Model 39s on 3/9 Anybody?

[OutAtTheEdge]

Since nobody else seems to have kept the virtual gunshow theme going yet on this beautiful 9th day of March, I guess I'll get it started!

Here we have a blued M39 no dash, an earlier gun with the long extractor that I was fortunate enough to find with 2 original mags.

 

[MSD2343]

Was with my Dad in 1972 or so when he bought this 39-2 brand new. He never fired it, but he did do a bit of a messy job painting the front sight. I've never had the heart to remove the sight paint.

I confess to shooting it about 30 rounds in one brief range session. My Dad always kept it in the original box until his last few years when he apparently tossed the box in favor of a more substantial case. Too bad, but still a great piece and keepsake.

 

[cougar015]

Love the 39

Here's one you don't see very often, an early 4 digit nickel.

 

[AJ]

Not real pretty, but shoots well!

 

[shawn mccarver]

Well, I don't have one to show, but I will say that the 39-2 is the most handsome defense semi-automatic pistol S&W has ever made. It should be reintroduced as part of the S&W Classic series.

 

[ispcapt]

My former duty gun.

 

[Rubone]

My fairly recent 39 to replace the one I sold in 84 and regretted ever since!

 

[cougar015]

Well, I don't have one to show, but I will say that the 39-2 is the most handsome defense semi-automatic pistol S&W has ever made. It should be reintroduced as part of the S&W Classic series.

Shawn, I agree with you 100%. That's the same opinion I gave to the S&W Rep at the Symposium last year. I hope the are listening.

 

[AJ]

My former duty gun.

A friend bought a IIRC an ISP Pistol Team S&W Model 52, with it came a Model 39 upper their Armorer had fitted to the pistol. There is a thread somewhere on the forum about it. He got to it at a gun show before I did or it would have been mine.

 

[Old Corp]

Got interested in them just a few years ago. Traded a Colt Combat Commander 9mm for it. Never could get acceptable accuracy from the Colt, even with a Bar-Sto barrel in it.
The M39 initially had OE black plastic grips on it - that was a no-go for me. Sourced some OE Walnuts for it.
Great shooter and gets carried with some frequency.

 

[toddimusnimski]

Great thread idea! This is Dads 39-2 and my only Nickel finish gun. It's in beautiful shape that I couldn't quite capture in the pic. I remember shooting it with him in my youth but didn't care for it much at the time. Shooting it now feels oh-so-right!
I picked up a correct era box plus a few extra factory mags along the way, both 8 and 9 round in the 39 family.

Todd

 

[MSD2343]

Not real pretty, but shoots well!

Looks magnificent to me, AJ!

 

[AJ]

Looks magnificent to me, AJ!

Thank you, Sir!

 

[Lonestar57]

I like the bright shiny ones......

 

[Redwood32R2]

Nickel 39-2

Here is my only 39-2 at the moment. I have owned several over the years but am down to this nickel one. Thanks to people on here I learned that it dates from November 1975

 

[shawn mccarver]

Wait. Apparently I missed it. When was the 39-2 offered with plastic grips? Very handsome, although my favorite is still the beautiful wood!

 

[tlawler]

Here is my imperfect example. It's a great shooter though

 

[pasound]

My 39, a 3913. A little wear, but the trigger DA/SA are slick and crisp. Wish all mid-size 9's are more like this, and not the "plastic fantastics" we have today.

 

[Ameshawki]

I have a 39-2 and a 439. Fit my hand better than just about anything. I occasionally look for a 639. Saw an actual 39 no dash at the Owatonna Cabela's a few months ago. Should have bought. Low four digit serial number but no box and no mag.

 

[Mike0251]

Resurrected from "your kidding me right"? Terrible condition, metal strip JB welded to gun to support a flashlight, worn, and gunk and dirt from who knows where. I did not pay for it, given to me.

Total disassembly (not for the faint of heart), some Dremel work to remove the JB weld, bead blasting, a nice coat of Duracoat, and touch up the small bits and such with Super Blue. And then, can I get it all back together lol. It came out great, shoots well, and an enjoyable project.

 

[OutAtTheEdge]

Technically A Model 39

I was going to include this one when I started this thread yesterday, but decided to wait and toss it in today.



I own a bunch of .22 rifles, but when I need pinpoint accuracy, this is the gun I grab. I have this 39A topped with a 6X Burris compact, and the partnership just plain works.

 

[Goony]

A pre-39 serial number 1185 shipped in July of 1955. It came with this unnumbered but clearly correct box, and has all the distinctive early features, including the stubby safety lever and corresponding stocks without the relief cut at the rear of the left panel.

 

[cougar015]

A pre-39 serial number 1185 shipped in July of 1955. It came with this unnumbered but clearly correct box, and has all the distinctive early features, including the stubby safety lever and corresponding stocks without the relief cut at the rear of the left panel.

It shipped on July15, 1955 to Wm Pattertson in Tn.

 

[cougar015]

Here's one of my favorites. A factory engraved 39-2

 

[BAM-BAM]

Have had 3 or 4 over the years..... when I haven't had one I want another.... never carried one due to the overblown stories back in the 80s on the extractors breaking.

Today have a nice one in the box ,in the safe...... but for carry I'm all in on the heir to the 39 the 3913 with nice Hogue checkered wood grips, the grips are a bit more hand filling and have an arched backstrap like the original 39s.

 

[Goony]

Steel Frame 39's

Attached below is a pic of a steel frame 39, accompanied by a military magazine and dust cover. Another version of this concept is embodied in my https://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-semi-auto-pistols/201142-frankennine.html which was built on a 639 frame (I do also have a stock 639). My grail 39-type at this point would be a 539 with fixed sights.

 

[cougar015]

Attached below is a pic of a steel frame 39, accompanied by a military magazine and dust cover. Another version of this concept is embodied in my Frankennine which was built on a 639 frame (I do also have a stock 639). My grail 39-type at this point would be a 539 with fixed sights.

Did they make a 539 with fixed sights? I have six 539's and they all have the adjustable winged sights. I have never seen one without them.

 

[Goony]

Did they make a 539 with fixed sights?

Yes, but it was a short run within the limited number of 539's produced overall. I suppose you could cheat and make your own up via the simple expedient of substituting a 439 fixed sight slide.

 

[cougar015]

Yes, but it was a short run within the limited number of 539's produced overall. I suppose you could cheat and make your own up via the simple expedient of substituting a 439 fixed sight slide.

Changing the slide would in theory create one. I have looked for them over the years to no avail and assumed there weren't any. Based on your information, I will continue the search. Just like my 639's, I have six of them an no 2 are the same. There are variations with the sights, trigger guards, extractors and ambi-safety. This is what makes collecting so interesting.

 

[Tntcwg3]

There are variations with the sights, trigger guards, extractors and ambi-safety. This is what makes collecting so interesting.

One could make it a life mission to collect every variation within a S&W series. But it's hard to stay focused with so many options, I'm weak when it comes to disciplined gun collecting!