Finally did it

[target tech]

After 33 revolvers I figured I owed myself an old school Smith & Wesson auto. Looked for a while for a reasonably priced round trigger guard adjustable sight 639 with a spare magazine. Ended up with this. Only reason I’m posting it is I’m a little curious about the sights. It has red ramp front white outline rear. It also has what I believe are rose wood grips. In all my searching don’t remember seeing one like this. Bible doesn’t say much about 639s. No box, so no end label. Serial number puts it at 84 before three letter prefixes. Also curious about this third mag, seller said he thinks it’s aftermarket, I’m thinking newer S&W.

PS Sorry for the dirty rag backdrop. Just got done cleaning and lubing it. Any airplane people out there, it’s a Pan Am first class napkin.

 

[Baxter6551]

Congrats on a beautiful model 639. I have not seen one in the wild.

 

[Goony]

The grips are probably Thai sourced.

 

[target tech]

I don’t know, the old funk under them matched up perfectly with the outline of the grips.

 

[jsbethel]

You have a factory 3906 magazine - works fine in the 639.

 

[Sevens]

I also believe the stocks are going to be some import/reproduction stocks, definitely not original S&W.

The orange insert front sight is some kind of custom alteration, I never seen that large an orange insert in any front sight and the 639 front was always a simple blade.

I agree with you that the third magazine is newer S&W. Originally, that magazine was meant for the 3906 which was a short-lived model. They probably also got used for the 3904, although a 3904 original magazine was probably black in color.

Later, they were used for the value line Model 909 and finally they were the issued magazines used for the Performance Center models 952, 952-1 and 952-2. And for a very select rare few in Italy… the 952-3.

 

[cougar015]

While it's a nice 639, if you go to the below thread which is on this forum, you will see six model 639's that I posted. None have the red insert and I have never seen a 639 that has a red ramp front insert. Also, the insert on yours is much longer than normal for guns that do have them. The grips are not factory as the right panel is wrong. It is cut out for an ambidextrous safety which your gun does not have. The right grip should look like the one in the first picture I posted. Your grip is like the fourth picture in my post which has the ambi safety.

639 that looks just like my old 39-2?

 

[target tech]

So what did the white outline rear sight sight come off of. I find it hard to believe someone went to that much trouble.

 

[Goony]

So what did the white outline rear sight sight come off of. I find it hard to believe someone went to that much trouble.

I don't, especially in view of the non-reversible modification of the front sight. My recently posted Frankennine Redux is an example of how much you can play around with a 639 if you're so inclined.

 

[cougar015]

So what did the white outline rear sight sight come off of. I find it hard to believe someone went to that much trouble.

The sight looks original but I don't recall in any of my 639'S have the white outline. I know a few of my guns other 39's do, one in particular is a Nickel steel frame that was a special order and has several unique features.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

... I’m a little curious about the sights. It has red ramp front white outline rear. It also has what I believe are rose wood grips.

I had a 639 but it was not RR/WO I think a previous owner had a gunsmith upgrade your sights. For grips I prefer Pachmayr.

 

[DCW]

Do I Hafta?

I'm fairly certain my 639 has a red front-sight insert of similar proportion to that of the original inquiry although it hasn't the wings on the rear sight.

Aw heck, I'm a-gonna have to go find it now, huh? Always getting me into trouble, dad burn it ...

The grips: Thai originals. All in all, whoever had those folks make the Model x/39 grips did a heckuva job in measuring them. Having just quickly checked, three websites offer grips of similar or same nature. Unfortunately, I dare not name 'em, methinks. Maybe there's been a policy change but until I am aware of it from THE source, I'm a-keepin' my fingers from wanderin' too close to the flame.

Oh! Unscrew the grips, carefully, please, because you don't want no screw buggers, flip 'em over and see, if anything, what's on the back, hidden side. I once found a treasure map (Floridians, always close to the water no mater the state's side - heck, we've even got water all over the place in the middle of the state but it's kinda doubtful pirates made their way overland to any lakes in the interior) on the inside of an old beatup 39 ... nope, nevermind, that was a pair of Chuck Connor basketball shoes).

Last But Never Least When Ol' DC's Wingin' It ...
I really like the heft of my 639. It doen't flip a heckuva lot. Know what I mean?

Later.

 

[Green Frog]

That’s a nice 639. I got my 639 about 4-5 years ago as a multi-slide project gun. The original slide just had the plain, drift adjustable rear sight and a rather small forged front blade. IMHO, all stainless guns with open sights benefit from the addition of a red insert.
Froggie

 

[cmansguns]

mine a tad earlier than OP's

My 639 is s/n A830417 and shipped in June 1983 per Roy Jinks.
No red ramp front, and no W/O rear. Good sights (for me anyway) just the same.

The mags are both original, black followers, NO round count numbers on either side.

Standard factory Phillips screw for right side ambi safety lever, I have "self-optional" Home Depot Allen head screw installed as it stays tighter longer during extended range sessions.

All correct to my knowledge, fun to shoot, pretty darn accurate as long as you pay attention to basics. A bit of a wonky trigger but OK for me.

 

[cmansguns]

More pics of my original 639

some more pics....gun came to me with everything except a right side safety lever screw. A very kind Forum Member sent me one of his original factory Phillips spares but I found like others had noted that during a healthy range session it tends to loosen, back out and drop along with the ambi safety lever, so I switched to Allen and it stays just fine.

Magazine bottom pics added.

 

[Marshal Sam Holland]

In spite of any discrepancies, that is one good looking 639.