S&W Model 39-2

[629Deerslayer]

A buddy of mine has gone back to his Smith semi-auto after a brief affair with a Glock. He likes the Smith's thin profile. I am looking at a Model 39-2. Are these reliable semi-autos? May be a dumb question but I have no experience with S&W semi-autos.

 

[raweatherby]

S&W 39-2

I picked one up last month and love it. I traded my Ruger SR9 for it. It has be reliable and accurate.

 

[Estimator]

Yes, the 39-2 is very reliable. I have several handguns which cover the spectrum from big to small. Included in the list is one 39-2 and one 639. I don't shoot eather one very much but have put at least a couple thousand rounds through each over the years.I do not recall a single time either one failed to fire and cycle correctly. Also, I think the 39-2 is one of the nicest looking "clasical" shape & feel handguns.

 

[BrianE]

My 39-2 has been very reliable. The only time I had issues was when the springs needed changing. After a new guide rod and magazine springs, it ran very well.. It'd be good to locate some spare parts though, as they are becoming hard to find. It took me a long time to locate a slide stop, until forum member PaulJ helped me out... overall I think they're one of the finest semi-autos ever produced!

 

[Estimator]

39-2 Reply

A buddy of mine has gone back to his Smith semi-auto after a brief affair with a Glock. He likes the Smith's thin profile. I am looking at a Model 39-2. Are these reliable semi-autos? May be a dumb question but I have no experience with S&W semi-autos.

Ps-I can't help but add that your question is not a "dumb" question. It is probably one of the most important questions you could ask. The "dumb" questions are the ones that we are too embaressed, or otherwise reluctant, to ask.

 

[t-bird]

A buddy of mine has gone back to his Smith semi-auto after a brief affair with a Glock. He likes the Smith's thin profile. I am looking at a Model 39-2. Are these reliable semi-autos? May be a dumb question but I have no experience with S&W semi-autos.

Life is short buy the gun.

 

[629Deerslayer]

Thanks for the fast replies. I really like the looks of this semi auto. My Xmas present to me.

 

[growr]

Don't do it!!!!

It will lead to a lifelong obsession....and we ALL know it!!

Randy

 

[Smith-Nut]

Ps-I can't help but add that your question is not a "dumb" question. It is probably one of the most important questions you could ask. The "dumb" questions are the ones that we are too embaressed, or otherwise reluctant, to ask.

There is no such thing as a dumb qustion! Only dump answers!

 

[petepeterson]

Yes, the 39-2 is very reliable. I have several handguns which cover the spectrum from big to small. Included in the list is one 39-2 and one 639. I don't shoot eather one very much but have put at least a couple thousand rounds through each over the years.I do not recall a single time either one failed to fire and cycle correctly. Also, I think the 39-2 is one of the nicest looking "clasical" shape & feel handguns.

Aside from being one of the prettiest pistols ever produced, it also feels great in the hand (for me). I typically carry a 3913, but only because I don't want to beat my 39-2 up!

 

[rglassma]

I own one, and my boy owned one. I love the gun... It is fun to shoot, reliable, and easy to take down, especially if you have experience with 1911s (easier in my opinion).

Would be nice if it was reasonably easy to replace the sight for a night sight. Other then that, I love the gun !!!

 

[DCW]

I recently bought a "rescue" 39-2 that wasn't terribly beat up but had been carried by an LEO and therefore had holster wear as well as a fairly well-used trigger.

Given its A126xxx serial number (which most piqued my interest) it is an early, early 1971-likely 39-2.

Took it to the range a couple of days later and worked like a dream, most likely because it'd been long ago pushed through its run-in barrier.

The LGS salesman said the now-retired LEO had opted to keep the gun because he was comfortable with it and despite numerous departmental "upgrades" over the years.

"Why did he sell it?" I wondered aloud?

"He traded it; we had a really nice-looking one at about the same serial number," came the answer from the paperwork-buried salesman.

"And you guys didn't call me first!?" I shot back.

Well, at least the LEO's now previous 39-2 went to a good home.

I think.

 

[Cyrano]

DCW: Does your early 39-2 have a Model 39 barrel in it (stamped 9mm CTG instead of 9MM; and with a hump in the middle of the feed ramp)? Mine does, at SN A125XXX. I think they were using up Model 39 parts, and I wonder if this lasted until A 126XXX

 

[KEN L]

There is no such thing as a dumb qustion! Only dump answers!

Just what exactly is a "dump" answer??
Sorry, just couldn't resist!
I know, I know, he said "qustion" too!

 

[whitestang]

The 39-2 is a great pistol. Mine still shoots very well and I've owned it since 1980. It is some what worn as I carried it as a Deputy Sheriff many years ago. After you shot one will want more,I still take mine out and punch paper with it.

 

[Road Rat]

Thanks for the fast replies. I really like the looks of this semi auto. My Xmas present to me.

Good move!

I gave myself this one for Christmas back in 1975:

 

[Smith-Nut]

Just what exactly is a "dump" answer??
Sorry, just couldn't resist!
I know, I know, he said "qustion" too!

First thing I learned over 30 years ago, when I started in the army was excatly what I write above.

Sometimes we don't want to put a qustion because we think all the other people we are with, will think our qustion is stupid. If we dare and do actually put the qustion and the instructor, teacher or whom ever is responsebel for answering the qustion then mog us. Excample:

Qustion: "Is the S&W M 39 a revolver or a pistol?"

Answer (stupid): "Did you sleep through all of your draft period."

So stating that there is only stupid answers is to show that no one should mog any one daring putting a qustion even though most people finds the answer so obiusly that any one should know.

Excuse my poor english

 

[unclebob]

I don't have a 39, but I have a 59 and it would take a lot to get it out of my hands....

 

[tom 45]

got this on around 1970... new.
Traded it about 2 years ago for something smaller.
My CS9.
My barrel had the "hump" in the feed ramp and wouldn't feed hollowpoint ammo. A little judicious stoning and it would feed anything.

 

[jasi]

Don't pass up the opprotunity

By all means, go for it!

I carried one when I was a civilian police officer (1975-76).

When I went back into USAF, I sold it (Looking back on that- really a dumb move.).

Several years later I managed to purchase another 39-2 (1980) and I still have it.

Used to qualify for my CHL in both KS and TX, after moving to Tx.

Great pistol and very accurate and reliable!!!!

Bruce