439 Barrel bushing questions

[Mr.Maim]

Greetings!

I recently picked up a Nickel 439 in nice condition except the barrel bushing which looks like it got hammered on. I'd like to replace it. I recently purchased one on eBay and of course it doesn't fit (too fat, will not insert into slide). Lesson learned: don't shop if you don't know what you're shopping for. Figured this would be the right crowd to ask. Any guidance would be appreciated.

Questions:

1) Is there someplace other than eBay to buy old S&W parts? Numrich has a lot of stuff but their 'parts bin' mentality has left me disappointed enough times to not shop there first.

2) Are the models 39, 39-2, 59, 439, 459, 539, 559 bushings really interchangeable?

3) What is the letter "S" indicate on the top of some bushings (and the one I purchased that does not fit)?

4) What finish am I looking for? Do the nickel plated pistols have nickel plated bushings, are they unfinished steel, or stainless?


1st, 2nd, and 3rd pics are the bushing that came on the pistol.

4th and 5th pics are the bushing I just bought (LEFT) and the bushing that came on the pistol (RIGHT). The bushing on the left does not fit into my 439's slide.

 

[Mr.Maim]

Placeholder for pics of 439 assembled. (I'll post back tomorrow)

 

[stansdds]

I doubt S&W has these parts, but you could contact them and inquire. Most of the S&W barrel bushings fit loosely, so I'm surprised you found one that is too tight. There really is not an aftermarket source for these bushings. I know BarSto made match grade barrels and I'm sure they came with a fitted bushing, but that was decades ago and they are very hard to find.


Looking at the pictures, the one you bought has an "S" on it. I'm thinking this indicates stainless steel, not nickel plated carbon steel. It may be a trick of the camera, but the one you bought appears substantially larger than the original bushing. I find that curious because I have always been under the impression that 39-2 (ser A200000 and later) and the fulls size second gen pistols all used the same bushing.

 

[Gunhacker]

How's the inside diameter fit to the barrel with that larger bushing? With that larger outside diameter, I'd wonder if it wasn't for a 645.

Are the models 39, 39-2, 59, 439, 459, 539, 559 bushings really interchangeable? Yes, they are... I've replace the old style "closed loop" bushing on my 39-2 with a newer bushing for a 559.

I've bought 2 or 3 bushing from ebay, never had a fitment issue.

I've heard that these guys have a lot of S&W parts:

Lee's Gun Parts

 

[M29since14]

The "S" may or may not have anything to do with the material. It could indicate a vendor ID, or even which cavity of a mold those parts were made in. (Looks to be a cast part, or otherwise molded part of some sort, possibly produced in a gang mold.) If the part is an approximate fit for your barrel and slide, it may need some final fitting. Match bushings are usually produced a few thousandths over/under size. Maybe the vendor followed that procedure with this part for some reason? Rough looking part.

 

[erikpolcrack]

I pulled my blued 439 (SN A 8069XX) apart and examined the bushing, comparing it to your original one. Mine looks identical, but it looks much more finely machined than yours. Maybe that's just because of your nickel plating. Your fourth photo shows the bushings from opposite sides. Can't see the locking flange on the left one. When you compare the two does the locking flange appear to be the same size, shape, and position on both bushings? Does your barrel slide freely in the eBay bushing?

 

[Mr.Maim]

Great replies, thank you everyone!

A few answers:

1) The "S" bushing (ebay bushing) is magnetic, so not stainless steel.

2) Definately a cast part.

3) The "S" (ebay bushing) is larger in both OD and ID. The barrel fits sloppily in the bushing. I don't own any S&W semi-auto pistols in 40S&W but I think that @Gunhacker might be right that this bushing is for a 645. It is substantially larger. It actually looks bulged or just poorly cast. Pictures below.

4) Additional pictures showing the locking flange are below. They appear the same to my untrained eye.

5) I'll call Lee's Gun Parts today!


"S" (ebay) bushing on the LEFT, factory bushing on the RIGHT.

This is the "S" (ebay) bushing

This is the factory bushing

That's as far as it'll go!

 

[stansdds]

It cannot be a Model 645 barrel bushing as the 645 used a press fit bushing, like the 469/669 and then the 3rd gen pistols. If the barrel fits inside the eBay bushing correctly, it is possible that this bushing was not given final machining. I've not see a BarSto bushing, so I don't was to jump out and claim it's actually an aftermarket match bushing.

 

[paulj84003]

the 400 series of stainless steel (ferritic) is magnetic, try a maginet on your 645. S&W uses ferritic grade 416 stainless on their stainless models.
416 machines beautifully, i use it when making model steam engines.

 

[Green Frog]

If the ID of the new bushing were tight on the barrel, this could be a good thing, as a lapped fit of barrel to bushing to slide increases accuracy. OTOH, since it's too loose inside and oversized outside, it would appear you just got a defective bushing. I would call it a learning experience and look for another bushing.

Froggie

 

[cherrypointmarine]

My 6590 , which his a transitional model , has a barrel bushing . The reason I say this is that there are other 9mm models with the bushing . Just because they said it was a m39 bushing doesn't make it one . I've ordered parts from Numrich and they weren't what they said they were .

 

[Bruce51]

I had to replace my 639 bushing due to a crack around the inside circumference. The bushings are very hard to find.

The only place I found one was Ebay and it was blued. It was a perfect fit but I am still looking for a stainless S-marked one.

My old bushing measures 0.619". Your best bet is to reduce the diameter until it fits and polish.

If you want to sell the S-bushing I would be interested.

Bruce

 

[Bruce51]

Gun parts currently has a nickel bushing in stock. It looks a little rough.

BTW anyone try to microweld these small parts?

I'm hoping to get mine done if that is possible.

Bruce

 

[Mr.Maim]

Thanks for all the help gentlemen! Fortunately, the ebay seller of the "S" marked bushing accepts returns. I reached out and they graciously said to return it, so off it goes. I just bought another. Looks in much better condition (different seller) so hopefully I'll have better luck. I just couldn't bring myself to buy from Numrich (Gun Parts Corp.) on this one. The pictures they show, just make me think I am wasting my time as I am looking for a bushing in excellent condition.

I'll report back in a week once the new one has arrived.

 

[Mr.Maim]

To conclude this thread, pictures:

Sorry about the annoying text overlay. I have seen too many pictures from forums used by scammers on Gunbroker and other websites to rip people off.