A Love Story

[KEN L]

Back in the day, when my department was about to transition to automatics, I was given the task of testing different brands of pistols for evaluation purposes. The Glock was very new on the market and we got one for testing. I hated that gun, because it had the propensity of bouncing empties off of my forehead! And here I thought I was the only one that experienced that. Obviously Glock corrected that malady as about a year or so later I had the opportunity to fire the then new Model 19. Now that gun I loved. No more tapping on the forehead!

Nice story and great gun. They'll always be one of my favorite Smiths!

 

[M29since14]

One of the nicer feeling pistols to my hand, and always fun to shoot. A natural "pointer," in my opinion possibly better than any other handgun, with the possible exception of the Browning Hi-Power. I don't know why I don't shoot mine more than I do. Thanks for your nice story and continued good luck in retirement to both you and your 39.

 

[Jeb21]

Great story!

 

[Cyrano]

I put an MMC sight on my Model 39 way back in 1971. Easy to sight in with any ammo at any range you fancy. Wish I still had that gun. Got another 39 with MMCs a year or so ago, it had been carried some. Guy had given some thought to the gun, even though he might have been wrong: he'd removed the magazine disconnector and spring. I have replacements coming.

Edited MUCH later. I just found the special little screwdriver that came with my first MMC sight. It's just a little piece of stamped steel, with a hole in the handle for attaching to a keyring. It's used for the elevation adjustment. Now it's got a tag on it and it residees in my 'S&W Auto' parts box.

 

[olwogo]

Now I know how to ask questions of. So are the optional w&e factory sights a rare thing, or just not something seen very often.

 

[Cyrano]

olwogo: They're not particularly rare. I don't know how often they were installed on factory guns, but they also were available in blister packs; I have two of them. I suspect a lot of the ones we see on pistols now came from aftermarket pruchases, since it's so easy to remove the sights.

 

[olwogo]

Well I like the feel of this weapon. I first thought I would sell/ trade this weapon at the first chance, so I could buy me another ccw. But having had the chance to research and play with this thing a little... Thinking I'll keep it. i never have been much on nickel, but this thing is nice! How is the best way to keep a nickel finish? Thanks for the reply! I have found excellent informatioon on this forum! To all the boys; Thanks for your help!

 

[18DAI]

Great story, superb pistol. Thank you for all your years of service! Regards 18DAI

 

[waffenmac]

i still need to get a 39 great story

 

[Skip48]

I too, enjoyed your "Love Story", and thanks for your service! A Model 39 is on my S&W want list...even more so now! Regards, Skip48

 

[august1410]

That is an awesome love story. Non-gun people simply do not understand the relationship someone can have with a gun.

 

[gruntdeputy]

I hope that both of you enjoy your retirements.
Frank

 

[smithman 10]

My 39

Enjoyed your story. It inspired me to pull out my 39. This photo shows a newer magazine in it but I have an original 8-rounder too.

I bought this pistol off Gunbroker some years ago, five or six at least. I finally got curious and sent off for a letter from Mr. Jinks. Seems as though this gun was shipped to a distributor in Arizona in 1959.

It's the only semi-auto I own. It feels great in the hand but I have to admit I shoot my revolvers much better.

Every once in awhile I think about trading it to buy something new but your story will help me resist that unsound impulse.

 

[nickn10]

I carried a gov't 45 from 61-64 while an MP in Germany. When I got out the first civilian semi I bought was a Mod. 39. At first it felt light and flimsy compared to what I was accustomed to, but it shot a heck of a lot more accurately than the gov't issue. I wish I still had it, it is a very attractive pistol.

 

[mbliss57]

That is an really inspiring story. I took my new to me 39 no dash to the range a few weeks ago to see how it shot. I was amazed. I am on 1st name basis with one of the range officers (in his 30's). He was really interested (curious) in an old semi auto so I let him shoot a magazine. He owns a lot of semi autos.. mostly new stuff, mostly polymer. He shot the magazine and turned and said 'why don't they make guns like that now?
They are maybe the nicest shooting 9mm ever made

 

[jstanfield103]

I had a model 39 in chrome several years ago, wish I still had it. But at that time was a new husband, new father and low paying job, just starting out in life. Had to sell my gun to pay bills. I liked you're story and I think I will try to obtain another 39 one of these day's. Right now enjoying my 645 very much.