[apipeguy]

When our department first let us start carrying personally owned semi-autos before the full transition from revolvers, I carried a couple different 59 versions and also 45 versions (4513 was a great off duty gun). This was in the 80’s and we went from model 66’s so I went with the stainless versions.

Of course, I was young and did not appreciate blued guns as I do now. Your 39 looks great and these Smith’s were really good guns.

 

[Reloader]

As I recollect, both the Model 39 and the Colt Commander came from the military trials for a new 9mm pistol in the early 1950s. I think the Commander did better later when it was bumped up to 45, but, as was mentioned earlier, the Model 39 had a great impact of law enforcement.

Even the US Navy used some Model 39s.

 

[njdevl]

Are those stock grips? They look much better than on my 39-2.

Those appear to be Model 59 grips on your 39, as the panel lacks the (frame's) subtle palm swell curve.

The grips on my 59 are not stock, but $40 (Ebay) Turkish walnut panels ... presently, there's a somewhat similar set of Turkish walnut M39 panels on ebay:

SMITH AND WESSON S&W MODEL 39, 52, 439, 539, 639, 9mm WALNUT WOOD GRIPS aa | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for SMITH AND WESSON S&W MODEL 39, 52, 439, 539, 639, 9mm WALNUT WOOD GRIPS aa at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[cterry877]

I have three of these. One nickel and the others blue. The used nickels seem to be about twice the price as the blued. I started with the nickel and love how it feels. I bought it new in the 70's. I acquired a blue one a couple of years ago that was like it came from the factory with the wax paper creased and crisp as it had never been taken out of the box. I just got my third this week at a pretty good buy. $625 in the box and has had less than 100 rounds through it. Super condition.

 

[dsk]

The cheap black plastic grips on the Model 59 spoil the looks of the weapon, so I bought this set of Turkish grips off of eBay. They fatten the grip somewhat but they make the pistol look so much nicer.

 

[Mike0251]

I too rescued one that I had acquired. Terrible external condition, and someone had used JB epoxy to bond a metal mount for a flashlight on the frame! Took some dremel work to get it all off, glass beaded, Duracoat applied, and touched up small bits. Came out respectable and it is a very good shooter too.

 

[RonC39]

The trigger surface on my 39-2 is very smooth, almost slippery. Has anyone ever tried texturing it?

 

[ouluckydogu]

I have a 3913 lady smith with bobbed hammer and looks like nickel slide over a aluminum frame. Very nice gun, sorry no pics.
Lucky

 

[jjfitch]

My Dad carried one in LE during the '80's, dept issue. It was stainless. I like it better in blue. I put more than a few rounds through it back in the day. That heavy da trigger and thumb safety made it a super safe carry gun I always thought.

That thingy on the left side of the rear slide is a DECOCK LEVER!

 

[Ranger4]

The 39 was the first 9mm I had ever fired. We were firing 357 across a farm pond shooting at rocks about 6 inches diameter, about 70 yards. They handed me the 39 and I was hitting them nearly every round. I was instantly amazed. Never actually bought a 39 but grabbed a 915 when they came out. Love the third gen smiths. They had wonderful triggers. Not sure why they are not still made.

 

[Poppajack67]

Hello, new here. I've just inherited a collection. In it were these two 1911's. The first is a S&W 39-2, serial number A239508. The second is an Essex rame with a Colt Slide, serial number 18265. I don't know much about either one, besides being in near perfect condition. Any help is much appreciated!

 

[ultra45]

Oh how i miss my model 39. I gifted it to a good friend back in the ‘80’s, who turned it in to a DEVEL conversion. He still has the gun. Oh how i miss it…

 

[JayPap]

All right now I miss my 39.

 

[moralem]

Ok, just for grins.