Model 639

Chairman Kaga

Chairman Kaga

Member
Joined
Dec 7, 2012
Messages
19
Reaction score
23
Location
Normal, Illinois
I'm hoping that someone can give me some info on this model.

I recently got fed up with not being able to shoot my Beretta 92 accurately, so I sold it.I ended up getting and M&P 9 that I could shoot, but I hate shooting a plastic gun.I mostly shoot stainless S&W revolvers, and I really like the heft.

Last week a guy put an ad up locally wanting to trade this gun for a revolver.
I offered a well worn 4" model 66-no dash that I had just bought.
We made the deal and I took it straight to the range. The gunsmith said that it looked like it hadn't been shot much if any. The guy claimed only 50 rounds had ever been through the gun.

Anyway, it shot like a dream.I love it, but it didn't come with a manual and I don't know if +P ammo is Ok for the gun. The serial # is A878XXX could anyone tell me when this gun was produced? Thanks in advance.

044123dd-e25c-4aef-9d18-bc09b3e44686_zpse1cf5119.jpg
 
Last edited:
Register to hide this ad
Dates to 1984, this is the year that the "A" prefix was dropped and the new three letter prefix was phased in. And +P ammo is ok to use. Yours is a first year production with the round trigger guard, later (and most) have the square trigger guard, they were discontinued in 1988, when the third gens came out. Here are mine...
 

Attachments

  • 20121212_040301.jpg
    20121212_040301.jpg
    118.8 KB · Views: 276
Last edited:
Wow, those are beautiful. Is this generally considered a decent model? It seems really well put together. Any quirks or problems to be aware of?
 
They are generally considered an excellent model, no issues other than the weight, which turns some people away, but makes for a great shooting pistol and one of my all time favorites....
 
Cograds on getting a great 9mm chairman. My 639 is scary accurate while being one hundred percent reliable. Best of luck and enjoy your new toy.
 
A am enjoying it. I picked it up on Friday and have already had it to the range three times. This morning I made up 300 rounds and shot most of it.Not one hiccup or problem. I have never had a semiauto that I have ever shot this well. It makes me feel like a champ.:D

So much so , that I sold the M&P 9 that I bought a couple of weeks ago.I just couldn't muster any enthusiasm for that gun.
I could shoot it OK, but nothing like this 639. I don't think I will ever get rid of this gun.
 
Your stainless Model 639 is the 3rd incarnation of the original Model 39 series 9mm automatic pistols, The second was the the 39-2 (the 39-1 became the Model 52).

There is also a carbon steel version in the Model 539 as well as an airweight version Model 439 that were both available in blue or nickel.

If you have long fingers and want a higher magazine capacity there is a 14 shot SS version called the Model 659 with the same slide assembly as your gun mated to a different frame that similarly came in carbon steel as well as airweight versions.
 
Chairman Kaga said:
I'm hoping that someone can give me some info on this model.

I recently got fed up with not being able to shoot my Beretta 92 accurately, so I sold it.I ended up getting and M&P 9 that I could shoot, but I hate shooting a plastic gun.I mostly shoot stainless S&W revolvers, and I really like the heft.

Last week a guy put an ad up locally wanting to trade this gun for a revolver.
I offered a well worn 4" model 66-no dash that I had just bought.
We made the deal and I took it straight to the range. The gunsmith said that it looked like it hadn't been shot much if any. The guy claimed only 50 rounds had ever been through the gun.

Anyway, it shot like a dream.I love it, but it didn't come with a manual and I don't know if +P ammo is Ok for the gun. The serial # is A878XXX could anyone tell me when this gun was produced? Thanks in advance.

044123dd-e25c-4aef-9d18-bc09b3e44686_zpse1cf5119.jpg
Click to expand...

Plus P is ok in any S&W that has a model number on the gun. You certainly are not going to do all of your practice with Plus P, so it hardly matters. You will practice with ordinary ammo and if Plus P is used it will be for familiarization, sighting in and qualification, which is not enough to cause anything. Plus P may accelerate wear a little, but if you are worried that it will "blow up the gun" or something like that, the answer is no, it will not, assuming the gun is in proper working order and the ammo is not mistakenly over-filled with more powder than intended by the ammo manufacturer. Oh, and you can get a manual off of S&W's web site.
 
SPEEDGUNNER said:
Grif, you are torturing me...next on my list is a fixed sight round guard 639 - and there it is!
Click to expand...

I know what you mean, I also prefer the round guard model, but can't say no to the later version either. When the 639 first came out I was blown away by the looks, and couldn't wait til I turned 21 to buy one, unfortunately when that happened the round guard had already been dropped, and all the new ones I found were square. Right when the third gens appeared I was lucky enough to finally find one with fixed sights, LNIB from the original owner, who had a MMC adjustable rear installed when he bought it new. In the box was the original rear sight and never unwrapped second magazine, as well as all the paperwork. I was able to get it for way less than a new one, and jumped on it. I have been looking for another round guard fixed sight ever since. One thing you'll notice on the round guard versions is the lack of the red dot "safety off" indicator on the slide, all the later square guard versions I have seen have it, all the early "A" prefix ones do not...and they dropped the lanyard loop on the mainspring housing around that time as well....
 
Last edited:
I'll try to post a pic, but my 639 looks exactly like the farthest on the left of the group grif684 posted. Same sights, round trigger guard. ambi safety, is great condition. Walked out the door two years ago of a LGS with the pistol and a case of ammo for 450. Thought I got a decent deal at the time. Now seems like a steal. Great shooter.
 
I had a 659 with the adjustable sights, and a 4006, and a 4506,too and now my 5906. I know they look kind of funny on the pistols, but I love being able to adjust the rear sights 'just right' like the nicer S&W revolvers.

There are very, very few 'service' type pistols that are available with a target/adjustable rear sight. S&W was smart to make them available, for people just like me.

You have EXACTLY the model, and frame, and sights, on your 639 that I have been lusting after for years.

Envy: I has it.
 
Last edited:
I have a blued 439 round trigger guard and adj sights. Still my favorite of my 3 S&W 9mms. Love the 2 tone look. The others are a 5906 and a 6906.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

M
Guns and guitars… condition/value
Replies
18
Views
374
pasound
pasound
chief38
Today we all shot our M60's (snub nose day at the range)
Replies
8
Views
536
Cal. Det. 1989
C
G
Can I shoot +P ammo in my Model 36?
2 3 4
Replies
65
Views
3K
gila_dog
G
R
Do S&W model 360 revolvers come in calibers other than 357 mag??
Replies
6
Views
147
326MOD10
3
B
Model 15 & 19 adjustable sights
Replies
7
Views
356
MajorD
M

Latest posts

Back
Top