Model 59

[Engine49guy]

S&W's entry into the 9mm automatic market begins in 1955, they basicly took the best ideas of the time from the Walther P38 of a double action trigger and a slide mounted safety decocker and mated it to a Browning type tilting barrel enclosed slide, the first batch were steel frames which quickly changed to aluminum ( like the Walther P1, btw the model 39 magazine is a close copy as well) .
The Browning High Power or P35 had its own issues such as non double action trigger and short beavertail ,but it did introduce the idea of a hi capacity double stack magazine.
While the Model 39 is usually praised by 9mm fans the Model 59 is often criticized but since the 39 and 59 have the exact same complete upper, trigger and hammer it really comes down to the frame, namely its ergonomics, I agree it isn't great especially when compared to the BHP which is IMO similar in feel to the CZ75 which is curved with a rounded heel not unlike the Model 39 where the 59 is straight and square,
This was kinda addressed in the 3rd generation with the 1 piece delrin grip which came in both rounded heel as well as straight heel shapes.
For someone with a bigger hand the Model 59 is tolerable with thin factory panels or the thin Pachmayer replacements but if fit with thicker aftermarket wood panels it does feel like holding a 2x4.
Imo you really can't compare the Model 59 /459 to modern designs, they set a marker in the opening round of what became a movement in American law enforcement away from 6 shot revolvers to high capacity double action 9mm automatics, this led to the refinement of 9mm design which led the civilian market for CCW use to more compact lightweight high capacity 9mms with safer trigger hammer/ striker designs.
Bottom line IMO the 59 earned its place in history but is very outdated like the Luger and P38, Interestingly the old P35 and 1911 have seen a resurgence amongst enthusiasts and shooters but neither are viable for CCW use when lighter more modern designs are available usually for much less money.

 

[4T5GUY]

While the Model 39 is usually praised by 9mm fans the Model 59 is often criticized but since the 39 and 59 have the exact same complete upper, trigger and hammer it really comes down to the frame, namely its ergonomics, I agree it isn't great especially when compared to the BHP which is IMO similar in feel to the CZ75 which is curved with a rounded heel not unlike the Model 39 where the 59 is straight and square.
This was kinda addressed in the 3rd generation with the 1 piece delrin grip which came in both rounded heel as well as straight heel.

Actually S&W realized this issue and offered arched grip inserts. Coupled with thinner grip panels like Uncle Mike's improved the feel.

I don't have a 59 to use for target practice or CCW. As mentioned they are historically important and fit in with not only my other S&W's but my overall accumulation.

Jim

 

[Engine49guy]

I remember those arched heel replacements but those didn't appear until sometime after the 59's introduction, IIRC they came out during the 2nd generation, but weren't they all made of plastic?
The arched heels were not very commonly encountered back in the days before the internet, they were an attempt to address the issue but unfortunately made a large grip even larger.
The 3rd gen took a new approach and basicly changed everything but the front gripframe but at the time were a pretty big change from the old side panels held in place with two screws kinda like the 1911, many including myself loved the look of the checkered wood on a blue gun vs the black nylon of the 59 or mono block greyish black plastic 3rd gens.

 

[DR505]

Dang it...you guys reminded me that I have a ANIB Model 559 and an ANIB Model 539 I need to go shoot. I took them out of their respective boxes for a quick photo:

 

[Goony]

...It came with Pachmayr wrap around grips but they were too chunky for me so I replaced them with thinner S&W panels.

I'd remark that the grips shown aren't, of course, the style that the gun would've come with. The magazine also isn't the original type.

 

[Goony]

If you look at the picture of three 59's (top blued, the others nickel) that 4T5GUY posted, you can see the bottom pistol appears to be wearing the rubber Uncle Mike's grip panels.

These are definitely my choice and I have them on my 59 and my 659. They are thinner than the Pachmayr grips but have tacky rubber that's far better than the OEM panels....

I opted for wood. These were Thai sourced, and are very nicely made. They have the virtue of being thin enough that they don't make the gun feel too bulky in the hand.

 

[cougar015]

While I mostly collect Model 39's I've picked up a few 59's over the years . Top to bottom 59, 59, 459, 559, 659. They aren't as comfortable to hold and shoot as the M39's but They fit my hand ok, shoot well and I think they look better than most other guns.

 

[Gary_H]

59 was my first pistol purchase...

I bought my 59 in 1976 or 1977 and still have it.
S/N A3351--

At the time they were only available new to Police and Military.
My Dad was a cop, bought one and sold it immediately for double the price. That sounded like a good investment to me, so I asked him to buy another and sell it to me.

Once I got it, he took me to the range and I was hooked.

Back then 9mm ammo was expensive (about $20 a box 50).

I was complaining about how much I was spending on ammo, so he talked me into buying a Mod 67 so he could bring home police target rounds to help reduce how much I was spending at the range. Those wadcutters used some kind of cheap powder and created a cloud of smoke at the indoor range. I finally got tired of listening to everyone complain, I got into reloading.

I still have the 59 and will always run a clip or two when I go to the range. I still love that gun!

