Model 639

[allischalmersman]

Hi. I am new to the forum and have some questions about a firearm that I have had for a few years now. Its a 639 (SS of course) with pachmayr grips and adjustable sights. It has the square trigger guard. It is very difficult to find any information on this gun. Can anyone tell me anything about it? I would like to find a retention holster like the blackhawk serpa's but cant seem to find anything. I may be looking to sell it for a more modern gun that fits my needs better. What kind of price range does these go for? Shoots very well, but is kind of heavy for my use, and only holds 8+1. Thanks for any help guys!

 

[allischalmersman]

Also, is this in the wrong forum? Excuse my ignorance, but what is M&P vs the other forum

 

[growr]

Your 639 is a 2nd generation S&W. A very good gun in all regards as you have no doubt discovered. Most of my S&W herd rides in Kramer #3 IWB holsters or a Milt Sparks VM-2. I would not hesitate to carry your 639 or any of my 5900 series guns and have done so frequently in the past. I now am using my 3913 for CC as it is a bit more slender and equally as reliable, accurate, etc as your 639.

Another forum member that would do a fabulous job for you is Ray at Lobogunleather.com. He is former LEO and quite familiar with your gun and is a true artisian with his products.
I would not sell your truly fine S&W to obtain something else. Add to the herd, yes...but not at the expense of your 639.
Randy

 

[allischalmersman]

While I would like to "add" to the herd I cannot afford to do so. This pistol is very nice to shoot but doesnt serve my purpose. I need something lighter and more capacity. I have no "attachment" to this gun, and I would like to know the value. The leather holsters look nice, however I need to be able to find a retention holster like the blackhawk serpa. As far as I can tell, nobody makes one for this firearm. This is probably the biggest reason I wish to trade out. I need to be able to readily find accessories. Basically I don't want to go trade it at a gun shop for way less than its worth. I saw a few on here go for significantly more, but I don't know the factors that drive the price, etc. I have no papers and no box. One OE stainless mag is all.

 

[handgunner356]

Yes they will probably move this to the S&W Semi-Auto Pistol section instead of the M&P section. But as far as your gun goes it's not outdated by any means. The all stainless does make it a bit heavier but so does having 15-16rds in your gun. The newer mags will hold 9rds in them, just changing your follower will also do that in your current mag. I put your gun in the $300 range as described, having the box/original grips/paperwork it would be up in $375-400 range. The 639s' were made '82-'88 with the later ones having the square guards, early models had round. Holsters, springs and most small parts are the same as other 39/59 series guns, the newer mags do hang down about 1/8" from the grip though.

 

[allischalmersman]

Ok thanks. That gives me an idea of the value. I will look into the mag change. I don't consider it outdated by terms of quality, or the way it shoots. But to me, if nobody makes a retention holster, its outdated. I need a retention for my own personal comfort

 

[Robinett_11B]

Have you considered a holster with a thumb-break?

 

[allischalmersman]

No, I have no experience with thumb breaks. Know of anyone that makes one for this particular firearm? How do they differ from retention as far as drawing, etc.

 

[growr]

The Blackhawk holster that you reference to is a retention holster in that you must press a button inward to release the gun whereas a thumbstrap is like a miniature belt with a snap on the end holding the gun in place. You simply press downward with your thumb (hence the name thumbstrap) on a leather tab to open the strap and draw your firearm.
I much prefer a thumbstrap to a Blackhawk type retention device, and prefer a high quality well molded open top in either an on the belt or IWB to either a retention device or a thumbstrap. Most all major manufacturers offer a thumbstrap OWB holster or an IWB holster that will fit your 639.

A good quality holster will most certainly hold your firearm in place securely without a strap or a retention device...especially for CC.

Hope this helps you out in some manner.

