Help with model 39-2

[Oldgoalie]

Hi, I'm new to the forum. I am the proud new owner of a model 39-2, that appears that it was manufactured in 72-73. I owned a model 39, with Mich. State Police ser. number, in the late 70's, carrying it as an off duty EDC. Like many others have stated about their mod. 39's, "I never should have gotten rid of it.

The present one exhibits the extractor problems that others have reported. I have a gunsmith lined up, after he returns from the SHOT show. I have discovered that S&W won't work on it.

I'm working through the deep cleaning, replace springs, possible ejector progression to fix the problems, and am open to hearing about fixes others have found useful.

My goal is to use the Model 39-2 as my present EDC. With the problems that I'm having with the weapon, I presently don't have confidence in it to carry it. I'm also open to others experience in using one after a fix.

My reason for wanting to carry the model 39-2, is that this gun fits me better than any other handgun I've used. It feels great in my hand, the balance is perfect to me, and I am very accurate with the weapon. Hence, I have high confidence, that if the weapon is working properly, shots will hit where aimed.

Many others have commented on this gun behaving the same way for them. Does anyone know why this particular gun is so accurate, and if S&W has cloned this into any newer models? I'm speaking to the single stack, fit and feel, on target, easy point aspects of the model 39-2, with the DA/SA, great trigger feel shooting that I enjoyed in the 70's. Any insights people have will be of interest to me.

Thank you in advance for taking the time to comment.

 

[racemi]

Welcome back to the 39-2 "tribe". Seems a lot of folks who sold their 39's have come back, so you know that there is "just something" about them.
I think S&W did a real good job back in 1949-1954 designing them. Remember, they were designed to take part in a search to replace the 1911's in 1954. The trials never took place so S&W had a very nice 9 mm to sell to the public. One of the things I like about the 39-2 is that it reminds me of a 1911, but is sweet shooting 9 mm.
I see you are replacing springs. That's a good thing to start off with. Especially the recoil spring. You don't want the slide smashing into the aluminium frame, that will cause problems.

I take it from your saying that you have an extractor problem, that you are having FTE issues.
Try this test, (if you haven't already): remove the barrel and drop a round into the chamber. It should slip all the way in, then, tip the muzzle up to the sky and the round should just fall out of the chamber all by itself. If it sticks, on the way in, or out of the chamber, you will need to clean the chamber. You can clean it with a dowel or pencil wrapped with steel wool.

I have fixed dirty chamber problems this way in the past. Of course the extractor may be worn or the extractor spring has lost its tension, (this is why you want to replace all the springs).

Best of luck with you new honey. They are sweet shooters. I've settled on mine as my only 9 mm and I completely happy with the choice.

 

[Model25Man]

I have carried a 39-2 off and on for 40 years, I've owned about 10 to 15 of them, and still carry this one daily. The 39 no dash had extractor problems, but I've never had an extractor problem with the 39-2

 

[Sevens]

The 39-2 was a 1st Generation pistol and it's most direct replacement in the 2nd Gen series would be the Model 439. The biggest difference is that the 439 has a firing pin lock that makes the pistol drop-safe, which the 39-2 is not. This comes at the cost of a less silky-nice single action trigger break, so for that reason... you may not necessarily care for a 439 as much as the 39-2.

All things considered, for a carry, I would choose the 439, giving up the better trigger for a pistol with the firing pin lock.

I have three Model 39's and I am a genuine lover of these pistols. At the same time, this is a pistol that ran from the 1950's to 1982 -- so like any pistol, I would absolutely need to know that it fed and ran the high dollar, elite defensive ammo. The God's honest truth is that in thousands of rounds through my 39's, I've never once ran any manner of JHP.

It's safe to say that -MANY- 9mm pistols from the 1970's didn't earn their keep on JHP ammo. I would only venture a guess that a 439 is also more adept at handling JHP than a 39-2 but again, I haven't tried. But that might also sway me toward a 439.

The 39-2 was a great pistol once and great it always shall be. But as a key, top-shelf, go-to service, duty, carry and defense pistol? It's a relic compared to heaps and piles and countless newer designs and builds for the job.

I still love mine, I still shoot mine and I won't give them up, but I carry heartless, soulless Tupperware because it's truly better for the dirty job.

