39 mags, variations. 1954-1981

[gmborkovic]

Im an elementary school Mod-39 collector/student.
There are only 5 parts.
1. follower
......a. step type (P-38)
......b. ramp
......c. "X" metal
......d. black plastic
2. body
......a. solid, 7 holes, 1/4" dia.
......b. military cut out
3. spring
......a. one type
4. catch plate
......a. one type
5. base plate
......a. long, 15/8", 2 line (9MM/S&W)
......b. long, 15/8", 1 line (S&W)
......c. short, 11/2", 1 line (S&W)
The above are my observations with the help from McMillans
article on 39s. Please chime in on corrections and/or additions.
We will put the parts together later for correct period mags.

 

[STEALTh Inst.]

I have 2 unmarked, blue steel 13 round magazines for my Model 39's. They both work perfectly, feed and slide hold-back. Look silly hanging out of the bottom of the pistols, but you can own a 13 round 39 if you can find one. Any information on these magazines would be appreciated.

 

[gmborkovic]

Thanks for data on 13 rds mags. Im kinda starting out with the orig. 8 rds
mags.

 

[STEALTh Inst.]

Either way, the Model 39 was a finely made and fun to shoot weapon. Putting aside the full steel variant (collectors will swap their houses for this gun) and the original 39 with the small extractor, they are fine house, EDC and range guns. I have 2 39-2s; a near mint blue steel and a presentation grade nickel with S&W black pearl grips, along with a dozen standard mags and the two 13 round "oddities". The blue gun is a range "puppy" and on occasion I carry it, just for old times sake. Ms. Nickel Princess sits in my safe, original box and papers, un fired; a real "safe queen".

 

[squidsix]

Worth at least mentioning the variations in finish:
Gloss blue
Matte blue
Parkerized
Nickel
Stainless

I think some Nickel guns shipped with Nickel magazines. I believe military mags with the cutout bodies came in matte blue and then later parkerized.
Gloss blue has been, in my observations, the most common.

 

[gmborkovic]

thanks BC, that is what I was going for.

 

[max]

I have never had a nickel 39, but I did have a nickel 539 and I have never seen a nickel magazine that I can remember.

 

[kwill1911]

Stainless?

 

[squidsix]

I have had them in nickel. As for stainless, the 639 magazine was identical to the late 39-2 mag apart from a stainless body and floorplate (I believe floorplate catch was also stainless).
It may not have shipped with a model 39 per se, but I think it counts because it is otherwise the same mag. The stainless ones are stamped with an “S” on the lower part of the body.
The Parkerized ones are a very dull gray.
I do not have a photo of the Nickel mag, but if you saw it together with a stainless one it was very obviously nickel.

 

[gmborkovic]

To all that posted, thank you. I will assume that my break down of the parts and variations of each, is correct? Probably not, but its a starting point to put the parts together and assign them to the correct period.
I going to wait on the finishes.

 

[squidsix]

There are at least two different floorplate catches also:
One that attaches to the magazine spring with a little loop, and one that just sits there at the bottom of he spring. Might be a third variation also, but I dont know what it would be.

 

[gmborkovic]

Hello squid, Im familiar with the catch on the spring, but I have not seen the free floating variation. I have a high Sn. late NIB with both mags and they both have the catch with the loop. Sure the mag you are looking at is factory original?