S&W 39 and S&W39-2 Magazines-Interchangeable?

[CW3RDL]

I am constantly "patrolling" the internet for a couple of spare magazines for a S&W 39-2. A site on EBay says their "like new" magazines will only work in the Model 39, not any other S&W pistol. I appear to be dealing with a pawn shop; so, they may be listening to another "expert" who happened to be standing there when the ad was put up. Everything I've read and seen in person says the magazines should work in either the model 39 and 39-2. Were there any changes made to the Model 39-2 that would affect the magazine or its retention system? Thanks.

 

[ispcapt]

They'll work fine. I was first issued a Model 39. Got the original X followers. Some guys got the newer 39-2 came and I grabbed some of those mags for extras for my 39.
When we went to the 439 the same mags for the 39 and 39-2 worked in the 439.

 

[growr]

The only incompatability issue I know of is 3906 mags not fitting 39/39-2's. I think the mag release cutouts are in a different spot.

Randy
PS. I stand corrected on this

 

[Sevens]

39 and 39-2 have no magazine compatibility issues and the 39/39-2 magazines will also fit and run in the 439 and 639.

The only incompatability issue I know of is 3906 mags not fitting 39/39-2's. I think the mag release cutouts are in a different spot.

This is NOT true, you have this a bit backward. The 3906/952 magazine, which is still currently produced (even though neither pistol is) will work in any/every/all single stack 1-2-3rd Gen S&W 9mm pistol. These newer magazines simply have a slightly longer magazine body and larger plastic floorplate that will not look "original" in a Model 39, 39-2, 439 or 639.

The incompatibility issue is that the metal floorplate, 8-rd original magazines for the 39, 39-2, 439 and 639 will not be long enough to lock in place in a 3906 or 952 pistol.

Bottom line: if you own a 39-2 and you want the best, newest magazine, the 3906/952 magazine will work perfectly and give you 9-rd capacity. It will not look original however. To look original, you need the 8-rd, metal floorplate magazine.

 

[NevadaBob]

Check out Numrich (aka gunpartscorp.com). They make a SW clone. I have a 39-2 and bought one. Well made with no issues.

 

[CW3RDL]

I think I have found a S&W 3904, also. Do the new stainless 3906 magazines stick out a little on the 3904 or are they made to fit "exactly?"

 

[Sevens]

Those will fit exactly.

 

[jsbethel]

S&W used to make a floorplate which made the longer magazines look better in 1st and 2nd gen pistols. Unfortunately, it is no longer available.



3913/639/639 longer tube/3906

 

[growr]

magazine

39 and 39-2 have no magazine compatibility issues and the 39/39-2 magazines will also fit and run in the 439 and 639.

This is NOT true, you have this a bit backward. The 3906/952 magazine, which is still currently produced (even though neither pistol is) will work in any/every/all single stack 1-2-3rd Gen S&W 9mm pistol. These newer magazines simply have a slightly longer magazine body and larger plastic floorplate that will not look "original" in a Model 39, 39-2, 439 or 639.

The incompatibility issue is that the metal floorplate, 8-rd original magazines for the 39, 39-2, 439 and 639 will not be long enough to lock in place in a 3906 or 952 pistol.

Bottom line: if you own a 39-2 and you want the best, newest magazine, the 3906/952 magazine will work perfectly and give you 9-rd capacity. It will not look original however. To look original, you need the 8-rd, metal floorplate magazine.

Thanks for setting me straight on this ...was going on a fuzzy memory.
Randy

 

[ACEd]

S&W used to make a floorplate which made the longer magazines look better in 1st and 2nd gen pistols. Unfortunately, it is no longer available.



3913/639/639 longer tube/3906

Reviving this thread in answer to current post - as I understand 1st mag is 3913, 2nd mag is 39/439 Last is 3906 and there is a 9 rd variant for 3906 - but best if you read original post from beginning

 

[Sevens]

The first 3906’s on the market used an 8-round magazine but not for long before the 9-round magazines rolled out.

While the difference is in the spring and follower, the earlier magazines had one less witness hole.

It would be accurate to say that the 8-round magazine with the plastic floorplate is quite scarce compared to the now standard 9-round magazine.

 

[ACEd]

The first 3906’s on the market used an 8-round magazine but not for long before the 9-round magazines rolled out.

While the difference is in the spring and follower, the earlier magazines had one less witness hole.

It would be accurate to say that the 8-round magazine with the plastic floorplate is quite scarce compared to the now standard 9-round magazine.

And as I recall both 8rd and 9rd 3906 will work with 39, 439, 539 but fit at base is not pretty


Also these, like other single stack magazines for 1st thru 3rd Gen pistols are expensive and hard to come by