Model 39 Questions

[Bedfordtec]

I have a bunch of questions on the Model 39. As background, my love affair with the 39 started around 2003 after shooting a friends. I bought a number of them in the following years (seven 39's and two 39-2s)….. all except one were NIB. Great investment. The one that did not have a box but still pristine is a Model 39 (S/N 30,XXX). This one was intended to be my shooter. Did not know many of the details about them but they fit great. Unfortunately my shooter would not function well. Tried 124 grain rounds and that did help a bit. When cleaning the barrel bushing after a jam filled range session the bushing which was the "horseshoe type" fell out. I ordered a new barrel bushing from Numrich and it was the one with the hole for the guide rod….. Pistol immediately shots great, reliable and I love it. I recently went through all my 39s and found that all but a high serial number had the bushing with the hole. Looked at the part lists and all schematics show the one with the hole. Does anyone know the production sequence of the barrel bushing? My other 30,xxx Model 39 has the bushing with the guide rod hole. Maybe my shooter had the original bushing replaced with the horseshoe one. Also reading about the extractor problem on the 39, I was thinking about putting the shooter into the safe and use one of my pristine 39-2. Are replacement extractors available for the 39? Also, what is the "no dash" model. When going through my 39s, I noticed that the early one were marked "Model 39" and the higher serial numbers "Model-39." Thank you in advance for your advice.

 

[H Richard]

Part of an answer is for no dash 39's the long extractor is available from Jack First in Rapid City SD. They aren't cheap, and will require fitting in addition. Many people tell me that they are still shooting no dash 39's every day with no problems. I understand the breakage problem relates to loading rounds directly into the chamber singly and letting the slide slam forward letting the extractor ride over the rim. When fed from the magazine there are not much problems. The 39-2's are regarded as "indestructible" . I'm not so sure about that, but I love my 39-2.

 

[stansdds]

The Model 39 (no dash) barrel bushing should be the one with a hole through which the recoil spring guide rod fits. The "horse shoe" style was introduced during the 39-2 production and was standard on most 59's and all x39 and x59 pistols. I think it also requires a different guide rod, the original 39 rod being smaller in diameter. As sloppy as these bushings fit, I would think that putting the late bushing on a pistol designed for the early bushing would result in a super sloppy fit.

 

[squidsix]

Early transitional model 39-2 pistols had the figure 8 barrel bushing also (mine does) and a ring hammer. I have one with serial number starting A1.

 

[gmborkovic]

The early transition 39-2s in the A120XXX range were using up 39 hammers, bushings and rods. S&W wasted no parts. Bad for the bottom line.

 

[PJO1425]

Part of an answer is for no dash 39's the long extractor is available from Jack First in Rapid City SD. They aren't cheap, and will require fitting in addition. Many people tell me that they are still shooting no dash 39's every day with no problems. I understand the breakage problem relates to loading rounds directly into the chamber singly and letting the slide slam forward letting the extractor ride over the rim. When fed from the magazine there are not much problems. The 39-2's are regarded as "indestructible" . I'm not so sure about that, but I love my 39-2.

Re: Shooting 39s every day with no problems: I love my 39 (no dash), #838xx. It was issued to me in 1968 at the IL state police academy. I bought it back c. 1981 when ISP went to the 439. I was using it for retiree qualification until about a year ago. The external part of the safety/decocker came loose from the internal part. Not the end of the world, but something to keep an eye on.

 

[gmborkovic]

Hello PJO, and you chambered a round from the mag every time? Flawless.

 

[Bedfordtec]

The 39-2 from whit I read has a different ejector from the 39. I think it is shorter.... how can you tell the difference, my 39 appears to be the same length. Anyone have the length? Thanks

 

[kwill1911]

I don't think the ejectors are much different but the extractors are completely different on a Model 39 and a Model 39-2. Is that what you mean?

 

[Bedfordtec]

I thought the S&W book said the ejector was different. It was a "longer" ejector

 

[Bedfordtec]

Guess it must be the extractor that is different