S & W Model 59 9mm - information?

[bedbugbilly]

I ran across a S & W Model 59 today but know very little about them. (I'm more of a revolver guy). The fellow who has it purchased it from the widow of a LE Officer who carried it as his sidearm. The pistol is in excellent shape - very little wear and what there is is very minor - I guessing that he didn't carry it for long. The pistol comes with two magazines - looks to be in fine shape. It has a price of $350.00 on it and from what I can find - that seems to be a fair ball-park figure.

So can anybody tell me about these as far as performance, etc. and anything that I should look for? I'd mainly be using it for range/plinking possibly as a carry piece once in a while.

It felt good in the hand and looks like it would be a decent handgun but I just have never had any experience with a Model 59. I reload so most rounds going through it would be my cast rounds.

Experiences? Problems? Weak points? etc.

Thanks.

 

[Engine49guy]

IIRC the Model 59 came out in the early 70's and was produced until the early 80's when the 459 supplanted it, Very early examples in high condition are getting kinda collectable now , the late made guns not so much yet.

Fine for plinking, kinda big for CCW, ergonomics are a bit bulky by todays standards, clean examples in the $350 range are a good deal but then again I recently heard there is a LEO and FD discount where the Shield ends up around $300, The Shield has a warranty and is current production gun with factory support.

 

[loeman]

The Md 59 has historic significance as it was the United States' first DA, high cap semi. They were produced from 1971 to 1982 and back in the day it was called a "wonder-nine". Along with the Md 39 and Md 52, they are known as First Generation Smith and Wesson semi-autos. They are beautiful guns and I have a nickel plated version that I have not shot as of yet.

For the condition yo describe and for how you intend to use it, I would say that $350 is an excellent price. Does it come with box, tools and papers? If so that adds value.

 

[Sevens]

I will absolutely agree with loeman about the 59's historical significance. In fact, you'd have to be blind to history or outright lying if you compiled a list of the all-time most historically significant handguns in American history. The 59 is arguably THE building block for the semi-auto pistol in the history of American law enforcement.

With that said -- and coming from a hardcore S&W pistol fan, I don't care much for the 59 myself. I find it ergonomically unfriendly, I find it to be kind of ugly and earlier ones had a bit of a reputation for feeding inconsistencies.

The 2nd Gen pistols added a firing pin lock that the 39/59 never had, making them drop-safe. Not that this is an urgent necessity, but it is a consideration for a pistol possibly used for defense.

A 59 would be, IMO, far more appropriate for pure range and enjoyable shooting or for collecting than it would be as a defensive handgun here in a time when there are literally so many other (better) options.

$350 is a fine deal for what is being offered, but it's also not absurdly low that you could expect to profit if you buy it specifically to flip.

 

[Engine49guy]

To be safe post the serial or at least the first three after the "A".
First year Model 59's are very collectible.

 

[DCW]

BedBugBilly, or just plain ol' "BBB" for short (love the moniker), I personally have four of the 59s. I've also got the 559, 459, 6590 and others.

It's safe to say I like the model, but for its historical place (as already noted above by Sevens, Loeman and engine49Guy) in the grand scheme of things, not plinking or carry (but now that I think about it, maybe I oughta replace one of my 39s with an already somewhat worn 59 so that, if needed, I can benefit from sending a massive quantity of lead downrange).(Still, it's the one placed within hands' reach in the trusty multi-horses.)

Nevertheless, BBB, your prospective 59 sounds like a nice gun in need of a caring home. Also as noted above, the more box and paperwork the better. But even $350 sounds good.

From an investement standpoint, I believe a lot more upside exists for the 59's price than does the opposite. Present overall prices reflect an undervalued firearm and, at some point, folks are gonna recognize it for its contributions to today's firearm configuration and start socking 'em away for later financial reward. The good news at $350 is that you'll likely get close to or better that amount that not.

But given the numbers produced I wouldn't expect price leaps of incredulous proportions, either.

SHould you really wish to have a plinker, then get a gun that looks a little more worn in and save yourself anywhere from $50 to $100 dollars.

Good luck and have fun, fun, fun!

Later.