Unnecessary pawn shop buy of the day: Model 659 **NEW PIC**

[olivehead1]

Why another 659 of lesser condition? Because it was there. Will need a good cleaning (probably just blast it with break cleaner as a start) then some work on the finish. At some point a wire brush may be in order. At least I got the mag floor plate seated properly (at first I thought the front half had actually been bent downward from the mag). I'll post some "after" pics when I'm through.

p.s. In further answer to the "why?" I'd add that it's the same configuration and similar condition to the gun used on screen by Mr. Pink (third pic).

p.p.s. Added a pic (4th pic) after a good cleaning and a couple light passes with Mother's on the flats. Not really happy with this pick as it manages to make the semi-polished flats look matte. Will give it another try tonight and post. (Added a better pic below, which should conclude my attention to this particular item. On to the next.)

 

[PPS1980]

Always like a project weapon. Looking forward to the "after" photos.

 

[stansdds]

Why another 659 of lesser condition? Because it was there.

Does one really need any other reason?
No.
And you now have two Model 659's for the same reason as I have two Model 645's, one in nearly new condition, the other a former PD issue pistol and looks like it was dragged down a street. One for looking, one for shooting and maybe a little customization.

 

[olivehead1]

One for looking, one for shooting and maybe a little customization.

That's apparently my philosophy as well, despite my best efforts to reign that sh*t in.

Another factor, and the reason over the last 6-8 months that I've broken my "one in, one out" rule, is that stuff that interests me (and stuff in general) just doesn't come up for sale like it used to. Smith 5906s, for example, used to be a dime a dozen, and if you passed on one or traded or sold one, you could pretty easily come into another. Not so much any more. I guess now when I see something like this that's on the more rare side, I pick it up, assuming a price within reason, and figure I can cull the herd later.

 

[panther]

I've got one and would pick up another if I found one. In fact, if any 59 series showed up here I'd probably be after it.

 

[hammy5150]

That's apparently my philosophy as well, despite my best efforts to reign that sh*t in.

Another factor, and the reason over the last 6-8 months that I've broken my "one in, one out" rule, is that stuff that interests me (and stuff in general) just doesn't come up for sale like it used to. Smith 5906s, for example, used to be a dime a dozen, and if you passed on one or traded or sold one, you could pretty easily come into another. Not so much any more. I guess now when I see something like this that's on the more rare side, I pick it up, assuming a price within reason, and figure I can cull the herd later.

I've tried to hew close to that rule lately too, passed up a near pristine-looking 910S at a local range because of it just last week. When I came in the next day it was already gone.

 

[Redcoat3340]

I just had mine out the other day for some dry-firing (with a snap cap). Not sure I'd double up on that particular gun but I did double-down on a 39-2. (Was at a pawn shop with terrible grips that made the gun look awful. New grips and some elbow grease and bingo! a new gun, better than the one I already had, which is pencil etched with police rack number.)

Note: I've sort of reached an impasse with pistol purchasing. I'm loath to buy something I won't carry (in the concealed sizes) or shoot. But I've got some real good shooters that sort of block out getting anything 'lesser' and I want to focus on fewer carry guns rather than a lot. (Can't justify getting a CS40 when I have 4513TSW, 4013TSW and PX4 compact .40...and CS9 and Shield .45; or buy a 1911 when I've got a S&W 745, 4566TSW, or Sig 220. Plus pistol prices are just silly and I don't see them coming down anytime soon. But....there is that PPQ, Walther P99 and S&W 1917 I've been hankering after....

 

[Green Frog]

I went pretty much the same way only with single stacks. I bought a like new 39-2 for my Dad about 1979, which I then inherited upon his passing a couple of years ago. It has now had ambi safety and fully adjustable sights added, but it's just too nice to carry to range and field and let get beat up, so enter a well used 639 as my "mule." It now has three different slide assemblies fitted to it so I can have it in stock, fixed sight configuration, adjustable sight "two tone" configuration (Mod 915 slide) and another two tone configuration with an orphan 439 blue slide destined for a reflex red dot sight as soon as funds allow. All I ask is that you guys quit tempting me with all these neat projects that are working so well for you...
I must resist, I must resist!

Froggie

 

[BigBoy99]

Does one really need any other reason?

I had a matched pair of right and left .45 cal. holsters which were the reason for the second gun. The 645 fit the holsters perfectly so I "just had to" get get another 645 so I'd have a matched set of guns in a matched set of holsters!

 

[olivehead1]

Not sure I'd double up on that particular gun but I did double-down on a 39-2. (Was at a pawn shop with terrible grips that made the gun look awful. New grips and some elbow grease and bingo! a new gun, better than the one I already had, which is pencil etched with police rack number.)

Funny you mention a Model 39. Same shop where I picked up the 659 has had a 39-2 for over 2 years now, priced way too high, especially considering what I paid for a 39-2 in much better condition about a year and a half ago. Since I was dealing with my main man at the shop, who made me a good price on the also overpriced 659, I was tempted to make an offer on the 39-2 as well, just to maybe have a shooter version of a great gun. It would have mostly been about the price, but really, yet another gun I don't need. Still thinking about it though. You never did see these guns very often walking into a brick and mortar, even less so now, and Gunbroker, etc., prices are getting out of hand on some of these things.

 

[olivehead1]

I've tried to hew close to that rule lately too, passed up a near pristine-looking 910S at a local range because of it just last week. When I came in the next day it was already gone.

Just wondering, how much were they asking for the 910?

 

[SPEEDGUNNER]

I think you will be surprised how well that bad boy cleans up. And then you will be further surprised at how well it shoots!

Surprises can be a good thing, like seeing it in the case for sale when you walked into the pawn shop.

Be sure to show us how it turns out. Good luck and have fun!!

 

[olivehead1]

Be sure to show us how it turns out.

Just added a new pic to my original post. Not happy with it (the pic) and will try again later.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

Good to see an worn Smith shooter find a caring home.

 

[Green Frog]

I had a matched pair of right and left .45 cal. holsters which were the reason for the second gun. The 645 fit the holsters perfectly so I "just had to" get get another 645 so I'd have a matched set of guns in a matched set of holsters!

Any rationalization is better than none at all!
Sounds perfectly logical to me, but then again I don't take very much convincing. As a matter of fact, I'm going to have to take a new look at all the left handed holsters I inherited from my Dad!

Froggie

 

[Green Frog]

Just added a new pic to my original post. Not happy with it (the pic) and will try again later.

I'm a recent convert to the use of grey Scotchbrite™ for touching up stainless finish on S&Ws. My 639 receiver had some small shiny wear spots and streaks on it, so with a little judicial application of the pad, I watched them disappear! I was able to get mine at Home Depot.

Froggie

 

[6GUNSONLY]

Because one is none and two is one.

 

[hammy5150]

Just wondering, how much were they asking for the 910?

$700 which is far from a great deal normally, but this is California where any 3rd gen gun usually starts out in that price range even if they've been heavily used. They can't be bought normally here except as a private transfer so they command a bit of a premium.

 

[olivehead1]

$700

Good God Almighty.

 

[olivehead1]

Here's a better "after" pic if anyone's still interested.