without it, I think I would just as soon remove it.

Winchester "white box" primers


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Winchester Silvertip primers


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Remington primers


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Wolf primers

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jpage: Yes it will function without the magazine disconnentor. And it will now fire even if the magazine is out of the pistol! I tried it with my 39 once; didn't like it and reinstalled the mag disconenctor.

Hey guys. I'm kind of a lurker around here and don't really post much, but this thread has so much great info, I thought I'd say thanks to everyone who's posted.

I also purchased a Model 39 from AIM. I'm pretty sure mine was the last one to leave their warehouse. They told me I "almost lost it" because of some confusion with my FFL. But that all got sorted out and I was able to get my pistol and take it to the range this weekend.

Unlike W.E.G., my pistol came with the wood grips, which I was glad for. They are well worn, but still have several years of life left in them. Whoever carried it was a righty like me because the texture on the wood is almost completely smoothed down on the right grip panel.

My lanyard loop is also smashed down. My theory is that the Euro police force these came from were trained to use the butt of their guns to crack open walnuts. I'm still developing this theory...

I've owned a couple of dozen pistols over the past few years, but this is my first S&W pre-M&P auto. For some reason, this 39 is close to the top of the list of "fun to shoot" guns I've ever owned. I have no idea why, but I got a big grin every time I finished off a mag. The recoil seems very soft, and I think it will make a great training pistol for my intro to handgun classes.

I did have a few failures to extract, but that could have been because of the cheap Russian ammo I was using, or perhaps due to the fact that it hadn't been cleaned since it left Europe (don't judge me! I had a chance to go to the range so I jumped on it. You'd have done the same!) Anyway, it's been field stripped and scrubbed of all it's nasty Euro-grime now, so we'll see how it does next time at the range. Maybe I'll come back here and give a report.

Okay, that's all I got
Chris

PS: For your viewing pleasure:

One more thing!

I emailed TGI, the guys who imported these pistols, and asked if they could give any details about where they came from. This is the reply I got just a few minutes ago:

Sir,
Other than the Austrian Government/Forest Service/Border Patrol/ Regional Police we don't know anymore details, Sorry
TGI


Anyone else want to do some detective work?
Chris

The 39-2 is one of those AWESOME classic guns. Many parts for them can be had on Numrich (Google: Gun Parts and it will be the first result) and ebay.

My 39-2 is at Karl Sokol's farm and gunsmithy enjoying an extended vacation from SoCal. He will "modernize" it. I already sent the slide of to Chris McVety at Amerigun for a front 1911 Novak Tritium dovetailed sight and rear sight upgraded with a dim Meprolight Tritium revolver blade.

I bought several sets of used S&W Walnut panels. They were gotten from ebay and when received were immersed in Howard's for 3-4 days. The emblems were super-glued down, so they wouldn't spin (from the back of course) and treated to a spritzing-up with a Q-Tip of FLITZ. Makes them better than new. I sent them with the gun, so Karl can relieve the mag button cut out to interface with the Ed Brown oversized mag button.

The 39 is perhaps one of the best-built autos to come out of Springfield. I should say that the 39-2 is the best, as they worked out the bugs from the reverse barrel ramp of the 39. They fit the hand so damn well.

A quick aside is that I've taken the guts from the slightly longer 3906 9-shot magazines and put them into the 39 mag bodies. That makes the 39 a very trim 9+1 9mm that fits the hand. Hard to beat.

Lastly, get the slimmer 3rd Generation trigger and have a gunsmith (or tinkerer) install it. It makes for a better trigger pull with dispensing the VERY wide trigger.

Great thread!

Spaker:

Bull City Defense? I assume you've registered your handguns, right? Durham is funny like that.

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Hah, yes I'm aware of the Durham registration law. From what I've been able to gather, local leo have been told not to enforce it and the last conviction under that law was in the 60s. Doesn't really matter to me though.. I lost all my guns in a tragic boating accident on Falls Lake last weekend.
Chris

Then it ought to be repealed. Non-enforcement of existing laws really means selective enforcement, which will be used at the Chief's or Officer's whim.

Thanks for the report Spaker!

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