Mod 39

Slyk54 · #1 01-17-2012, 04:41 PM

The LGS has a s&w mod 39 & a Sig 226 for the same price. Both in good condition. Sig has extra mag. I want to buy a steel or alloy framed 9 mm for a 2nd handgun- back up home defense & range gun. Durability, accuracy are important
Which is the better gun and why?
Thanks!!I

italia · #2 01-17-2012, 05:29 PM

If you're not going to carry it, I'd lean toward the P226 for "back up home defense" due to its ability to use 15 round 9mm magazines. For a range gun, the 39 has a sweet trigger, but the P226 trigger can be worked on to make it really nice too! Early Model 39's (pre Dash-2) seem to be appreciating in price nicely.

SPEEDGUNNER · #3 01-17-2012, 08:27 PM

Buy both.

OK, buy both, sell me the 39.

Is it a 39, or a 39-2?

Did I say buy both?

Stu454 · #4 01-17-2012, 08:49 PM

Either one is good. I love 226's but my hand is just a bit too small for them.

Get the one that you like the feel of best.

scooter123 · #5 01-17-2012, 10:03 PM

IMO you should take a close look at the sights on both pistols before you decide. I was showing my BIL how to field strip the model 59 his father left him and to be blunt, the sights on that model 59 were simply miserable. It's a big advantage to more modern semi's, the visibilty of the sights has improved by at least one order of magnitude.

heekma · #6 01-17-2012, 10:10 PM

Tough call.

The 39 has a dynomite feel in grip width and angle-but it's a single stack.

The Sig has an edge in capacity-and even though it feels good in the hand, the 39 feels better.

As for durability-it's most likely a wash, both have an enviable reputation when it comes to aluminum-framed guns.

Grip and feel goes to the 39.

Capacity goes to the Sig.

Honestly it's hard to go wrong with either.

Now, introduce a S&W 639 into the equation and all bets are off, but that's not the question at hand.

I've owned several Sigs, wouldn't hesitate to bet my life on one.

Don't know if I did any good here or just muddied the water, but that's my $.02.

Best,

Heekma

ispcapt · #7 01-17-2012, 10:55 PM

Either gun will do quite well as a range and self defense piece. One thing you might want to consider is they don't make any more 39s. All that are out there is all there is going to be. Sig still makes the 226. If you get the 226 now and want a 39 later on you never know if you can find a good one at a good price. But if you get the 39 now and later on decide you want a 226, Sig is still turning them out so they should be some popping up in the used market or you could buy new.

JimC · #8 01-18-2012, 07:59 AM

I would say go with the S&W but remember, if it goes down and is in need of parts, you will have a very hard time finding them.

They are both fine pistols in their own right. The M39 is a classic and sought after by many. Extra mags are costly and there aren't many out there.

The 226 is one of the finest hi-capacity 9's out there and will give you many years of faithful service. Extra mags for the 226 are common and cost less than the M39 mags. Parts for the 226 are readily available.

If your so inclined, a threaded barrel for the 226 is available from SIG and other sources and will work with a suppressor extremely well. Not so for the M39.

I hate to admit this but, my in my hands my 226 will outshoot my M39 with the same ammo on the same day.

Slyk54 · #9 01-18-2012, 08:22 PM

"I would say go with the S&W but remember, if it goes down and is in need of parts, you will have a very hard time finding them."

I wondered about possible repair/parts replacement...I found magazines on Midwayusa, and some at CDNN, and while pricey, (comparatively) they aren't totally unreasonable and there are some off-brand magazines listed as well for less-

So if I may be allowed a follow-up question; what parts would be likely to go on the model 39? It seems like, with so many produced over the years, there should be a good supply of parts but maybe not?

Thanks again for the comments!

Raider · #10 01-18-2012, 08:49 PM

Parts for the mod 39-2 are available from Gun Parts Corp and other sources. They made a million 39-2's. About the only parts I would stock would be a firing pin, extractor and ejector. Recemtly, I bought good usable mags on Gunbroker at $15 to $30 apiece and those were real 39 mags that fit flush. You just have to look.

Charlie

Phil W · #11 01-18-2012, 08:52 PM

I would say m-39, however it is a relatively old design. I'd love to have one as a collectors piece but I'd trust the Sig to go "bang".

jhde69 · #12 01-18-2012, 09:05 PM

I think a lot depends on the size of your hand. I have a smaller hand and find double stacks just don't feel right. But my 39-2 just has a great feel. I have found most guys at the range that handle the 39 will comment on how the pistol feels in the hand. My vote would be the 39.

