"Steath" ASP Latest addition to custom Model 39 collection

[Model39]

Here is an unusual variation of the "ASP". This has uncommon black plastic grips, instead of the usual white grips, and comes with a flat bottom concealment magazine. This "ASP" is complete with a Null belt slide holster, (2) Null magnetic magazine pouches, (5) total magazines, original zipper case, "ASP" manual, and spare guttersnipe sight.

 

[koz5614]

Nice setup. The grips almost look like "Quest" grips but I guess they are not made of Buffalo Horn. I got rid of my ASP. I just wasn't a fan of the Guttersnipe. I'm still looking for one of the ASP 39s that has the conventional sights on it. At least I still have my DEVEL 39 and 59.

 

[NE450No2]

Once upon a time, in the late 60's or early 70's [If I remember correctly] a fella at my Pistol and Revolver Club worked for the Govt.

One day he showed up with his ASP. An original Paris Theodore Armament Systems Procedures Corp gun.

He asked if I wanted to shot it, and of clourse I did.

He had plenty of 9mm ammo so I got to shoot it quite a bit.

Once you got used to the Guttersnipe sight it was quite fast.

It was light, handy, comact, and it ran 100%.

It was truely ahead of its time...

 

[Model39]

Nice setup. The grips almost look like "Quest" grips but I guess they are not made of Buffalo Horn. I got rid of my ASP. I just wasn't a fan of the Guttersnipe. I'm still looking for one of the ASP 39s that has the conventional sights on it. At least I still have my DEVEL 39 and 59.

A former ASP dealer (back in the 80's) who helped me get this stealth ASP, told me he bought an original ASP which had the conventional sights, not the Gunttersnipe sights, from the ASP company, which had been special ordered, but never picked up. According to the dealer that was the only ASP that had been made that way. Who knows if there are any others out there with the original sights. I would definately buy one if I was given the chance. I also have (2) DEVEL 39's, a full house, and a basic model, and (1) DEVEL full house 59. I always liked these custom 39's, as they paved the way for all the compact guns which have come our way over the last 30 years. Thanks for the compliment.

 

[Grinder]

Very nice setup

 

[Murdock]

Cool stuff.

Do you know anything about the particular history of your gun? (e.g.; who owned it, date shipped from Appleton or NYC, etc.?).

Is the Guttersnipe sight metal or plastic?

Right hand gun, or left hand?

Noted that one of these sold on Gunbroker today for $3,500.

I'm keeping mine.

 

[Model39]

Do you know anything about the particular history of your gun? (e.g.; who owned it, date shipped from Appleton or NYC, etc.?).

Is the Guttersnipe sight metal or plastic?

Right hand gun, or left hand?

Noted that one of these sold on Gunbroker today for $3,500.

I'm keeping mine.

This is a late Appleton gun. Both the original and spare Guttersnipe sight are made of plastic. The triggerguard is relieved on the right side, and only has a safety on the left side of the slide for a right handed person.
Since I have a couple of ASPS, I'm tempted to shoot and carry this, but if they are bringing that kind of money, I will have to rethink about using it. Thanks for the comment, and info.

 

[RABULL]

Very nice setup.... I remember looking at the ASP Custom handguns when I was a young cop....I wanted one but never had near enough $$$ for one in those days....

 

[snowman.45]

I was working narcs back in the 70's and early 80's. Everyone wanted an ASP or DEVEL, but we sure couldn't afford them. At the time, we were all carrying Walther PPK or PPK/S for daily UC work. Add to that the use of ball ammo as the only available option, and you can see why we were interested. Our .45's were used for warrant service and surveillance, but the daily carry was usually handled with the Walther. I would have loved to have had an ASP or DEVEL.

 

[Murdock]

Too nice to carry. Too bad

Since I have a couple of ASPS, I'm tempted to shoot and carry this, but if they are bringing that kind of money, I will have to rethink about using it. Thanks for the comment, and info.
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Mine is also a late Appleton gun, built on a M439. It's a shame Appleton has kept no records of the 'smthing done on these guns.

Mine came to hand almost by accident. The gun showed up in a local shop that I try to haunt once a week, and it was the first one I'd actually seen. I checked it over to see if it was really an ASP and not just a knock-off, with a little help from a friend. The shop had it listed as a "customized S&W" and didn't know what it was, having obtained it in an estate buy with a number of other guns.

Since then two new magazines from Chris McLaughlin and leather from Ken Null have rounded out the set, but as the prices have risen so dramatically in the last three years I've decided not to carry it or shoot it much.

 

[mgo]

Regarding the photo of the ASP, can you explain why the slide is shaped as it is? Just to reduce the weight perhaps?

I'm sure the clear magazine viewer is an interesting gimmick, but one could only image that the shooter would be a bit too busy to glance at it in the heat of a firefight.

(Perhaps a cute little LED in there for night viewing could have been offered if that technology had been available in the 70s)

 

[koz5614]

I believe the cuts in the slide are to reduce weight and therefore speed up the cycling of the slide. DEVEL full house guns have similar cuts, but they are length-wise "scallops" in the slide. The windows are actually very practical. During a lull in the action, you glance at the grips and can determine if you should perform a tactical reload without removing the mag to look at the view holes. Other companies have had similar ideas. The original Detonics Combat Master magazines had a projection that stuck out the bottom of the mag when it was fully loaded so you could feel it with your finger. Even today, the BETA mag for AR Type weapons can be had with a clear cover so you can see your remaining rounds

 

[kennethg]

That is very nice. The closest I ever got to having one is knowing someone who had one. They sure were in demand in the day.