SMITH & WESSON MOD 39/2

FOXTROT · 03-12-2008, 12:51 PM

Hi all!

A couple of years ago I inherrited a Smith & Wesson mod 39/2 pistol, but never really used it because a gunsmith friend of mine told me that it's got a very soft alloy frame and will wear out quickly. It's got a black frame, dark walnut grips with a round golden little emblem on the sides, double action, single stack 9mm p with adjustable sights.

Is there any truth in that statement? It's been sitting in my safe for 15 years and I only fired about 100 rounds with it.
I'ts quite sad because its a real tight shooter and is so slim that it would make a very nice carry piece. Well I found great joy over the years just cleaning it and looking at it since it is a handsome piece of "history".
Can anyone shed some light on this firearm? I'll probably have to get rid of it soon since Government is really limiting the size of our arsenals here in South Africa, but the market is flooded with good guns here and I don"t want to hand it over for destruction either. What would the value of this firearm be? I would rather sell it on to someone in it's "home country" where it came from.(USA) Someone who would appreciate it as a beatiful piece of engineering and not frown upon it like here in SA as "guns kill people"

Regards
Francois.

BaserRonin · 03-12-2008, 01:01 PM

Never heard anything on a soft frame with those, but I may have missed that memo. That is a fine piece of history. I agree with your sentiments on selling it off rather then giving it up for destruction, I know I wish I had one anyway.

Depending on condition they can go anywhere from $250 to $400 (USD) on average. Rarer ones that attract a collector can go for much more.

As a reference for prices you may take a look at GunsAmerica.com or GunBroker.com. Remember though, the ones that are still on there are the ones that haven't sold, a lot of times because the price is too high.

SwedeSteve · 03-13-2008, 12:53 PM

Once upon a time I had both a M39, and a M59. I shot the heck out of those pistols. Wish I still had them!

Xsea240 · 03-14-2008, 07:56 PM

Shot a couple thousand rounds thru a 39-2 back in the 60s and early 70s. I never had any problems with it. Ill. State Police were one of the first agencies that issued semi autos and they started with S&W 39s in the 60s. Nice pistol shoot it.

kygunsmith · 03-14-2008, 09:26 PM

I'm with these guys, Foxtrot, shoot it a lot, quick before your gov't wants it.

rfc357 · 03-14-2008, 09:31 PM

Crapola. Shoot it.

Taurus Fan · 03-15-2008, 02:07 PM

Nothing wrong with the 39, and it was a sexy looking pistol, thin, trim, and great for concealed carry. The Illinois state police used them for years , your gunsmith friend is just blowing smoke about them being too soft for regular use.

Snakeii · 03-20-2008, 04:49 PM

I had a 39-2 for a several years that my stepfather had, and he was the second owner of it.

It was a great shooter, pretty accurate considering how many rounds were put through it, better then the Glock 23 I usually carry.

The only problems I had with it was a worn down sear and drawbar, and the safety had literally broken in half. I placed a order (Gun Parts, NY) and rebuilt the gun myself. Drawbar, sear, hammer, safety and a few other pieces. After that it was like a brand new gun for roughly $100. I ended up selling to a friend of mine a few years back, and hes still carrying it.

I found the 39-2 better for concealment then the Glock, either on the hip, in shoulder rig, etc. The single stack helps with that.

For selling it, put it up on Gun Brokers or some other auction site, you should be able to get a good buyer. Just be sure to follow the laws in gun ownership transfer.

johnsonva · 04-05-2008, 06:16 AM

Hello All,

I'm new to the forum and have a question concerning a S&W 39-2. I'm having problems with extracting spent rounds. It looks like the extractor is pulling over the rim of the fired case, going to full recoil and stripping the next round from the clip. The result is of course the new round jamed into the back of the fired one.

I recently had a S&W armorer look at the pistol at a local dealers open house/sale. He said the extractor spring tension felt fine and he could see no damage to the extractor itself using an eye loop. He did stone the living b-j* out of the bottom of the slide.

The jaming occurs every 2nd or third round with any type of ammo, both factory and handloads.