Goony · #13 01-18-2012, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil W

I would say m-39, however it is a relatively old design. I'd love to have one as a collectors piece but I'd trust the Sig to go "bang".

I have to take issue with this comment - I carried a Model 39-2 as a duty sidearm for nearly a quarter century, and I wouldn't have the slightest misgiving about its going "bang" each and every time. Their older design notwithstanding, reliability is simply not an issue with them.

We still haven't clarified if the particular example that sits along side the SIG is actually a 39 or a 39-2. The original Model 39 is more collectible and thus has a greater potential appreciation factor over time, but on the other hand it does also have a somewhat more fragile extractor.

minconrevo · #14 01-18-2012, 09:31 PM

The 226 carries 2X more ammo and is of a design era 20 years later than the 39. The 226 design is more likely to feed performance ammo better than a 39. The 226 is virtually certain to be more accurate than the 39.

If the price is the same, get the 226, assuming you want a home defense gun.

Now if the 39 is LNIB, maybe even in nickel, then you'll have to get them both.

Armyphotog · #15 01-21-2012, 05:35 PM

I'm looking for a 39 to shoot regularly. I bought one last year, but it is just too NIB to be shooting. I put two clips though it, and it was nice, but just can't bring myself to shoot it anymore. (Stupid me!)

carguy714 · #16 01-23-2012, 08:16 PM

I've never shot either but am in love with the 39...always wanted one and just bought one yesterday...39-2...can't wait to get it to the range! condition is about 90% and I will be taking the advice posted here and picking up a firing pin/extractor/ejector and start searching for a second original mag! I'd grab the 39...ooops...I just did!

Good luck!

lawman90 · #17 01-23-2012, 09:12 PM

From a collector's standpoint I'd say buy the 39. They've been getting harder to find, and there's certainly not a shortage of P226's going around anytime soon. Even the older "stamped slide" models are fairly easy to find. I see the Police trade-ins in 9mm running between 300-400 at gun shows all the time. But I also said that about the 4506 a few years ago and now I'm eating those words...

Whichever one you really think you would enjoy looking at, shooting, holding, and showing your buddies (always a plus) more is probably the one you should get.

Colhogan · #18 01-24-2012, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raider

Parts for the mod 39-2 are available from Gun Parts Corp and other sources. They made a million 39-2's. About the only parts I would stock would be a firing pin, extractor and ejector. Recemtly, I bought good usable mags on Gunbroker at $15 to $30 apiece and those were real 39 mags that fit flush. You just have to look.

Charlie

Charlie is right on the money on this one. I have those very same spare parts on hand as well.Numrich is usually out of the later-style 39' extractors. A 639 extractor would do in a pinch just the same..

FirebirdV8 · #19 01-24-2012, 07:48 AM

Personally I believe the choice of the Model 39 is the right one. You can get a Sig anytime since it is a modern design. They just don't make guns like the 39 anymore. As for parts, there are two routes to go. There are often gunbroker auctions for poor condition guns and parts removed from other 39s for whatever reason. In fact recently there was one for a complete slide assembly. The other route is with Numrich's. They have an amazing stock of parts for almost any gun made. Besides, I bought a couple of shooter grade 39-2s and they haven't given me any problems that are the guns fault. One had a rough chamber from a previous owner shooting some steel ammo and never cleaning it, but I had the chamber polished and it has been great since. Any gun out there could have the same problem, so I don't fault the 39-2.

Remember just because its newer doesn't mean its better. You will enjoy the 39 when you get it.

old bear · #20 01-24-2012, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Either gun will do quite well as a range and self defense piece. One thing you might want to consider is they don't make any more 39s.

The above is spot on. The M-39 is the classic, IMO, D/A 9M/M, and if I remember the first D/A 9 M/M made in the U.S.A. If it were my choice I would opt for the M-39.

Slyk54 · #21 01-28-2012, 01:56 PM

First, thank you for all the comments- they have been
most helpful. Second, two specifics; the Mod. 39 is a -2 and the Sig actually a 225/p6. After lots of thought & research, the Sig is home & the Smith is on lay-a-way. Pic's to follow-

Armyphotog · #22 02-02-2012, 03:54 PM

I'm still a little amazed at all of the preference for a double stack automatic. Unless you are going to war with it, going into law enforcement (Which makes me wonder, anyway), I don't see the need for the extra weight and thicker grip. I think this gun culture is too caught up in movie and TV-gun shows. Bang, bang, bang!