Model 39 Problem (s)

[UFGator]

My nephew purchased a NIB Model 39-2, nickel. Appears to be the case in terms of condition. So he takes it out and shoots it and the last fired case jams in the chamber. He can't get the slide to move at all. I own a Model 39 and I have never seen anything like it. (see photo).

He takes it to a gunsmith who says the barrel lugs are too shallow and compares it to a barrel from a similar pistol. (see photo, barrels side by side)

My nephew has another model 39 with a barrel that has lugs deeper than the one that malfunctioned and the stamping on it is much deeper. At this point, he plans to try the other barrel in the nickel model to see if it works.

My question is: Do we think the gunsmith is on the right track here? Has anyone seen anything like this?

I carried a Model 39-2 as an LE for almost five years and never had a malfunction. This was back in the early 70s when we had crummy ammunition, etc.

Would appreciate your thoughts.

Thanks!

 

[UFGator]

Clarification, the third pic on the right is the barrel he plans on trying out in place of the one that was involved in the jam. Notice I didn't say "caused."

 

[AJ]

The comparison shown is between a 5906 barrel and a 39(?) barrel. Try a 39 barrel against a 39 barrel.

UFGator are you here in Florida?

AJ

 

[UFGator]

The third picture is the comparison of the barrel to another Model 39 barrel. Gunsmith had no Model 39 barrel. I'm in Florida some of the time. Gainesville area.

 

[AJ]

The third picture is the comparison of the barrel to another Model 39 barrel. Gunsmith had no Model 39 barrel. I'm in Florida some of the time. Gainesville area.

I am in the Sebastian area south of you on the coast. We have a good gunsmith that works at our county range. However, it would be a bit of a hike for you to come here. Sorry. Will ask him the next time that I see him if he has run into this problem before.

 

[gmborkovic]

Mr. Gator, did he get the slide to move? How?
What kind of ammo? Full mag of eight rounds? Factory mag?

 

[minconrevo]

It's important on any semi-auto that the barrel be machined/finished to exact spec's. Lugs must be of proper height, overall height correct, and hood spacing within tolerances, etc. An out of spec barrel will cause worlds of troubles.

Wonder if the S&W factory would share the factory spec drawing for their barrel? Probably not, but they have it in their archives.

Don't know the odds of finding an old stock barrel but that may be your option if current one is out of spec.

 

[UFGator]

Answers

I can't answer how the gunsmith got the thing apart. It looked difficult to me. I'm attaching a photo of a Model 39 barrel from another pistol and the bad barrel which is on the right. You will notice the very light stamping of the cartridge details on the bad barrel. The gunsmith opined that someone might have taken a belt sander to it to relieve it??????? Its a mystery at this point. He was shooting a typical defensive load in it. Not sure what grain bullet.

 

[gmborkovic]

Mr. Gator, OK, that barrel does look a bit buffed.

 

[Gregmk]

I am in the Sebastian area south of you on the coast. We have a good gunsmith that works at our county range. However, it would be a bit of a hike for you to come here. Sorry. Will ask him the next time that I see him if he has run into this problem before.

Indian River County Shooting Range is one of the nicest outdoor ranges my Wife and I have ever used. We occasionally drive up from WPB just to shoot there.

 

[bigmoose]

An out of spec barrel will cause worlds of troubles.

I'm with minconrevo and your gunsmith on this issue. Don't use that barrel again. The next time the owner/shooter may not be as fortunate. And who knows if the gun would be able to be disassembled again without damage?

 

[Gunhacker]

That barrel reminds me of a pistol that a buddy bought at an auction house that was a Hollywood prop gun.

It was a Star Model B that was converted from a locked breech to direct blow back by grinding down the barrel locking surfaces until they couldn't engage the slots in the slide. This was done so the gun would cycle normally with light loaded blanks.

That 39 barrel resembles what his looked like.

 

[stansdds]

Could either be someone was trying to convert this Model 39 into a blank firing pistol or it was a victim of Bubba's Kitchun Table Gunsmithin Shop. Fortunately, Model 39 barrels can be had on eBay. You might try S&W, but odds are they no longer have barrels.

 

[UFGator]

Thanks for all the responses. It is a train-wreck. We're looking for a barrel. I'll let everyone know what the results are.

 

[AJ]

Thanks for all the responses. It is a train-wreck. We're looking for a barrel. I'll let everyone know what the results are.

Yes, please keep us posted. I am interested as I own a Model 39. A friend has a 39 slide and barrel set up for his Model 52 frame.

 

[gmborkovic]

Hey Gator, not a train wreck, just get another barrel, un-buffed!