Just purchased thru Classic Firearms, a 39-2 stainless police trade in. I wont get to pick it up till Monday but my inquiring mind would appreciate any input. Anyone have any experience/thought on what sorta condition it'll be in? I'm hoping the finish has some shiny left to it. Hoping for the original grips but who knows what might have been put on or when. Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks
Any experience, stainless 39-2 trade in?
- Thread starter Frank53
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
39-2's were made in nickel. If it's stainless, it would be a 639.
I checked out the Classic Firearms website, and saw this listing (already out of stock): Smith & Wesson 39-2 Semi-Automatic 9x19mm Pistol, 4" Barrel, 8+1 Capacity - Various Finishes - Fair Condition - Used
"Various Finishes" = ????
The illustration is of a pristine nickeled 39-2, but I'm pretty sure that's not the exact gun you're going to get....
"Various Finishes" = ????
The illustration is of a pristine nickeled 39-2, but I'm pretty sure that's not the exact gun you're going to get....
Last edited:
ReloadforFun
Member
- Joined
- Feb 17, 2021
- Messages
- 285
- Reaction score
- 323
Many (most?) police trade-ins may have finish wear from carry, but are commonly mechanically sound, shot little. Not every one of them - but many.
- Joined
- Apr 29, 2012
- Messages
- 4,624
- Reaction score
- 7,840
Hard to believe some law enforcement organization just gave up on the 39-2? You'd think these would have been traded out decades ago. I don't get it.
- Joined
- Jun 28, 2007
- Messages
- 27,669
- Reaction score
- 21,362
It may be factory nickel as noted above, hard chromed or had all the finish removed.
maxfam
Member
Could be a Police confiscated firearm.
Hard to really know without pictures. Most "stainless" 39-2's are actually plated finishes, either NP3, Metalloy, or hard chrome. If it is a polished finish, it's likely the factory applied nickle plate. Most of the true stainless 39-2's have an aftermarket stainless receiver made by BII. A few hundred of these receivers were made before the BATFE shut down the manufacturer. I have heard that S&W did make a few stainless 39-2's, presumably for use as salesmen examples.
Last edited:
gwpercle
Member
Good Luck ... on box opening day !
I have two police trade-ins and both were mechanically just fine and the blue model 58 had some light finish wear and freckles , but cleaned up just fine ...
the model 64 , stainless steel , only had light holster rub marks.
Both had been carried a lot , shot very little !
Congratulations on your score ... I always thought the model 39 was an awesome 9mm but never got the chance to get one .
Did enjoy shooting my Police Officer friend's 39 at the range ...
it felt good in my hand !
Gary
Last edited:
That'd be an excellent question to pose to Roy Jinks, whether any actually were ever made.
If its a police trade in, it is unlikely to have been refinished, more likely nickel which is likely in better condition than blued.
But if it said "Fair" condition, dont expect it to be great as there are probably at least 2 maybe 3 better grades - Excellent, Very good, and Good. And there may have been an upgrade for Hand Pick.
Look at the other pistols they are advertising and compare pictures with their grading for a best guess. Based on the photo of a "Fair" 5904 (granted blue) I would consider it to be a shooter or truck gun rather than a future prized acquisition.
Assuming it goes to your FFL, you may have a choice to reject it - make sure you examine before you sign the background check - once you have done that it is hard (potentially expensive if not impossible) to return.
I once returned a 10 series revolver that was really beat and no where near matched the photo or grading. Dont remember exact details but it was either AIM or Classic as I recall - I have bought from both and I have also had good pistols from both that were as good or better than picture.
No point in fretting about it till you see it. And if it is a shooter you are looking for and you got it at a really good price, you probably got what you paid for.
Good Luck, Ed
But if it said "Fair" condition, dont expect it to be great as there are probably at least 2 maybe 3 better grades - Excellent, Very good, and Good. And there may have been an upgrade for Hand Pick.
Look at the other pistols they are advertising and compare pictures with their grading for a best guess. Based on the photo of a "Fair" 5904 (granted blue) I would consider it to be a shooter or truck gun rather than a future prized acquisition.
Assuming it goes to your FFL, you may have a choice to reject it - make sure you examine before you sign the background check - once you have done that it is hard (potentially expensive if not impossible) to return.
I once returned a 10 series revolver that was really beat and no where near matched the photo or grading. Dont remember exact details but it was either AIM or Classic as I recall - I have bought from both and I have also had good pistols from both that were as good or better than picture.
No point in fretting about it till you see it. And if it is a shooter you are looking for and you got it at a really good price, you probably got what you paid for.
Good Luck, Ed
39-2 arrival
Ok boys and girls. Here it is. Overall, price considered and as advertised, not all bad. Holster wear for sure. Grips pretty dark, blued bbl not too bad. Hadnt been cleaned in who knows how long. Some ding and scratches but. According to the 161xxx SN, 1979/1980 born date. S&W marked magazine
Ok boys and girls. Here it is. Overall, price considered and as advertised, not all bad. Holster wear for sure. Grips pretty dark, blued bbl not too bad. Hadnt been cleaned in who knows how long. Some ding and scratches but. According to the 161xxx SN, 1979/1980 born date. S&W marked magazine
Attachments
I think you're gonna like that one Frank. Good pickup.
Added - Does the magazine have the black plastic follower or the older, metal X-shaped one?
Todd
Added - Does the magazine have the black plastic follower or the older, metal X-shaped one?
Todd
Last edited:
Hmmm not sure where you're referencing that and this is an inexact science, however the fantastic SCSW 4th Edition by Supica & Nahas suggests a 1973 born-on date, a good bit earlier than what you suggested.
Yet another follow up...JUST noticed there's a CAI Import mark on the underside of the frame. Begs the question...WHERE DID IT GO?
I'm thinking I need to spend the $100 for the S&W letter to see where it initially went (or if anyone here has any insight if any of these were exported)..The search goes on...
I'm thinking I need to spend the $100 for the S&W letter to see where it initially went (or if anyone here has any insight if any of these were exported)..The search goes on...
