Mdl 59?

[azhobo]

I have zero knowledge about this gun, and it really isn't mine, but..... could someone give me some basic info about the 59's in general? The one in my possession is in 9mm, and to me has the appearance of some kind of Sat night special. I honestly don't mean to be insulting, but compared to my three other Smith's, this one is door prize quality. The frame looks like black painted aluminum, and the grips are cheesy plastic. Did S&W build these, or import them?
Thank you, and no offense intended.
Bob

 

[Sevens]

The Model 59 actually occupies a very notable role in the history of law enforcement in North America as the first semiauto pistol adopted by a large metropolitan police department. Decades ago, all cops had revolvers and today, basically all cops have semiauto pistols and somewhere in there that evolution obviously happened and the S&W Models 39 and 59 were where that began.

The frame is aluminum alloy and will feel light. The frame finish is black anodized and as the 59 was made from about 1970 to 1983, the one you’re holding may be old and seen a hard life of service.

It is typical trait of the 59 that they did not resist finish wear all too well and the grips were, for lack of a better term... thin, cheap plastic that also didn’t resist wear.

59’s aren’t particularly valuable on the market, mostly because they made so many and they are not at all hard to find.

 

[azhobo]

Re: Model 59

Thank you Sevens, for your informative response, much appreciated. I learned everything I was wanting to know.
Regards,
Bob

 

[triaxle]

That is a great gun , real nice ones are going up in price you do not see them much anymore , the next one is a Smith 459.

 

[triaxle]

I hit the gun shops all over and you never see them , I nice clean one is a good score .I jump on the older Smiths when I find a nice one .I have seen them with a lot of finish wear also .

 

[stansdds]

Sevens pretty well summed up the Model 59. I will add that wear on the finish could be from extensive use or extensive carry. One spot I look at on the aluminum alloy receiver S&W pistols is where the bottom of the hammer hits the receiver during recoil. The hammer will make an indention into the aluminum and also wear away the anodized finish. The more the pistol has been fired, the greater the finish wear and the larger the indentation. Beyond that, you need to take the slide off of the receiver and look at the wear on the rails and cam blocks for wear and peening. With these pistols, a sloppy slide to receiver fit means nothing as they usually have generous clearance, you have to look inside for the wear and tear.

 

[Imissedagain]

The M59 has a grip often described as holding on to a 2x4.
Glocksters, with their double stacks, claim the M59 acceptably comfortable and OEM 1911s too thin.

My go to fishing gun in the Keys for decades and my newer one for Salmon filled rivers.

Just a proper polish and it fed JHPs to make my boy smile.
His first real carry after an hour with the HS 22Mag Derringer.
"But what if 3 BGs attack?", said he.

 

[JohnHL]

IMO, every LEO contract sale of a Glock or S&W M&P (in the USA) owes a tip if the hat to the Model 39 and 59.

That...

And the more heavily armed drug dealers of the 80s and 90s.

John

 

[S&W59]

What Sevens said is true, however, I don't agree with the 59 not being worth a lot. As a whole, the crop of model 59 pistols on average isn't of high intrinsic value but their value increases as their condition level does. A model 59 in excellent original condition with its finish intact fetches attention from collectors and compounds that value if it has the original box, period-correct magazines and paperwork. Granted, they don't reach the price of a 1076 or a 1046 but do not discount the well-preserved 59's collectability. Vintage S&W automatic collecting is catching on since this group of pistols varies so much in size, generation, caliber, and features. The 59 was my start on collecting vintage S&W autos and now the collection is 25 unique models, Gen 1 through the M&P v.1.

 

[azhobo]

Re: Model 59

My thanks to all that replied, I've got a new respect for this gun. Given that it certainly isn't pretty, going inside shows it to be in very decent shape, little wear. I have to agree that it does fit my hand very nicely, even with the economy class grips. There are three factory (I think, marked 9MM S&W, with a small A at the heel, that points forward) mags with it, and an abundance of grunge from, probably, 72. (A1740**)
Not sure what the disposition of this one will be, maybe I'll even make an offer on it. One can never have too many truck guns!
Thanks again gents.
Bob