39 vs 439
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Green Frog
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Answer: a boatload of the former and a relatively small number of the latter. 
. The 39 Series in its various dash iterations were built from about 1954 to 1983. The 439 was only built from about 1981 to 1986.
Froggie
. The 39 Series in its various dash iterations were built from about 1954 to 1983. The 439 was only built from about 1981 to 1986.Froggie
Roy Jinks claims that some 347,000 of the 39 have been produced. He didn't specify if that number included no-dash 39's or if that number is simply the 39-2.
Far less of the 439 were made. The 39 ran from 1955 to hmmm… 1970? The 39-2 from 1970 to 1982. The 439 was made from 1983 to as late as maybe 1987 or 1988.
Are you trying to decide which to chase? I have opinions on that.
The 39-2 is a nicer pistol from an earlier time. The 439 is almost guaranteed to have a worse double action and single action trigger stroke. The 439 is going to be uglier (again, my opinion…) if it has adjustable rear sight.
I would most definitely much rather own a 39 or 39-2 than a 439.
EXCEPTION: if I wanted to use one for a duty or carry gun, the 439 is drop safe and simply makes far more sense in a capacity outside of a fun range day.
Value? 439's may one day be "collectible" but there isn't a massive following for these. The 39/39-2 has a much larger following, but were produced in massive numbers. I would make the argument that if you aren't talking about an absolutely top-shelf 99% or higher example in original box, it's kind of a moot point, but again, these are merely my opinions.
Far less of the 439 were made. The 39 ran from 1955 to hmmm… 1970? The 39-2 from 1970 to 1982. The 439 was made from 1983 to as late as maybe 1987 or 1988.
Are you trying to decide which to chase? I have opinions on that.
The 39-2 is a nicer pistol from an earlier time. The 439 is almost guaranteed to have a worse double action and single action trigger stroke. The 439 is going to be uglier (again, my opinion…) if it has adjustable rear sight.
I would most definitely much rather own a 39 or 39-2 than a 439.
EXCEPTION: if I wanted to use one for a duty or carry gun, the 439 is drop safe and simply makes far more sense in a capacity outside of a fun range day.
Value? 439's may one day be "collectible" but there isn't a massive following for these. The 39/39-2 has a much larger following, but were produced in massive numbers. I would make the argument that if you aren't talking about an absolutely top-shelf 99% or higher example in original box, it's kind of a moot point, but again, these are merely my opinions.
Green Frog
Member
Picking up with Brother Sevens' comments, the relatively rare 539 or the more common 639 have frames of steel (the former) or stainless steel (the latter). This makes them a bit heavier and a lot more durable. I plan on shooting my beautiful 39-2 only occasionally and my 639 Franken-Smith regularly. Of course with today's ammo costs and availability, my amount of shooting has been reduced. 
Froggie
Froggie
Hello,
I was just asking. I have both: 39 steel frame, 39, 39-2, 39-2 nickel and only one 439.
Regards
procol, nice list of autos, What, no pre-39s? Mike
Unfortunately not.
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