Randy

NRA Certified Instructor
Avid competitor/daily CC

 

[allischalmersman]

Thank you for the clarification. I have a cheap nylon holster with a cheap strap with a snap. I hate it. Its junk. I have never used a nice leather one like you speak of. I did some searching for thumb break holsters. Is there something like this Fobus Holster: S&W 3913, 3913TSW, 3914, 3919, CS9, 4013, 5904, 5906, 6906 Std. SERIES, 910, 915, 908V/ CS45 - THUMB BREAK PADDLE - LEFT HAND that will fit it? Are these pistols similar to mine? Im sorry for the trouble, but i am very ignorant when it comes to S&W models.

 

[bigmoose]

Holster with thumb break

Check out the thread I just started today on the semi-auto forum. It's titled Model 39 leather. Check out the Safariland. The 639 will fit...same dimensions.

Cap

 

[TAROMAN]

Interesting thread. My 639 is the later one with the squared trigger guard. Holsters for it seem to be NLA, as far as I can tell. I liked the look of the Lobo products, but he shows only the round guard models.

 

[allischalmersman]

Looks nice man. Mine has the OE Stainless clip though, but those grips look classier. Mine has Parchmayr grips

 

[TAROMAN]

Looks nice man. Mine has the OE Stainless clip though, but those grips look classier. Mine has Parchmayr grips

Yeah, I've got several of the original mags. The current 9-round ones really suck. They hang out of the butt.

BTW, what holster are you using?

 

[allischalmersman]

BTW, what holster are you using?

One of the biggest reasons for this thread and why I'm probably going to trade out of this pistol. Lovely gun, shoots well, but I'm not the collecting type, and this pistol just isn't as practical to me as I would like

 

[handgunner356]

Any holster for 439/539/539/3904/3906/459/559/659/5904/5906 with square guards will work with your gun. The later 2nd generation and early 3rd generation guns all had the square guard. Don Hume holsters offers a pretty good selection of leather with and without thumb breaks.

 

[TAROMAN]

Great,
I was just looking at a Galco for a 5906 and pondering if it would work for mine.

-jwk-

Any holster for 439/539/539/3904/3906/459/559/659/5904/5906 with square guards will work with your gun. The later 2nd generation and early 3rd generation guns all had the square guard. Don Hume holsters offers a pretty good selection of leather with and without thumb breaks.

 

[Engine49guy]

Just a few observations,

If your not into your Stainless steel 41 oz S&W Model 639 you can easily sell it and buy a new 25 oz polymer S&W Sigma in either 9mm or .40 with 10 or 16 round capacity for about the same price....

I have the blued steel version of your Stainless 639 called the 539 .

The 439 and 639 are nicely made weapons but extremely HEAVY when compared to the aluminum framed and polymer versions available.

Non of the aformentioned guns have great triggers but Sigmas are lightweight, carry more ammo and have a lifetime warranty.
If you decide to keep your 639 I would suggest looking for a nice clean used holster at the next gun show or on the internet.

Alot of handguns had that square trigger guard back in the late 80's to mid 90's and clean used holsters are found between $15 and $30 dollars on the web.

Whatever you decide to do,
As long as you like the gun you carry your have done the right thing.
Cheers

 

[TAROMAN]

Any holster for 439/539/539/3904/3906/459/559/659/5904/5906 with square guards will work with your gun. The later 2nd generation and early 3rd generation guns all had the square guard. Don Hume holsters offers a pretty good selection of leather with and without thumb breaks.

Just arrived. A GALCO. H109 WC FL244. Fits perfectly:

 

[jimbo-indy]

I love my 639 but don't carry it much. I reserve it mostly for the range, shooting steel or bowling pins. The extra weight tames the recoil of the heavy pin loads. It's been fitted with a heavier recoil spring and a local 'smith slicked up the trigger. Built like a tank. I've tried both the Pacmeyer wrap-around grips and the original wood, the wood ones fit my hand a little better. Got mine for about $250 but the sights had been removed by some idiot who tried to fit Millet targets made for a 1911, didn't work. Had the 'smith cut new dovetails and fit a fiber-optic front. Looks a little weird but works great. DeSantos makes several holsters that fit this model, both leather and nylon.