Need info on mystery long slide 59

hhsohn

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Just started the paperwork on a consignment 59 with 5" long slide with Bar-Sto barrel and 1911 bushing. I have not heard of a long slide for x59 series, and the shop could not tell me much about it. Is anyone familiar with this type of set up? Didn't see any when searching here for info... Thanks for the help! Will post pics when I can.
 
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Here's some pics.


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Interesting...
Nope, I have never heard of anything like that but I will note that it appears to be cut for the Model 52 counter weight, also has the mounting divot for that same weight. And the rear sight is obviously an old Millett sight, no longer made and pretty sure that S&W never used them either.

I would have to guess that it is a one-off creation. Pretty neat!
 
That's an interesting one! ;) I can't say I have ever seen anything like it but there was a time back in the 70s, and maybe early 80s, when long-slide guns were a big thing with the custom builders - usually made using pieces from two slides welded together. Surely someone will come along that knows something about it. :)
 
Obviously a post-factory modified piece that someone got a whole lot of use out of. ;) I'd love to know the story behind it. :)
 
The custom gun shops usually marked their work somewhere. Some individual masters worked to customer designs.
Geoff
Who remembers an article from the old "Guns" magazine with source marks but I couldn't find anything on line.
 
Very interesting gun, I didn't expect to be as fascinated as I am when I clicked on the link.:)



What state do you live in, if you don't mind telling us.



Me too. I can't wait to hear the range report as I'm betting it still has life in it and shoots well. Pretty sure the Op is in CA.

I suggest you check in with member CALREB. Local to the area. He has a ton of insight on S&W's. In fact, he may be aware it and maybe even know the previous owner.
 
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Thanks for all your insights, folks. Having had a 459 and 659, this was a pleasant surprise of a find. I did check for some sort of welding hints but could not find any clues. And the finish seemed to be an original finish. Could it be a 52 series slide? Lock up on the barrel was solid, though there was a little bit of play on slide to frame fit. The trigger is super light, so I assume there were internal works done as well.


And yes, I'm located behind the enemy lines in Southern CA area. I'll be sure to follow up with a range report in a month or so. It'll take about 2+ weeks to pick it up, refresh some of the springs, and then find some time to hit the range... Couple more pics in the meanwhile.

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The pics pretty clearly show the front ~1.5" of the slide has a different finish. It looks like a real nice custom job.
 
It has a double stack magazine-sized grip frame, so it must have been built from a model 59. It was probably done the old-fashioned way, with bar stock welded onto the standard slide, machined filed and polished to standard contours along with the 1911 style end for the bushing. I would not be surprised given its location if it is a Jim Hoag job, who did long slide 1911s (but usually used Bo-Mar sights).
 
I can't imagine Jim Hoag would use those sights, and it does not look like his workmanship, but he would certainly be a valuable source of information. If that gun were mine and I was even reasonably close to him I would sure stop by his shop and show it to him, at his convenience, of course. Let us know if you learn anything about it, from wherever. :)
 
Sorry for the delayed range session with this pistol. As you can expect, it's pretty accurate! It shot better than what I recall for my past 659 and 459. When discounting the flyers it's pretty close to my CZ Tac Sport. But as you can see, I got 5 more called flyers than the TS. May be I can get it to shoot as straight with some practice!

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Some recent shots and as a bonus, recently acquired 4006.

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