What was the reason behind the 539? I mean why did Smith and Wesson make it was there a specific contract calling for a steel frame gun. I recently bought this like new 539 original box 3 mags ended up costing me $650 after all the fees. Did I do good?
539?
- Thread starter paul s
- Start date
I think you paid a decent price for a notable pistol.
Your question is a solid one -- if S&W were answering the question, they might come to the conclusion that they saw some interest when they made the short run of the 147-A and perhaps that told them to offer the 539 and 559. The 147-A was a double stack but I mention it only because the 147-A came out much more recently than the steel frame 39's had.
They certainly made more of the 639 but when the full heyday of the "wondernine" was at it's peak, a full-size but single stack 9mm was not at all a popular choice in the market, especially a heavy steel frame version and this was also reflected in the very short lifespan of the 3rd Gen 3906.
The alloy frame 3904 lasted longer, but most of the full size 9mm buying public (and LE for that matter) were choosing hi-caps over single stack guns.
Your question is a solid one -- if S&W were answering the question, they might come to the conclusion that they saw some interest when they made the short run of the 147-A and perhaps that told them to offer the 539 and 559. The 147-A was a double stack but I mention it only because the 147-A came out much more recently than the steel frame 39's had.
They certainly made more of the 639 but when the full heyday of the "wondernine" was at it's peak, a full-size but single stack 9mm was not at all a popular choice in the market, especially a heavy steel frame version and this was also reflected in the very short lifespan of the 3rd Gen 3906.
The alloy frame 3904 lasted longer, but most of the full size 9mm buying public (and LE for that matter) were choosing hi-caps over single stack guns.
ace22
Member
- Joined
- Jan 13, 2011
- Messages
- 1,238
- Reaction score
- 1,224
i suppose the reasoning behind the steel frame vs the alloy frame in that model was along the lines that because of its lighter weight the alloy frame was more conducive to concealed carry whereas the steel frame would hold up better as a duty pistol, shooting hotter loads, or just for people that shot a lot or preferred more heft.
as for single column vs double column pistols, some prefer the slimmer feel in their hand, some people prefer the extra rounds.
as with many other items, you pay your money and you make your choice.
as for single column vs double column pistols, some prefer the slimmer feel in their hand, some people prefer the extra rounds.
as with many other items, you pay your money and you make your choice.
Rlg#17
US Veteran
Score for sure. Probably one of the best Generations out there. S&W shoulda stayed with these type of products instead of getting their butt kicked like they did in the polymer pistol wars.
Care for it well, load it, shoot it and repeat. That will last you a generation or two.
I would say that the all steel guns were more satisfactory for duty use then CCDW. A suitable belt and holster and that could be carried anywhere.
A range report please when you finally get to shoot it!
Regards, from the Bluegrass,
Rick Gibbs
Care for it well, load it, shoot it and repeat. That will last you a generation or two.
I would say that the all steel guns were more satisfactory for duty use then CCDW. A suitable belt and holster and that could be carried anywhere.
A range report please when you finally get to shoot it!
Regards, from the Bluegrass,
Rick Gibbs
Very nice. I wish I could run across something like that.
44wheelman
Member
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2006
- Messages
- 1,726
- Reaction score
- 1,030
Mine was around $575….but that was 5 years ago. Given inflation, I think you did just fine. Less common, condition seems good enough to appeal to a collector, looks like box, papers?
I was on one of those kicks to pick up examples of all the 39 configs. All started from blurry internet pics on a “39” auction that ended up being a pre 39. So I had to pick up a shooter, then my father sold me his nickel 39-2, and a stainless…. Since it looked like I will never see (much less afford)an original steel 39, hunted for a 539.
I was on one of those kicks to pick up examples of all the 39 configs. All started from blurry internet pics on a “39” auction that ended up being a pre 39. So I had to pick up a shooter, then my father sold me his nickel 39-2, and a stainless…. Since it looked like I will never see (much less afford)an original steel 39, hunted for a 539.
03Fatboy
Member
They ain’t getting cheaper. I’d snatch that up too, you did well!
stansdds
Member
And S&W ain't gonna make any more of them either!
The prices for these are all over the place, from what I've seen lately you did very well! The 39/52/539/639 grip contours are one of the most natural fits for my hand and holds very intuitively when drawn from a holster. I like a heavier pistol so I prefere these over the alloy pistols. Nice score, still hoping to run upon a deal like this myself!
Nice find - I think you did very well!
Green Frog
Member
I somehow managed to miss this thread when it started up a few days ago, but I’ll add my two cents’ worth now.
