S&W model 39

[Switch]

Saw a so-so movie this evening on netflix, "extreme Justice" with Lou Diamond Phillips. Best part was a good close up of a model 39; looked to be pretty decent conditions. Don't know though if it was real or just a movie prop. Love mine, and would hate to part with it.

 

[sierra255]

My dept. went to the 39 and many of us also carried it also as a off duty weapon. One thing I did not like was when the magazine was out, the weapon would not fire. Here is why: one of our motor officers pursued a robbery suspect and caught up to him in a parking lot. He bailed off his motor, and took a tumble (wet lot and he just tripped) and confronted the guy with his drawn 39

The suspect made a furtive move, and the officer thought he was going for a gun and tried to shoot the suspect. When the officer went a_ _ over tea kettle, somehow his magazine released and fell by the motor. Fortunately the perp did not have a gun and the officer inserted a mag from his duty belt and took him into custody. This caused us a lot of concern and we all began to make sure our mags were seeded at all times. We also had a couple of AD's in the locker room when a officers dropped their 39's. Ya I know, but we're human Right?

All in all, the 39 shot well and some of us tried the 59 later on. It was just too wide for my smaller hands. Then the Sig P220's came, and I can't say enough good things about that auto. Sweet !!!

 

[W.E.G.]

Mine is more "worldly" than me.

 

[SCWOODY]

Mine is more "worldly" than me.

Did you find out what the three symbols on your barrel mean? Do they indicate a country, or PD here in the states. I have 3 symbols on my 469, the bottom the same, and other 2 are similar but different. Pictures added. I can't find any info.

 

[Model39]

My dept. went to the 39 and many of us also carried it also as a off duty weapon. One thing I did not like was when the magazine was out, the weapon would not fire. Here is why: one of our motor officers pursued a robbery suspect and caught up to him in a parking lot. He bailed off his motor, and took a tumble (wet lot and he just tripped) and confronted the guy with his drawn 39

The suspect made a furtive move, and the officer thought he was going for a gun and tried to shoot the suspect. When the officer went a_ _ over tea kettle, somehow his magazine released and fell by the motor. Fortunately the perp did not have a gun and the officer inserted a mag from his duty belt and took him into custody. This caused us a lot of concern and we all began to make sure our mags were seeded at all times. We also had a couple of AD's in the locker room when a officers dropped their 39's. Ya I know, but we're human Right?

All in all, the 39 shot well and some of us tried the 59 later on. It was just too wide for my smaller hands. Then the Sig P220's came, and I can't say enough good things about that auto. Sweet !!!

Model 39's all have a magazine disconnect spring and plunger under the rear sight, which is very easy to remove, making the gun able to shoot without the magazine inserted in the gun. I'm surprised after a near fatal situation like that your department armorer didn't remove all the magazine disconnects for those who wanted to be able to shoot their Model 39 without the magazine inserted in their gun. Glad your guy wasn't hurt or worse.

 

[sierra255]

Model39,
Now that you mentioned the disconnect spring, it does seem we had to have our 39's looked at by the armorer unit. Time (ok, old age) has a way of making recall a challenge, and I think we left our 39 in the armory when we finished our last 4/10 shift. Picked them up on the first shift back. Honestly, I just can't recall if that spring process was done, but, I know Seeding was alway's stressed. My 39 was one good shooter and I can see why you like yours...

Rodger
Retired LEO

 

[Switch]

Maybe the Lord had something to do with that unarmed man NOT being shot. Something to consider...

 

[W.E.G.]

Did you find out what the three symbols on your barrel mean? Do they indicate a country, or PD here in the states. I have 3 symbols on my 469, the bottom the same, and other 2 are similar but different. Pictures added. I can't find any info.

Belgian proofmarks.

In the case of my 39-2:
The underlined cursive letter "S" indicates that the barrel was proofed in 1980.
The flaming bomb with the fancy letter "L" is essentially in importation proof applied to firearms imported to Belgium from the U.S.
The letter "F" with asterisk above denotes Controller of the Proof, Joseph Scholtissen.

You can use a Google Images search to bring up all the historic proofmark charts.

 

[HCH]

Very interesting history. Thanks for the information.
Can you comment on the "T" stamped on the frame for me please?

 

[SCWOODY]

Belgian proofmarks.

In the case of my 39-2:
The underlined cursive letter "S" indicates that the barrel was proofed in 1980.
The flaming bomb with the fancy letter "L" is essentially in importation proof applied to firearms imported to Belgium from the U.S.
The letter "F" with asterisk above denotes Controller of the Proof, Joseph Scholtissen.

You can use a Google Images search to bring up all the historic proofmark charts.

Thank you so much for the information. It is so nice to have fellow gun owners that can help out us less knowledgeable guys!!!!!!!

 

[p0838]

I thought maybe the flaming bomb was for a Seals "HUSH PUPPY"

Belgian proofmarks.

