Just purchased thru Classic Firearms, a 39-2 stainless police trade in. I wont get to pick it up till Monday but my inquiring mind would appreciate any input. Anyone have any experience/thought on what sorta condition it’ll be in? I’m hoping the finish has some shiny left to it. Hoping for the original grips but who knows what might have been put on or when. Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks

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Model 36, 39-2

I do not remember the 39-2 being made in stainless.

39-2’s were made in nickel. If it’s stainless, it would be a 639.

I checked out the Classic Firearms website, and saw this listing (already out of stock): Smith & Wesson 39-2 Semi-Automatic 9x19mm Pistol, 4" Barrel, 8+1 Capacity - Various Finishes - Fair Condition - Used

"Various Finishes" = ????

The illustration is of a pristine nickeled 39-2, but I'm pretty sure that's not the exact gun you're going to get....

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SWCA #590
"Colligo ergo sum"

Many (most?) police trade-ins may have finish wear from carry, but are commonly mechanically sound, shot little. Not every one of them - but many.

Hard to believe some law enforcement organization just gave up on the 39-2? You'd think these would have been traded out decades ago. I don't get it.

It may be factory nickel as noted above, hard chromed or had all the finish removed.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Could be a Police confiscated firearm.

Hard to really know without pictures. Most "stainless" 39-2's are actually plated finishes, either NP3, Metalloy, or hard chrome. If it is a polished finish, it's likely the factory applied nickle plate. Most of the true stainless 39-2's have an aftermarket stainless receiver made by BII. A few hundred of these receivers were made before the BATFE shut down the manufacturer. I have heard that S&W did make a few stainless 39-2's, presumably for use as salesmen examples.

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

Thank you all for your insight. We’ll see what she looks like tomorrow

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Model 36, 39-2

Good Luck ... on box opening day !

I have two police trade-ins and both were mechanically just fine and the blue model 58 had some light finish wear and freckles , but cleaned up just fine ...
the model 64 , stainless steel , only had light holster rub marks.
Both had been carried a lot , shot very little !

Congratulations on your score ... I always thought the model 39 was an awesome 9mm but never got the chance to get one .
Did enjoy shooting my Police Officer friend's 39 at the range ...
it felt good in my hand !
Gary

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Certified Cajun
NRA Member

That'd be an excellent question to pose to Roy Jinks, whether any actually were ever made.

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SWCA #590
"Colligo ergo sum"

If its a police trade in, it is unlikely to have been refinished, more likely nickel which is likely in better condition than blued.

But if it said "Fair" condition, dont expect it to be great as there are probably at least 2 maybe 3 better grades - Excellent, Very good, and Good. And there may have been an upgrade for Hand Pick.

Look at the other pistols they are advertising and compare pictures with their grading for a best guess. Based on the photo of a "Fair" 5904 (granted blue) I would consider it to be a shooter or truck gun rather than a future prized acquisition.

Assuming it goes to your FFL, you may have a choice to reject it - make sure you examine before you sign the background check - once you have done that it is hard (potentially expensive if not impossible) to return.

I once returned a 10 series revolver that was really beat and no where near matched the photo or grading. Dont remember exact details but it was either AIM or Classic as I recall - I have bought from both and I have also had good pistols from both that were as good or better than picture.

No point in fretting about it till you see it. And if it is a shooter you are looking for and you got it at a really good price, you probably got what you paid for.

Good Luck, Ed

Ok boys and girls. Here it is. Overall, price considered and as advertised, not all bad. Holster wear for sure. Grips pretty dark, blued bbl not too bad. Hadnt been cleaned in who knows how long. Some ding and scratches but. According to the 161xxx SN, 1979/1980 born date. S&W marked magazine

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Model 36, 39-2

As per most police trade ins, doesnt seem to be shot all that much.

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Model 36, 39-2

I think you're gonna like that one Frank. Good pickup.

Added - Does the magazine have the black plastic follower or the older, metal X-shaped one?

Todd

Hmmm not sure where you’re referencing that and this is an inexact science, however the fantastic SCSW 4th Edition by Supica & Nahas suggests a 1973 born-on date, a good bit earlier than what you suggested.

Haha OOPS, I went by what you typed which appears to be a mis-type. Your pictures suggest a 1980 production date… give or take.

Sevens. You are correct, I mis-typed the serial number, my bad. Im using the SCSW 3rd Edition.

toddimusnimski- It’s the plastic follower.

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Model 36, 39-2

Yet another follow up...JUST noticed there's a CAI Import mark on the underside of the frame. Begs the question...WHERE DID IT GO?
I'm thinking I need to spend the $100 for the S&W letter to see where it initially went (or if anyone here has any insight if any of these were exported)..The search goes on...

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Model 36, 39-2

I have a re-import 39-2 (blued, not nickel) that was definitely sent to and returned from Israel, where a number of them reportedly went.

Knowing nothing else, it’s a fair guess for yours.

Interesting...thanks for that insight...

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Model 36, 39-2

That appears to be the factory applied nickel plated finish. I suggest a good cleaning, proper lubrication, new recoil spring, either genuine S&W or Wolff 14 pound spring, then a bunch of ammo, a good test firing, and then post us a range report.

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

Please let us know if you do. I am also curious on where it went. That's the coolest thing to me, buying a 40 year old gun and finding out it's been around the world and back.

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Please no more EZs...

Based on what I've seen on line it seems that a lot of S&W semi autos are coming home after being in Israeli service and the ones from Robinson were reimported by CAI.

As it happens the 3913LS I recently bought from a private party is also marked CAI, but I don't know when he bought it.

So, there is a good chance your gun was sent to Israel.

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Can open, worms everywhere.

Looks very good. What was the cost? I have a blued one that I paid $300 for and it is a great shooter. Not much on looks, but fills the bill.

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

$376 plus $40 for “stainless” (nickel). I plan on getting the letter, hoping it’ll shed some light on where it had been to be imported. More to follow

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Model 36, 39-2

You did well. Enjoy it.

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

Nice find! I would have liked that in m acquisition days. Enjoy it safely!

Regarding the “imported from where” question…i contacted both Classic Firearms and CAI. Classic referred me to CAI, CAI stated they cant release any import info.
I did order the letter from S&W. Hope that sheds some light on where it might have been. If not, add it to the unsolved pile.

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Model 36, 39-2

So I ordered the letter on 3/21..arrived today, 4/8...usual first page details the history of the 39/39-2...last part of the 2nd page deals with my specific gun...as indicated, the pistol was one of two in that specific shipment to Israel back in November of 1980 then reimported at some point later.

Now I know....

Attached Files

39-2.pdf (61.2 KB, 21 views)

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Model 36, 39-2