AJ
US Veteran
What are the Pro's and Con's on a S&W 439. Saw a nice looking one a the a local gun show today. Looked to 100% condition and came with 4 magazines. Asking price was $700. Worth it?
School Me On A 439
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I have a 439 that I purchased back in the mid-'90s. For the most part, I like it. The aluminum frame doesn't hold the bluing like the slide, which gives it a two-tone effect. I used it for my first attempt in a (stationary) IDPA match for fellow physically challenged shooters. For match shooting, I felt a bit handicapped with the first shot DA feature. However, for a CCW or home defense pistol, I think that it is more than adequate. Spare magazines are on the expensive side, and spare parts are not exactly readily available.
$700 could be a fair price, considering the cost of everything else. If you like it, and it doesn't look abused, I would make an offer.
$700 could be a fair price, considering the cost of everything else. If you like it, and it doesn't look abused, I would make an offer.
Looks 100%, $700 and pros/cons.
First: 100%…? So you are talking with original box including intact end label, second magazine still wrapped in the anti-rust papers, all documents, cleaning rod, brush, SAT? And the pistol has basically zero marks on the frame/tang where the hammer bounces with each shot and the rear of the slide has zero re-assembly dings from the ejector, disconnector, decock finger?
It’s my position that given the time period these were made, for it to be collectible and rated 100%, this is a checklist that I would need a high grade on. If it hits dang near ALL of those then it isn’t out of line at $700.
Pro: good pistol from a bygone era, a fine example of a widely issued LE pistol and safe/modern enough for carry or duty today.
Unfortunately, my list of cons would carry more weight (for me, just my take)
Cons: almost all I ever see have adjustable rear sight, and we can do our usual good natured forum brawl if we must… this protected rear sight is homely and just off-putting. Some like it, most hate it, including those of us that love the 1-2-3rd Gens.
And the 2nd Gens are, in my experience, the least desirable of all three Generations of the S&W pistol. Their double action pull is typically the heaviest and grittiest, worst of all three. Their single action trigger break is also the worst of all three Gens. The attention to detail on the finish seemed to be at the low point of the design.
The easiest case I can make against the 439 is to directly compare it to the specific models in Gen 1 and Gen 3 that it lies with. It’s not as classy as a 39-2 with a much worse trigger and it has zero of the 3904’s many ergonomic upgrades and smoother, slicker internal parts, so it’s trigger trails the 3904 also.
I admit that I have not owned a 439. I did own a box-fresh, only factory fired NOS 559 and this pistol was a complete dog.
I won’t go as far as to say the 2nd Gens are bad guns. I believe the 469/669 was a fantastic pistol and the 745 is one of my favorite S&W guns ever. But at the same time, I believe the 1st Gens and the 3rd Gens just stomp all over any comparable S&W 2nd Gen.
I would not pay $700 for a 439 unless it was a dead mint NOS time capsule, and if I bought that… I would not shoot it.
First: 100%…? So you are talking with original box including intact end label, second magazine still wrapped in the anti-rust papers, all documents, cleaning rod, brush, SAT? And the pistol has basically zero marks on the frame/tang where the hammer bounces with each shot and the rear of the slide has zero re-assembly dings from the ejector, disconnector, decock finger?
It’s my position that given the time period these were made, for it to be collectible and rated 100%, this is a checklist that I would need a high grade on. If it hits dang near ALL of those then it isn’t out of line at $700.
Pro: good pistol from a bygone era, a fine example of a widely issued LE pistol and safe/modern enough for carry or duty today.
Unfortunately, my list of cons would carry more weight (for me, just my take)
Cons: almost all I ever see have adjustable rear sight, and we can do our usual good natured forum brawl if we must… this protected rear sight is homely and just off-putting. Some like it, most hate it, including those of us that love the 1-2-3rd Gens.
And the 2nd Gens are, in my experience, the least desirable of all three Generations of the S&W pistol. Their double action pull is typically the heaviest and grittiest, worst of all three. Their single action trigger break is also the worst of all three Gens. The attention to detail on the finish seemed to be at the low point of the design.
The easiest case I can make against the 439 is to directly compare it to the specific models in Gen 1 and Gen 3 that it lies with. It’s not as classy as a 39-2 with a much worse trigger and it has zero of the 3904’s many ergonomic upgrades and smoother, slicker internal parts, so it’s trigger trails the 3904 also.
I admit that I have not owned a 439. I did own a box-fresh, only factory fired NOS 559 and this pistol was a complete dog.
I won’t go as far as to say the 2nd Gens are bad guns. I believe the 469/669 was a fantastic pistol and the 745 is one of my favorite S&W guns ever. But at the same time, I believe the 1st Gens and the 3rd Gens just stomp all over any comparable S&W 2nd Gen.
