ASP Info Sought

[Mercury]

A friend of mine is planning to cut down a M39 to convert it into an ASP model.
He's got the skills along with a lathe and a mill and all the other tools required to do this.

He needs some critical dimensions particularly for the Gutter Snipe sights.
If you have an ASP and don't mind helping him out with some quick measurements, please let me know.

Thanks,
Mercury

 

[solomon]

Interesting. Is he trying for an actual ASP clone or just to build the ASP improvements into a pistol? While I've never shot the guttersnipe sight myself, my impression is that it's not the best answer in terms of modern sights - even with the goal of no-snag/low-drag/whatever.

Supposedly not all the ASP conversions "went well" as far as lockup and reliability - chopping a slide & barrel is non-trivial. I'd think that starting with a short pistol already (e.g. 39xx) with melt treatment, modified magazines & grips, maybe some TFO sights and a modern finish (cerakote, ionbond, whatever) would be a pretty neat ASP-tribute gun.... and a LOT more likely to succeed.

 

[nyeti]

If the goal is a clone ASP, I get it. If you want to use the thing do not clone the Guttersnipe. I have had a couple ASP's and actually carried one for a short time in the 80's. They are terrible for actually shooting with.

I have a couple of 3914's, and I plan on taking one and melting it at some point and do some minor modifications for an essentially Asp that works.

 

[shawn mccarver]

The ASP was a great idea (except for that really awful sight - and yes, I have used it). That said, the ASP was obsoleted by the factory mini-guns, the original 469, and the later 3913, 3914 and related DAO models. If you just want one for display, ok, but if you are thinking of it for serious use, just get a 3913 or the DAO equivalent.

 

[Mercury]

Gents:
I'm pretty sure that he just wants to build an ASP to have the experience of building one and to end up with a clone. That's why he is still considering the guttersnipe sight.

 

[flagman1776]

Being a M39 fan... I wanted an ASP the worst way when they were a hot item. ASP & Devel proved what & how compact S&Ws could be done. The market for the modification basically dried up after S&W used the knowledge to produce their own compacts.
The guttersnipe site was something that didn't really proved successful. I think it's foolish to recreate something that's already been done. A lot of expense & trial & error went into creating these custom pistols. I dare say the first ones had a lot of R&D expense.
Today, there are a full line of S&W compact pistols to choose from, right down to the Chief's Special models. I suggest you handle as many as possible & choose. You'll have a known pistol.

 

[jyo]

Somewhere in my collection, I have an orig. ASP catalog---the black cover with the red beating heart line that stops---it's in fine condition---I don't know the value of this catalog, but I'm open to offers...