Deleting parts from a 39-2?

[Ken NC]

In J.B. Woods's "Trouble Shooting Your Handgun" he describes removal of the automatic hammer drop/sear release lever (so activation of the safety doesn't drop the hammer), and describes removal of the magazine safety plunger (to inactivate the magazine safety). Both are described as common modifications. Anyone have any experience with these changes? Am thinking of doing so with my 39 just to simplify things but wanted to ask you all with more experience or perspective. Am familiar with the debate on inactivating a magazine safety in a carry gun--this is a range gun so am more interested in mechanical/performance/reliability. Thank you!

 

[Stevie]

Is it unreliable now?

 

[Goony]

In J.B. Woods's "Trouble Shooting Your Handgun" he describes removal of the automatic hammer drop/sear release lever (so activation of the safety doesn't drop the hammer), and describes removal of the magazine safety plunger (to inactivate the magazine safety). Both are described as common modifications. Anyone have any experience with these changes? Am thinking of doing so with my 39 just to simplify things but wanted to ask you all with more experience or perspective. Am familiar with the debate on inactivating a magazine safety in a carry gun--this is a range gun so am more interested in mechanical/performance/reliability. Thank you!

I completely fail to see how defeating either of these safety mechanisms would result in any enhancement in performance or reliability. I'd add that if you have an accidental discharge at the range with a gun so altered, though, your legal liability will be greatly enhanced.

 

[forindooruseonly]

So, the change allows you to carry cocked and locked? Interesting.

 

[growr]

One of my 39-2's has both modifications done to it and I thoroughly enjoy being able to carry it cocked and locked just like my 1911's.
Randy

 

[ispcapt]

Removing the hammer drop/sear release function doesn't make it "cocked and locked". It just becomes "cocked". Nothing gets locked so it's not at all like a 1911.

 

[growr]

You are correct in that it is not locked....the hammer drop however must still be released in order for the gun to fire so to me the operation of it is the same method as when I carry a 1911 cocked and locked.

Internally I know it is different if that makes any sense.....

Randy

 

[SG-688]

In a mid-70's class, an ISP armorer stated that they had found M-39's with the magazine disconnect removed were more likely to shear the hammer notch.

That made absolutely no sense to me then or now, but that's what he said.


IIRC, Tom Campbell used the original IPSC "Super Gun" with a non-dropping safety, i.e., locked and cocked.

 

[handgunner356]

The problem I have with S&Ws' that have the single action feature is the gun is cocked but nothing is locked. You can still pull the trigger and the hammer will fall, but the gun doesn't fire. Not the kind of thing I want happening myself.