Model 39-2 (1973) Impulse Buy

[NCBeagle]

Found this 39-2 at a gun shop in southeastern North Carolina today. It looked sad, sitting in a "used" cabinet next to ordinary guns. It is really in nice shape, with some anodizing rubbed off the forward frame. It does not look like "carry wear," as there are no telltale signs of use or carry elsewhere on the pistol. The anodizing is a delicate finish so hard to say what happened.

Anyway, it looks so good that my daughter immediately decided that it should be part of her collection...and so it is. But she said that I can carry it. I'll ask Watchdog Tactical in Charlotte can mold an appendix carry holster in the next week or two.

 

[stansdds]

I can't say that I've found S&W's anodizing to be fragile. It's a hard anodizing that provides the aluminum with corrosion and wear protection. It actually penetrates the surface of the aluminum, which makes removal and refinishing a challenge. Something unfornate happened to the dust cover of that 39-2's receiver, but it does make it a nice shooter grade 39-2.

 

[GyMac]

It's beautiful!

 

[gmborkovic]

stan, not familiar with term "dust cover".

 

[NCBeagle]

stan, not familiar with term "dust cover".

I am familiar with the term as a way to describe the forward/underside of a pistol frame. In fact, was going to use it myself but was unsure if others knew the term. Not sure how it got the name.

Anyway, yup, whatever happened to the finish is unfortunate. The surface is smooth. No obvious abrasion. It's as if somebody gently lifted or rubbed the finish away.

Jeppo sent a PM and mentioned the hole in the hammer, characteristic of early 39-2. Read a couple interesting posts about that feature. Never would have noticed otherwise. It is only my second 39-2.

Adding a photo of the pair:

 

[Jeppo]

O?

Jeppo sent a PM and mentioned the hole in the hammer, characteristic of early 39-2. Read a couple interesting posts about that feature. Never would have noticed otherwise. It is only my second 39-2.

When O begins reading this forum, she'll be upset that you refer to it as "yours".

 

[peterdeb]

Lovely piece. Don't know what you paid for it, however these 39-2's are becoming semi-collectable..

 

[gmborkovic]

Got it. "dust cover" is the forward, underside of the frame.
Research indicates the hole in the hammer was phased out at around
Sn, A180000.

 

[max]

I would say you have good impulses.

 

[cougar015]

Jeppo sent a PM and mentioned the hole in the hammer, characteristic of early 39-2. Read a couple interesting posts about that feature. Never would have noticed otherwise. It is only my second 39-2.[/QUOTE]

Ryan, The model 39-2 was introduced in 1971 at around serial number 120,000. Major changes made were the new extractor design and the redesigned barrel feed ramp. My 39-2 with serial number A158565 shipped January 1972 so I would guess yours shipped about the same time. Looks like this might be the 2nd of many, even it's just for Olivia. LOL I'm glad to see that even a revolver guy likes a good S&W semi-auto. Congrats

 

[Heinz]

Got it. "dust cover" is the forward, underside of the frame.
Research indicates the hole in the hammer was phased out at around
Sn, A180000.

My Ni plated 39-2 serial 194941 has the hole in the hammer.

 

[Green Frog]

And having a daughter who likes to shoot. You're lucky and blessed! Lucky to find the gun and blessed to have a daughter to shoot with you. It doesn't get any better than that.

Make sure you keep an eye out for one or more replacement factory mags for it. The general consensus is that the aftermarket single stack mags don't work very well. Remember, when emergencies come "two is one and one is none".

Froggie

 

[gmborkovic]

Hello Heinz, thanks for Sn. for my list. Does it have nickel controls and a blue trigger and hammer? And an "A" prefix in the Sn.? best, Mike