Should I get a 39 or 59?

[Sevens]

Oh, to address the question above on nickel 39's...

Small parts SHOULD be black if original on a factory nickel 39-2. If they aren't, it is a likely indicator that nickel wasn't the original finish. Slide stop, thumb decocker, hammer, sideplate, rear sight... all should be black.

However with said, if the pistol doesn't necessarily fit that description BUT it is priced under $500 and you like it? Totally worth it even if not original.

FWIW, Mr. Jinks claims that S&W made nearly 400,000 of these fantastic pistols. YOURS is waiting for you to find it, I have three myself.

 

[mbliss57]

39 all the way. Although I have owned both I love the 39-2 for shooting and looks. I just bought a nickel 39-2 this summer to add to my Model 39 collection..yes stuff that hangs off or sticks out should be black as was stated. As a rule I don't buy nickel anymore but in this case I have alot of 39 variants and wanted a nickel example. Good luck. BTW the model 59 is no slouch when it comes to firepower. It's just not a good fit for my hands and lacks the history of the 39...IMO.

 

[StakeOut]

I have a blue Model 39-2 and about 10 original magazines,2 NIB Model 59 and 1 very nice shooter plus a NIB Model 559.

The 559 is a relatively scarce pistol to find especially NIB but it's 40oz empty.

I have a lot of original 14rd mags for the 59s plus several 15rd MecGar mags that I prefer over the S&W originals.A 59 with 15rds is my usually nightstand gun.The 59 shoots low with 115gr ammo at 10 yards indoors and the best accuracy is with 147gr ammo.

The 39-2 I have is in very good original condition,a smooth shooter and a real pleasure at the range.It shoots spot on at 10 yards indoors with 115gr Perfecta ammo.

 

[Brian in Oregon]

The fatness of the 59 is not what turns me off about them, but rather the straight backstrap. I prefer the arched backstrap, similar to a 1911A1, on the 39 (and my 52, for that matter).

 

[Cyrano]

Ditto................with your intended purpose no need for a hi-cap w/ a fat butt!!!

I have the fat butt without the hi-cap! Can't beat the way the 39 feels in your hand, though.

 

[CajunBass]

The 39 is one of those guns I can't stop buying. I'll get one, shoot it a bit, then sell it. A short while later, another one will show up and I start all over again.

I've come close to buying a 59 once or twice, but never have.

 

[Biggfoot44]

The OP says he is driven at least partly by nostalgia.

In the larger world of handgunning, the M59 is very historically significant. The first USA mfg hi cap pistol, the first hi cap sucuessful in US LE service, the the gun that started the trend to hi cap autos, and the Wonder Nine craze.


As a shooter, I'd personally prefer a M39-2 . But the M59 is a bigger piece of history. ( In the larger sense vs S&W collecting per se.)

 

[BAM-BAM]

Lot of US armed forces, 9mm in the US, LEO and S&W history tied to the Model 39 also................. IMHO rate "history" a toss up!

 

[lhump1961]

Not sure what finish I will end up with but I'm curious of one thing.

Ive seen some nickel models that have the small parts on it and the safety blued and some are nickel. Any info there?

From what I have heard over the years concerning the nickel controls on some 39-2's is that the early one's had nickel controls but Smith soon went to blued controls...probably a cost cutting move but some like the contrast. The nickel controls are factory. I have one of each and the nickel controled version is from the early 70's while the blued version is from the late 70's.

The all nickel's are usually serial #A2xxxxx while the blued controls are A5xxxxx. Of course nothing is 100% with S&W and what they may or may not have done over the years but this seems consistent. At any rate I'm sure the early one's are factory nickel controls.

As to nickel gun vs. blue gun...speaking for myself I only have the nickel guns because they are so flashy and I just had to have 'em! I have two blue guns and I actually only shoot one of those...I have not shot either of the nickel guns as they are both unfired after the factory. I just show them off now and then.

Of all the 9mm's I own the blue 39-2 that I shoot is the one I like to shoot the most. I love my 3rd gens and shoot them well but the 39-2 is just plain satisfying.

I attached a video done by a young couple and while most of the video is historical I wasn't surprised that they both like the gun even though is isn't the modern style they are probably used to shooting.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7f4Qrl9Drg[/ame]

 

[Stopsign32v]

If anyone has a nice nickel 39, Im on the lookout

 

[Ed Fowler]

Loved my 39, still do. It is hard to beat a single stack 9mm for carry.

 

[lrrifleman]

I know that you are asking about a 39-2, but I am answering as an owner of a 439. Personally, I prefer the Model 39 family of pistols over the 59 series. It fits my hand better, and is my preferred steel plate pistol. With the holsters that I have, it carries reasonably well. I figure if I can't do it with 8, I sure as heck won't be able to do it with 14!

 

[pooka111]

I only have a 439 as well but my understanding is there's virtually no difference besides a drop safety and the sights are a little different on the 439. I love it. The double action trigger ain't nothing to write home about but that single action is so sweet.

 

[lhump1961]

I only have a 439 as well but my understanding is there's virtually no difference besides a drop safety and the sights are a little different on the 439. I love it. The double action trigger ain't nothing to write home about but that single action is so sweet.

While we're on the 39 series I have to mention the 539. If you like a 9mm that weighs in like a full size 1911 the 539 is it! All steel slide and frame. Heavy but shoots so sweet. Like the other 39 series the DA trigger isn't much to get excited about but has that nice SA and quick, quick re-set.

 

[loknload]

Get the 39,,,,It's a classic! You won't regret it!

 

[loeman]

If anyone has a nice nickel 39, Im on the lookout

Well, I don't have a nickel 39 but I do have a NIB nickel 59, but it isn't for sale. I feel very fortunate to have found it.

 

[Stopsign32v]

Well, I don't have a nickel 39 but I do have a NIB nickel 59, but it isn't for sale. I feel very fortunate to have found it.

Jaw dropping!

 

[BAM-BAM]

Jaw dropping!

Ditto....... my head says ....... "stag grips" & BBQ!!!!!!!

 

[Stopsign32v]

Ditto....... my head says ....... "stag grips" & BBQ!!!!!!!

I say Ivory

Whats the deal wirh bbq? I've seen that several times here.

 

[BAM-BAM]

I say Ivory

Whats the deal wirh bbq? I've seen that several times here.

Fancy guns ( in fancy leather) you'd open carry to a Texas BBQ ......to "keep up with the".... Rangers!!