kraigwy
US Veteran
What ever happened to the Model 39 and 59s, they use to be quite popular but you don't see them any more?
I thought they were pretty good pistols.
I thought they were pretty good pistols.
S&W Model's 39 & 59.
- Thread starter kraigwy
- Start date
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squidsix
Member
They ARE pretty good pistols. The 39-2 is my all time favorite autoloader. By a wide margin.
What happened is the world moved on.
What happened is the world moved on.
S&W5906
Member
And if someone does sell one, it doesn't last long.
BlackTalonJHP
Member
You're a cruel, cruel man, Grif!
In the late 70s the 59 was my first 9mm pistol. I had 3 of them-1 lost in a burglary, the other 2 traded away (I had one of them customized with a hard chrome matte finish & red ramp insert). If can find another one locally of the same vintage I'll do my best to make it mine.
I never had any issues with mine, really liked them though they did take a back seat to my 1911, couldn't justify it back then-easy to do so today lol.
I never had any issues with mine, really liked them though they did take a back seat to my 1911, couldn't justify it back then-easy to do so today lol.
I've sure noticed more 39-2 threads, compared to no dash 39 threads.
First, I'm thankful towards all, for the sharing of knowledge & opinions here @ the Forum.
Second, I'm glad I ended up with a Model 39. Ser.#10521x & Ill. S.P. #576. ( I often wonder who in the Ill. S.P. carried this fine pistol )
Part of the intrigue of the 39 for me is the use of the 39 during Viet Nam.
Lucky for me, I was mostly behind a typewriter in Nam & not behind a M14 or M16. ( hated the 16 & LOVED the 14 by the way ( in basic training )).
Anyways, I now carry my 39 in a Don Hume JIT Slide daily. I've only had the Hume holster for a few months. The last week or so I've noticed that the holster is really breaking in nicely!!!!!!!!! WAY less drag on the draw stroke. I'm quite pleased.
I'll close for now by saying "sorry" for no pics.
I do well just to navigate to this fine forum.
Take care all & God Bless!!!!!!!!!
john
First, I'm thankful towards all, for the sharing of knowledge & opinions here @ the Forum.
Second, I'm glad I ended up with a Model 39. Ser.#10521x & Ill. S.P. #576. ( I often wonder who in the Ill. S.P. carried this fine pistol )
Part of the intrigue of the 39 for me is the use of the 39 during Viet Nam.
Lucky for me, I was mostly behind a typewriter in Nam & not behind a M14 or M16. ( hated the 16 & LOVED the 14 by the way ( in basic training )).
Anyways, I now carry my 39 in a Don Hume JIT Slide daily. I've only had the Hume holster for a few months. The last week or so I've noticed that the holster is really breaking in nicely!!!!!!!!! WAY less drag on the draw stroke. I'm quite pleased.
I'll close for now by saying "sorry" for no pics.
I do well just to navigate to this fine forum.
Take care all & God Bless!!!!!!!!!
john
Wish I could help you with this but there's no longer any records.
The number 576 is an inventory number and not a Trooper's ID number. Back then every piece of state equipment over a specific dollar amount ($50?, $100?) had to have a state of IL inventory number. Didn't matter if the property had a serial number state law required a state issued inventory number. The number would then either be engraved or a metal tag with the number would be afixed to the property. Even state vehicles had to have a state inventory number. Later the law was changed where it's no longer necessary for some equipment that has a unique serial number.
Your number 576 means it was probably issued in 1967-1969 but most likely 1968. Officially the ISP went to the 39 in 1967 but it wasn't until 1968 that they started rolling out to the street. Mine has a 998 inventory number and it was initially issued in 1968.
Yours is a Model 39-nothing. Does it have the modified wide exactor? It will sort of look like the typical 39 dash nothing extractor being long and wide but it will be cut about 1/2 way and pinned. Most were converted to the modified extractor but a few weren't.
Mine has always been a great shooter. The trigger on it is right up there with the Model 52. With the right loads it use to punch X rings at 25 yds with ease. Unfortunately I have found over the years there must be a defect in the sights that came on the 39s and accuracy has dropped off. The sights have gotten fuz growing on them, they appear smaller, and the gun doesn't shoot the tight groups like it use to. Can't find anything broken on it and it just gradually started doing that.
Appreciate all the info capt.!!!!!!!!!
Too bad bout the accuracy issue. Perhaps the kanootin spring or the muffle bearing has taken a hit. I sure relate to either....lol
My extractor has not been modified.
Thanks again capt............. interesting info for sure!!!!!!!!!!!
Too bad bout the accuracy issue. Perhaps the kanootin spring or the muffle bearing has taken a hit. I sure relate to either....lol
My extractor has not been modified.
Thanks again capt............. interesting info for sure!!!!!!!!!!!
I think it's called presbyopia [old eyes].
I carried a 39-2 as a Deputy and part-time city cop in the early 70s. I have often thought about getting one to carry concealed. I don't shoot 9mm anymore, have no ammo and no brass, so I guess that probably won't happen. Me and the Chief Deputy thought we were something, carrying those state-of-the-art double actions while everyone else in South Georgia was still carrying Model 19s and Model 28s.
Yours probably was one of those that the Troop retired and bought his gun before the modification was made.
Several years ago someone asked about trying to locate which Troop might have been issued a particular 39. I dug thru a bunch of old records but nothing could be found. I can understand not needing to keep records from 40+ years ago but it would have been interesting to find out.
That can't be it. My eyes are good enough to see there's fuz on the sights.
Silversmok3
Member
Young guy here.
The reason for their seeming lack of popularity comes down to their trigger action,IMO.
Today most newcomers to shooting start off with light striker fired pistols. That strikes me as a serious handicap, because shooting a Double Action revolver and/or semi auto forces you to concentrate on proper trigger control and form. With a mushy 5lb striker, the action breaks before newbie mistakes like jerking the trigger can ruin the shot. So , most of my generation has no proper skill behind the trigger.
That's why you see cops today dumping 51 rounds at targets without deadly hits. Back when the 39s were duty guns, you either got the job done in 6 rounds or not at all.The period when LE was the most accurate was when the Model 39 rode in duty holsters.
Today, most shooters straight up don't have the trigger skill to make the most of the Model 39. The ones my age who do and the old guard ensure what guns are sold dont stay on the market for long. To underscore how compelling the ol' 39s are, Im seriously considering carrying mine instead of my double stack 5904. What stops me is the thought of some anti gun nitwit tossing it in the smelter after it ends up as evidence to a DGU.
Just before Christmas, I purchased a really nice Model 39-2 from a guy. He didn't have the original box, but it has been a safe queen most of it's life.
I really love the Model 39, but it certainly isn't going to replace my full size M&P's or my Shield. It is however a great pistol which I do love to shoot!
I really love the Model 39, but it certainly isn't going to replace my full size M&P's or my Shield. It is however a great pistol which I do love to shoot!