 

[Taj]

My first issue auto-stuffer was a nickel model 59. I hated that gun because it shot very poorly compared to the model 28 and later model 19 I was accustomed to carrying. I was a PPC Grand Master at that time and was spoiled with my wheelgun accuracy. I was grandfathered in, so I continued to carry my model 19 until I went to the SGT's oral and it was suggested I needed to comply and set an example. Now, of course, I wish I had one of those old nickel 59s. If anyone ever sees one with SAPD on it( for sale) reach out.

 

[Reloader Fred]

The Model 39 was made for the U.S. Air Force, but they didn't adopt the gun because it wasn't 100% reliable with flat nose bullets, which is what they wanted to shoot. The first ones were steel framed, which are very rare. After the USAF turned down the guns, they were released to the civilian market.

Joe Foster was the primary designer of the Model 39, 52 and 59. He designed the double stack Model 59 at the request of law enforcement. He spent two days with me when we updated our Model 59's in 1979 with the parts he designed to improve feeding and reliability. Mr. Foster was asked by S&W to come back from retirement to fix the issues, and he was touring the country helping departments with large numbers of Model 59's by instructing Rangemasters and armorers on the fixes. S&W supplied the 5 parts needed for the upgrades free of charge. You can tell an upgraded Model 59 (and 39) by the small "tick" mark on the front of the extractor and the one piece barrel bushing.

The parts included in the upgrade were the barrel bushing, extractor, recoil spring, spring guide and magazine followers. Overall, I upgraded over 600 Model 59's before being promoted to Sgt. and leaving the Rangemaster position for our dept. Our 59's were furnished with three magazines each, and each magazine had to be fired with at least 5 rounds of duty ammunition. I got real good at "fingering" the trigger and making them shoot like a full auto pistol before I was done....

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[donadler]

I sure do like mine

 

[mtrmn]

I have a nickel one. It took a lot of work to polish it up function-wise. The inside of the gun looked like it had been rough-machined and any polishing/tuning steps were just skipped. It would jam frequently, scarred the brass terribly, felt like it was full of sand when you racked the slide. I worked it over, polished it up, funneled the high walls on each side of the rough feed ramp. It now functions extremely well and is very accurate. Love to shoot it.

 

[Doriangray6]

I'd remark that the grips shown aren't, of course, the style that the gun would've come with. The magazine also isn't the original type.

I know that both aren't what would have come with the pistol from the factory but the grips are S&W, fit nicely, and feel comfortable.
The mags don't have any markings but I strongly suspect that they're after market and I'm searching for factory mags.
Unlike the experiences of couple posters, so far the pistol has been quite accurate, or as accurate as my arthritic hands and old eyes can make it , works flawlessly, and has had no problems cycling both my reloads and a variety of factory ammo.

 

[stansdds]

My first issue auto-stuffer was a nickel model 59. I hated that gun because it shot very poorly compared to the model 28 and later model 19 I was accustomed to carrying. I was a PPC Grand Master at that time and was spoiled with my wheelgun accuracy. I was grandfathered in, so I continued to carry my model 19 until I went to the SGT's oral and it was suggested I needed to comply and set an example. Now, of course, I wish I had one of those old nickel 59s. If anyone ever sees one with SAPD on it( for sale) reach out.

Accuracy and wide variations in accuracy from one pistol to the next was an issue with the 39, 59, x39, and x59 pistols. The introduction of the pressed-in fixed barrel bushing of the x69 pistols improved overall accuracy and reduced the wide variation in accuracy from one pistol to the next.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

I had one, since my first handgun was/still is a Browning HP i was an early adherent to the "Wondernine" concept. But I didn't like that aluminum frame, sold it and bought and M659-which I still have. The M59/659 magazines fit nicely in my Marlin Camp 9.

 

[Montanamanx]

I have a 59 from 1972 that was a police department reject because it was a Jam-O-matic. I had it for about 2 weeks before I threw away the original mags & replaced them with new ones. Worked perfectly after that. The problem got me the gun for about half price. I still have it & like it but I don't shoot it much.

 

[viceunit]

My 59

I got this one a couple of years ago. Gun only, no box. During 2023 LEOSA qualification at the outdoor range I brought this gun to fire off a few rounds after qualifying with a Glock 26. This range has some metal reaction/spinning targets. At a distance of about 20 yards I was firing at those targets and felt something strike my off hand. I had a bullet jacket imbedded in my skin between the thumb and forefinger. I can only assume my bullet must have struck the frame of the metal target and ricochet directly back to me.

The copper jacket was like a claw and slight tugging would not release it. Long story short, I was in the ER for several hours and eventually the ER doc was able to remove it. To top it off, it also happened to be my birthday! What fun. Now, over a year later I don't even have a scar.

I have not fired this gun since that day. But when I do, I think I'll stick to paper targets.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Had some 2nd guns but except for a 39-2 ANIB all got traded for 3rd Gen Guns in the early 90s

 

[cherrypointmarine]

I have one I got here . It WAS nib , but I ratified that situation . There was a business card in the box , dated back when they had the bizarre numbering , like 2-3456 .

 

[oberon]

This thing was a bargain. It came with 5 magazines
View attachment 721854

I put Hogue Pao Faro wood on it. I think they look better than the original black plastic.