Smith 39-2 range report

[David LaPell]

Took the Smith & Wesson 39 out. The bullseye target was shot 10 yards offhand with 9mm Speer FMJ, functioned perfectly. Need to practice more with it, but I love the trigger on this gun. Had a flyer left and high.
The silhouette was shot at 7 yards mostly but also had a couple rounds rapid fire at 5 yards and two rounds double tap hip shot unaimed at 3 yards. Everything would have been either close to the vitals or enough for a bad day. The gun shoots great. It's been literally 4 years since I shot a semi auto pistol other than .22 Long Rifle and I can tell you I love the way this gun shoots.

 

[Ceapea]

Took the Smith & Wesson 39 out. The bullseye target was shot 10 yards offhand with 9mm Speer FMJ, functioned perfectly. Need to practice more with it, but I love the trigger on this gun. Had a flyer left and high.
The silhouette was shot at 7 yards mostly but also had a couple rounds rapid fire at 5 yards and two rounds double tap hip shot unaimed at 3 yards. Everything would have been either close to the vitals or enough for a bad day. The gun shoots great. It's been literally 4 years since I shot a semi auto pistol other than .22 Long Rifle and I can tell you I love the way this gun shoots.

Nice shooting!

I almost took my two new 39's out today. But I had other things to get done first. I did clean off all of the original oils, though. It had congealed, it actually looked like a thin coating of dried up grease. Brown and tacky. It was all over both guns. Slides, barrels, frames, everywhere. I called S&W to get an idea of the date of manufacture of the no dash, and they hooked me up directly with Roy Jinks! How cool! He said that the oils did thicken up in storage (48 yrs in the case of the no -) and it would be perfectly operational once cleaned. I asked him about the two piece, replacement extractor, for the no -. He said that there were a few made for a short time in the late 60's, but that I shouldn't worry about it. The breakage problem was more often talked about, than actually realized. He has an original from '55 that he shoots "a lot" (his words), and he has had no issues. He told me to shoot it and not worry about it.
I'll probably still start out shooting the 39-2, and leave the 39 no - alone for a while.

 

[racemi]

I knew you'd like it. Many of us here who have the 39-2 know what a great model it is. I still love to hear about new people finding out how great it is. I think so many new shooters think old semi-autos are something to avoid. I, personally only want old semi-autos and I've shot many of the new plastic pistols so I know that I'll never own one. The way the 39-2 fits your hand is something that the new pistols just don't get correct. I know it's a little large for CCW, but it never stopped me and many others. S&W was really on a roll when the designed the 39-2. They got just about everything right. Glad to see another happy owner! Have fun.

 

[just for fun]

A little history on my much beloved 39-2. Gun was purchased used in 1990 from a gentleman that was a sportswriter for newspaper in Tucson,Az. It is my understanding that a one time, he wrote articles for different "gunrags" during the mid 70's.
He was sent a model 39-2 for a review and to write up a story. Liked it and bought it. Not sure about today, but it would seem as though that was almost a standard practice back then.
When his son became of age, he gave the gun to him. (Many of mine has made the same trip.) When the son got married the new wife didn't want the gun in the house so it went back to Dad.
Bought it for $225, and would not part with it for three times the money. This just so happens to be the most accurate firearm I own! AA-7 (7.3 grains) 124 grain Montana Gold at 1.110 AOL. Best group shot to date was at 15 yards standing two hands (old and can't see!) 8 shots touching AND covered with a quarter the ninth shot is sticking halfway past the rim of said quarter. Yes, this is about a bunny fart load, but sure does shoot!!
Factory wooden grips would not stay tight and continued tighting pulled the grip screws through the grips replaced grips with coco bolo wood (sp?) grips-nice but not factory.
I guess it's still at my house as my son can't keep it inside the "8" ring at 15 yards. For the most part I've stopped shooting it only because of the reported cracked and broken seers. Mine is fine but replacement parts are becoming iffy at least that's my understanding.

 

[Engine49guy]

David thats a very nice early 39-2 with all the features of the Model 39 and the new improved extractor, love those early ones !

On a side note to Capea, always load your 39 from the magazine and you should be fine, IIRC the earlier extractor breakages were accelerated by dropping a round in the chamber then dropping the slide .

 

[Ceapea]

David thats a very nice early 39-2 with all the features of the Model 39 and the new improved extractor, love those early ones !

On a side note to Capea, always load your 39 from the magazine and you should be fine, IIRC the earlier extractor breakages were accelerated by dropping a round in the chamber then dropping the slide .

Yep!
I have known not do that (drop the slide on a round in the chamber) forever it seems, and have mentioned that to many people over the years.
Also, I got a chance to shoot my 39-2 yesterday for the first time. I set up at 15 yards, from a rest (hands on bags, not the pistol). It shot a little low for me. All SA trigger pulls. That was a little surprising to me. The group was okay, for having never shot this before, around 4 1/2" for 18 rounds. I had with me, 4 new S&W 9 rd mags, and all of them, as well as the pistol functioned perfectly for more than 70 rounds.
Later, I tried firing off hand. That went better. 95% went to point of aim (area...center bull) and grouped about the same, 4" or so. Not too bad, I think. And I expect that I/we should only get better with time and lots of rounds.
I do believe that this pistol was never fired before I shot it. It is hard to believe, but both the 39 and 39-2 were labeled as NIB, and they were/are absolutely perfect and flawless in all respects.
I look forward to getting it out again, soon.

 

[jimbo728]

Im glad it shoots good! Beautiful early 39-2.
Jim

 

[samnev]

Bought my 39-2 back in 1966 iiirc. It's sit my favorite single stack 9mm. Tried on plastic 9mm (XD 9) promptly traded it for a like new 19-2.

 

[scootergirl69]

Have had mine since 1980. Flawless in all of those years. I carry it daily at work for armed security.

 

[gmborkovic]

To all new people, Mod 39s are saved for the older crowd that dont want them discovered. Just because they shoot great, carry well and feel perfect in the hand is no reason to buy them. Please stay away from them, you will not be happy with 1950s perfection. Plus you will drive up the price.
This message was posted with tongue n' cheek. It was sarcastic.

 

[reno]

Model 39-2

I had owned two model 39-2 years ago while they were still in production. I never had one that did not shoot very well. IN the past year I purchased a blue model and then just yesterday I found a nickel model. This one had a custom rear sight milled into the slide and a higher post front sight SS on the front. The barrel is still something I am trying to check out, It does not appear to be a smith barrel.
BUt I had to take it to the range. It really shoots great. I do not have a picture to post, but I do really love these pistols.

The model 59 just really never fit my hand well but the 39-2 is a great firearm.

 

[Ilike9mm]

When I got this it had been in a closet for 30+ years. Outside was crudded up, it was actually stuck inside the leather holster. No other rust or corrosion, barrel clean.

What a great gun. I call her Jezebel, "known for her wicked action."