Model 39-2 Question

[PeteM]

I recently took out my newly acquired 39-2 and found it shot about 2.5 inches low at 25 yards with Winchester White Box ammo. Is this unusual? I didn't have any other ammo available to compare it with. Would bullet impact vary much with different brands? Generally speaking, how would bullet weight/powder charge affect point of impact with handloads? Thanks for any help.
Pete

 

[pistola]

POI

A heavier bullet will usually strike higher on the target.

 

[Pisgah]

I will ask a question you will inevitably get -- so please don't take offense. But...

How much centefire hand gun experience do you have, particulary with semiautos?

In my experience, when a fixed-sight semiauto is shooting low (or, frequently, low-left) with what is essentially a standard load for its chambering -- certainly not always, but usually -- the problem is shooter-induced. In anticipation of heavy or unusual recoil (such as with slide movement, for a longtime revolver guy) the shooter tends to anticipate the commotion by simultaneously pulling the trigger and shoving the pistol muzzle downward. This can be virtually impossible for the shooter to detect, other than by seeing his shots hitting low on the target. One way to check for it -- with the gun empty, take a fine aim on a small target and watch the front sight closely as you dryfire the gun. Odds are better than even that you will see the front sight dip as the trigger is tripped. If so, there's your problem, and further dryfire practice, concentrating on keeping that front sight spot-on, will cure it.

I have seen this problem with shooters who could shoot gnats at 50 yards with their favorite wheelgun, but were struggling with a new shuffle-gun.

 

[george minze]

I have owned many 39-2, I find them fine for elevation and most if not all could be adjusted for windage, /ditto on previous post. I found that the aforementioned results were evident as the transition to semi autos became widespread. Without work the 39 series had a very stagy double action pull. That can be corrected by competent gunsmiths..Probably the finest 9mm ever made by Smith IMO...Good shooting....However the transition from revolver to semi-auto could be a little troublesome...You will get the feel with time. How does it do in single action mode??

 

[PeteM]

No offense taken Pisgah, and thanks for the replies. I've been shooting handguns for a little over 40 years, although not much as I've gotten older and only recently started getting back into it. Most of my shooting has been with 1911s. I didn't think I could be pulling the shots however since I was shooting from a rest in single action mode. I didn't think the trigger pull was a factor. In single action it's not a target trigger but not a lot of creep either. I've had a lot worse trigger pulls on Hi Powers. If the consesus still is that it might be operator error I'll take it out some more and maybe have someone else fire it as well.
Pete

 

[sjmjax]

I would like to bring this thread back into consideration as I have the same problem.

Important to note I have TWO 39-2 nearly identical, box stock guns.

One gun shoots spot on to point of aim and the other is consistantly 2 1/2 - 3 inches low at 7 & 15 yard ranges regardless of ammo type.

Windage on both is perfect.

Guns are shot side by side, same range, same grip, same point of aim, same ammo. Results are boringly consistant. One dead on and the other very low.

I am quite positive this is not a shooter induced problem.

Any way to adjust the elevation on these guns? Front sight appears to be part of the slide. Different rear sight leaves available?

Any help appreciated!

 

[Chipmunk6]

Howdy sjmjax, you can slowly file the front sight
to raise the point of impact. Remembering that it
is easier to take metal off than to put metal back
on. I had to do it on my 39-2, shot fine afterwards.

Chipmunk6

 

[mgo]

I recently took out my newly acquired 39-2 and found it shot about 2.5 inches low at 25 yards with Winchester White Box ammo. Is this unusual? Pete

At defensive distances the 2.5 inch difference will not matter. You will be in a big hurry, and either pistol would do the job just fine.

Let's hope it never comes to that...

 

[jsbethel]

There is a fully adjustable rear sight available for the 39-2. They are, however, not easy to find these days.