"New" 639 Pics and Questions??

[Redcoat3340]

I just landed a 639 from Gunbroker. I couldn't find a 3906 I could afford but a 639 popped up for under $300 and I won.

It didn't have grips, but I did and although it's got a few scratches it is cleaning up nice. Bore is great, it looked well cared for (no grease or grit when I broke it down) and I'll have it to the range on Tuesday.

I do need a bit of help, however.

Serial Number and date of manufacture:
The Standard Catalog says they were made between 1984 and 1988...but the Serial A836278 is listed as 1983. (This has the early gun rounded trigger guard and does not have "wings" on rear sight, which is fixed/driftable.) So I'm wondering. I'll call S&W tomorrow to see if they can shed some light on it.

Hammer Spring and DA Trigger
Single action pull is typical 39 and goes bang a bit over 4 pounds. DA pull is off my cheap spring scale at 11+ pounds. Wondering as to the wisdom of putting in a lighter hammer spring...and which one. I've got some Wolffs around in the spares box...but before I tackle digging through it, I figured I'd ask here.

GPD 036 Mark
I figure this is a police dept. marking and am wondering if anyone has a clue as to what PD? I've got a 6906 with LCSO and it's likely it's from Loraine County Sheriff Dept. as the dealer was Ohio based. Guy who sold this is from AZ.

Here's a few pics.

 

[Starsky59]

I bought a 639 brand new in January 1985. I love this pistol. You got a good deal as far as im concerned buddy. Mine has the round trigger guard and fixed sited. I dont know its build date but its ser. # is TAC20xx. Probably made in 1984 and I still have it. Seriously. Great gun there chief.

 

[stansdds]

Nice model 639! That is an early production version with the round trigger guard. The rear sight is the fixed version, only drift adjustable after loosening the set screw in the top of the sight. The winged sights that are often seen are fully adjustable rear sights, the wings form protective sides for the adjustable sight.

As for changing the hammer spring, I can't say that I'm a big fan of doing that. These were service grade weapons and a single action pull of 4 to 5 pounds is perfectly acceptable. Double action pulls tend to be right around 12 pounds.

 

[kraynky]

I put a Wolff spring kit in a 6904 and polished a few areas with flitz and a dremel felt pad. It made a pretty big difference in both SA & DA felt pull, but I forget the exact numbers. I measured before & afterwards and it seems like there was only about 1.5 lbs difference. But the smoothness of the pull is pretty impressive. Not quite as slick as my old model 66, but much better than a couple of other revolvers I have swapped the Wolff springs into. All original parts are kept and marked as to where they originated.

I thought about adding them to my 3906, but I'm not 100% certain I'm keeping that one. My 4516 is a keeper and it got the same treatment. I am a fan.

 

[kennethg]

That is very nice. The price was also good.