Model 59 Question

mrkwns · 12-16-2007, 03:01 PM

A friend of mine is offering to sell me a S&W model 59 for $200. I haven't seen the gun yet, but we are planning to go shoot it tomorrow.

Does anybody have any experience with this model? Anything special I should be looking out for? Overall opinions of thais particular model?

Thanks,

Mark

Mooseman684 · 12-16-2007, 03:17 PM

Good gun, 17 rd mag, unless it is beat all to hell, it is worth a bit more than 200 bucks. they run 300 -400 in 95% shape or better.
Rich

mrkwns · 12-17-2007, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mooseman684

Good gun, 17 rd mag, unless it is beat all to hell, it is worth a bit more than 200 bucks. they run 300 -400 in 95% shape or better.
Rich

Thanks for the help. I am fairly new to shooting, is there anything in particular that I would need to be looking for that would not be obvious.

Thanks again for your advise.

Mooseman684 · 12-17-2007, 10:26 AM

External finish first, then look down the barrel at the rifling and bore...A rough,Rusted, pitted exterior usually indicates the gun was not taken care of or exposed to harsh conditions. wiggle the slide and see if it is fairly tight when in battery... thats about it...
Shoot it if you can, look at the shell casings, etc.
Rich

mrkwns · 12-29-2007, 08:44 AM

Things got a little delayed, but i picked the gun up a few days ago. He ended up bumping his price up by 50 bucks, but i still feel like i got a pretty good deal. The gun is almost like brand new. Turns out it was his first handgun, and the first time he shot it he couldn't hit anything with it, so he put it away and hasn't shot it for 25 years or so.

Thanks for again the advise.

Down South · 12-29-2007, 05:10 PM

The model 59 was S&S's first double stack. They are sweet pistols. not quite as good of a feel as the older 39-2's but still a great pistol. I've had one for about 25 years.

K75RT · 12-29-2007, 05:51 PM

One other thing to note on checking a M59 is the area where the barrel locks into on the frame. As the receiver is made of aluminium and the M59 is an aged design; remove the slide and bbl., remove the barrel from the slide. Take the barrel and place it into the frame where it articulates into the frame. If the frame is shiny, there may be some wear, I've seen a couple that were actually galled due to improper lubrication and poor cleaning. If it is galled you will be able to see it as there is material worn away.

blaster · 12-29-2007, 06:06 PM

I have one, bought it used for $200. about 1983, great pistol, its still my only 9x19 pistol. I recently gave it a 2 tone duracoat finish. matt black slide and desert tan frame. I'd post pics if I could figure out how. good luck with yours I think you'll be happy with it. other than the 15 rd. mag. its the same gun as the mod. 39.

12-16-2007, 03:01 PM	#1
mrkwns Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: MN Posts: 7	Model 59 Question A friend of mine is offering to sell me a S&W model 59 for $200. I haven't seen the gun yet, but we are planning to go shoot it tomorrow. Does anybody have any experience with this model? Anything special I should be looking out for? Overall opinions of thais particular model? Thanks, Mark

12-16-2007, 03:17 PM	#2
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness Posts: 9,702 Images: 2	Good gun, 17 rd mag, unless it is beat all to hell, it is worth a bit more than 200 bucks. they run 300 -400 in 95% shape or better. Rich __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!

12-17-2007, 10:26 AM	#4
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness Posts: 9,702 Images: 2	External finish first, then look down the barrel at the rifling and bore...A rough,Rusted, pitted exterior usually indicates the gun was not taken care of or exposed to harsh conditions. wiggle the slide and see if it is fairly tight when in battery... thats about it... Shoot it if you can, look at the shell casings, etc. Rich __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!

12-29-2007, 06:06 PM	#8
blaster Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: big pine key, florida Posts: 437	I have one, bought it used for $200. about 1983, great pistol, its still my only 9x19 pistol. I recently gave it a 2 tone duracoat finish. matt black slide and desert tan frame. I'd post pics if I could figure out how. good luck with yours I think you'll be happy with it. other than the 15 rd. mag. its the same gun as the mod. 39. __________________ peace through superior firepower

12-29-2007, 08:44 AM	#5
mrkwns Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: MN Posts: 7	Things got a little delayed, but i picked the gun up a few days ago. He ended up bumping his price up by 50 bucks, but i still feel like i got a pretty good deal. The gun is almost like brand new. Turns out it was his first handgun, and the first time he shot it he couldn't hit anything with it, so he put it away and hasn't shot it for 25 years or so. Thanks for again the advise.

12-29-2007, 05:10 PM	#6
Down South Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jonesville La Posts: 49	The model 59 was S&S's first double stack. They are sweet pistols. not quite as good of a feel as the older 39-2's but still a great pistol. I've had one for about 25 years.

12-29-2007, 05:51 PM	#7
K75RT Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 331	One other thing to note on checking a M59 is the area where the barrel locks into on the frame. As the receiver is made of aluminium and the M59 is an aged design; remove the slide and bbl., remove the barrel from the slide. Take the barrel and place it into the frame where it articulates into the frame. If the frame is shiny, there may be some wear, I've seen a couple that were actually galled due to improper lubrication and poor cleaning. If it is galled you will be able to see it as there is material worn away.