Need some help on possible early Model 39
- Thread starter merl67
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Define "early".... the "9mm auto" (pre 39) was introduced in IIRC 1955 with about 1600 made............the model marked 39 dates to 1957.
Number started at 1001 in 1955.....115000 is 1970....... 39-2s were introduced in 1972. So that gun mid to late 60s???????? 39-2 were made through 1982 ...... when they were replaced by the Second Gen 439/639s
81000-82000 included some steel frame guns...... which are worth more as only about 900 were made.
FYI that gun pictured has the "short extractor" of the 39-2.......so the slide may be a 'replacement" ..... as the long extractor of the 39 guns had a habit of breaking......
Number started at 1001 in 1955.....115000 is 1970....... 39-2s were introduced in 1972. So that gun mid to late 60s???????? 39-2 were made through 1982 ...... when they were replaced by the Second Gen 439/639s
81000-82000 included some steel frame guns...... which are worth more as only about 900 were made.
FYI that gun pictured has the "short extractor" of the 39-2.......so the slide may be a 'replacement" ..... as the long extractor of the 39 guns had a habit of breaking......
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squidsix
Member
That is a transitional 39-2 with the "new" extractor and the ring hammer. Figure early 1970s. I have it's twin. $250 is a screaming deal and if you don't buy it pass on the info so someone else can, even in that finish-challenged condition.
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OP
Are the slides serial numbered to the frame and if so where would said number be found ?
No........................... 81xxx seems to low to be a transitional gun..... could be wrong ...... I was once before!
S&W is famous for not throwing/wasting anything so 'transitional guns" show up with some regularity as engineering "improvements" are made.
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I know, sir, that you didn't ask for this opinion - so I'm treading on thin ice! That said, the 39 (frame) can't easily be restored to look new - and that may not be what you want it for. Sounds like it's got a mis-matched slide so it's not a collectors item. As much wear as the frame shows, I'd sure want to pull the slide off to see what the barrel - or barrels possibly - have done to the frame... If you're buying it just to be a 9mm shooter then I guess it's a pretty good deal.
Engine49guy
Member
As stated the frame is 1960's with an early to mid 70's production slide so mismatched gun.
Slides are not numbered but the extractor is a dead giveaway it is post 72.
Price is good for a shooter in that condition and perhaps about $100 under value, If your not specifically in the market for a Model 39 I would suggest looking for a 3rd gen S&W 9mm in the $350 range as there are quite a few improvements.
Slides are not numbered but the extractor is a dead giveaway it is post 72.
Price is good for a shooter in that condition and perhaps about $100 under value, If your not specifically in the market for a Model 39 I would suggest looking for a 3rd gen S&W 9mm in the $350 range as there are quite a few improvements.
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buy the darn gun. You cant hurt it. The long extractor was not prone to breakage. That was an economic eng change. Just to cut costs. Load from
the magazine.
the magazine.
GM..... made a good point .....my "habit of breaking" paints with too broad a brush........but it was a complaint leveled/and often repeated against the 39 back in the day.... and..... it was the reason I never bought one back in the 70s.
....... over the past few years there seems to be a growing consensus that the issue can be traced to loading by placing a round in the chamber and dropping the slide ..... rather than loading from the magazine. then topping off the magazine.
Bottom line the supply of long extractors dried up decades (?) ago.... so if you break one...... you are SOL. That would not apply to your gun.
Given the visual wear........ I would want to inspect that gun before buying......
....... over the past few years there seems to be a growing consensus that the issue can be traced to loading by placing a round in the chamber and dropping the slide ..... rather than loading from the magazine. then topping off the magazine.
Bottom line the supply of long extractors dried up decades (?) ago.... so if you break one...... you are SOL. That would not apply to your gun.
Given the visual wear........ I would want to inspect that gun before buying......
jimbo728
Member
Did anyone notice the bushing end of the barrel near the muzzle.
Is that a wear ring , never seen that before,? Looks odd. Hope it`s not a modded 3rd gen barrel. Needs a closer look.
The metal has a worn finish. The grips look new.
After all of this I would pay $250 for it if it shoots.
I have never seen a 39 with that extractor so I am guessing it is a 39 frame wearing a 39-2 slide or a 39 wearing a 439 slide.
Last, a question. Is the frame aluminum or steel?
Jim
Edit, I see the Pat Pending markings on the right side of the slide. This predates 439 and all but later 39-2 slides without that marking.
Definitely an unusual pistol.
Is that a wear ring , never seen that before,? Looks odd. Hope it`s not a modded 3rd gen barrel. Needs a closer look.
The metal has a worn finish. The grips look new.
After all of this I would pay $250 for it if it shoots.
I have never seen a 39 with that extractor so I am guessing it is a 39 frame wearing a 39-2 slide or a 39 wearing a 439 slide.
Last, a question. Is the frame aluminum or steel?
Jim
Edit, I see the Pat Pending markings on the right side of the slide. This predates 439 and all but later 39-2 slides without that marking.
Definitely an unusual pistol.
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OP
I did, and I am glad yes, it does have some cosmetic wear, but the internals looked very good. The barrel is marked 9mm CTG so I don't think the barrel is a 3rd generation one. I just put 32 rounds through it at about 15 yards. It shot perfectly no malfunctions whatsoever all shots could be covered by my hand, at $250 I am very happy with it. Thank you all for the comments.
Great snag IMO it will make a good 'truck gun" or woods carry......... a little more wear won't be noticed!
jimbo728
Member
That it shoots that well is the main thing. That makes me happy too.
Cosmetics do not mean much to me if it shoots well and the price tag was great.
Jim
Cosmetics do not mean much to me if it shoots well and the price tag was great.
Jim
Rock185
US Veteran
That is probably an OK price for a shooter in that condition. FWIW, I had a long extractor 39, as did one of my coworkers. The extractor didn't break on mine, but his did. I replaced it for him back when the long extractors were still available from S&W. I had several of the 39-2s, 539s, 639s, 3906s, etc. guns. I prefer the 39-2 and later extractors, especially since the earlier long extractors are no longer commonly available.
oberon
Member
$250 is a steal.