In the case of my 39-2:
The underlined cursive letter "S" indicates that the barrel was proofed in 1980.
The flaming bomb with the fancy letter "L" is essentially in importation proof applied to firearms imported to Belgium from the U.S.
The letter "F" with asterisk above denotes Controller of the Proof, Joseph Scholtissen.

You can use a Google Images search to bring up all the historic proofmark charts.

 

[Parkerman]

How can I adjust the rear sight for elevation?
The sight has an adjustment for windage, but does not apear to have an adjustment for elevetion.
My gun shoots about 6 inches low at 15 yards. I have spoke to other owners who report the same problem. Is there any way to correct this? can you get another sight that will adjust? Can the sight blade be replaced and get the sight picture corrected?

 

[S&Wman]

Very interesting history. Thanks for the information.
Can you comment on the "T" stamped on the frame for me please?

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-semi-auto-pistols/226468-letter-t-stamp-1006-frame.html

 

[Engine49guy]

Love the 39 ,59 and 39-2 classics

Can you comment on the "T" stamped on the frame for me please?

Not sure what proof it indicates was performed but I went back and checked all my 1st gens, the 39 and early 39-2 have a "P" stamped there but all my later 70's 39-2 and 59's have the "T" stamp except my 2 nickel guns which have no stamp at all.

 

[BruceB]

How can I adjust the rear sight for elevation?
The sight has an adjustment for windage, but does not apear to have an adjustment for elevetion.
My gun shoots about 6 inches low at 15 yards. I have spoke to other owners who report the same problem. Is there any way to correct this? can you get another sight that will adjust? Can the sight blade be replaced and get the sight picture corrected?

You didn't say whether you had a 39 or a 39-2, but it shouldn't make too much difference. There was a change in barrel rifling somewhere along the line from 5 lands/grooves to 6.

The standard sight is not adjustable for elevation, but there was an optional fully adjustable sight made by S&W for the 39 series. You can still find them for sale on favorite auction sites.

The bullet weight makes a difference, as does your sight picture. Try some difference loadings to see which rounds your M39 likes - 115 grain, 124 grain or 147 grain.

Personally, I believe the sights on the early M39 were set up like the target sight picture of the day - usual front sight centered in the rear notch and all the tops lined up, and the aiming point just on top of the front post. I will put a small aiming spot on a target and use the conventional 6 o'clock hold on that small aiming point, and the POI will be pretty much right on. This is with both an early 39 and a very late 39-2 using 115gr range ammo.

 

[Papavinnie]

Model 39

Hello, I'm new to this forum. Today I purchased a Smith and Wesson model 39. I appreciate classic things and the more I read about this pistol the more I wanted to find one. You're all more familiar with Smith than I am so I won't go into the gun's history. I'm hoping someone can help me with finding out when it was manufactured, I did call SW but they only gave me a range....the serial number is 68897. No letter prefix and it is not a -2.
Thank you

 

[SaberOne]

I purchased one in 1982 and had it converted by ASP which at the time was a super carry mod with clear poly grips, gutter sight, and fully honed. It was very sharp looking but the soft alloy frame rails wore down quickly so I ended up selling it. I wish I had kept it because it was a very cool mod package.

 

[Switch]

Soft rails

Saber One,
Perhaps too much metal on metal and not enough lubrication. Just a suggestion, but of course I don't know how many rounds you'very put through it

 

[adwjc]

My dept. went to the 39 and many of us also carried it also as a off duty weapon. One thing I did not like was when the magazine was out, the weapon would not fire. Here is why: one of our motor officers pursued a robbery suspect and caught up to him in a parking lot. He bailed off his motor, and took a tumble (wet lot and he just tripped) and confronted the guy with his drawn 39

The suspect made a furtive move, and the officer thought he was going for a gun and tried to shoot the suspect. When the officer went a_ _ over tea kettle, somehow his magazine released and fell by the motor. Fortunately the perp did not have a gun and the officer inserted a mag from his duty belt and took him into custody. This caused us a lot of concern and we all began to make sure our mags were seeded at all times. We also had a couple of AD's in the locker room when a officers dropped their 39's. Ya I know, but we're human Right?

All in all, the 39 shot well and some of us tried the 59 later on. It was just too wide for my smaller hands. Then the Sig P220's came, and I can't say enough good things about that auto. Sweet !!!

My department trained us to use that feature! Release your mag as a last resort if someone was taking it away, etc.

Personally, I had a similar experience with a 59 and what was supposed to be a quality holster, turns out the seat belt stanchion in the 1985 Impala would hit the holster hard enough to activate the mag release because of the placement of a steel stiffener between the layers of leather on the back of the holster. Threw that thing away and went to a DeSantis Speed Scabbard.

 

[Horn]

One Of The Best

Saw a so-so movie this evening on netflix, "extreme Justice" with Lou Diamond Phillips. Best part was a good close up of a model 39; looked to be pretty decent conditions. Don't know though if it was real or just a movie prop. Love mine, and would hate to part with it.

I carried in plain clothes the early Model 39. Those dashes came later. I've always regretted selling it! Keep yours or you'll feel like me.
Poli Viejo