Smith and Wesson Model 59 Thoughts?

[Relic Hunter 451]

I found this S&W model. 59 at my local leo shop for a good price. I am a S&W revolver guy, but I liked the look and feel of this old semi-auto. Looks to be factory nickel and born in '81. I shot it and it ate cheap winchester ball, speer gold dot and federal hydra-shok without a hiccup so far. I thought it was a good looking gun for $200.00 + tax. What do you guys think of these model 59's ?

 

[mistersmith]

buy it asap.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

Where is it? Who has S&W autos that cheap?

 

[Relic Hunter 451]

I did buy it. It cleaned up nice with a little flitz polish and some love. It shoots great. They also had some model 659's for same price, but man are they heavy...lol

 

[4T5GUY]

Very nice find. Of course the price was, umm, amazing.

I really like all my 59's. No issues at all. (Sorry 59 detractors.) A couple I've taken apart to "improve" and one was perfect as it was.

You did great with that one and it is a nice example of an excellent early, (1st Gen that is,) S&W hi capacity 9mm. AND it's nickel too.

Jim

 

[jmace57]

I did buy it. It cleaned up nice with a little flitz polish and some love. It shoots great. They also had some model 659's for same price, but man are they heavy...lol

Tell me where! I'll take two of the 659s for that price!

 

[Jimmyjones]

Beautiful gun, have one just like it, payed a bunch more for mine, you got a deal!

 

[Engine49guy]

I paid more for my nickel Model 59 in 1985 !
IMO the 59 has a slightly better trigger than the 459 and better looks than the 3rd gens although those have better site options.

Never warmed up to the 659 as it feels like holding a lead brick in the hand.

 

[growr]

5900 series guns are great guns, all of mine have been totally reliable and I have Gen 1-2-3 guns.

Seem to be under-appreciated here in Montana. I can remember when there was a gun magazine that just trashed them and thought a .25 acp Raven was a much better firearm.

Anyone remember which magazine that published that? Don't even recall what the problems they were having were.....

Randy

 

[Redcoat3340]

For $200 I'm over a 659 like a cold sweat. If you would PM me the name of the shop....and tell 'em you sent me so you get the benefit of the good will.

 

[k22fan]

A $200 59 calls for reminiscing. About 1974 they were all going to police departments so the few in classified ads had outrageous asking prices. I forget the numbers but my new 39-2 was $125 + tax in 1973. MSRP on 59s probably was only slightly higher?

Naturally Jeff Cooper hated 59s. IIRC he coined the name Wonder Nine to ridicule them. He had a regular column in Guns & Ammo so that is my guess at the magazine growr wants.

There were reliability problems with some early issue 59s but the bugs were worked out of them. I did not own one until about 25 years ago. I bought it in excellent used condition for $199 + tax. It ran fine and had a great single action trigger with a very short reset. Matching that price today is unexpected.

 

[Relic Hunter 451]

I wasn't sure about it at first, but after I shot it I was impressed with it. Have owned alot of semi- auto guns, but for some reason unknown I never got into the older gen S&W semi-auto's. I had always hunted for S&W wheelies. Glad I scored this one.

 

[BC38]

Heck, I paid a few dollars more than that for a plain Jane blued one three or four years ago and thought I got a good deal.
You stole that one.

 

[stansdds]

$200 for a factory nickel plated Mode 59 in excellent condition? Did you also buy a lottery ticket? You should! That's a smoking deal and I would have bought it in a split second!

 

[Babysitr]

been looking for one! for that price I want 3 !!!!!

 

[smithman 10]

59

At that price a real steal of a deal!

I love my 39 but never could get excited about my 59 so traded it off years ago. The 39 stays here no matter what.

BUT - If I saw that pretty nickel 59 at that price I certainly would have brought it home too!

 

[reccpd101]

659

PM me the contact info I'll take a 659 at that price

 

[Revoman]

I'd buy it then get a big hat with a feather and a 1976 Eldorado.

But hey that's just me.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[gmborkovic]

OH YEA! like that scene in Magnum Force. With the MC cop and the
4" nic Python!

 

[sodacan]

My take on the model 59--guys that like them don't know any better. LOL