S&W Model 39-2 Question

[FPrice]

My LGS just took in a nice Model 39-2 (A323xxx) for a consignment sale. I've been looking for one ever since I let one go about 15 years ago. It has one S&W mag, one after-market (Pro-Mag?), no box or any S&W accessories. Asking $500.

I know that asking you guys if I should pull the trigger on this (pun intended) is like asking Snidely Whiplash if I should tie Nell Fenwick to the train tracks but if the price were any lower it probably would have already followed me home.

What say ye?

 

[10ring]

Prices vary from one part of the country to the next, but overall I would say if it is in nice enough condition, +/- $500 is not unreasonable. You won't have to pay shipping or transfer fees on a local purchase and nice 39s easily sell online for that price plus those other costs. If it is in rougher "shooter grade" (whatever that might mean) then it might be a bit high, but still not unreasonable. They are not getting cheaper or more available.

Maybe you can get them down a bit to $450-475...

Maybe that pro mag is an exception but generally I would not consider a pro mag to add any value to the deal.

 

[FPrice]

Thanks for your input. I am not completely sure that it is a Pro-Mag, just recall that it is not a S&W.

 

[petepeterson]

That sounds a little on the high side. They're not that scarce.

OTOH, they are gorgeous pistols. If you overpay by $100, you still get to look at it every day!

 

[davidj]

Unless the condition is in the 98-99% range, I also think that's a little high. My suggestion is take a look at comparable sales on auction sites. Condition is the biggest factor. I would ballpark $400 for a gun in good shooter condition--i.e. edge wear and light scratches, but with a good bore and most of the finish. (Other reasonable minds may differ. It is just a ballpark figure.) I guess one thing to consider is that if you buy from an auction you are going to have to pay shipping and a transfer fee.

 

[Sevens]

Agree with what has been said-- from my point of view, I have three 39's and every true handgun enthusiast's life is RICHER with a Model 39 in it. If the pistol is extremely sharp and condition is high, that is NOT too much money to pay.

As I am a thrifty shopper that has three already... haha, I would not buy that out from under you as I don't think it is a ridiculous steal. "Value-wise" (and I place it in quotes because "value" is very personal and fluid and can be argued) but we are talking about a pistol that is NOT at all scarce. Mr. Jinks says that more than 347,000 of these guns were produced so if you don't have the box and goodies AND you wish to shoot & love it (as I do!) then you are buying a shooter and you needn't concern yourself too much with "collector value."

That SN should be maybe a 1977 pistol, I'll bet it is gorgeous and I would be drawn directly to it! The extra magazine, if not a S&W magazine... is good for practicing failure drills at best. Haha.

I hope you maybe wiggle out of the tax and BUY IT!

 

[10ring]

I agree that isn't a 'steal" price by any means, but let me say this...if it is a nice one and you like it, and if you don't buy it, and if you have been wanting one for years and it isn't just an impulse buy...how many years will it be before another shows up and will you really care if you overpay by a few dollars vs not getting it and wishing you had?

Good luck with your decision and when you get it, post a picture so we can compliment you on your good taste.

 

[FPrice]

One of the things that makes me want to offer less is a pet peeve of mine. It has a DIRTY BARREL!

Gosh darn people, if you are going to sell a gun at least clean it!

 

[Sevens]

I don't agree -- or perhaps more to the point... I simply do not see it the same way you are seeing it.

If it is a pistol that I hope to own, I am -FAR- more happy when some clueless tool does NOT try his hand at "gun cleaning." That's where great guns suffer damage.

Pick up a 1-2-3rd Gen, any one, you choose. Now closely inspect the rear of the slide, bottom edge, left of the cutout where the hammer falls to hit the firing pin.

Do you see a small mark right there?

Do you know how that mark got there? Sure you do... that is where the ejector gets forcibly rammed by the rear of the slide when an ignorant gun "cleaner" attempts to re-assemble any 1-2-3rd Gen S&W pistol.

