Were there any "copies" of 39-2s ever made by anyone?

[Redcoat3340]

So when someone makes a popular gun there are usually a legion of followers who produce similar pistols (or even clones) ie., FEG for HiPowers; Taurus for Beretta 92; everyone, everywhere for Glock, etc.

So I'm wondering if anyone, back in the day, "copied" Smith's success with the 39 with single stack, DA/SA 9mm?

And I don't mean the plethora of single stack concealed carry guns around today (Shield, 365, etc.), but full sized guns ala the Smith single stacks.

I've got a couple of 39s & 3904s and most of the 39 and 59 series...just looking for something ala the 39 to spend my children's inheritance on.

 

[Tom K]

So when someone makes a popular gun there are usually a legion of followers who produce similar pistols (or even clones) ie., FEG for HiPowers; Taurus for Beretta 92; everyone, everywhere for Glock, etc.

So I'm wondering if anyone, back in the day, "copied" Smith's success with the 39 with single stack, DA/SA 9mm?

I think you've got it backwards as to who copied who.

 

[stansdds]

I don't think any manufacturer attempted to copy S&W's Model 39. The Model 39's action was based on that of the German P-38, so the S&W Model 39 might be considered an Americanization of the Walther P-38.

 

[erikpolcrack]

I guess I'm getting old, but I'm remembering things a little differently. I was always taught the Beretta 92 was based on the P-38, and the Model 39 was based on the Browning HP. I refer to what I was told was the key to the basic design: the manner in which the barrel locks and unlocks.

EDIT: Since I was contradicted on this, I went back and checked. I checked the pistols themselves and both the NRA and the Gun Digest books on pistol assembly/disassembly. The Browning and the S&W use almost the same barrel locking system. Cams cut into a barrel extension below the chamber tilt the barrel to unlock it. Grooves and notches forward of the chamber lock the barrel up into the slide. The other two - the Beretta and the P38 - use a different locking system. They both have a separate locking wedge that moves up and down relative to the barrel and frame when the slide moves back and forth.

 

[stansdds]

The S&W Model 59 was based on the Hi-Power, or at least its high capacity magazine concept. The Model 59 started as a USN request for a Model 39 that would use Hi-Power magazines. As to the Model 39 being based on the Hi-Power, no, it shares nothing in terms of design with the Hi-Power.