S&W 539 in 9X21mm
- Thread starter mag318
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From the import location and the non-factory appearing barrel stamping, I would guess it was converted in the aftermarket from 9 X 19 mm to use the (popular in Italy and elsewhere in Europe) longer round. The 2nd Generation pistol guys will be along if I am wrong. 
If this pistol was made by S&W for export the cartridge stamp would have read - 9x21mm .
More than likley some one had the chamber changed perhaps do to ammo cost OR it was for use in uspsa / ipsc open class .
More than likely it was altered for some ones personal reasons and not as a export handgun years ago . Plenty of cheaper ammo back in time perhaps . It does look to be in very good condition .
More than likley some one had the chamber changed perhaps do to ammo cost OR it was for use in uspsa / ipsc open class .
More than likely it was altered for some ones personal reasons and not as a export handgun years ago . Plenty of cheaper ammo back in time perhaps . It does look to be in very good condition .
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44wheelman
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The X21 is larger text, and lighter (shallower) pressure. Not factory.
In March 1956 there was a shipment of 24 Pre-Model 39's that were shipped to Sweden in the 9X21 IMI caliber as civilians were not allowed to own guns with the military cartridge of 9X19. The barrels are stamped both 9X19 and 9X21 (confusing) . I have one of the guns and had it lettered which validates the above. A side by side comparison of barrels shows the 9X21 is machined differently than a 9X19. I'm not aware of any Model 539's factory chambered in the 9X21. I don't see any Proof Marks on the pictures of your gun. Typically the frame, slide and barrel all have markings. Do you have any verification that the gun was imported?
http://smith-wessonforum.com/members/cougar015-albums-model-39-a-picture29260-20230524-103810-a.jpg
http://smith-wessonforum.com/members/cougar015-albums-model-39-a-picture29261-proof-mark-2-a.jpg
http://smith-wessonforum.com/member...del-39-a-picture29262-20230523-174645-2-a.jpg
http://smith-wessonforum.com/members/cougar015-albums-model-39-a-picture29260-20230524-103810-a.jpg
http://smith-wessonforum.com/members/cougar015-albums-model-39-a-picture29261-proof-mark-2-a.jpg
http://smith-wessonforum.com/member...del-39-a-picture29262-20230523-174645-2-a.jpg
The 9x21 has the same COL as the 9x21, but it has longer case; they are ballistically the same. I have 9x21 fitted to my 9mm CCO.?
ReloadforFun
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AS has been mentioned, the 9x21 is a political cartridge. It is the 9x19 case lengthened to prevent chambering in a 9x19.
The 9x21 did find some use in practical pistol competition loaded (very) hot to make the Major power factor. Now that the rules allow loading the 9x19 to those high pressures to make Major, the 9x21 in the US is more of a curiosity.
That S&W made guns in 9x21 for the Italian (and apparently Swiss) markets, it resulted in the 356 TSW becoming a 9x21.5. Originally the 356 TSW was going to be a hot loaded 8x21.
I have not tried it, but, in all likelihood, you may be able to use 9x19 ammo in the 9x21 chamber, but if you reload, I believe Starline has 9x21 cases. There may also be some factory 9x21 ammunition available, but you may need to do some looking to find it. Stay away from any reloaded 9x21 that you do not know the history of the load in case it's some of the competition hot loads.
The 9x21 did find some use in practical pistol competition loaded (very) hot to make the Major power factor. Now that the rules allow loading the 9x19 to those high pressures to make Major, the 9x21 in the US is more of a curiosity.
That S&W made guns in 9x21 for the Italian (and apparently Swiss) markets, it resulted in the 356 TSW becoming a 9x21.5. Originally the 356 TSW was going to be a hot loaded 8x21.
I have not tried it, but, in all likelihood, you may be able to use 9x19 ammo in the 9x21 chamber, but if you reload, I believe Starline has 9x21 cases. There may also be some factory 9x21 ammunition available, but you may need to do some looking to find it. Stay away from any reloaded 9x21 that you do not know the history of the load in case it's some of the competition hot loads.
8x21????????????????????
Maybe the water was cold and there was shrinkage?
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0FrYyZHDY4[/ame]
Hugo Stiglitz
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Just swap the barrel and it's a 9mm again. I have one too!
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ReloadforFun
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Fat finger typing - it should have been obvious it was supposed to be 9x21
From the import location and the non-factory appearing barrel stamping, I would guess it was converted in the aftermarket from 9 X 19 mm to use the (popular in Italy and elsewhere in Europe) longer round. The 2nd Generation pistol guys will be along if I am wrong.
When I worked at Smith they were still making a couple of autos for the European market in 9x21. I managed to get one of the "Super 9's" that was a 5" 5906 that had been converted to single action only and came with three barrels. a 9x19, a 9x21 and a .356 TSW. There were also 2 recoil springs included, one little heavier for the 9x21 and .356. The gun was a bit different than the standard 5906.The slide to frame fit was sort of tightened up a bit by the use of 4 fitting pads located on the frame at each corner of the slide/frame interface. The particular gun I have shoots extremely well and has a great SA trigger pull. I have never shot the 9x21 barrel but managed to get my hands on a couple of cases of .356 TSW and it shoots very well.
