I adopted a 39-2 yesterday.

[gm272gs]

Just bought this yesterday. The book says it was shipped between 1979 and 1980 (which is close enough for me). After soaking overnight, cleaning, lubricating, and test-firing, I'm pleased with this thing. The story goes that this was "used to kill a fox around 20 years ago" and hasn't been fired since.

I am a little interested if any of the gun leather has any importance. There is a ******* Thumb Break holster, an Edge Mark mag pouch, and a "Bolen Lea. Prod. 7791460" military police-style holster with a cover flap. All are well used, but still soft and pliable leather.

I'll say this for sure: It's a really good shooter! It was easy to make all the holes touch, from the 7-yard line. This is a nifty pistol, and the first Smith autoloader I have ever owned. It fits my hand like it was made for me.

 

[lhump1961]

Excellent! This may be your 1st S&W auto but now you've taken a turn down a road that has no exits...we'll be expecting posts of all of your future acquisitions!

 

[gm272gs]

Another fun fact: I just noticed that it came from Montgomery Ward. $260.00 seems kind of expensive for 1980. Gas was only 60-cents per gallon - and that was for leaded - as I recall.

 

[gm272gs]

I taught a friend how to shoot back in the late eighties, and he had a 5906. I thought that thing was kind of clunky, but he was joining the Sheriff's department, and that's what they carried. I thought it was well made, but never developed any love for it. This first-generation pistol however, has a certain timeless elegance to it. I do have other Smith autoloaders on my list, so I will keep the forum updated as I go.

 

[lhump1961]

There is a devoted following for the full size Smith autos and I certainly understand why...but I've always been drawn to the compacts. If I'm shooting a full size auto it's probably a 1911 but that's just me. I have a fair representation of 3rd gens but have yet to handle a 2nd gen gun especially as nice as yours. That may be a good thing for my bank account... I was always a revolver guy but the last few years I've grown fond of autos as well. While I do have a couple of M&P's and like them fine they just don't have the appeal and personality of the guns made before IMHO.

What is the other auto you have in mind?

By the way...Semper Fi.

 

[petepeterson]

Excellent pick-up. The 39-2 fits my hand better than any other Smith auto, and I shoot it better than every other auto I own.

Admittedly, when I carry an auto, it is a 3913 or a 5906, but I certainly wouldn't feel handicapped with my 39. I just don't like to scratch up that pretty blue finish.

 

[gm272gs]

...have yet to handle a 2nd gen gun especially as nice as yours. That may be a good thing for my bank account...

...What is the other auto you have in mind?...

By the way...Semper Fi.

Okay, now you've piqued my interest. Do these command a pretty good price? I looked at it and thought "Okay, that's a $400 gun". because I see so many guns every day, that they're like a commodity. If it's "a $400 gun", then I offer $200 for it, and see if they bite.

I got everything pictured for the asking price of $350, because I thought that was fair. Never even dickered. He were both happy, and that's what counts.

As for the others I want, that's easy. Models 41, 46, and 52.
It's not an end-all beat-all measure of my existence, mind you, but I'm always looking.

Semper Fi, brother.

 

[plattincreek]

I got my 39-2 a couple of years ago at my LGS. Think I paid about $450 for it. The pistol just feels really good in your hands. I'm a big guy with big hands and the little autos just kind of get swallowed up when I grab them. The 39 or my 1911 fit just right. Mine is also a good shooter. Easy to control and hits where you aim it. Hope you enjoy yours.

 

[grif684]

Another fun fact: I just noticed that it came from Montgomery Ward. $260.00 seems kind of expensive for 1980. Gas was only 60-cents per gallon - and that was for leaded - as I recall.

It does seem expensive, here's mine, purchased by the previous owner new in June, 1975. (Although I paid about triple the amount to get it) He paid $155.19 out the door.

 

[jimbo728]

Looks like a keeper. 39-2 pistols look right, feel right and shoot right.
Enjoy
Jim

 

[loeman]

I've said it before and I'm happy to repeat myself here. The Md 39 is the most visually appealing (ie most beautiful) S&W semi ever made. Yeah I know that's a very subjective thing to say but DANG IT, IT'S TRUE!

