Model 39-2

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Armyphotog

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Tell me if I did too badly. Have wanted a 39-2 for a long time, but have waited for just the right one. I just found it. NIB, it looks like, with all the paper work, extra S&W mag., and extra Pac grips, original box. Fired, but very well kept. Gave $595.00. Well?

Also, Serial is A203644, how about a mfg. date?
 
While you didn't get the deal of the century, for NIB or LNIB 39-2 with all the accessories you got a fair deal. My guess for your ship date is around 1974. Post some pictures when you get a chance and show us you got.
 
gunny.jpg


Where's the picture of your new gun?
 
Thanks, guys. I thought with the box and extras I was somewhere in the ballpark. For sure, with the prices escalating like they are, I figure the slack will be taken out in a couple of years, anyway. Sorry, but know know how to post photos, or I would.
 
Armyphotog said:
Thanks, guys. I thought with the box and extras I was somewhere in the ballpark. For sure, with the prices escalating like they are, I figure the slack will be taken out in a couple of years, anyway. Sorry, but know know how to post photos, or I would.
Click to expand...

S-W Forum - FAQ

There are a couple of options to post pictures, pick the one that works best for you.
 
Clean 39-2's in the original box are getting harder to find.
A clean used one with NO box would be about $400 in these parts

The last show I went to I saw just 1 where the dealer was asking $550 and thats the first one I have seen in the box in a LONG time!

I have seen alot of abused ones that people were happy to spend $300 to $350 plus shipping.

A quick check on GB shows 3 NIB model 39-2's between $707 up to $879 NIB ... thats what they are asking.

I like the expression:
"Nobody ever payed too much for a gun, They just payed it too soon".
If you are happy it was a good deal
 
Engine49guy said:
Clean 39-2's in the original box are getting harder to find.
A clean used one with NO box would be about $400 in these parts

I like the expression:
"Nobody ever payed too much for a gun, They just payed it too soon".
If you are happy it was a good deal
Click to expand...

Yep. That's about what I paid for one at a local dealer. No box, and no extra's. You can probably figure the extra magazine would have been $40.00 or so, those rascals are pricey, and the grips about the same.

I'd say you did OK. We need pictures. :D Everybody's seen mine already.
 
One last follow up from Armyphotog: My 39-2 arrived yesterday. I still can't believe it. It is better than the photos. I can't believe a gun can be that old and look that new. Other than trace light rail marks, it is mint. Everything is there except for the bore brush. Even the box is virtually unmarked. Really remarkable.
 
Not that I was even looking for a 39-2 but... Yesterday I one found me at the local shop. It is nickel. The metal is in very good shape. The grips need refininshing but are not worn. It has the silver box, papers and cleaning kit. It doesn't have the extra magazine. I can get it OTD for $403.00. Should I go for it?

My first semi-auto was a nickel 39-2. I still can't figure out why I sold it. I carried it for at least three years (30-something years ago) and shot the heck out it.

If I do get it, where can you get magazines at a reasonable price today?

Thanks!
 
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Palmetto Sharpshooter said:
Yesterday I one found me at the local shop. It is nickel... can get it OTD for $403.00. Should I go for it?

..where can you get magazines at a reasonable price today?
Click to expand...

That's a fair price.

If the recent auctions are any indication, the box seems to add fairly little to the value. But, if one likes boxes, and has a place to store them, then it may add significant value to a particular buyer.

Nickel finish seems to make S&W guns less popular. I blame the Hollywood movies for that. Nickel is a very good protective finish.

If you have the cash, and you've been missing your previous gun, this is your opportunity.

Magazines are a sore spot. Currently very difficult to get correct, authentic M39 S&W mags. They must have made millions of M39 mags, but they are all stashed somewhere. Wait for Century to import a con-ex box full of them. Othewise, expect to pay $30 - $50 for the real deal.

S&W is still selling new, stainless steel mags that will fit the M39 (and several newer models). The new S&W mag sticks out of the bottom of the gun. Pro-Mag makes a blued mag that fits flush, but has a big "fang" floorplate. The fang won't inhibit function, and appears that it can be trimmed back if you want to clean up the lines. The S&W mags and the Pro-Mags will run you just short of $30 apiece.
 
