Model 59 - before & after

[jmace57]

I bought this Model 59 in an auction last week and received it yesterday. I paid $172 after commissions.

I have never..repeat NEVER...seen a gun as filthy as this one. It was truly disgusting. It looked way worse than these pictures. It had what looked like a combination of grease and dirt caked on the outside and inside. Looked as if it had never been cleaned. Seriously, everywhere you touched it you ended up with black grunge on your fingers. I bought it as a fixer-upper.

Here are a few of the before pictures.

I ended up getting about 3 gallons of boiling water and put in in a paint bucked and dropped the parts into it. Immediately the water got greasy. After about 10 minutes I fished the pieces out with tongs and scrubbed with a toothbrush.

I took the parts inside and went after it with solvent and a brush...still filthy. Finally with Hoppes and q-tips.

The after picture doesn't look too much different, but it is now clean and actually functions beautifully. There is a bit of corrosion in the barrel, but still has nice rifling. Other than the almost complete loss of blue on the slide, it's really in nice shape.

I plan to follow-up with this post as I decide how to refinish it and put some wood grips, etc.

I'd horse-whip the previous owner if I knew who they were. It's as if they stepped on it in a grease trap at a gas station and then let it sit for 10 years.

 

[mauser9]

Amazing how some would let a valuable and nice pistol go to ruin!! Have seen it myself. Looks like you did a fine job of restoring it to a respectable condition. Had one back in the 70s myself. You paid only slightly more than I did for one new back then. Think I paid around $160 in 77. Thanks for sharing.

 

[snubbyfan]

Looks like some of the guns I've seen here in West Virginia.
People'll get a nice gun then shoot it 'til it stops working.
Then they'd pay to get it cleaned and start all over.

 

[Blackshirt]

This should serve as evidence that the M59 was a fine pistol. Amazing that it works well after the TLC. Definitely a sidearm worth saving...

 

[gmborkovic]

OK!, $172 for a dirty, iconic S&W. A little elbow grease and presto, a Jewel.
Plus you had a lot of fun. The fun is worth the money. I would do it every day. Now, go shoot it and come back and post your results. Best, good buy.

 

[StakeOut]

I usually let the metal parts soak in a #1 kerosene bath for about 5 days That does a great job of cleaning.

Take the Model 59 rear sight off and clean the slot,Ejector Depressor Plunger and Ejector Depressor Plunger Spring.

Then remove the decocker,firing pin and spring for a good cleaning.Oil the extractor.

Because you had it in water I'd also strip down the frame,clean and lube.

I have 3 model 59 pistols,1 is NIB,1 is LNIB and the other is a very good condition shooter.All have the original S&W mags but I mostly use Mec-Gar mags for range practice.

There's some new orange follower 5906 15rd S&W mags at Midway and Brownells that work fine in the Model 59.

 

[StakeOut]

Enjoy shooting your newly acquired Model 59 but before you do you might want to put in a new recoil spring and firing pin spring.

https://www.gunsprings.com/SMITH & WESSON/NUMBERED SERIES/cID1/mID58/dID261

The firing pin springs mostly seen these days are meant for the newer type firing pins that were shipped in 3rd generation guns.These pins and springs should not be used in the Model 59.

https://www.gunsprings.com/SMITH & WESSON/NUMBERED SERIES/cID1/mID58/dID261

The firing pin spring should not extend more than 1/4" past the tip of the firing pin and not be shorter than 1/8" past the tip for good primer strikes.

The pin and spring on the right are from a Model 59 while the ones on the left are from a 3913LS

 

[jmace57]

...
Take the Model 59 rear sight off and clean the slot,Ejector Depressor Plunger and Ejector Depressor Plunger Spring.

Then remove the decocker,firing pin and spring for a good cleaning.Oil the extractor.

Because you had it in water I'd also strip down the frame,clean and lube.
....

Good suggestions. Done!

 

[gman51]

^^^Yep after cleaning all the grease off then now the metal is very prone to rust especially since you used boiling water. Definitely total strip then dry and lube all or the gun could rust up tight.

 

[TTSH]

There is a bit of corrosion in the barrel, but still has nice rifling. Other than the almost complete loss of blue on the slide, it's really in nice shape.

I guess we all have our own definitions of "really in nice shape"!

I'm surprised that Bam-Bam hasn't been along yet to rub my nose in this one given my reputation as Mister "Used-but-not-abused"!

 

[jmace57]

I guess we all have our own definitions of "really in nice shape"!

I'm surprised that Bam-Bam hasn't been along yet to rub my nose in this one given my reputation as Mister "Used-but-not-abused"!

I guess I should have said MECHANICALLY nice shape!

 

[jmace57]

This is a follow-up to this thread. I have finished the re-furb of this old 59. I did an Aluma-Hyde II coating of the frame...and just reblued the slide and other parts.

Thanks to the generosity of a forum member here, I was given (free) a set of replacement springs, grips, larger safety button and a rear grip expansion (that unfortunately did not work). He also sent me a large number of magazines that were in wonderful condition. My deepfelt thanks to him.

Considering the pitiful condition it was in when I got it, I am happy with the way it turned out. I have not given the re-bluing time to really "cure", but couldn't wait to reassemble it. I think the blue will look a bit better tomorrow.

Here are left and right pictures, plus a picture with some mango wood grips I bought (which are prettier than the picture shows).

I'm inordinately pleased with myself as it is the first pistol I have taken apart COMPLETELY and reassembled.

 

[Barrie]

Thats a Very Nice restoration on that pistol and the grips really make it pop also.

 

[standerson]

1st handgun I bought was a Mod 59 about 40 years ago. Still like shooting it.

 

[KEN L]

You really need to take some pics outside in natural light without a flash. I'm sure it looks much better than what I'm seeing.

 

[jmace57]

Here's a couple more pictures - I guess what I really need is a bright, but overcast day. These at least emphasize the deep blue on the slide. (I guess I could also pull out my light box and decent camera too)

 

[KEN L]

Actually bright sunlit day, but in a shaded area is best, but they're looking better!

 

[StakeOut]

Make sure you also knock the pin out that's in the heel of the grip to get at the hammer spring.

My Model 59 collection goes up and down as I find ones I want to buy.

Right now I have 2.One is an A62xxxx that I bought NIB with papers,tools and 2 original Model 59 14rd mags.The other is a 1st year production A173xxxx that is my shooter that came to me only with 1 14rd factory mag that has a metal follower.

My shooter was shooting a bit low with my preferred ammo so I replaced the rear sight with one that has elevation adjustment.I also added the S&W round grip insert for my long fingers.

See attached photo

 

[Jaymo]

So, you got a 59 for what used to be the price of a NIB Hi Point?
Yeah, I'd take the Smith all day.
I don't have a 59 though I do have a few of the third gen iterations of it.

I second what StakeOut says about the kerosene.

 

[Old_Cop]

StakeOut's photos remind me how bad *** those 59s looked back in the day. Who wouldn't want almost a full box of ammo on his duty belt.