Model 39-2 new to me and I really like it

[JSticks]

I just obtained a 39-2 via auction. My FFL "collects" them (21 at last count). After he showed me some of his choice examples, like a pristine nickle with real ivory stocks, I thought the 39-2 was the most elegantly designed pistol I'd seen. So,... not being able to afford some of his examples, I looked for one in my budget. Here's what I got:

It came with original box and papers, no tools and one original S&W magazine. But, no wood stocks. (Bummer on the stocks.)

The pistol is in very good condition, but for a small area of pitting on the front of the port side:

It also has one feature that I haven't seen before, a white ramp insert in the front sight that appears to a factory quality mod:

Since I usually shoot in an indoor range the white ramp is not helpful. Maybe I can paint it. Or, just get used to it!

I took it to the range as soon as I could. Shot 100 rounds without a hiccup. I am by no means a good shot, as you will note:

But, that's as well or better than I do with a K38 Masterpiece shooting single action. So those fliers are my fault not the 39-2.

I do have a couple of questions;

1) After searching the forum, it seems to me that this is a 1976 vintage (s/n A 306506), is that correct? (That would come in handy, since it was the year the Mrs. and I were married, if I get "questioned" about another purchase. I could use that fact, somehow, to mitigate the...)

2) I'd like to remove the rust/pitting without removing any bluing. Seems to me that I read that soaking the part (here slide) in Kroil will do that. Is that correct? Is there a safe alternative?

3) Is the white ramp unusual? Does anyone know if perhaps an agency would have special ordered this modification?

At any rate, I really enjoyed my time at the range. The only other S&W pistol I have is a 6906. The 39-2 seemed to be much more sophisticated and it handled as elegantly as it looked. I've got some S&W wood stocks on the way, but I was surprised how much I liked the Pachmayr grips!

 

[kobsw]

Hey that's a nice one and that front sight white(Interesting color) insert is tops.

Did you get the wood grips with it too?

Thanks for posting it,

Regards,

Kobsw

 

[Lonestar57]

That's a very nice shooter you've got, congrats. On your questions:
Yep that number falls into 1976-1977 but it's in the early range so most likely 1976;
Light surface rust can be removed without removing the blueing by using Brass or Bronze wool and oil. Just take it easy;
Those color front sight inserts were very popular back in the 70's and 80's. Just about every gun shop installed them or you could buy kits. They mostly came in Red, Yellow, and Orange. White was an unusual color but I do recall it also. Anyway good gun so good luck with it.

 

[armorer951]

Keep a close eye on the areas covered by those rubber grips. Moisture, salts, and other harmful things will get under there and cause all sorts of problems. Make sure you clean and apply an anti-corrosive under there on a regular basis......like CorrosionX, for instance.
Better yet, just throw them in the trash and buy some OEM wood grips. One less thing to think about.

 

[JSticks]

Hey that's a nice one and that front sight white(Interesting color) insert is tops.

Did you get the wood grips with it too?

Thanks for posting it,

Regards,

Kobsw

Unfortunately, no wood stocks! And I really wanted those. So I found some age appropriate S&W originals (used) for $30.00. When I get them I'll post a picture with the 39-2 as originally equipped.

But, I was surprised how much I liked the rubber Pachmayr's. One of my favorite features of the 39-2 is that it is a single stack. Therefore a thinner grip. The Pachmayer's don't add much girth.

 

[JSticks]

Keep a close eye on the areas covered by those rubber grips. Moisture, salts, and other harmful things will get under there and cause all sorts of problems. Make sure you clean and apply an anti-corrosive under there on a regular basis......like CorrosionX, for instance.
Better yet, just throw them in the trash and buy some OEM wood grips. One less thing to think about.

Good advice. I'm always concerned about auction listings when the seller does not post pictures with the rubber grips off to show that there is no corrosion. In fact, I was cringing when I asked my FFL to take the grips off because of this concern. (I had a three day inspection period.) Fortunately, the frame was clean. Ironically, the back strap had been protected by the rubber and is like new. But, I have received stainless steel 64's that have corrosion under the rubber grips, Hogue and Uncle Mike's.

I will replace the Pachmayr's as soon as my wood stocks arrive!

 

[gmborkovic]

OH yes please, get rid of the rubbers! Yes, they are elegant and fun to shoot. And, you got the 39 bug. Good luck. Get some wood.

 

[Redcoat3340]

Careful, lad. You are presenting the early symptoms of disease fatal to bankbooks....Addiction to Smith Semi Autos (or ASSas).

Soooo, you just got two Smith semis? Wait. In no time at all you'll be thinking, "Gee, wouldn't a 39 be nice in stainless?"., and a 639 will show up at the door. Then you'll read about the 3953 and think a DAO would be great for concealed carry. But wait, something a bit more concealable will pop up at that LGS and there will be a CS9 in the safe before you know it.

But then, soooo many people talk of the 3913 as the "perfect" carry gun...gotta have one of those too.

So that's it, right? Wrong. The idea of a double stack will slowly creep into your head. So why not a 59? Done.

But that 639 looked so good, why not a 659 for twice the bullets in a stainless package?

Now we're done? Not quite. The epitome of Smith double stacks is still loose....and tracking down a 5906 is so much fun you can't resist.

Whew. Finished. Except for, and I hesitate to mention it, .45acp. Nines are nice, but .45s? Classic rounds. And you don't have to go for the big-bucks S&W 1911s right away. You can work your way up via the 645, 4566 or 4506 (yea stainless) up to a nice 1911sc-E.

Of course the progression of this affliction presented here is all theoretical, I have noooo personal experience with it.

Well, not too much.

Hello, my name is Redcoat and I'm a Smith semi-auto collector.