The "new" S&W mag sticks out of the bottom of the grip about 1/8 of an inch or so. I've found that it gives me a better grip than the stock magazine. It also has the advantage of being a 9 round vs an 8 round magazine.

They were closer to $40.00 at my LGS. :eek: I couldn't find them for much less on the net though.
 
Sharpshooter: Sounds like a really good price. I ran across a nickel 39-2 at a gun show for $500 after I had ordered my blue one. The nickel looked really good, but all of the blue pieces were really rough with at least half the blue missing on each part, so I past on it.
 
Excellent!

The contrasting hardware really makes it look sharp.

Now you need a proper carry-holster and a range report.
 
W.E.G. said:
Excellent!

The contrasting hardware really makes it look sharp.

Now you need a proper carry-holster and a range report.
Click to expand...

Thanks,

My old 1977-78 vintage 39-2 was a tack driver. Of course, it was new back then.

I don't have it's serial number so maybe I can fantasize that it is just returning home.
 
Those are beautys..... Makes me wanna break out one of mine to carry today.. I have one with the Packmyers and one with the original grips. The Pacs are pretty nice in the hand..
 
I've said it before, I'll say it again. The 39 series is one of the best looking handguns ever made. The ones I've had have been good shooters too.

Man those nickel ones are NICE. :)

Here's the one I bought a few weeks ago.

100_0206.jpg


100_0208.jpg
 
CajunBass said:
I've said it before, I'll say it again. The 39 series is one of the best looking handguns ever made. The ones I've had have been good shooters too.

Man those nickel ones are NICE. :)

Here's the one I bought a few weeks ago.
Click to expand...

That's a nice one too. I think they really miss out by neglecting the steel and wood guys.

I remember when I started as a LEO, the M-39 and the new M-59 were about the only serious choices as 9mm semi-auto duty pistols. As a matter of fact, I recall only those two plus the Browning BDA 45 being the only ones they'd approve. M-39s were commonly seen in the PD as were M-59s that had been purchased for the royal sum of $89.00 each. The early M-59s had magazine failures that were corrected but not before they gained a bad reputation. Unfortunately for me, I wasn't allowed to carry either as our PD was trying to revert back to a "standard issue-only" policy and that was the M-10. I remember that I was cool to semi-autos back then anyway as I had been brought up on wheelies. My first being a M-29. I did carry a M-39 some off-duty but I was really a wheel-gun man.

I digress, but suffice it to say, the M-39 was the State of the Art in double-action pistols back then. It was light and reliable. The only gripe I remember anyone having was with the ammunition. The Remington 115 grain JHP was just about the only choice and it was merely a FMJ with a small hole in the nose. It didn't perform very well on the street.

I know I'm getting long-winded here but, I wanted to relate a conversation I've had several times with "old heads" like me. When the subject comes up about polymer pistols, I always say, "Are you planning on passing down a piece of plastic to your heirs?" I can see it now, fifty years from now my descendant holding up a plastic pistol and saying, " This was dad's and now I'm passing it on to you." Plastic just doesn't have the same appeal to me as blue, nickel or stainless steel and wood.

I'm getting off now. I'm getting too philosophical, too early in the day. :)
 
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Back in 1981 I had a brand new 39-2; I can't remember when I traded/sold it away; but last year I made a trade with a member here for a very nice 39-2, magazines, and holster. Last weekend I got a nice 469, and Monday I placed on layaway a pretty nickle plated Model 59 ($420 plus tax) that included either 4 or 5 magazines....

One day perhaps I'll find the X9 series cousin, a Model 52. I like how the curved backstrap of these guns fit my hands; and they are all great shooting guns. When I get the nickle 59 I'll take a family portrait and post them.
 
personally i think 595 is high for a mdl 39 but what matters most is that you found the gun that you wanted and had the money to buy it ;)
 
A little gun porn...
Sorry for the crappy pics I needed a new camera but bought another 39-2 and a 439 instead.
CIMG3473.jpg


CIMG3006.jpg
 
39-2

Well , I feel in good company on this thread. Just recently bought a used 39-2 , came with one extra mag. Not much wear for a pistol that is probably 35 years old , although there are some small rust freckles on the magazines , near the floorplate.
Haven't been to the range yet , looking forward to shooting it some.
Cheers , Rex
 
Here's one more. I love the way this gun feels - and shoots.

Jerry

IMG_0263.jpg
 
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