ANGST
Member
Used to be able to find them all day at $400, like 12 months ago . Now I see them selling at 5-600 . Is this my imagination , or are they becoming popular ?
What the heck happened to Model 39 prices ?
- Thread starter ANGST
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WisconsinKen
Member
I think since everyone has finally realized that high capacity mag weapons are not going to disappear (which caused their pricing to soar last 1.5 years), people are starting to look at the lower capacity guns (like the 39 and collectible revolvers) again. I know the price of wheel guns dropped like a rock up here when the craze hit and are now soaring again. Unfortunately, the 39 is the same way as I'd like to pick one up.
Laugh if you want to but I picked up a S&W 696-1 when this crazy mess kicked off again because someone traded it in for one of thoes plastic hicap guns. I do have one nickel 39-1 but my favorites are the 639's & 3906's
TheHobbyist
Member
I remember about 6-7 years ago passing on one (Model 39) for $ 300 even. It was like new in the original box, no blemishes or otherwise.
WisconsinKen
Member
Yeah, I picked up a couple of wheel guns pretty cheap. Also, i got a good deal on a couple of 1911s because the guys wanted 17+ rounds of 9mm in their weapon....
OP
ANGST
Member
I traded an AR15 for a Beretta 686 shotgun
There was a 39 in the LGS on consignment , maybe 95% with box and papers for $400 about 12 months ago , maybe less, I have no idea why I did not buy it . I have wanted one for some time . It's the gun my dad carried when he was a detective back in the late 70s/early 80s
Not becoming... already popular.
I noticed the prices increasing a few years ago, along with an increase of the number of "got me a M39/39-2" postings on the forum.
I got a 39-2 a few years ago... I want another one, but that's like wanting to win the Powerball lottery, here in CA.
chuckfw
US Veteran
Just bought a super clean 39-2 nickel finish for 525.00 and didn't look back. Great gun.
4506517
Member
Sweet. I gave like $350 for a pristine one about a year and a half ago.
Still haven't shot it.
Still haven't shot it.
italiansport
Member
I still have the Model 39 my wife gave me for Christmas back in 1974 and the retail price is still on the box($179). It was and still is a great gun not new in the box but darn near. This one is permanent since it was a gift and hopefully will remain in the family.
Jim
Jim
39-1 !!!!! Wish I had one, they're the 52-A in 38 AMU, very rare. possibly a Model 39.
Hi:
I ran across a mint blue 439 w/2 stainless S&W magazines & a little leather Safariland holster not long ago, bought it for $400. It has low profile fixed sights and is very hard to tell from the 39s. I like it.
Are these as desirable as the original 39s? Honestly I can't see or feel much difference. Thanks,
I ran across a mint blue 439 w/2 stainless S&W magazines & a little leather Safariland holster not long ago, bought it for $400. It has low profile fixed sights and is very hard to tell from the 39s. I like it.
Are these as desirable as the original 39s? Honestly I can't see or feel much difference. Thanks,
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Tom_R
Member
I grabbed a very nice 39-2 for like $325 or $350, from my LGS back in June or July.
Yet they now have another one, that is very rough and are asking $450 for it, so just based on that, I think I did well to grab it when I did.
I also got a 439 later in the summer. I have only shot each of them a single time. The 39-2 Ashton nicely, but the 439 was a machine. I think its more me, and just how I was doing, but I really picked up the 439s sights well that day and shot some really nice groups with it.
The fit and finish of the 39-2 is incredible. I have never felt a pistol just feel so right in my hand, like that pistol did. The grip edge of the 439 goes to close to the edge of the frame, and it doesn't feel as right in my hand as the 39-2 does.
But they are both real nice shooters.
I got the 39-2 because I live in CT, and I wanted to have a single column 9mm for carry, since I can only go 10+1 at the most. With some newer Smith mags I can go 9 +1 in either pistol.
But getting back to the value on these guns, Smith and Wessons in general from the '60s and 70's are really going up in value, and are more sought after. People want them. Smith and Wesson still makes great products, but the guns from that era are being recognized as classics.
