S&W Pistol Model 659

[StarmanFR]

Dear friends,

I am french and a year ago, after 1 year of french police and administration investigations i got my firearms licence for sport shooting.

I have been lucky to bought a model 27-2 5“ 1975 with orignal wooden presentation case, original brochures etc.. excellent condition including a beautiful model 27 6“ 1/2 1985.

Today, i was at my local gunshop looking for a model 59. The seller introduced me to a model 659. Following The "Standard Catalogue of Smith&Wesson", it is described as a model 59 with nickel (inbox??) finishing. Is that correct?

Also, how can i determinate the year of manufacturing regarding the Serial number? It is not easy in my book.

Finally, regarding the condition (see photos attached), is 440$ fine?

Anything i should know about it? I love to buy a firearms with a history behind it. Model 59 sounds interesting to be first S&W to get a 15 bullets magazine, to replace model 39 (lower capacity) requested by the Navy. Is that correct?

This diamond has been reserved for me, should i give a go !


Earlier this year i bought a magnificent MP15 SPort2 5.56, which also use with a 22LR bolt from CMMG. IT is excellent, especially at the french army with the FAMAS i used real 5.56 NATO instead of 223R. Believe or not, recoil and power is more fun with 5.56 NATO. Only problem is proper 5.56 NATO brass is usually reserved for the army, but luckily i got some. BTW do you know the difference btw 5.56 NATO and 223R ? It's not only the powder, but also the high pressure, mostly made by the design of the round it self.

Best,

denis.

 

[leonardocarrillo]

Hello Denis, the model 659 is not nickel it is stainless steel, in S & W the models that start with 6 indicate stainless steel, the gun that shows in the photo I really like.
I don't know what the market is like in France but in my country (Argentina) an S & W 659 for $ 440 is a gift, here that used pistol would cost between $ 800 and $ 950.

 

[jsbethel]

Given the later squared trigger guard, the pistol is from around 1986-87.

 

[stansdds]

That is a late production Model 659, which is a stainless steel receiver and slide, not nickel plated. It is the precursor to the Model 5906. Model 59/459/559/659 magazines hold 14 rounds. Magazines for the 5903/5904/5906 hold 15 rounds and fit the earlier 59 and x59 pistols.

 

[BigBoy99]

The TBH serial number range was produced in 1987.

 

[Jeppo]

Is it difficult to immigrate to France?

If that’s typical of the market price of older Smiths, I may have to move there.

 

[Craig19]

That looks pretty clean. I would snatch that up.

 

[Old_Cop]

Very nice, $440 is more than fair.

 

[Stargater]

Denis, the 659 is one of the finest pistols S&W ever produced. I have two of them. Why? I had an FFL (federal firearms license) at the time and I heard that S&W was discontinuing their production. So when the 5906 came out, I grabbed two 659s because I knew I wasn't going to be able to get more.

Many words come to mind re regarding these guns. Fragile isn't one of them. The gun should last longer than you and when the 5906 came out, I picked up one of them, but I still prefer the 659.


The S&W 5906 (top) and 659. Both are
outstanding.

In one of the very first military trials, the Beretta 92 had a malfunction rate of once in every 2,000 rounds. Phenomenal! The next was the S&W 459, with a rate of one malfunction in 950 rounds. But that's in tests with dropping it in mud, etc. And once in 950 is virtually a perfect score. I bought a Beretta 92 back then and sold it because I could get a Taurus PT92, which was just as reliable, though not as accurate. I dumped the Taurus, but bought another (in stainless) just a few years ago and saw a much better accuracy rate.


Taurus PT92 AR

All these guns are going to give you great accuracy and superb reliability. Get whichever one you like best. The 659 is a gorgeous gun and was featured in many movies because of its beauty. Its stainless steel form made it great and I think you'll love it. If you watch the movie SNEAKERS with Robert Redford, you'll see it has a lot of screen time. Also RESERVOIR DOGS.

Buy it...you'll love it. 🖐

--

 

[Redcoat3340]

Let me echo what the others have said, "Buy it." I got mine years ago and it was $345. With inflation, it's a fair price.

 

[StarmanFR]

Hi,
thank you very much for you help. I really appreciate. Also one question came to my mind. My local gunshop has received yesterday a S&W 545 (see photos attached). Considering pricing, If you could buy only one (656 for 440$) or this 545 for 859$, which one will you buy? Considering that I love guns that has a real history, something special for the brand itself or for the whole firearms history. Something with an interesting historical heritage.

 

[jmace57]

I hate to admit, I've never even heard of a Model 545. I wonder if it could be a mis-stamped 745?

 

[stansdds]

Hi,
thank you very much for you help. I really appreciate. Also one question came to my mind. My local gunshop has received yesterday a S&W 545 (see photos attached). Considering pricing, If you could buy only one (656 for 440$) or this 545 for 859$, which one will you buy? Considering that I love guns that has a real history, something special for the brand itself or for the whole firearms history. Something with an interesting historical heritage.

I hate to admit, I've never even heard of a Model 545. I wonder if it could be a mis-stamped 745?

To me, it looks like a Model 645 with a huge, aftermarket rear sight. In S&W's second gen pistol numbering system, a 545 would be a carbon steel frame and carbon steel slide. I am not aware of any such pistol being produced. My guess is that it could be an incorrectly marked receiver or the "6" was not struck deeply and it looks more like a "5".

 

[StarmanFR]

To me, it looks like a Model 645 with a huge, aftermarket rear sight. In S&W's second gen pistol numbering system, a 545 would be a carbon steel frame and carbon steel slide. I am not aware of any such pistol being produced. My guess is that it could be an incorrectly marked receiver or the "6" was not struck deeply and it looks more like a "5".

Your explanation sounds very smart. But then i went back to the shop, and took pictures of the "545 stainless steel"... i really dont know what to think about the mark. Can you give a look? Your expertise sounds promising

Denis.

 

[StarmanFR]

Thank you everybody, i went back yesterday to the shop, i gave a fresh look on the 659, and after all you said, i decided to take it. I need a few weeks until administration will process my demand then it will be mine. Thank you very much again for you help. It is great to share passion with people like you.

Denis.

A few extra photos of the shiny diamond:

 

[Trooper224]

Your explanation sounds very smart. But then i went back to the shop, and took pictures of the "545 stainless steel"... i really dont know what to think about the mark. Can you give a look? Your expertise sounds promising

Denis.

It's a 645 with a sloppy roll mark.

 

[stansdds]

Exactly. It's a Model 645, but the "6" is poorly stamped. The flaming bomb stamps are likely proof marks, often found on pistols manufactured in or imported into European nations.

 

[Trooper224]

That's a nice, clean example of a 659. I wouldn't have walked away from that. Congrats.

 

[Craig19]

Nice. I would have grabbed it as well.

Plus it was used in one of Tarantino's better films.

 

[StarmanFR]

Nice. I would have grabbed it as well.

Plus it was used in one of Tarantino's better films.

FYI, Reservoir Dogs is not an original Screenplay. I was a young movie journalist, everybody was congratulating Tarantino for his amazing story and screenplay. But while he was in France to get an award for this movie, as a big fan of HK movies, i confront him at the press itw in public, saying his movie was not only a remake but a copy/paste of the HK movie CITY ON FIRE.. The camera work, the screen play, the look of the gangsters, everything.. Then he agreed being maybe inspired by this movie.... Then the rumors goes public..

but it's an other topic..