S&W Model 39 ASP & 439 Quest for Excellence

JYogi

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OK so excuse the pics as they were from the dealer I got them from, I will not have them in my hands till later next week but as I am so excited I could not wait to share with you!
I know most of you know the history of the ASP so I won't bore you with too much info but here is a little.
I have lusted after these since I saw them while reading an old gun magazine in the late 80's.
I was a teen and never saw one in person.
James Bond carried one in late 80's mid 90's (Goldeneye and Cold) John Gardner books.
I got my CPL when I was 18 (early 90's) as I owned vending machines and my families other businesses were mainly cash businesses back then.
I carried an Italian Beretta 92F (I still have it!). I modified a couple mags with cut outs and cut out pieces of a pair of grips to insert clear plastic mimicking the ASP.
Paris Theodore innovated and built the ASP till 1982 and then he licensed it to Kevin Parsons.
Parsons later released a limited edition of 100 in a special set Quest for Excellence.
I was able to find and original Paris modified ASP which most likely was never fired and a QFE which is complete, #s matching and unfired as well.
The ASP was really the first gun which was truly modified for concealed carry. The S&W model 39 was cut down and all edges were smoothed, lightening cuts were made to reduce weight and improve balance. Some 200+ modifications were made to the model 39 and it was one of the earliest guns to be coated in Teflon-S. Only problem is since they are both likely unfired now I need to find one I won't feel bad about shooting LOL

If you are bored you should google Paris Theodore, many of his techniques and ideas are credited for leading to the carry guns of today.


 
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Beautiful ASP! An elegant pistol too. From a more refined and better time. Truly an innovative pistol that was ahead of its time. Congrats! :)

And thank you for sharing it with us! Regards 18DAI
 
OK Ill be getting them by the weekend now but my FFL luckily is a good friend and snapped these for me as I asked him to go ahead and open them. He did not snap the book, paperwork, letter holder etc but I have them all in excellent condition







 
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