plmcrzy67
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thoughts and opinions please
model 59
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specialist44
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I'm going to shoot mine for the first time tomorrow. Agreed, it's definitely old school when compared to my 226, but it seems pretty well made. I'll try to provide a range report tomorrow.
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I like mine just fine.
Don't own a Sig to compare it to though...
Don't own a Sig to compare it to though...
"Do you know what's a really bloody miserable car to drive? A 1963 split-window 427 Corvette. Just awful! Power steering and brakes was optional. You had to crank up the windows yourself. No traction control, no ABS. And the gas mileage is miserable! I much prefer my Prius!"
This is what I hear when people complain about the 59. And thank God! If more folks had the good sense to appreciate the original first-generation wundernines, they probably couldn't be had for such a great price.
They're accurate, and generally pretty reliable. In double-action, the trigger is very long and somewhat heavy, but realistically, you'd be a fool to choose a 59 for carry purposes (they lack a firing pin block, and a 3rd-gen can be had for just a smidge more).
Of course they're not as refined as a gun that (still) costs twice as much and has an entirely different fire control design, or a pistol made 12 years after their introduction. If you have $500-$600 to spend on a pistol, and just want the best thing you can get, get something else.
But if you're looking for the best damn thing you can get for about $275, or if you really appreciate old, cool stuff, the 59 can't be beat.
This is what I hear when people complain about the 59. And thank God! If more folks had the good sense to appreciate the original first-generation wundernines, they probably couldn't be had for such a great price.
They're accurate, and generally pretty reliable. In double-action, the trigger is very long and somewhat heavy, but realistically, you'd be a fool to choose a 59 for carry purposes (they lack a firing pin block, and a 3rd-gen can be had for just a smidge more).
Of course they're not as refined as a gun that (still) costs twice as much and has an entirely different fire control design, or a pistol made 12 years after their introduction. If you have $500-$600 to spend on a pistol, and just want the best thing you can get, get something else.
But if you're looking for the best damn thing you can get for about $275, or if you really appreciate old, cool stuff, the 59 can't be beat.
It's really more a piece of Smith & Wesson history now than the very best gun you can buy today at any price. Only one for sale in my area is $599; however, I must admit that it's in very close to brand new condition. It came from a collection of over 600 handguns and most are virtually as-new. As a collector piece, it is probably worth the money. As a gun bought to be carried or otherwise used for personal protection today, you can likely find something cheaper or for the same price that you may like better.
In other words, it all depends what you are looking for.
In other words, it all depends what you are looking for.
I have small hands and always found them "blocky" feeling. I much prefer the 915.
Ha Ha, I have one of those bloody miserable cars it's just in the form of a 67 Pontiac Firebird. The reason I was asking for info on the 59 was that I was talking to a friend of mine about guns and he mentioned that he had one from when he was a leo back in the 70's still has box paperwork and even the original sales reciept. I don't think he plans to sell it, and I didn't ask. I just never seen one before and he peaked my interest when he mentioned it. I would however like to see that range report!! Thanks to all............Mark
First of the "Wonder nines" as they were dubbed in the 70s and 80s ...... hicap (like the Browning HP) double action (like the German autos of WWII) autos.......followed by the Sig 226, Beretta 92 and CZ75..........
rumor/fact ?????? first built for the Navy SEALS to use as "Hush Puppy's" in Viet Nam.... as an improvement over the suppressed single stack 39.
rumor/fact ?????? first built for the Navy SEALS to use as "Hush Puppy's" in Viet Nam.... as an improvement over the suppressed single stack 39.
It has it's fans.
It was my first semi. Forty years ago. I did not like it at all.
I have a lot of pistols now and no 9mm, or double stack because of the 59. I know that's not the right way to do things, but that's it.
Traded it in and got a Colt series 70, and never looked back.
I have seven Smiths and they are all older revolvers.
It was my first semi. Forty years ago. I did not like it at all.
I have a lot of pistols now and no 9mm, or double stack because of the 59. I know that's not the right way to do things, but that's it.
Traded it in and got a Colt series 70, and never looked back.
I have seven Smiths and they are all older revolvers.
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It's easy to forget in these modern times (and several generations of pistol design later) how cool and desirable it was considered back in its day.
I'm talking not just the pistol for itself but for the 14-round magazine capacity too. I liked the Model 39-2 for sure... but when the opportunity finally came up for me to buy one or the other, I went for a late-production Model 59 instead. 
35 years later (and earlier this year), I corrected the "hole" I had inadvertently created in my collection by finally scoring my very own ANIB Model 39-2!
FWIW, a 427 wasn't available in the '63 Corvette. All '63's came through with various versions of the 327.
