S&W M659 9mm

[Dzheyk]

Hello, all

Just picked up a S&W model 659 9mm from a local seller. Paid $450. Gun appears to be in excellent shape. Hardly any wear at all. Two factory magazines, original box and manual, even has the cleaning tools in the plastic wrap still. This is an early one with the rounded trigger guard and non-ambi safety. I actually owned an identical 659 years ago and had sold it to my best friend. He still owns it and carries it as his sidearm. Wasn't exactly looking for the pistol, but when I saw the man had it, and at the price I couldn't resist.

What I'm hoping for is some input on the pistol. I have always been into revolvers myself, and haven't researched much into the history of the S&W autos much. Ive heard some say they're tanks and never fail, others say they're jam-o-matics. Is there any particular parts that are known to fail? Anybody have real world experience using them as a duty gun, or servicing them? Any information is appreciated.

Thanks for your time.

 

[jsbethel]

Check the serial number and make sure it passes the recall test - http://smith-wessonforum.com/138957810-post22.html

 

[snw19_357]

Why someone would want/need to decock from half cock is beyond me but; there was a recall.

Ive heard some say they're tanks and never fail, others say they're jam-o-matics.

Probably doesn't like S&W pistols.
The stainless 659s and 5906s are tanks.

 

[Racer X]

Why someone would want/need to decock from half cock is beyond me but; there was a recall.


Probably doesn't like S&W pistols.
The stainless 659s and 5906s are tanks.

I have 2 5906 pistols, and if I am out of rounds, I can beat them to death with it.

 

[GB]

And factory mags are STILL available.

 

[stansdds]

For $450, you did very well in today's inflated market.

 

[824tsv]

S&W Model 659

I bought this one new in 1982. It was my first auto pistol and quite the novelty at the time being a high capacity 9mm when pretty much all you saw was a semi auto pistol chambered in .22LR at my club range. I opted for the adjustable sights. Built like a tank is a good description. Mine has been flawless. It's reasonably accurate at my range limit of 20 yards and I cant remember ever having a jam. I shoot mainly my handloads in it. If I had to complain about something it would be the OEM plastic grips which I'm not a fan of, but there aren't many options to replace them. I don't believe S&W ever offered factory wood stocks as an option for these so I put up with the plastic for several years before going with a set of Hogue's. I think you will be quite happy with it.

 

[Green Frog]

I’m pretty much devoted to single stack pistols because of hand size and finger reach. Even so, at that price I’d have to give that a good look, not for EDC, but for “special occasions” when 7 or 8 shots might not be enough. In the condition and at the price you describe, it’s one heck of an investment. Congratulations.

 

[Dzheyk]

Check the serial number and make sure it passes the recall test - http://smith-wessonforum.com/138957810-post22.html

Mine is within the serial range (A834) but it does decock from half cock. So I believe mine is good to go.

 

[Dzheyk]

Why someone would want/need to decock from half cock is beyond me but; there was a recall.

Not sure, nevertheless, mine functions. Being used to revolvers, I keep reaching up to decock with my thumb, which seems pretty much impossible. Guess its a learning curve.

Probably doesn't like S&W pistols.
The stainless 659s and 5906s are tanks.

A coworker of mine faithfully carries a 5906 he's had since the 90s, and he swears by it. Only other person I know who has a Smith auto (not counting M&Ps) is my good friend who has my old 659 and I don't know if he's ever had a problem. Seem to be pretty rugged guns.

 

[Dzheyk]

For $450, you did very well in today's inflated market.

Yes, I think so. I paid $300 or roundabout about 6 or 7 years ago for my previous 659. Seems online these are fetching quite a premium nowadays. I've only ever seen these two in person. Very rare to run across any of the older Smith autos. Glad I snapped it up when I did.

 

[Dzheyk]

I bought this one new in 1982. It was my first auto pistol and quite the novelty at the time being a high capacity 9mm when pretty much all you saw was a semi auto pistol chambered in .22LR at my club range. I opted for the adjustable sights. Built like a tank is a good description. Mine has been flawless. It's reasonably accurate at my range limit of 20 yards and I cant remember ever having a jam. I shoot mainly my handloads in it. If I had to complain about something it would be the OEM plastic grips which I'm not a fan of, but there aren't many options to replace them. I don't believe S&W ever offered factory wood stocks as an option for these so I put up with the plastic for several years before going with a set of Hogue's. I think you will be quite happy with it.

That is an absolutely gorgeous pistol. Personally, I've always been so annoyed whenever people say to throw Hogues on a revolver. I always hated the look and feel of them. Never agreed with my hands. Because of that, I have completely ignored Hogue as a company, and had no clue they produced these panels. They're beautiful and just what I'd like to have on mine. My friend put some wood on the one I sold him years back. Just some cheap rosewood panels of ebay, probably unbranded. Not nearly as nice as those our guns are twins otherwise, rounded guard and all. Thank you for the suggestion. I'm going to look into these grip panels.

 

[Dzheyk]

I’m pretty much devoted to single stack pistols because of hand size and finger reach. Even so, at that price I’d have to give that a good look, not for EDC, but for “special occasions” when 7 or 8 shots might not be enough. In the condition and at the price you describe, it’s one heck of an investment. Congratulations.

I have always been picky about autos, and that's why I avoided them for most of my life. Hard to find some that agree with my hands, and I also prefer single stacks. Only ever handled one Smith single stack, a pretty beat up 39 at a gun show. It reminded me a lot of a P38 grip. This 659 actually feels pretty good in my hands, despite being chunky. Leagues better than the Beretta 92 (worst feeling handgun ever in my opinion). I agree it was too good of a deal to pass. Thanks.

 

[gmborkovic]

Simply put, aint a fully loaded 659 heavy?

 

[Racer X]

And factory mags are STILL available.

and MecGar 10,15 and 17 if needed. I have quite a few Mec Gars for my S&W and Sigs, and a few Beretta 92c ones to modify for my 6906.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

The M659 magazines fit nicely into my Marlin Camp Carbineand function well. That extra weight provides for shooting comfort-Bullseye shooters never asked for lighter handguns.

 

[Green Frog]

Simply put, aint a fully loaded 659 heavy?

Just get a good belt holster and wear a belt and suspenders!

 

[Krogen]

I don't have a 659 but a 559. Kinda the same thing but not so shiny. Back in the day I had to have an "all steel 59" so it joined my herd. Yeah it's heavy when loaded. It's been completely reliable except when a magazine spring got weak and the slide didn't lock back. Easy to fix. I put an arched backstrap on it which completely changed the feel. I never took a liking to the flat one. With the arched backstrap it feels a lot like the 39 pistols. I guess I'm an anachronism, but I like steel pistols. Many of us here are anachronisms, I figure.

 

[sigp220.45]

I used to do firearms training for a tribal police department that issued 5906s, and I don’t think I ever saw a malfunction on the range despite some unique gripping styles and lackluster maintenance. I bought one of the guns when the tribe switched to Glocks and I tried to make it misfeed but it refused.

I got this 659 a year or so ago, and it has been equally reliable. I just love this big boxy thing.

 

[Dzheyk]

Simply put, aint a fully loaded 659 heavy?

Yeah, but I like the heft. Not a fan of lightweights.