 

[Oldgoalie]

Thanks for the response. I'm leaning toward the Tupperware answer. I hope to find one that shoots and feels as good as the 39-2. I will be holding on to this one, it's too much fun to shoot. The outcome of the new springs will have a lot to do with I decide to carry it. The gun is so sweet, and my wife found it for me. Thanks honey.

 

[TTSH]

I can certainly appreciate that the decision to give up a beloved, timeless classic and go with "heartless, soulless Tupperware" for EDC is not an easy one. And that is probably doubly true when there is some serious history there. Plus I have to say that I have a strange, inexplicable admiration for those who have stuck with their classic firearms over modern technology... especially those folks who could carry anything that money could possibly buy. I know folks like that.

Perhaps I am fortunate that there is no longstanding history to be considered in my case. My two oldest carry guns (from the "good old days") now hold places of honor in my safe while "heartless, soulless Tupperware" has taken over their duty and helped to preserve their high value to me.

Yes, I have to go along with Sevens. "Heartless, soulless Tupperware" is the better, more practical answer for EDC today. It doesn't mean that I wouldn't snap up the right 39-2 (or 439) in a heartbeat if I stumbled upon the opportunity this afternoon, but not for EDC. It would be for a place of honor in the safe and for loving use at the range just like so many of the other classics in my collection.

 

[Engine49guy]

I also carried a 39-2 for years, The new polymer Shield is a very good deal at $350 IMO especially with the lifetime warranty.
Personally dont care for polymer guns so when I wanted something "Newer" went to an 8 shot compact 3rd gen SS Model 3953 instead,

 

[gmborkovic]

Sir, you have two loves to hang on to, your 39 and your wife. Best

 

[jsbethel]

Does anyone know why this particular gun is so accurate, and if S&W has cloned this into any newer models? I'm speaking to the single stack, fit and feel, on target, easy point aspects of the model 39-2, with the DA/SA, great trigger feel shooting that I enjoyed in the 70's.

The evolution of the 39-2 continued with the 3rd gen 3904 and stainless 3906 made from 1988-91. Both pistols are well worth searching for.

 

[Model25Man]

The first priority in your EDC, other than reliability, should be ***w well you can handle it under stress', i.e., to place the shot where it will disable the threat. It doesn't matter if you have an 8 round capacity, or a 17 round capacity if you can't place a shot where it counts under stress. A well placed shot will disable the threat whether using ball ammo or JHPs. 9mm ball ammo killed a lot of people during WWII. I have never had an issue with either feeding in the 39-2, and I've never seen a 'stock' Glock that is as accurate as my Smith.

In my home town we've had three police involved shootings in recent years that I had the opportunity to discuss with 'police' buddies. The bad guys in two of those shootings were shot multiple times with a Sig 226 using .357 'police' ammo, and survived. The reason was shot placement and the ammo fragmented upon impact. They now are carrying Glock 17s for capacity reasons, and the cost of ammo is cheaper, so the officers can afford to practice more. Note: I suggested 'privately' the Smith M&P over the Glock, but I think the 'cost factor' played a significant role in the decision.

I'm an instructor and a retired gunsmith. Going on 67 years I still try to practice every week, and that practice includes firing 8 rounds as fast and as accurately as possible. And, I have always preferred accuracy over speed. I carry two extra mags with my model 39-2, and I practice dropping the empty and reloading.

Having shot about every Tupperware pistol made, I would choose the M&P 9C with Apex trigger kit as my EDC, if I was looking to change to plastic. But alas, I'm old and stubborn, so I'm sticking with my Model 39-2.

 

[lhump1961]

Correct me if I'm wrong but the two main things the 39-2 addressed from the 39 is the extractor and the hollow point feeding. I don't try to chamber loose rounds in my Mauser bolts or my pistols so I've never broken an extractor. Whatever your extractor problem I'm confident it's an easy fix.

As for feeding I don't have a 39 to compare with but have a few 39-2's and haven't shot much factory ammo from any of them. I have, however, loaded all manner of configurations in 9mm including 3 different types of HP's all of which functioned flawlessly.

I agree that of all my 9mm's the 39-2 is not only the one I shoot the best and most consistently but is the most satisfying as well.

 

[Ed Fowler]

The main problem with feeding hollow points was in the shape of the magazine, after they got that worked out they fed them well.

I never had a problem with the extractor on my 39, sometimes I wonder how serious it is?

