Considering a Model 39-2

[pdcampy]

I know where there is a 39-2 w/2 mags no box. It's had about 20 rounds through it and appears in excellent condition and very little wear. The owner is asking $550 and recently turned down an offer of $400 but apparently needs to sell it. I think what he is asking is too high. Thinking about offering $425-450. Is this a good price or still too high?

 

[Goony]

Can't buy them new anymore. Considered a classic by many. You won't be disappointed in how it shoots.

Let's say, just for the sake of argument, that at $450 you'd be overpaying by $50, or even $100. Will you be missing that amount of money a year from now, or still kicking yourself for not picking up a really nice 39-2 when you had the chance?

 

[sqhead]

i just bought at a lgs a week ago a 39-2,nickel,2 mags,original box,buffalo horn grips ( which are very cool,engraved,maybe by eagle grips ),gun looks new, for 420 otd if that helps.I live in fla.I think the prices here may be better than other parts of the country

 

[CajunBass]

I just paid $525.00 for one that was in "I can't tell if it's been fired or not" condition, in the box, with some of the papers, and two magazines. They were asking $550.00 originally and the $25.00 was all they'd come down.

For one in the condition you describe, I'd offer $425.00 and see what happens.

I've got another I paid $375.00 for, but that was with just the one magazine, and it was a couple of years ago. BTW. New S&W magazines were $40.00 each at my dealer.

 

[tx_oil]

I picked this up at a gun show last summer. Model 39-2, apparantly unfired, in box for $325. I bought two new mags and a NOS Smith and Wesson holster ($16.00 on feebay) and am really glad I did. Cool thing is that my wife is who found it, as I walked right past the vendor, and she was on it like a duck on a junebug.

 

[turbo38gn]

I picked this up at a gun show last summer. Model 39-2, apparantly unfired, in box for $325. I bought two new mags and a NOS Smith and Wesson holster ($16.00 on feebay) and am really glad I did. Cool thing is that my wife is who found it, as I walked right past the vendor, and she was on it like a duck on a junebug.

Were you wearing a mast and did your wife drive the get away car....

 

[pdcampy]

considering a Model 39-2?

I found out that the Serial number is A146XXX which puts manufactured about 1970-71 and in exceptionally nice condition doesn't look fired at all. I believe the seller when he says it's only had 20 rounds through it. I believe I will make an offer and see what happens. Back in the 70's I had a couple of them at different times and carried for off duty use and I liked them. Thanks for all your input.

 

[Goony]

I found out that the Serial number is A146XXX which puts manufactured about 1970-71 and in exceptionally nice condition doesn't look fired at all. I believe the seller when he says it's only had 20 rounds through it. I believe I will make an offer and see what happens. Back in the 70's I had a couple of them at different times and carried for off duty use and I liked them. Thanks for all your input.

In that serial number range, it's likely to retain some earlier features associated with the Model 39, such as the holed hammer and the frame grooves for mounting the accessory dustcover. It'd be a good one to pick up, for sure.

 

[Engine49guy]

I just paid $450 for a LNIB early transitional Model serial A190xxx and it has early features ,
I would bet money that A146xxx has those early features too but ,
I think your right that $550 is $100 too high.

 

[Armyphotog]

These prices are all over the place, mostly too low based on my experience. It's all subjective, anyway. If you want the darn thing, buy it. Later, you'll be sorry. I walked away from a nickel one at a gun for $400, and didn't even make an offer. Stupid me!

 

[heekma]

Can't buy them new anymore. Considered a classic by many. You won't be disappointed in how it shoots.

Let's say, just for the sake of argument, that at $450 you'd be overpaying by $50, or even $100. Will you be missing that amount of money a year from now, or still kicking yourself for not picking up a really nice 39-2 when you had the chance?

Goony nailed it. Prices are a bit varied, but I think it's because they are trending upward and some folks are ahead of the curve and some folks are behind.

If it was what I wanted, in the condition I wanted, close by for inspection or even FTF sale, I'd spend the extra $50 or $100 and go home a happy man.

Best,

Heekma

 

[Stu Honea]

A 39-2 served me well for a few years in the seventies as a duty gun,and helped to save my bacon on an attempted gun grab.
It is my favorite auto pistol of all time,and IMO is timeless. Feels better in the hand to me than anything else,mine have been totally reliiable and have digested everything I fed them.
It's a true classic and I would not hesitate for a moment to pay $450 for a nice one.

 

[doshiijun]

I'll bump with a question:

I've seen a Model 39-2 in my favorite store. Love the feel and all ... but when I pull that trigger, single- or double-action, the hammer hits down on the pin and it feels like the whole gun shakes. Like you were twanging a rubber band or something. Does that sound familiar to anyone? I would love to snag a 39 at $325, even with no box and one mag, but I can't figure out the trigger.

 

[Engine49guy]

I'll bump with a question:

I've seen a Model 39-2 in my favorite store. Love the feel and all ... but when I pull that trigger, single- or double-action, the hammer hits down on the pin and it feels like the whole gun shakes. Like you were twanging a rubber band or something. Does that sound familiar to anyone? I would love to snag a 39 at $325, even with no box and one mag, but I can't figure out the trigger.

The 39-2 triggers kinda go "BOING" when dry fired.
The older pre dash 2 is much more of a snap.
I swapped uppers and lowers and tried it again....it seems to be in the upper slide assembly ,
My guess is it is probably the recoil spring.

 

[pdcampy]

considering a Model 39-2?

Haven't gone to see it yet but here is a shop photo showing the hole in the hammer and I think the grooves on the dust cover extension. Definitely look like I should go see it, and make an offer.

 

[mike from st pete]

Last year I bought a 39-2 in the box, some of the cleaning tools and one S&W magazine and one after market magazine. $500 maybe it was too much to pay or maybe not. I did find another S&W magazine the next gun show last month for $35.
Condition of the pistol was 90/95%. I'm happy, even if the Sellier-Bellot 9mm does not extract all the time. All the other 9mm has worked just fine. I plan to wear the little pistol out shooting it.

 

[doshiijun]

The 39-2 triggers kinda go "BOING" when dry fired.
The older pre dash 2 is much more of a snap.
I swapped uppers and lowers and tried it again....it seems to be in the upper slide assembly ,
My guess is it is probably the recoil spring.

Huh. Interesting! You're thinking it's the recoil spring? I was trying it while dry-firing it. I wonder if a Wolff spring would fix it.

 

[Thunderbird74]

S&W 39-2

Here is my 39-2 I had just bought. Gave $380.00 for it with two mags and no box or papers.

 

[SonnyCrockett]

one of my favs in my collection
paid 340 for mine..great triggers,very accurate and best of all
it looks badass

 

[pdcampy]

After a lot of checking the threads, looking on line I pulled the trigger and made an offer on this 39-2 shot very little and mfg 1971-2 era. I offered $450 which was accepted by the seller pending my inspection next week at his LGS where currently resides. If all goes well, it'll be coming home with me and I'll post better photo's. I am mostly a wheel gun (S&W N Frame) guy but years ago I owned a couple 39's for off duty carry and liked them. I guess with age, it becomes a nostalgia thing....