I would much rather see a dirty barrel. And there are other examples (idiot scratch on frame from slide stop?) and add them up, I would simply prefer that the pistol were a little dirty. Haha, and a dirty gun should theoretically help the price, no?

 

[FPrice]

Son, I think you have a future in writing government publications.

I don't agree -- or perhaps more to the point... I simply do not see it the same way you are seeing it.

If it is a pistol that I hope to own, I am -FAR- more happy when some clueless tool does NOT try his hand at "gun cleaning." That's where great guns suffer damage.

Pick up a 1-2-3rd Gen, any one, you choose. Now closely inspect the rear of the slide, bottom edge, left of the cutout where the hammer falls to hit the firing pin.

Do you see a small mark right there?

Do you know how that mark got there? Sure you do... that is where the ejector gets forcibly rammed by the rear of the slide when an ignorant gun "cleaner" attempts to re-assemble any 1-2-3rd Gen S&W pistol.

I would much rather see a dirty barrel. And there are other examples (idiot scratch on frame from slide stop?) and add them up, I would simply prefer that the pistol were a little dirty. Haha, and a dirty gun should theoretically help the price, no?

 

[davidj]

I don't follow prices on shooter grade 39's that close--I already have enough of those--but my observation is that the prices of collector grade guns has really been spiking for the last couple years. Especially the stainless ones.

 

[Sevens]

There are no stainless ones. Nickel plated, yes.

 

[schuebob]

Lots of replies with great wisdom and forethought. A M39-2 near $500 seems way high. For instance, pawn shop 39s in a shooter's grade are $375. A collector's condition is priced emotionally. The black anodizing, once lost to wear or abuse. I bought a retired LE service weapon and love it. The rounded mainspring housing is a plus for grip control. Much like my M52's share.

 

[CBus660R]

In my neck of the woods, when a clean shooter grade pops up, they're typically priced at $350-400. That's for the pistol and a single magazine, no box, etc.... I just passed on one in the spring since the timing was bad that was listed at $375.

 

[FPrice]

I appreciate all of the responses.

I should also point out that here in Massachusetts, used gun prices tend to be a little high due to some of the draconian laws we are forced to live under.

The shop is closed today so I'll probably go in on Saturday and see if we have any room to negotiate. I just hope that they don't run into one of those fool buyers who has more money than common sense.

Of course, I have played that role my self once or twice in the past.

 

[CBus660R]

I appreciate all of the responses.

I should also point out that here in Massachusetts, used gun prices tend to be a little high due to some of the draconian laws we are forced to live under.

I'm in Ohio and from what I've seen, our prices on used guns do tend to be at the lower end of the spectrum, so keep that in mind with regards to my previous post.

 

[jglsprings]

This one went for 500.00$

It may have been a little high but it was in near mint condition, no box, S&W magazine - HOWEVER IT WAS NOT A MODEL 39 magazine (GRRRRR).

I've put all the wear marks on it. The recoil spring guide was pristine.

P.S. I may have bought "to soon" on this one. But, it is one I've been looking for a long time. So I'm happy with it.

 

[gmborkovic]

jgl, you got a handsome MOD-39. Im a fan and use to sell a lot of them at my shops. I had a waiting list for nickel ones. Dont fret on the mag.
A nice one will come along. best.

 

[davidj]

There are no stainless ones. Nickel plated, yes.

I meant 639's and 3906's. Obviously those are not model 39-2's, but they very close to each other in my personal mental filing cabinet. The prices on the boxed 39-2's have been going up steeply, as well.

 

[10ring]

Very nice looking gun. Maybe not a steal at $500 but not an unreasonable price in that condition and a gun well worth owning. The mag doesn't matter much...you can find an "original" mag and those newer ones (I think that's what that one is) work just fine and don't look bad.

You might want to put a new recoil spring in it just to baby it a little, and keep an eye on the grip screws loosening.