Model 39-2 Question

[racemi]

Hello, I'm new here. I just got a Model 39-2 that was produced in 1976.

I have one question; is the Model 39-2 supposed to have a "magazine safety" or is it called a "magazine disconnect"?

The one I have, will fire without the magazine inserted.

I thought I read somewhere that these have a mag disconnect, but as I said mine doesn't.

Thanks!

 

[BrianE]

Both of mine have a magazine disconnect and I believe they left the factory that way. Someone must have removed it... either way it's still a superb pistol.

 

[Model39]

Magazine Disconnect

The Model 39 has/had what's known a magazine disconnect. There is a spring and plunger underneath the rear sight assembly. If one wanted to remove the magazine disconnect all that was needed to be done was remove the rear sight and take out the spring and plunger. When you remove the slide you will see a lever on the left side of the rear portion of the frame. The plunger when the magazine was inserted in the gun would allow firing, and when the magazine was/is removed that lever goes up disconnecting the trigger assembly, rendering the gun unable to fire. I'm not sure if you can still get the parts from the factory to put the gun back into the way the factory sent it out. There is caution with this as unless one knows the disconnect has been removed, one might think it is in play and could accidently fire the gun without the magazine inserted in the gun. I removed mine on my carry guns, but that is a personal choice. *Note* I've seen labeled on newer guns stating "Caution this gun can be fired without the magazine inserted". So there is some need to be careful with your Model 39-2 as it now functions. I hope that clears it up for you.

 

[racemi]

Thanks, now I know

Thanks guys. I know how to remove the rear sight, so I may take a look to see if they are removed, (as I suspect they are).

Wish the former owner left it in...

Anyway it's a great gun.

Seems very accurate (when I do my part right).
Has feed different 9mm ammo without any problems.
Both magazines that came with it work perfectly.
I even like the sights. I like a narrow rear sight and that's exactly what the 39-2 has.

I may have found my go-to gun.

 

[racemi]

Wo Wo!

Me being a night-owl, I took the sight off and guess-what?
The plunger is still there! So I ordered the spring from NUMRICH just now.

I'll try to update this after I get the spring installed.

Thanks again for the info, it really helped.

 

[t-bird]

Me being a night-owl, I took the sight off and guess-what?
The plunger is still there! So I ordered the spring from NUMRICH just now.

I'll try to update this after I get the spring installed.

Thanks again for the info, it really helped.

Would love to see some pics of your new 39.

 

[Aircrewman]

You have acquired one of Smith and Wesson' neatest guns ever made by them. It is a fantastic 9mm and, as you found, will be accurate and use many kinds of 9 mm ammo without difficulty. As a "go-to" gun, you will find it very well suited. Congrats on this purchase. You will always like your 39!

 

[Wyatt Burp]

Great gun you got there. I'm a revolver guy but wanted a model 39-2 but it had to look a certain way. This is exactly how I visualized it to look like. Patrick Grashorn made the elk bone (not antler) grips for it. Enjoy your classic little 9MM.

 

[shawn mccarver]

Hello, I'm new here. I just got a Model 39-2 that was produced in 1976.

I have one question; is the Model 39-2 supposed to have a "magazine safety" or is it called a "magazine disconnect"?

The one I have, will fire without the magazine inserted.

I thought I read somewhere that these have a mag disconnect, but as I said mine doesn't.

Thanks!

The 39-2 is supposed to have the magazine disconnect. It could be not working for some reason, or it could have been removed. Have you checked to see if the parts related to the magazine disconnect are present in the pistol? My guess is that someone removed it from your pistol.

Edit: It appears that you already determined that the magazine safety had been deactivated.

 

[racemi]

Pics of my 39

T-Bird,

Here are a couple of pics. Not the best pics, but what I have...

 

[t-bird]

Thanks for the pics.

 

[Redcoat3340]

Nice looking piece. Mine is in a bit rougher shape, I'll either have to redo the stocks or buy new ones.

Was thinking of Pachmayr Signature Grips with Backstrap S&W 39, 439 Rubber Black from Midway. Anyone have any experience with these? Also, my wood stocks don't have a backstrap....are these the right ones?

 

[ispcapt]

Was thinking of Pachmayr Signature Grips with Backstrap S&W 39, 439 Rubber Black from Midway. Anyone have any experience with these? Also, my wood stocks don't have a backstrap....are these the right ones?

The 39 was our issued duty weapon for a number of years. My agency was the first to issue autos starting in 1967. The Pach grips were a common add-on for many Troops. I had them on mine for a few years. They do what they're suppose to do. A bit thicker than factory wood. The backstrap cover is a thinner piece that goes on first, wrapped around the backstrap, and is held in place by the side panels. To reduce the girth many of us didn't install the backstrap piece and cut off the front wrap around.

 

[racemi]

Fixed!

Just to finish up this thread; I got the spring from Numrich today and installed it. As I said before, the former owner left the plunger in the gun so all I needed was the spring.

The gun now functions as it was designed, it will not fire with the magazine removed.

I know that there are many opinions on "magazine disconnects", but I want it to work as designed, just in case I ever have any legal issues down the road. With the civil courts being as they are today, you don't want to give them anything to hang you with.

Thanks for all the info and help, everyone. This is a great forum, with a great bunch of members.

 

[opaul]

Thanks for letting us know that you solved the issue. Glad it worked out for you.

 

[tiger6789]

any 39-2 guys need some extra S&W mags

i have a few extra mags for the 39-2 i might sell,some are new in the original packaging. email me at [email protected]

 

[petepeterson]

Just to finish up this thread; I got the spring from Numrich today and installed it. As I said before, the former owner left the plunger in the gun so all I needed was the spring.

The gun now functions as it was designed, it will not fire with the magazine removed.

I know that there are many opinions on "magazine disconnects", but I want it to work as designed, just in case I ever have any legal issues down the road. With the civil courts being as they are today, you don't want to give them anything to hang you with.

Thanks for all the info and help, everyone. This is a great forum, with a great bunch of members.

Is the trigger the same as it was before you replaced the spring? I'm curious if it's anything like a Browning Hi-Power.

 

[racemi]

It's not anything like the Hi Power

Petepererson,

Replacing the spring, so that the magazine disconnect works as it was designed, did NOT change the trigger pull in any way.

I had a Hi Power and I know what I'm talking about! The mag disconnect in the Hi Power is the worst design ever! I hope John Browning did not design that part of the gun, it would ruin my opinion of him.

The mag disconnect on the model 39-2 works by the plunger pushing down on the ejector. When a mag is inserted, it holds the ejector up and pushes the plunger up. When the mag is removed, the ejector is pushed down by the plunged and that disconnects the trigger. If you have a 39-2, check it out next time you field strip it. When the slide is off the frame, press the ejector on the frame down, and while holding it down, try pulling the trigger, it will be disconnected. Then put an empty mag in the frame and you will see how it holds the ejector up so that the slide mounted plunger/spring can not push it down.

Remember it is the ejector I'm talking about, not the extractor.

 

[petepeterson]

Thank you for that explanation. I have a Hi-power Practical that I'd like to keep stock, so I'm always looking out for a shooter-grade hi-power to experiment with.