The AWESOME S&W Model 439 pistol!!!!

Dear Forists:

As a long fan of this Model 439 I would like to see the S&W Classic Series this Model 439 re-introduced!!!...(there is no pistol in this Series????) Who thinks the same I think???, may be in a near future we can count with this Model again, S&W, as a historical handgun known referent the world over, must pay attention on the Forist´s opinion!!!!....Let us join our wishes!!!...
Best Regards
Roberto Renauld

I will agree that the 439 along with the 539 and 639 are beautiful guns but would be cost prohibitive to produce today. There’s many out in the wild but their prices are steadily climbing.

4/5/639 would be sweet but it'll never happen.
Now should S&W listen, PLEASE make them with round not square trigger guards and fixed or Novak low mount sights.

Like I mentioned in another thread, I'd be happy to see something like a x39 receiver mated to MIM fire control parts (smoother and more consistent trigger pull) and the top end of the 3rd generation pistols (better sights and fixed barrel bushing). It is not likely to ever happen due to the cost of machining the slides and receivers, but it would certainly be nice.

S&W 439

The S&W model 39/39-2 and 439 are classics from a by gone era. Just like older cars from past decades their likely never see new revived production.

I was very proud when I was presented a new 439 in the Police Academy and that pistol served me well until my Department transitioned to 3rd generation 5904/6904 pistols in late 1989 to 1990.

New manufacturing techniques and the use of polymers have really changed the handgun market. The S&W Shield and various M&P semi auto pistols are competitive into todays market.

I purchased a Glock 48 which incorporates many of the features of the 439 but is lighter and is easier for new recruits to shoot. I have no problem with DA/SA trigger system but it is quicker and easier to train new shooters on the safe action striker system commonly used today.









Sorry for the poor quality pictures but they do give an indication of how close in size the S&W 439 compares to my Glock 48. I bought this old 439 just because I carried one years ago and still enjoy shooting it. I have more modern designs I carry today but I still enjoy owning and shooting my old S&W 39-2, 439 and 5904.

Would it really be that cost prohibitive to produce a classic lineup of '4th generation' Model 39/59 derivatives? Sure the market for the literal dozens of variations in the heyday of the 3rd Gens no longer exists but Beretta and SIG seem to get by fine still producing modernized variants of the most famous metal DA/SAs they came out with back in the 70s-80s.

LIKE! The NYPD told S&W they didn't need any more 5906 pistols anymore. Smith and wesson released them to the market and Bass pro was selling them for almost $800 NIB. I believe they sold out of all of them.
Whats that tell you. Classics never go out of style.

hammy5150 said:

Would it really be that cost prohibitive to produce a classic lineup of '4th generation' Model 39/59 derivatives? Sure the market for the literal dozens of variations in the heyday of the 3rd Gens no longer exists but Beretta and SIG seem to get by fine still producing modernized variants of the most famous metal DA/SAs they came out with back in the 70s-80s.

Click to expand...

And let's not forget about CZ... the CZ 75 series pistols are still in demand.

It's been my belief that S&W killed off the 3rd Gen's not because of a lack of demand, but the opposite... their popularity was stifling the sales of the then new M&P pistols. The 3rd Gen's had to die in order for the M&P's to take off.

I’m pretty sure that if someone wanted a new 439 they could get one, and it would be cheaper than if it was recently made. There were many made “back then “ and some were just put away. S&W will NEVER make them again though.

I agree that they are wonderful examples of S&W excellence as are most.

I think the short extractor, (early first 439’s that S&W made trying for a military contract,) are really interesting. Mines not perfect and I didn’t pay very much for it but I value it. It operates flawlessly and accurately and looks good doing it.

Jim

Gunhacker said:

And let's not forget about CZ... the CZ 75 series pistols are still in demand.

It's been my belief that S&W killed off the 3rd Gen's not because of a lack of demand, but the opposite... their popularity was stifling the sales of the then new M&P pistols. The 3rd Gen's had to die in order for the M&P's to take off.

Click to expand...

Hard to really know corporate intent. I believe the 3rd generation pistols were more labor intensive and is why S&W released the value line to help counter other manufacture prices. It would be interesting to know if there was a difference in profit margins for polymer based M&P series compared to the 3rd generation and TSW line.

The European pistols seem to have an allure almost like European cars compared to US manufactured cars. To many consumers in the 80’s-90’s Beretta, Sig and H&K were desirable and significant competition. When Glock entered the LE market they were in a position to undercut the prices of most of the competition. Glock would also wheel and deal with potential customers offering to take used firearms on trade. Glock would also offer to train armorers and provide accessories (duty belts, holsters mag pouches) in their bid proposal. Another advantage of the Glock was the simple design where little to no hand fitting was required.

Regardless S&W lost a significant customer base in the LE and Government sales. Consumers tend to gravitate to products used by LE and the military. This is why many manufacturers advertise that their pistol was awarded a contract with certain agencies.

VASCAR2 said:

T

I purchased a Glock 48 which incorporates many of the features of the 439 but is lighter and is easier for new recruits to shoot. I have no problem with DA/SA trigger system but it is quicker and easier to train new shooters on the safe action striker system commonly used today.

.

Click to expand...

G48 my favorite Glock, wonderfully balanced in the hand and the Marksman barrel is just that..and with 15 round mag's now available for it, lot to like. Replacing the G19 for a lot of folks.

stansdds said:

Like I mentioned in another thread, I'd be happy to see something like a x39 receiver mated to MIM fire control parts (smoother and more consistent trigger pull) and the top end of the 3rd generation pistols (better sights and fixed barrel bushing). It is not likely to ever happen due to the cost of machining the slides and receivers, but it would certainly be nice.