 

[westy39]

I will tell you to hang on to that gun if you can. I had one and sure enjoyed shooting it, but due to money issues I had to sell it. The decision to sell wasn't made lightly and I still regret it today. Take your 39 out and shoot it, clean it and repeat over and over. I am just a bit jealous, maybe I will even learn to hate you.

 

[shawn mccarver]

The 39-2 is the most attractive semi-auto S&W has ever made, in my opinion. It certainly feels great in my hand. I have been accused of having a bias toward the feel of a 1911, but in actuality, I find the Browning High Power and the 39-2 feel better in my hand. I am not sure why S&W cannot build a run of 39s (call them 39-3s and add the firing pin safety) in their Classic Series.

 

[cpeblue]

The 39-2 is the most attractive semi-auto S&W has ever made, in my opinion. It certainly feels great in my hand. I have been accused of having a bias toward the feel of a 1911, but in actuality, I find the Browning High Power and the 39-2 feel better in my hand. I am not sure why S&W cannot build a run of 39s (call them 39-3s and add the firing pin safety) in their Classic Series.

Shawn, I'll take issue with this . It seems you have forgotten the 439/539/639 models (they have a firing pin safety) . Also have you ever held a 3904/3906 ? These were the last of the full size 9mm single stacks removed from the catalog after 1991. As much as I like the 39s and the 2nd gens there sights could use an improvement , the front sight is almost impossible to pick up in low light or shadows .

 

[gm272gs]

Okay, school me.

You guys bandy about "1st Generation", "2nd Generation", and "3rd Generation", but the way I understand it, the 39-2 is a 1st Generation pistol.

Model Number
2 digits ---> 1st Gen (Models 39,44,52,59)
3 digits ---> 2nd Gen (Models 439,449,457,459,469,539,559, etc.)
4 digits ---> 3rd Gen (This is where my progression breaks down, because the SCSW lists several 3-digit models as "3rd Generation, value edition" pistols)

The 39 was produced in the 50's, but not assembled and sold until the 60's. There was no 39-1 (this was arguably, the 52A prototype) and then there was the 39-2 (which really just changed the extractor, due to reports of breakage in the old design).

So is the 39-2 a "1st" or "2nd" generation autoloader?

 

[grif684]

It's a first gen.

 

[whitestang]

After you shot your 39-2 a few more times you will want to do it more and more. I've had mine since 1980 and carried it as a Deputy Sheriff and still shoots like new today. This is the only S&W that I have kept all this time,others I traded or sold for different reasons. Bottom line it is a great firearm.

 

[BearBio]

I finally bought one about a year ago. It is a safe "guard-b----h"--that means I keep it loaded just inside the door of the gun safe, round in the chamber, in case I'm forced to open the safe under "duress".

Shows how reliable I think it is. The only other auto that gets assigned that duty is an old P-38 from the 1950's.

 

[cpeblue]

The 3rd gens that have the 3 digit model # are know as Transitional models. There are a few folks on the forum that collect them and there are quite a few threads on them.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Shawn, I'll take issue with this . It seems you have forgotten the 439/539/639 models (they have a firing pin safety) . Also have you ever held a 3904/3906 ? These were the last of the full size 9mm single stacks removed from the catalog after 1991. As much as I like the 39s and the 2nd gens there sights could use an improvement , the front sight is almost impossible to pick up in low light or shadows .

I have not forgotten the 2nd or 3rd Gen autos. I still say the 39-2 is the most attractive of the bunch, and it feels better. I agree that the FP safety and the better sights were great on the 2nd and 3rd Gen guns, but I guess what I meant to say is that I wish they would introduce a Classic Series 39, with nice finish and wood grips, and it should have the FP safety and the "reliability package," for lack of a better term, and better sights, but not the Novak or the Protective Wing adjustable sight. Something more like the originals, but maybe a tad taller, etc. I want 3rd Gen safety and reliability and "sights you can see," and 1st Gen looks.