Model 639

[cougar015]

It used to be easy to post pics but since I turned 60 seems very difficult. If u open your search engine put In Smith 439 then go to pictures, you will see dozens.
Btw if you reread my post I never mentioned the 539 having the variations just that it was a rare variation.
Just did a quick search of the 539 , they appear to only come up with round trigger guards, the one I own is the same, the majority shpwn have the target rear sight but one shows the smaller drift adjust dovetailed sight.

On the subject of backstraps IIRC the Model 52 series had a steel backstrap with the lanyard hole solid not cutout, pretty sure mine is that way, will double check later.
My guess is if Cougar015 checks his nickel backstrap may be a steel one instead of the standard aluminum.

The questions raised here need additional discussion and need a seperate thread as we hijacked this one meant for the 639.

 

[BarryinIN]

Congratulations on the purchase. I think 639s are one of the best looking semiautos, and it would be even prettier to me at that price.

 

[jmace57]

Yep - a fine deal. I have one, and it would take $6-$700 to get it away from me.

 

[Goony]

The backstrap insert with the hole for the lanyard is also interesting. Every one of them that I have seen is aluminum, even the steel framed Model 39's. The only exception I have found is one in my collection. It's an early steel frame with a factory nickel finish and the lanyard hole is solid.

If I recall correctly, the Model 52 backstrap is steel with a solid tab. Years ago I bought one and took it to the local machine shop where the lanyard hole was milled out. I then installed it on my steel frame 39 (retaining the original aluminum one, so the modification is completely reversible).

 

[Green Frog]

I considered myself lucky when, several years ago, I bought my 639 off "Gone Broker" for $550. It was not intended as a collectors item since I was planning on using a couple of different slides; one to carry a set of Millett sights and a red dot on another. I refer to it as a "Franker-Smith" but it is actually becoming a sort of an Erector Set for a shooter.
Froggie

 

[gmborkovic]

Im not a follower of this series 39. What is the major engineering
change/improvements over the old 39/39-2s?

 

[stansdds]

Im not a follower of this series 39. What is the major engineering
change/improvements over the old 39/39-2s?

The second gen pistols introduced a firing pin safety and the rear sight was changed to either a traditional dovetailed rear sight or a fully adjustable rear sight. Those are the two biggest changes.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

A goof return on an investment allowed me to buy spare slides and barrels for my M639/659, a couple from board members, others off eBay. So now each has its original slide, a fixed sight slide....

 

[gmborkovic]

stansdds, thanks. If you took a stripped 39-2 frame and compared it to a round trigger guard 439 frame, would they be identical?

 

[Goony]

I considered myself lucky when, several years ago, I bought my 639 off "Gone Broker" for $550. It was not intended as a collectors item since I was planning on using a couple of different slides; one to carry a set of Millett sights and a red dot on another. I refer to it as a "Franker-Smith" but it is actually becoming a sort of an Erector Set for a shooter.

In building what I call my https://smith-wessonforum.com/smith...201142-frankennine.html?highlight=Frankennine I used an early 639 frame.

 

[stansdds]

stansdds, thanks. If you took a stripped 39-2 frame and compared it to a round trigger guard 439 frame, would they be identical?

External dimensions between the 39-2 and early (round trigger guard) x39 would be the same. I think the only difference between the two is the milling for the firing pin safety lever.