At the range with my 459

[jun225]

Old...maybe, reliable and accurate...you bet!

10 yards, 50 rounds...need I say more?

Jun

 

[jdesro1911]

Nothing more needs to be said - the picture says it all!

Nice pistol and nice shooting.

 

[Birds Away]

Love the 459. I had one in nickel that was just a bit too shiny for me. As my collection of Smiths grows I am sure one like yours will find its way to me.

 

[jun225]

Thank you for the comments. That 459 was bought by my dad brand new I think around 1988. When he passed away 2004 I inherited it but never got to really use it. I guess I was taken more by the "newer" guns available. As the years went by(and several guns later) I found myself taking the old 459 out for a day at the range. What impressed me was that I have never experienced any failures in its performance. I normally fire around 400 rounds on this gun per visit to the range. I guess they had durability and reliability in mind when they made this gun.

Jun

 

[Bucky]

Nice guns you don't see around too much. The FBI used to issue these to the SWAT qualified special agents in the 1980's.

 

[cololab]

My agency also issued them on a limited basis and they performed very well as I recall. I was assigned one although I instead was authorized to carry a .45 Colt Commander. When we eventually turned all the 459s in for the then new 6906s, I was able to purchase my issue 459 with the original box, papers, etc. It's virtually brand new and still resides in my collection.

 

[jun225]

Thank you all for the input on the 459. As I have said, I got it from my dad but was looking favorably at newer guns at that time that I didn't bother to give it much attention. It was only about 4 or 5 years ago did I tried it out and was surprised that it surpassed other newer guns(not necessarily Smiths) in performance and reliability. Knowing that it had a history in law enforcement makes me love it even more. Many thanks again to all.

BTW, reading on forums, I get the impression thru some posts that it's not the most desirable pistol model(or I may be wrong), I wonder why.

Jun

 

[TAKJR]

When you can shoot like that, you can ride with me any day of the week. Let's go get-em partner!

 

[H P Bushrod]

Nice! I found a Model 439 at my favorite gun store that I had them put on lay-a-way for me. It's in great shape. I've always liked the 439 & 459's shoot.

 

[Engine49guy]

Very interesting,
It has the squared trigger guard but fixed sites.
Most of them had the huge rear adjustable aperature,
Earlier ones have the old style rounded trigger guard.

 

[jun225]

When you can shoot like that, you can ride with me any day of the week. Let's go get-em partner!

Let's! We have more than a few baddies around here so maybe you can help me here first before we clean out your area

 

[jun225]

Very interesting,
It has the squared trigger guard but fixed sites.
Most of them had the huge rear adjustable aperature,
Earlier ones have the old style rounded trigger guard.

My 459 was bought around 1988 brand new. Maybe they are later models of the 459. Just guessing here.

Jun