I would not pay $700 for a 439 unless it was a dead mint NOS time capsule, and if I bought that… I would not shoot it.
Price is high and today you better be sure you can buy the parts needed to maintain this pistol long term . I'm not a collector so even in 100% condition new with the box and paper work I would easily walk right on by this one .
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OP
AJ
US Veteran
The pistol is in 100% condition as far as the finish goes. I am not looking at it as a collector. If I can not shoot it, I do not want it. I am more concerned about the shootability of a gun than anything else.
The 439 was our issued pistol for a few years. I only carried mine for a few months. I didn't like it as much as the 39-nothingi that was previously issued. Nothing wrong with the 439 but it didn't have the tuned trigger of my 39 and it didn't shoot quite as well. The 39 was a tack driver. The 439 was acceptable accuracy for what it was made.
Right after we were issued the 439 the dept let us on SWAT to carry our own 459. I put my 439 on the shelf and that was the last I carried it.
The 439 and the 469, which I really didn't care for, are the only 2 guns we were issued that I didn't buy back when we went to new guns. I wish I'd bought them just so I'd have all the guns I carried on duty.
If I had a 439 to carry I'd be perfectly OK with that. Mine was just unfortunate to try to replace my 39 which I liked a lot.
Right after we were issued the 439 the dept let us on SWAT to carry our own 459. I put my 439 on the shelf and that was the last I carried it.
The 439 and the 469, which I really didn't care for, are the only 2 guns we were issued that I didn't buy back when we went to new guns. I wish I'd bought them just so I'd have all the guns I carried on duty.
If I had a 439 to carry I'd be perfectly OK with that. Mine was just unfortunate to try to replace my 39 which I liked a lot.
The gun as you described above is priced on the high side. Sevens gave a great review and if you are looking just for a shooter, I would look for a Model 39-2 or one of the many 3rd Gen guns available. A Model 39 is also a great one but parts are harder to find and the extractor is more prone to breakage than the other models noted above.
OP
AJ
US Veteran
I have a Model 39, that is a good shooter.
I have heard for years that the long extractor used on the pres and marked 39s was prone to breakage, never seen one. Just charge the chamber from the mag. As described in the instructions. I think the new short ext. was just a time saver in manufacturing.
Green Frog
Member
I inherited a 39-2 and really liked it a lot except that I was afraid of putting too much wear and tear on that aluminum alloy frame. So I bought a 639 which was the new generation of the same gun, only made in Stainless. It was all I had hoped for and became the basis for my FrankenSmith multi slide fun gun. It needed a couple of internal parts, those expected to wear, but available from Gen 2 or Gen 3 guns so no problem.
So, if your concern is over it being a Gen 2 gun, I'd say you have nothing to worry about. If OTOH your concern is wear and tear on the alloy frame, that choice is yours.
Froggie
PS With OEM magazines averaging $50-75 apiece or more, mags #3&4 in that deal knock approximately $100-150 or more off of the base price of the gun! for comparison, I paid $550 + S&H etc about 4 years ago for my 639 and it was a bit ratty with only one magazine!
So, if your concern is over it being a Gen 2 gun, I'd say you have nothing to worry about. If OTOH your concern is wear and tear on the alloy frame, that choice is yours.
Froggie
PS With OEM magazines averaging $50-75 apiece or more, mags #3&4 in that deal knock approximately $100-150 or more off of the base price of the gun! for comparison, I paid $550 + S&H etc about 4 years ago for my 639 and it was a bit ratty with only one magazine!
OP
AJ
US Veteran
I was factoring in the cost of the extra mags. The LGS here wants about $75 a mag for Model 39 mags.
I am not so worried about the wear and tear on the alloy frame. Would probably only shoot 50-100 rounds through it a year. Not a huge fan of the 9 MM. If I am shooting a 9MM, it is usually my 92F (qualified with those in the Corps). Normally I shoot a 52 or 1911, also my .22's.
I am not so worried about the wear and tear on the alloy frame. Would probably only shoot 50-100 rounds through it a year. Not a huge fan of the 9 MM. If I am shooting a 9MM, it is usually my 92F (qualified with those in the Corps). Normally I shoot a 52 or 1911, also my .22's.
HOUSTON RICK
Member
For that price i would get a Model 39 as suggested above. Nothing wrong with a 439, it has its fans, it is what it is, but should cost less. Also might want to guess why is it so lightly used?
Robertson Trading Post sells 39 compatible retro magazines for $29 each. I have no experience with them, but maybe someone else here has used them. Also, if you already own a 39-2, then you already have compatible magazines for a 439.