It's the same thing with cars. 20 a 40 years later we become nostalgic, and appreciate how good those machines were. I really want to get a 1970 Mustang, but I may get an 80s vintage fox body, clean it up, and soon it up, as they are now classics.
Same thing with these Smith 39s. They are the the anti-polymer, super-gun.
Yet they now have another one, that is very rough and are asking $450 for it, so just based on that, I think I did well to grab it when I did.
I also got a 439 later in the summer. I have only shot each of them a single time. The 39-2 Ashton nicely, but the 439 was a machine. I think its more me, and just how I was doing, but I really picked up the 439s sights well that day and shot some really nice groups with it.
The fit and finish of the 39-2 is incredible. I have never felt a pistol just feel so right in my hand, like that pistol did. The grip edge of the 439 goes to close to the edge of the frame, and it doesn't feel as right in my hand as the 39-2 does.
But they are both real nice shooters.
I got the 39-2 because I live in CT, and I wanted to have a single column 9mm for carry, since I can only go 10+1 at the most. With some newer Smith mags I can go 9 +1 in either pistol.
But getting back to the value on these guns, Smith and Wessons in general from the '60s and 70's are really going up in value, and are more sought after. People want them. Smith and Wesson still makes great products, but the guns from that era are being recognized as classics.
It's the same thing with cars. 20 a 40 years later we become nostalgic, and appreciate how good those machines were. I really want to get a 1970 Mustang, but I may get an 80s vintage fox body, clean it up, and soon it up, as they are now classics.
Same thing with these Smith 39s. They are the the anti-polymer, super-gun.
Back in 69 I had just returned to the Chicago PD from a military leave(just had to go back, kind of missed the jungle rot) and the Illinois State Police had adopted the 39 in 67 and the last ones were getting into the field. I interfaced (read coffee/donut shop) with a couple of troopers frequently and loved that gun. Then the CPD came out with an order that allowed us to carry the 39 as an auxiliary weapon-in addition to our 38s. But the regs said that it had to be carried with the chamber empty and hammer down!!!! Of course that was silly, so I packed it for a while breaking the rules with a round chambered, then decided if I was going to break that rule I might just as well go back to my BHP, which I did-still got that 39 though-beautiful weapon!
BTW, the ISP guys packed them in a cross draw full flap holster that had an integral magazine carrier, and their regs prohibited them from carrying any extra mags, one in the gun, one in the holster carrier and that was it. Don't know who was dumber the CPD bosses or the ISP bosses, after 50 years in law enforcement, I think I will give the dumb boss nod to the CPD. Even if I ended up as one of them(gave me a better close up perspective)
BTW, the ISP guys packed them in a cross draw full flap holster that had an integral magazine carrier, and their regs prohibited them from carrying any extra mags, one in the gun, one in the holster carrier and that was it. Don't know who was dumber the CPD bosses or the ISP bosses, after 50 years in law enforcement, I think I will give the dumb boss nod to the CPD. Even if I ended up as one of them(gave me a better close up perspective)
Gunsnwater
Member
I don't want to derail the thread, but now is a great time to shop ar(s) they are dropping like a rock. The 39 is going to climb so you won't lose money, I believe. I don't hesitate on nice older Smiths its money in the bank.
45Wheelgun
Member
I noted the prices rising on these in the last several years. I have also noticed the same about model 59's. I am still on the lookout for a pristine nickel 39 in a box with all proper accessories. I was able to locate a M39 in blue with the box and all the goodies. It ran about $500.
I am pretty sure this thread violates a forum rule by not having any pictures.
Allow me to rectify that omission:
I am pretty sure this thread violates a forum rule by not having any pictures.
Allow me to rectify that omission:
IDK - remember, asking price isn't sold price. I've been watching these at auction for a little while; without getting too involved in analyzing the numbers it appears they are being sold for and/or bidding stops between the mid-$300 to low-$400 range.
What people are willing to spend is what I like to look at in estimating current market price, not what the asking price is.