 

[Model25Man]

The main problem with feeding hollow points was in the shape of the magazine, after they got that worked out they fed them well.

I never had a problem with the extractor on my 39, sometimes I wonder how serious it is?

If I remember correctly I think in the last 35+ years of gunsmithing I replaced only 2 Model 39 extractors, both no dash. Over the same time period I've seen countless numbers of people, including police officers, load one in the pipe and slam the slide closed, then install the loaded mag.

 

[Oldgoalie]

I find all this helpful. I'm still working on getting the gun working. When I got the weapon, it was filthy. I ran a brush through it, swabbed it out, and headed to the range to see how it operated. The good news is it started out ejecting just fine, handling some Turkish ball ammo that I wanted to get rid of. It started with problems after about 5 magazines. It worked well with the magazine it came with (an oldie with the x shaped follower) and three new ones found at MidwayUSA. It started problems as it got dirtier. I'm now finding sources for parts, collecting knowledge, and will get it torn down, completely cleaned, and replace springs. The chamber drop test has been pointed out here, and by the gunsmith.

I find that I won't go past the field strip stage, until I find place to get replacement parts, so if I screw up something, I can fix it. I'm fearless with the 1911's��. I know that I know enough to be dangerous.

We will get this figured out, and I can see this being the carry gun. As model25man states, you have to know you can hit what you're aiming at.

I haven't seen anything in the posts any sense that S&W has bottled the magic of the 39 in any of its guns since. I am looking for feedback on that portion of the quest. Is there a soulless Tupperware gun out there, that will give me the bliss that the 39 does? I haven't found one, but I'm only a single person. ����

 

[Model25Man]

If the problem didn't start until you had run five magazines thru it, with Turkish (dirty) ammo, I think you have found your problem. Clean the breech face and barrel real good, lubricate, and take it back to the range using some good ammo. I think you'll find it will function quite well. Regards, Steve

 

[Oldgoalie]

Hope to make the range on Thursday. I let you know. Thanks

 

[jglsprings]

I haven't seen anything in the posts any sense that S&W has bottled the magic of the 39 in any of its guns since. I am looking for feedback on that portion of the quest. Is there a soulless Tupperware gun out there, that will give me the bliss that the 39 does? I haven't found one, but I'm only a single person.

"Bliss"? Probably not. Solid functionality, reliability, carry-ability, accuracy, blah, blah, blah... You bet, S&W, Sig, Springfield, Beretta, Colt, on and on...

It's all in what you are willing to carry. The 39 is head and shoulders above my Glock. But..., I start to leave the heavy guns at home, instead of taking anything along... Not a good plan. Bad on me - not the gun.

The Glock goes almost all the time and when it doesn't the J frame will.

Guns for me are a tool. Its up to me to adjust to the tool and be prepared.

My buddies hate me because I can pick up most anything and shoot well. Some are easier than others to shoot. But I take that as a challenge.

I certainly understand the magic you are talking about though.

 

[Oldgoalie]

I don't disagree

The choice isn't to carry a model 39, or nothing, but to ask if S&W realized what they had built, and bottled the magic in newer models.

I haven't seen any other gun with quite the same following. People, including me, gush about the feel and handling of the weapon. Not everyone, but many more than normal.

As far as a gun as a tool, I couldn't agree more. Most days you will find me carrying a glock or a pocket 380. That doesn't mean I don't think you should use the best tool, if you can.

 

[ralph7]

Never realized the model 39 has no firing pin lock like the 439.
Wonder if one can purchase a lighter firing pin and heavier firing pin spring to help alleviate this short coming?

 

[model3sw]

I have carried a 39-2 off and on for 40 years, I've owned about 10 to 15 of them, and still carry this one daily. The 39 no dash had extractor problems, but I've never had an extractor problem with the 39-2

Same here, exactly 40 years, never a problem with any of the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd gen 9mms. And they eat JHPs, too, (as well as good reloads) without a hitch, all without so much as polishing the feed ramp. Just make sure it's clean and a good S&W magazine. I prefer the older mags with the stamped steel figure 8 pusher but that's a personal preference

The 39s (no dash) have been said to have weak extractors (that they actually cracked and broke but otherwise did not fail to extract until then) but still I never had an issue, so those who actually (personally and not just those who may have read about it, then pass the story along) had problems with a 39, must have been one with an abundance of rounds through it, I surmise.