Well, I certainly have no idea about the California market... but well used 39-2's are amongst the easiest guns to find, and for low money in my circles. Whatever you do, I'm sure you'll enjoy it. 39's are easy to love.
NIB S&W 39-2
- Thread starter waynesigmeister
- Start date
lhump1961
US Veteran
Excellent move...iconic gun. Now that you've made your move I can come clean. I have 4 39-2's but I only shoot one of 'em! Two nickel and two blue and I shoot one of the blue one's. The shooter I take out as much as I please and the others will go to the grandkids of which only one is born so far and 1 1/2 years old. (I'm sure they'll shrug their shoulders and sell them on GB for the newest Glock!
)Attachments
Well, I'll tell you what I did. About a year ago I bought one from a dealer I know, unfired with the box and goodies. I have $650 in it. Too nice to shoot, so it is a safe queen. Then, i searched the pawn shops and found a nice condition shooter. Cost me $325. And I run it like a rental car. They are too fun to shoot.
OP
waynesigmeister
Member
NIB 39-2
I wish it was easy to find other 39-2 guns or even later 2nd gens pistols but living in California I cannot buy a gun that is not on the Dept of Justice roster. I can buy only private party guns with a transfer done by a local gun shop. Cannot buy on Gunbroker or other auction sites, limited to what comes through a local shop. Sucks living in such an anti gun state. I can buy new guns that are on the roster but I pay the new gun price.
I wish it was easy to find other 39-2 guns or even later 2nd gens pistols but living in California I cannot buy a gun that is not on the Dept of Justice roster. I can buy only private party guns with a transfer done by a local gun shop. Cannot buy on Gunbroker or other auction sites, limited to what comes through a local shop. Sucks living in such an anti gun state. I can buy new guns that are on the roster but I pay the new gun price.
Funny how things turn around....five years ago 39-2's were on gunbroker selling for 295 - 350 any day. Then a couple of years ago they started creeping up..............today OUCH. Still very nice handguns. I still have mine from 1975!!
microtough
Member
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Just scored a NIB 39-2 in its original box with all goodies. Two mags are still wrapped in wax paper and don't have any sign they have been loaded. Question: the mags are so "un-used" and are covered with sort of dried gun oil or something. Upon I pick it up in 10 days, should I clean it or leave it as is, I mean, in case I don't want to shoot them for now. If I clean the gun as well as the mags, can I still claim it as NIB? Thanks!
I definitely would and folks who own and display guns at shows (actual shows, which I attend) certainly will clean up a long stored/forgotten but unfired/NIB gun.
So take the items all out and wipe them down carefully! If it were mine, I'd certainly field strip, take off any old dried up crusty lube and lube it properly now.
So take the items all out and wipe them down carefully! If it were mine, I'd certainly field strip, take off any old dried up crusty lube and lube it properly now.
microtough
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Thanks! Will clean it up and post some photos!
My humble opinion... worth exactly what you are gonna have to pay for it
... is as follows:Since the mothership stopped making Model 39-2 pistols in 1982, 35 years ago, the terminology "new-in-box" applied to any such gun really isn't all that accurate to begin with. It implies no prior sale at retail, no prior owner, no transfer or registration record on it anywhere and manufacturer warranty in full effect.
We certainly know what you mean and I'm sure it is in pristine perfect condition just as it left the factory (no corrosion or finish degradation, etc.) so may I suggest that what you really have is an unfired "as-new-in-box-with-everything" vintage handgun.
Absolutely nothing wrong with that! 
I wish it were mine! In regard to the ability to "claim it as NIB" after you have messed with it a bit and cleaned it up, I still think that my suggestion above is a more accurate and honest description. Will the resale value go down as a result of your messing with it a little?
Maybe a small amount depending on the potential buyer and how he or she views it... but probably not enough to worry about. 
StakeOut
US Veteran
Shoot the 39-2 and enjoy it to the fullest.
It will not be a collectable in your lifetime.
Every year more of the Model 59 and 39-2 show up here in Central Texas as NIB in both nickle and blued.
I recently saw a Model 559 NIB.They are much scarcer than the 59 and 39-2
It will not be a collectable in your lifetime.
Every year more of the Model 59 and 39-2 show up here in Central Texas as NIB in both nickle and blued.
I recently saw a Model 559 NIB.They are much scarcer than the 59 and 39-2
Stop, your shovel is full!
The 39/39-2 was a tremendous commercial success in any way the term is defined. Out of production since 1983 but yet folks are STILL buying them, thrilled to get them and cannot wait to come here to talk about them.
There isn't a thread of truth when you say it "won't be a collectible", it is already well established that it is.
Yes, it is not rare. Does not need to be rare to be collecible, it ONLY needs to be in demand. In the case of a 39, it is long out of production, much loved AND in demand.
I've been told, or have read, that every handgun in my collection, with no more than 4 or 5 possible exceptions, is not a collectible handgun... ... and yet here I am collecting them. What the heck?
Let me offer up the notion that any brand or model gun can be collectible if someone chooses to collect them... so saying something is or isn't collectible doesn't make sense. On the other hand, a particular gun may be collectible to one person and not of interest to someone else. I get that too. I don't think there is an organization that decides what is or what isn't collectible unless you start talking the Fed's C&R list or something like that for antiques.
To me, an S&W Model 39-2 in top shape with everything is a highly-desirable and collectible handgun. To others, maybe not. I'm very pleased that I finally found mine. I wouldn't mind finding a few more like it.
... and yet here I am collecting them. What the heck? Let me offer up the notion that any brand or model gun can be collectible if someone chooses to collect them... so saying something is or isn't collectible doesn't make sense. On the other hand, a particular gun may be collectible to one person and not of interest to someone else. I get that too.
I don't think there is an organization that decides what is or what isn't collectible unless you start talking the Fed's C&R list or something like that for antiques. To me, an S&W Model 39-2 in top shape with everything is a highly-desirable and collectible handgun. To others, maybe not. I'm very pleased that I finally found mine.
I wouldn't mind finding a few more like it. I had the same problem...found one unfired in the box with all the stuff...paid $700 for it.....then went out and found a $350 pawn shop one in good shape so I could shoot it.
Robert
Robert
