I just came home with this S&W 39-2.

[rmbrad]

I went to the local Cabela's today, and they had a Smith and Wesson Model 39-2. There was a trigger lock on the gun. I asked them to field strip it which they did. I wanted to make sure there was no galling, or frame cutting. I really didn't get to function test the gun. I bought it because of the shape, and price. I did get them to knock off $20.00, and then they gave me a "Good Guy" discount of $20.00. Out the door at $370.00. I get it home, and discover that the hammer follows the slide, and the magazine disconnect doesn't work. I called Cabela's, and they said Bring it back. I am going to take it to my Gun Smith, and have them look at it before I take it back. I want to know how much it will take to fix the gun before it goes back to Cabela's. The Serial Number is A224454. Can you tell me when this was made? Did they ever build a 39-2 DAO? I know Pictures. I can't figure out how to post pictures.

 

[jmace57]

I would have given $370 for that in a second. It appears to be in great shape. Congratulations on a great find. It sounds like something went wrong in the reassembly.

 

[Model52guy]

$370 is a good price even with the issues. If the frame and the slide are not damaged, everything else can be replaced or tweaked to work. I've built both the Model 52 and a Model 39 from scratch.

 

[stansdds]

It's bad that Cabela's will not allow a function test before buying. That's sort of like buying a car without a test drive.

The hammer following the slide could be the result of damage, or it could be that someone converted this pistol to double action only. If there is no full cock notch detected as you manually thumb back the hammer, I'd say it was a conversion and since there is no magazine disconnector... that may be even more proof of intentional modification.

 

[Bozz10mm]

Comparing the serial number to mine, A1956xx made in 1974, yours was probably made in 1975 or that general time period. The hammer will follow the slide home when you have the safety on, but shouldn't with the safety off. It it does, it's been modified to a double action only. Not a very desirable modification in my opinion.

 

[jsbethel]

I get it home, and discover that the hammer follows the slide.

That might indicate a broken sear spring.

 

[rmbrad]

I ran the gun out to my local gun smith. He said that the rules have changed since Bass Pro took over Cabela's. They played with the gun, and said that it had been worked on by someone. He called Cabela's and told them they had sold me an unsafe firearm. They said that they would refund my money if I brought the gun back. I asked if it could be fixed and he said that it could. The gun is now with them.

 

[Pisgah]

A magazine disconnect is still a controversial feature -- some want it, some don't. Removal of the magazine disconnect was a frequently-performed modification on the 39-2, and an easy one to reverse if you can find the parts. The disconnect feature was a small plunger and spring held in place by the rear sight. Remove the sight and you'll see the hole in the slide where it went. Drop in the new plunger and spring, put the sight back on.

The hammer following down, as already mentioned, is either something broken or an intentional conversion to DA-only. Unless, that is, the safety is on when you cycle the slide. Cycle with the safety on, and the hammer follows down -- perfectly normal. Or, apply the safety when at full-cock and the hammer will fall -- again, perfectly normal. You may already know that, but some folks do not.

 

[rmbrad]

I owned and carried a Smith 39-2 that I bought new in around 1971. I am aware of the function of the hammer drop safety feature. The gun smith striped the slide off and started looking. He said that the gun had been modified, and he can fix it. I trust them after having several guns worked on by them.

 

[Tom 1951]

I had a couple of 39-2s back in the 'way-back. One developed a safety that wouldn't engage; it would flip down partially and go no farther. After stripping the gun, I didn't find an issue that would cause this to happen. Being soured on the design, I sold both to a savvy cop. I didn't touch another S&W semi till the 3rd generation pistols came out. I've been happy with them since.
That's a shame, since the gun feels great. I'd like to have a 3906; I haven't yet been able to find one for my budget. Maybe someday.