M-39 Slide Interchangability?

[BoCash]

Howdy.

It seems my early 39 "no-dash" with Long Ejector has windage adjustable sights only. (Have not had it long and have not had time to mess with it much. Normally, I sandbag all pistols and adjust sights before plinking)

Just curious, would a complete slide assembly from a 439 or 539 interchange with my 39?

This could give me fully adjustable sights and the shorter ejector that could be more desirable.

Thanks to all in advance, Bo in western NC

 

[Engine49guy]

Short answer is No a 2nd gen slide will not work with a 1st gen frame because of the changes in the safety .

A 39-2 slide should work on your 39 no dash and there were a couple of different target sites made to fit the 1st gen slide.

 

[jsbethel]

Numrich has the factory fully adjustable sight in stock - Rear Sight Assembly, Fully Adjustable, Used - Fair to Good Condition Gun Parts | 398950 | Numrich Gun Parts

 

[racemi]

Just a note on the M39 fully adjustable sights that are available used. I have gone through two of them, (at about $40 each). The problem with them:First one, the sight "blade", (the part with the notch) was work hardened from being bent up and down too many times, BEFORE I bought it. I got the sight working, (it was rusted pretty bad and needed to soak in penetrating oil a few days). After I tried to sight it in I noticed the downward bend and tried to straighten it up. Well, you know what happened...it snapped right off.
Second sight from same company: It too was rusted pretty bad. Even after soaking it for days the windage adjustment would not move. Way too rusted inside the adjuster and the super fine threads of the adjusting screw are useless.

So, if you go that way, be sure to check the sight out well and if it does not work perfectly, return it. Don't get stuck like I did. I was stupid.

 

[Cyrano]

Here's what the S&W fully adjustable sight looks like installed on a Model 39.

 

[Gunhacker]

You can put a 2nd gen slide on a 1st gen... you just need to remove the firing pin block plunger and spring from the slide. That safety is what was added in the 2nd gen improvements.

Any apprehension about doing that? No... it's not any different that the original setup lacking the firing pin safety.

This is my 39-2, works just fine with that plunger removed, the slide is from a 459.