 

[Richard Simmons]

Nice score! For the rust try the ridge on a penny. Make sure the penny is dated prior to 1982 so that it's mostly copper. Use some oil and scrape the rust off. Shouldn't harm the bluing st all. A newer penny has very little copper and might scratch. I've done this many times with excellent results.

 

[spad124]

Unfortunately, no wood stocks! And I really wanted those. So I found some age appropriate S&W originals (used) for $30.00. When I get them I'll post a picture with the 39-2 as originally equipped.

But, I was surprised how much I liked the rubber Pachmayr's. One of my favorite features of the 39-2 is that it is a single stack. Therefore a thinner grip. The Pachmayer's don't add much girth.

Yes, those older steel/aluminum framed single stack 9mms like the 39 and the Sig P6/P225 have some of the best grips ever. Large enough to fit your hand well, but not so wide that they are hard to hold on to.

 

[kennethg]

The model 39, 39-2 are classic and great to shoot. One of the most ergonomic and comfortable semi-auto's to hold. As said by another poster, you might find yourself getting one or two more. Enjoy it.

 

[vegasgunhand]

Careful, lad. You are presenting the early symptoms of disease fatal to bankbooks....Addiction to Smith Semi Autos (or ASSas).

Soooo, you just got two Smith semis? Wait. In no time at all you'll be thinking, "Gee, wouldn't a 39 be nice in stainless?"., and a 639 will show up at the door. Then you'll read about the 3953 and think a DAO would be great for concealed carry. But wait, something a bit more concealable will pop up at that LGS and there will be a CS9 in the safe before you know it.

But then, soooo many people talk of the 3913 as the "perfect" carry gun...gotta have one of those too.

So that's it, right? Wrong. The idea of a double stack will slowly creep into your head. So why not a 59? Done.

But that 639 looked so good, why not a 659 for twice the bullets in a stainless package?

Now we're done? Not quite. The epitome of Smith double stacks is still loose....and tracking down a 5906 is so much fun you can't resist.

Whew. Finished. Except for, and I hesitate to mention it, .45acp. Nines are nice, but .45s? Classic rounds. And you don't have to go for the big-bucks S&W 1911s right away. You can work your way up via the 645, 4566 or 4506 (yea stainless) up to a nice 1911sc-E.

Of course the progression of this affliction presented here is all theoretical, I have noooo personal experience with it.

Well, not too much.

Hello, my name is Redcoat and I'm a Smith semi-auto collector.

ASSas, well thanks Redcoat, I finally might be diagnosed properly. I currently have 2 model 39's. a model 3953, a NIB unfired 4516-1, and recently picked up a model 4040PD. It actually may just be a mild case, and maybe still treatable?? LOL

 

[neorebel]

Sweet pistol. I have acquired a 4506 gen 1, 3913 my off duty carry and backup gun on my vest, and now a 4006 CHP which should have been here today but the ice, snow and junk slowed it's overnight delivery to not here today either. I think the center fire S&W's are way under rated. Low prices and fun to shoot. Even Sig Sauer brought back the P225. I would rather have a 3913 personally. Anyway congratulations.

 

[federali]

Also new 39-2 owner

I acquired my 39-2 in September. It's a great gun but my first trips to the range with name-brand factory ammo disclosed failures to extract, around two or three per magazine.

Online research quickly disclosed numerous threads from various forums involving many failure to extract issues with the 39-2. I acquired a new extractor spring but surgery recovery prevents me from working on the gun for the moment. Extractor springs are available from Woolf springs and if necessary, a new extractor and retaining pin may be found at the Gun Parts Corporation.

I have two original magazine for my 39-2 and the magazine springs feel soft and mushy. These too are easily replaced with Woolf springs.

 

[clang444]

Good advice. I'm always concerned about auction listings when the seller does not post pictures with the rubber grips off to show that there is no corrosion. In fact, I was cringing when I asked my FFL to take the grips off because of this concern. (I had a three day inspection period.) Fortunately, the frame was clean. Ironically, the back strap had been protected by the rubber and is like new. But, I have received stainless steel 64's that have corrosion under the rubber grips, Hogue and Uncle Mike's.

I will replace the Pachmayr's as soon as my wood stocks arrive!

It's an aluminum alloy frame gun, corrosion/rust is much less of a problem under the rubber grips.

 

[JSticks]

I acquired my 39-2 in September. It's a great gun but my first trips to the range with name-brand factory ammo disclosed failures to extract, around two or three per magazine.

Online research quickly disclosed numerous threads from various forums involving many failure to extract issues with the 39-2. I acquired a new extractor spring but surgery recovery prevents me from working on the gun for the moment. Extractor springs are available from Woolf springs and if necessary, a new extractor and retaining pin may be found at the Gun Parts Corporation.



I have two original magazine for my 39-2 and the magazine springs feel soft and mushy. These too are easily replaced with Woolf springs.

I read a post about a similar experience. Perhaps it was yours. I noted that the extractor was much easier to depress on the 39-2 than my 6906. I was concerned that I might have extraction issues. But, knock on wood, it performed perfectly. I may replace all the springs anyway. This is a 43 year old pistol with an aluminum frame. Springs are cheap, relatively speaking. And when I see model 39 slides for sale, I think that is because the frame to which it belonged has "cracked".

 

[Bobwood1701]

I have a S&W 39-2 Serial # A530xxx nickel plated I bought for $280.00 with the wood grip's and 1 magazine

 

[JSticks]

Bobwood1701, Seems like you got a good price on a fine classic pistol, enjoy!

 

[stansdds]

That's a nice 39-2 and since it is missing its original stocks and the front sight has been irreversibly altered, it's a really nice shooter grade pistol.

 

[dannyabear]

Any idea of the birthday for - A15997x?