S&W Model 39-2

[H1500308]

I have 9mm S&W Model 39-2 that I've had for nearly 10 years. It was given to me from my family and it was made in the late 70s. It's been a reliable handgun for me but I wanted some input from others about the history, problems, durability of this model.

I don't use it as a CCW piece but I enjoy shooting it from time to time. What are your impressions?

 

[toocool]

S&W 39-2's are junk. The best thing you can do with yours is send it to me and I'll properly dispose of it for you.

Seriously, I think the 39-2 is one of the best 9mm pistols out there. They are comfortable to hold, very easy to shoot and easy to carry (if you were so inclined). I've had a couple over the years and wish I still had them.

Post a picture of yours, if you can...I still get the warm fuzzies whenever I see this classic. And enjoy yours...you have a goodie.

 

[doc2rn]

It will last a lifetime if properly cared for.

 

[Confederate]

Rocky Beginnings

The 59 and 39 pistols had all sorts of problems when they were first released. I remember buying a magazine, which I still have (see photo below), where one of the teasers on the cover stated: "Why a $49 Raven .25 is Better than a $220 S&W 9mm Model 59." The answer was, because the $49 Raven worked, and the Smiths did not. Apparently this was just prior to Smith fixing the problem, but by that time the reputations of the guns had declined drastically.

But when they did get the guns working, they were excellent. I really like the 659s, 5906s and 639s. The 639, especially, is a sexy pistol, but I never was able to find one back in the days I was buying.

I'd like to know if you've tried to shoot jacketed hollow points and, if so, whether you've had any problems. The later guns tended to eat anything, and the 645 (the .45ACP version) actually fed empty cartridges from a magazine. And in the military tests, the Beretta 92 malfunctioned on an average of once every 2,000 rounds. S&W's 459 (the aluminum 9mm) came in second, malfunctioning on an average of every 950 rounds. That's not bad—certainly something you could comfortably bet your life on.

I'm sorry to see that S&W has abandoned its steel guns. People were known to engrave the 59s, 39s, 559s, 659s, 639s, etc., but plastic guns aren't likely to be decorated, unless, of course, your 10-year old decides to try out his wood burning kit on your Glock!

.

 

[owlhoot]

I had a 39 that I bought back in the 60's. It was beautifully finished, felt great in the hand, but would feed only FMJ, didn't matter how much you polished the ramp. Of course, at that time FMJ was about all that was available. But when HP ammo became available and I couldn't use it, I became disenchanted and sold the gun. I sure wish I had kept the gun, just one of many bad decisions over the years.

 

[ILLINI]

They are awesome guns. A slim grip and accurate. Nice styling too. The one that I shot a couple of weeks ago feed Zero hollow point reloads flawlessly...Illini

 

[Confederate]

I sure wish I had kept the gun, just one of many bad decisions over the years.

Why do you regret selling it if it didn't handle the bullets you needed it to? Even now you can probably find a pristine 639 that has the same look and feel as the 39, but with the ability to feed just about anything. Everyone I know who's tried the 659 and the 639 has given the latter enthusiastic thumbs up.

 

[takhtakaal]

Reverend Ala Dan will be in here shortly, ably assisted by the choir, singing the 39-2's praises.

They're absolutely beautiful firearms. Just don't feed it +P ammo, strictly 115 gr. normal pressure for best function, longevity, and accuracy.

 

[rcmodel]

I have one I bought in 1979. It has been absolutely flawless with any JHP ammo I have ever shot in it.
It will even feed empty cases!

It is one bottom-feeder that I would have no reservations about staking my life on it working 101%!

They are one of the great guns!

rcmodel

 

[AJD]

I just picked up a mint 39-2 a few weeks ago. Beautiful, light, great trigger, accurate and the grip is wonderful. Most comfortable 9mm I've ever held.

 

[bannockburn]

H1500308

The Model 39-2 was an improved version of the original Model 39, which was first introduced by S&W in late 1954. The Model 39 had three initial problem areas: the barrel bushing, the extractor, and the feed ramp bump. All three were addressed and modified, resulting in the Model 39-2. It is a very well made gun, using an Alcoa forged aluminum frame, which provides high tensile strength along with lightweight carrying comfort.

 

[Murdock]

S&W M39 ASP 9mm

And sometimes they're so sexy, even James Bond likes them.

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

I took a 59 on trade and it was a jamomatic so I promptly got rid of it. I don't recall if it was their first model or not.

 

[isp2605]

My dept started issuing S&W 39s back in 1968. Most of the changes from the 39 to 39-2 and subsequent 2nd and 3rd generation S&Ws were due to modifications recommended by our range officers.
The 39-nothing had a slight hump in the feed ramp. Our ROs asked S&W why and S&W really didn't know why, they just did. So our guys removed the humps from our 39s. Prior to, altho also due to the time when not much other ammo was out there, to get reliable feeding required using a RNSP type bullet. Expansion was iffy and inconsistent. After removing the hump they would feed everything we put thru them, including the very short OAL Federal 95 gr SP which we carried for a couple of years.
The need for a change in the extractor was a debatable point by our people. However, the head RO preferred the shorter extractor and that was what was recommended and subsequently adopted by S&W. Whether it was necessary or not was often the point of some heated debates between the ROs. Some preferred the longer, wider extractor while the head RO and some preferred the shorter, narrower extractor.
When we went to 2nd gen S&W autos I bought my 39-nothing. This one has got quite a few carry miles on it. It's a great shooter with a trigger tuned where it is almost as sweet as the trigger on a 52. At 25 yds with the right ammo it would drop X-rings all day long. I haven't shot this one that much the last few years but I've noticed that sometime during the past 30 yrs the front sight has grown fuzz as it's not near as sharp as it use to be.

 

[varoadking]

The S&W Model 39-2 is an exceptional firearm, to be sure...

 

[dogrunner]

I've had mine since the early 70's, got it from a police mail order supply house out of Ohio. That gun has digested literally thousands of rounds, most of them really stiff handloads. It has experienced precisely two breakdowns during that period, a broken firing pin and a recoil spring guide rod that was starting to seperate (but it STILL worked). Other than for the FP that gun has NEVER failed to feed and fire. Incidentally, even tho mine bears a #2 model indicator it also has the 'humped' bbl ramp but does carry the narrow new style extractor.

In terms of accuracy it'l still hold it's own with any other service auto I ever carried and I'd not hesitate to stake my life on it to this day.

That comment on feed issues kinda surprised me as I have fed this gun everything from hard cast 147's, truncated cone 120's to the old (believe they were 90 gr) S&W hollowpoints that looked like someone had used a wash bucket for a design start! Plus P's,or plus P plus's for that matter I personally would have no hesititation stoking it with.

Don't know if it's findable now, but back in the late 60's or early '70's Skeeter Skelton did a shoot it till it dies test with the 39. I don't remember the round count but he succeeded to actually breaking off a portion of the frame and the gun STILL kept on shooting! Damn good guns!