Model 59

[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.

 

[oberon]

This thing was a bargain. It came with 5 magazines
View attachment 721854
View attachment 721855
I put Hogue Pao Faro wood on it. I think they look better than the original black plastic.

 

[Mhans938]

Just got my 1977 era nickel version with box and papers, along with 4 S&W mags. I was surprised at how good the DA trigger is but the SA is really good. Now to put the range time in to shrink my groups down.