I inherited a Model 39-2 from my father… the one I located and bought for him back in 1979. I like it a lot but was unsure about carrying and shooting this alloy frame gun extensively… it was just too nice. A steel frame 39 was out of the question, so I went Gen 2, but didn’t see a 539 while searching, so I bought a 639. No regrets! A single stack steel frame (carbon or stainless) is a great choice IMO for carry or range. Substantial without being too heavy, and durable. Mine became my “project gun” with multiple slides and many mags. Eventually one slide will get back from the gun smith with classic Millett adjustable sights while a second one is getting a Red Dot. Did I mention I like the “two tone” look in auto pistols?
Froggie
I inherited a Model 39-2 from my father… the one I located and bought for him back in 1979. I like it a lot but was unsure about carrying and shooting this alloy frame gun extensively… it was just too nice. A steel frame 39 was out of the question, so I went Gen 2, but didn’t see a 539 while searching, so I bought a 639. No regrets! A single stack steel frame (carbon or stainless) is a great choice IMO for carry or range. Substantial without being too heavy, and durable. Mine became my “project gun” with multiple slides and many mags. Eventually one slide will get back from the gun smith with classic Millett adjustable sights while a second one is getting a Red Dot. Did I mention I like the “two tone” look in auto pistols?
Froggie
Attachments
BLACKHAWKNJ
Member
- Joined
- Oct 25, 2006
- Messages
- 6,587
- Reaction score
- 7,458
The Version I Heard was that S&W was aiming for market spread-the 400 series had aliminum frames, the 500s blued steel, the 600s stainless steel.
Blued steel was going out of fashion then, they didn't sell,hence the scarcity of 539s/559s.
Blued steel was going out of fashion then, they didn't sell,hence the scarcity of 539s/559s.
I also gravitate towards the tutone or more specifically the reverse tutone (dark slide on stainless frame) look myself. I currently own a S&W 745 and a Lipsey's Sig P220 Match Elite 10MM, and planning on going with a black Cerakote slide finish on one of my more well-worn 639 pistols for carry use. High on my want list are some of the tutone PC pistols from the 952 and 945 product lines.
Green Frog
Member
Trey,
I don’t know what defines “Two-Tone” vs “Reverse Two-Tone”but was first attracted to the look back in the ‘80s when the IPSC crowd and their ilk started electroplating the receivers on their 45s because the bluing wore off so fast. Ever since, blue slide over “white” frame says “working gun” to me.
Froggie
I don’t know what defines “Two-Tone” vs “Reverse Two-Tone”but was first attracted to the look back in the ‘80s when the IPSC crowd and their ilk started electroplating the receivers on their 45s because the bluing wore off so fast. Ever since, blue slide over “white” frame says “working gun” to me.
Froggie
Green Frog
Member
Trey,
I found it more economical to pick up a couple of “orphan” slides from parts kits. That gave me the ability to 1) get a two tone gun, 2) be able to experiment with different configurations on sights, etc, and 3) preserve the original slide so I could return the gun to “original” if desired. For me, that checked all the boxes.
And thus was born FrankenSmith 639. It’s a working gun, test bed, and potential competition piece all in one gun. I’ve done similar things on 1911 pattern Gov’t Models and Commanders, but this project has been my most ambitious to date. As with my previous ventures in customized revolver projects, I picked a donor gun as my base that was good and solid, but less than “collector grade” so I didn’t feel too guilty about altering it. If I could have found one of the old stainless Bole replacement Model 39 receivers and used it, I probably would have, but now they have become collectible in their own niche.
Dad’s Mod 39-2 I inherited was (and still is nice) much too nice to be thrashed about in the way “Frankie” has. It’s already going, unaltered, to a family member of the next generation. I’ll be relieved of caretaker duties and still have a single stack fun gun with a durable stainless frame. Win-win!
Froggie
I found it more economical to pick up a couple of “orphan” slides from parts kits. That gave me the ability to 1) get a two tone gun, 2) be able to experiment with different configurations on sights, etc, and 3) preserve the original slide so I could return the gun to “original” if desired. For me, that checked all the boxes.
And thus was born FrankenSmith 639. It’s a working gun, test bed, and potential competition piece all in one gun. I’ve done similar things on 1911 pattern Gov’t Models and Commanders, but this project has been my most ambitious to date. As with my previous ventures in customized revolver projects, I picked a donor gun as my base that was good and solid, but less than “collector grade” so I didn’t feel too guilty about altering it. If I could have found one of the old stainless Bole replacement Model 39 receivers and used it, I probably would have, but now they have become collectible in their own niche.
Dad’s Mod 39-2 I inherited was (and still is nice) much too nice to be thrashed about in the way “Frankie” has. It’s already going, unaltered, to a family member of the next generation. I’ll be relieved of caretaker duties and still have a single stack fun gun with a durable stainless frame. Win-win!
Froggie
Froggie, I've got one in the safe that's a shooter grade, I'll probably go the same route as it's already had some work done to it. I've bought more than a few service guns that wore their "working clothes" but were essentially low round pistols. Nice job on Frankie!
Similar threads