Having said that, the Model 59 was innovation for its time. Judging it by today's standards is very much like judging the 63 Corvette to a current Stingray.
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Having said that, the Model 59 was innovation for its time. Judging it by today's standards is very much like judging the 63 Corvette to a current Stingray.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
In 1971, the idea of a double-stack, double-action American pistol was revolutionary. (The idea is so common now that it is hard to believe how revolutionary it was in 1971.) The Model 59 created the "Wondernine" era. Everyone wanted one. Including me.
I could not get one initially, since all went to law enforcement. When I finally got one, I was thrilled with it. I still have it and always loved the way it points. I still use it as a house gun.
As a point of interest, the early "Non-A" marked Model 59 magazines with the aluminum follower will hold sixteen rounds!
I could not get one initially, since all went to law enforcement. When I finally got one, I was thrilled with it. I still have it and always loved the way it points. I still use it as a house gun.
As a point of interest, the early "Non-A" marked Model 59 magazines with the aluminum follower will hold sixteen rounds!
That is an absurd price in any condition. I'd probably carry a 59 over a Makarov or (shudder) a Hi-Point, but I think that I'd much rather take the money I'd spend on one and put it into a decent used J-frame. Or just save another couple hundred and look for a Glock/M&P/etc.
plmcrzy67 said:
Mine doesn't do badly. That's the weird thing--every complaint people have about their ergonomics is 100% true. The sights aren't the best, either, which is something nobody's thought to complain about yet. But somehow, it shoots better than all of its faults would have you believe.
I've only had one stoppage on it, as well, and that was with 115-gr ammunition that was loaded very light to begin with.
Whoever is going to buy that pristine perfect, as-new Model 59 at $599 or a little less is likely not going to carry it around... nor is he or she likely to think that a good, used J-frame or Glock will fit into their collection better. Chances are actually pretty good that the buyer might already own a J-frame or two and possibly even a Glock or two as well.
This will probably not have been their first rodeo. 
I'm going to go out on a limb here and predict that some Smith & Wesson collector will come along and buy it someday... just like the original 600+ gun collector who had previously wanted it in his collection.
Shooters and defensive carriers often don't "get" gun collectors. I understand that. Believe it or not, some guns are bought not to be carried daily or even used as primary self-defense weapons in the home. Some people just buy certain guns because they want one for their collection.
TNZ71
Member
Shooters and defensive carriers often don't "get" gun collectors. I understand that. Believe it or not, some guns are bought not to be carried daily or even used as primary self-defense weapons in the home. Some people just buy certain guns because they want one for their collection.
What he said
Whoever is going to buy that pristine perfect, as-new Model 59 at $599 or a little less is likely not going to carry it around... nor is he or she likely to think that a good, used J-frame or Glock will fit into their collection better. Chances are actually pretty good that the buyer might already own a J-frame or two and possibly even a Glock or two as well.
I'm going to go out on a limb here and predict that some Smith & Wesson collector will come along and buy it someday... just like the original 600+ gun collector who had previously wanted it in his collection.
Shooters and defensive carriers often don't "get" gun collectors. I understand that. Believe it or not, some guns are bought not to be carried daily or even used as primary self-defense weapons in the home. Some people just buy certain guns because they want one for their collection.
Oh no, I meant that even in that condition, as a collector item, I didn't think the price was that good. They're not rare, they're not highly-prized. About the only thing you could say is that they're generally in "well-used" condition. But yeah--somebody will eventually pay that for one, or the seller will come down a bit.
The thing about the Js and Glocks is more to do with the price of a more...typical 59. I figure a very worn example goes for around $250-275 (you can find them for less), and something presentable runs $300. Well, if I shop it hard, I'd bet I can get a J-frame for $350, if I don't get too picky as to which one I want. The Glock, used, should run about $425 or so.
The hardest part about finding a good, cheap, beat-up shooter of a 59 is finding a gun shop that actually took one in! For the prices that most will be looking to offer in trade, the owners will generally just hang on to them.
The 59 has a demerits on the "carry gun" front, so I think spending a little more for something else is worth it.
But as a real beater of a range gun? Easily tops the fun-per-dollar charts.
specialist44
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Well, my trip to the range is postponed until Wednesday. I'll report back in a few days.
I will note however, that I am no fan of the magazine disconnect. But I'm not a purist about such things. I will probably use it for a truck gun if it's reliable. I received it as a gift, so I have no clue on prices here in Western Washington.
I will note however, that I am no fan of the magazine disconnect. But I'm not a purist about such things. I will probably use it for a truck gun if it's reliable. I received it as a gift, so I have no clue on prices here in Western Washington.
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