Click to expand...

That sounded like such a fun idea that I put a 915 slide and then a 3914 slide on my round trigger guard model 439.

It really changed the looks!

A blued, single stack, 9mm, 3rd gen with walnut grips has a very classic look to it.

My 439 already has a very smooth trigger, but the MIM fire control parts is a great suggestion for future production.

If only...

John

I first owned a S&W Model 39 back in the -1970s, and fell in love with it. However, I was tricked into selling it in order to leave Panama (where I acquired it) to go to Germany, "supposedly" because I had bought it from a friend and not through a Rod & Gun Club! It took over 16 years to find another one! The one I did find was the second generation "439". I was never happy with the OEM adjustable rear sights. Finally (and recently), I contacted S&W to ask if the sights could be replaced with the "lollipop" rear sights that my Model 39 had. I was informed that to do so would mean replacing the Model 439 slide with a Model 39 slide. I did so and am completely happy now. I served as a military advisor in Venezuela, and was issued the Belgium Browning Hi-Power 9mm pistol. The S&W Model 39 and its second generation 439 are the closest I have ever found to John Moses Browing's Hi-Power. You have a great firearm that other would want to pick up if you auctioned it off. I do not intend to ever again let go of my Model 439 with the 39 slide and sights.

St0rmshad0w said:

I first owned a S&W Model 39 back in the -1970s, and fell in love with it. However, I was tricked into selling it in order to leave Panama (where I acquired it) to go to Germany, "supposedly" because I had bought it from a friend and not through a Rod & Gun Club! It took over 16 years to find another one! The one I did find was the second generation "439". I was never happy with the OEM adjustable rear sights. Finally (and recently), I contacted S&W to ask if the sights could be replaced with the "lollipop" rear sights that my Model 39 had. I was informed that to do so would mean replacing the Model 439 slide with a Model 39 slide. I did so and am completely happy now. I served as a military advisor in Venezuela, and was issued the Belgium Browning Hi-Power 9mm pistol. The S&W Model 39 and its second generation 439 are the closest I have ever found to John Moses Browing's Hi-Power. You have a great firearm that other would want to pick up if you auctioned it off. I do not intend to ever again let go of my Model 439 with the 39 slide and sights.

Click to expand...

Your last sentence perked up my little froggie thought patterns. What I am wondering is whether a Mod 39 slide could be substituted for a Mod 639 and how much fitting and fiddling would be needed. Like you, I like the clean top of the 39 slide, especially with the optional full adjustable lolly pop sight and ambi safety/decocker off of the later versions. I just described my dream semi-auto from S&W.

Froggie

Been a couple of threads on the 439 lately. I have the 539 (no 439) but also a few 39-2's and many 3rd gens. I have never been to big on the 2nd gen pistols for no good reason other than I love the 39 best and the 3rd gens have better DA triggers. Is there something I'm not aware of in the 2nd gen line? I'm also not a big fan of the adjustable sights with the wings although it's just a preference thing and not because they don't work fine.

I FORMERLY owned a Model 39 that I traded for a Model 59. I still have the 59 and still hate the grip. After a few months, I went looking for another 39 to no avail. I now have a shooter grade 439 and like it a lot.

My hands don't fit any double stack except the 1935 Browning even though I own Blocks and Berettas. I do better with the 92/96 than any of the Blocks but like the Glock 43. Beretta made a compact single stack but I've never seen one. Love target shooting the 3913/14, early single stack 4013, and 4516/66. I have never figured out why other agency administrators want to issue a firearm the shape of an XL box of Wheaties.

The word auto is the best reason I know for a BUG that's a revolver.

So am I interpreting these discussions properly? Will a Gen 2 accept a Gen 1 slide/top assembly with no surgery and no drama? Can I build my dream two tone by field stripping a Model 639 and substituting a Model 39 slide?

Froggie

No, it won’t work without alteration. See the 439 versus 39 thread where brother JohnHL answered this well.

Gunhacker said:

And let's not forget about CZ... the CZ 75 series pistols are still in demand.

It's been my belief that S&W killed off the 3rd Gen's not because of a lack of demand, but the opposite... their popularity was stifling the sales of the then new M&P pistols. The 3rd Gen's had to die in order for the M&P's to take off.

Click to expand...

Many people seem to have forgotten, or simply weren't there, when the polymer revolution happened. When I joined my former agency in the early 90's the plastic fantastic craze was really starting to ramp up. Glocks incredibly aggressive sales strategy was a huge component of this. Glock would simply contact an agency and offer them the Glock model of their choice with all ancillary equipment for FREE, in exchange for their old pistols. Our Sig P220s were about eight years old at the time. The bean counters simply heard, "old, for new and free" and that was all it took. Glocks profit margin is so huge, they could afford to give guns away for free, sell the used turn-ins on the secondary market and still make a profit. This is the biggest reason why Glock gained such a foothold in law enforcement, that they still maintain today.

The 3rd Gen. Smiths had been popular in the LE world, but companies simply couldn't compete with that kind of business model selling all metal pistols. Spend a few hours milling a frame out of metal and discarding 60-70 percent of the material, or spend a few minutes squirting plastic in a mold and getting a completed part. You get the idea.

S&W correctly identified there was a much higher profit margin in plastic pistols and that was that. S&W didn't have military contracts like Sig and Beretta did. The LE world was their bread and butter in terms of big contracts. If the latter two had instead focused on law enforcement contracts like S&W, there might not be any Sig P Series or Beretta 90 Series guns anymore either.

Bring the 3rd Generation pistols back and they'd be shadows of their former selves, just like S&W revolvers are today. Every one of them would also cost over a thousand dollars.