As for the warning about parts availability for these old guns…
Aside from frame, barrel, slide and barrel bushing, it’s just a whole bunch of the same or awfully similar parts with the 3rd Gen pistols of which S&W made a guzillion.
As for the durability of an alloy frame, I know that ispcapt has a mountain of experience with that. But I can report that one stress failure I have seen on the 39/59 was NOT on the frame, it was actually on the slide, at the rear, left side where the steel is thin from being milled out to contain the decock lever and associated parts.
Imagine pounding a 39-2 over years and years and thousands of rounds only to crack the steel slide while the alloy frame just says “love it, gimme more!”
As for the warning about parts availability for these old guns…
Aside from frame, barrel, slide and barrel bushing, it’s just a whole bunch of the same or awfully similar parts with the 3rd Gen pistols of which S&W made a guzillion.
As for the durability of an alloy frame, I know that ispcapt has a mountain of experience with that. But I can report that one stress failure I have seen on the 39/59 was NOT on the frame, it was actually on the slide, at the rear, left side where the steel is thin from being milled out to contain the decock lever and associated parts.
Imagine pounding a 39-2 over years and years and thousands of rounds only to crack the steel slide while the alloy frame just says “love it, gimme more!”
I have one, and a 39-2 as well. The Gen 2 version of the 39. I really don't find it very different than my 39. Trigger, accuracy, etc all about the same. Sights are bigger, a good thing at my age. The 439 seems to lag in the market, $700 is on the upper end.
Green Frog
Member
Sounds like you are talking yourself right into buying that 439, as I probably would in your place (see what an enabler I am?
). To those who mention the price as high… are you kidding me? A high grade 9mm S&W for $550 and two more OEM mags for another $150? Or look at it as the gun with one mag for $475! Try to do better!As to the gun itself, yes the parts are probably as available as any discontinued model. Very few of these parts break or wear out. Not a problem! The big plus hasn’t been emphasized sufficiently her… its ergonomic fit. The 39 series, regardless of generation, seems to fit more folks, more comfortably, than just about any semi auto service pistol ever made. My 639 is a joy to hold and shoot.
IMHO, you need to wrestle with your conscience just a little more, but don’t let that 439 get away. You won’t regret buying, but if you miss it, you’ll always wonder!
Froggie
Damn Froggie, enabler does not come close to describing you!
Bruce51
Member
I don't have a 439 but if I saw one for sale it would be mine in a hurry.
I do have a 639 that I have shot a lot and with some hot loads.
As far as breakage the ejector tip broke off on mine many years ago.
Still the pistol was functioning just dropping cases by my side. Easy fix.
Second issue is a crack in the SS frame above the cutout where the slide stop enters the frame. After posting that issue here I decided to just keep on shooting as is and there has been no issues.
Now the reason I'm posting is the third issue.
I'm now on my third barrel bushing. The bushing will crack around the circumference on the inside and unless one is looking closely it may go unnoticed.
Recently there was a post about new bushings being made and that was good news.
They can be found on eBay but you never know the round count on the used ones.
Bruce
Jack First makes the bushings $90 each FWIW.
I do have a 639 that I have shot a lot and with some hot loads.
As far as breakage the ejector tip broke off on mine many years ago.
Still the pistol was functioning just dropping cases by my side. Easy fix.
Second issue is a crack in the SS frame above the cutout where the slide stop enters the frame. After posting that issue here I decided to just keep on shooting as is and there has been no issues.
Now the reason I'm posting is the third issue.
I'm now on my third barrel bushing. The bushing will crack around the circumference on the inside and unless one is looking closely it may go unnoticed.
Recently there was a post about new bushings being made and that was good news.
They can be found on eBay but you never know the round count on the used ones.
Bruce
Jack First makes the bushings $90 each FWIW.
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I have a blued Model 439 and there has been nothing wrong with mine. Decades ago I had a 39-2 and that one did not seem to be very accurate, but my 439 is at least "combat accurate", capable of 4 to 5 inch groups at 25 yards with most loads. The firing pin safety may slightly increase the trigger pull weight, but it's still a long, stacking, clicking double action pull followed by a "combat weight", but very crisp and short single action pull. For those that this might matter to, the single action trigger reset is short and audible, the only shorter reset would be that of the 1911... maybe.
For one with a pristine blue finish and 4 factory magazines (not ProMag aftermarket mags), no box, $700 is pretty much a maximum price. I would definitely try negotiating the price down by $100.
For one with a pristine blue finish and 4 factory magazines (not ProMag aftermarket mags), no box, $700 is pretty much a maximum price. I would definitely try negotiating the price down by $100.
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