Any suggestions here? Since parts are fairly expensive, I'm reluctant to just throw parts at the gun. Thanks

Johnsonva

03-12-2008, 12:51 PM	#1 (permalink)
FOXTROT Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 1	SMITH & WESSON MOD 39/2 Hi all! A couple of years ago I inherrited a Smith & Wesson mod 39/2 pistol, but never really used it because a gunsmith friend of mine told me that it's got a very soft alloy frame and will wear out quickly. It's got a black frame, dark walnut grips with a round golden little emblem on the sides, double action, single stack 9mm p with adjustable sights. Is there any truth in that statement? It's been sitting in my safe for 15 years and I only fired about 100 rounds with it. I'ts quite sad because its a real tight shooter and is so slim that it would make a very nice carry piece. Well I found great joy over the years just cleaning it and looking at it since it is a handsome piece of "history". Can anyone shed some light on this firearm? I'll probably have to get rid of it soon since Government is really limiting the size of our arsenals here in South Africa, but the market is flooded with good guns here and I don"t want to hand it over for destruction either. What would the value of this firearm be? I would rather sell it on to someone in it's "home country" where it came from.(USA) Someone who would appreciate it as a beatiful piece of engineering and not frown upon it like here in SA as "guns kill people" Regards Francois.

03-12-2008, 01:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
BaserRonin Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: In a Dark Cubicle Posts: 372	Never heard anything on a soft frame with those, but I may have missed that memo. That is a fine piece of history. I agree with your sentiments on selling it off rather then giving it up for destruction, I know I wish I had one anyway. Depending on condition they can go anywhere from $250 to $400 (USD) on average. Rarer ones that attract a collector can go for much more. As a reference for prices you may take a look at GunsAmerica.com or GunBroker.com. Remember though, the ones that are still on there are the ones that haven't sold, a lot of times because the price is too high. __________________ "It is useless for the sheep to pass resolutions in favour of vegetarianism" ~ R. W. Inge

03-13-2008, 12:53 PM	#3 (permalink)
SwedeSteve Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: AnchorTown, Alaska Posts: 6,033 Images: 1	Once upon a time I had both a M39, and a M59. I shot the heck out of those pistols. Wish I still had them! __________________ Thank God we don't get as much Government as we pay for! -Will Rogers

03-15-2008, 02:07 PM	#7 (permalink)
Taurus Fan Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Cobra Command Headquarters Posts: 522	Nothing wrong with the 39, and it was a sexy looking pistol, thin, trim, and great for concealed carry. The Illinois state police used them for years , your gunsmith friend is just blowing smoke about them being too soft for regular use. Last edited by Taurus Fan; 03-15-2008 at 02:14 PM.

04-05-2008, 06:16 AM	#9 (permalink)
johnsonva Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 2	39-2 problem Hello All, I'm new to the forum and have a question concerning a S&W 39-2. I'm having problems with extracting spent rounds. It looks like the extractor is pulling over the rim of the fired case, going to full recoil and stripping the next round from the clip. The result is of course the new round jamed into the back of the fired one. I recently had a S&W armorer look at the pistol at a local dealers open house/sale. He said the extractor spring tension felt fine and he could see no damage to the extractor itself using an eye loop. He did stone the living b-j* out of the bottom of the slide. The jaming occurs every 2nd or third round with any type of ammo, both factory and handloads. Any suggestions here? Since parts are fairly expensive, I'm reluctant to just throw parts at the gun. Thanks Johnsonva

03-14-2008, 07:56 PM	#4 (permalink)
Xsea240 Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 31	Shot a couple thousand rounds thru a 39-2 back in the 60s and early 70s. I never had any problems with it. Ill. State Police were one of the first agencies that issued semi autos and they started with S&W 39s in the 60s. Nice pistol shoot it.

03-14-2008, 09:26 PM	#5 (permalink)
kygunsmith Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Kentucky Posts: 107	I'm with these guys, Foxtrot, shoot it a lot, quick before your gov't wants it.

03-14-2008, 09:31 PM	#6 (permalink)
rfc357 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 728	Crapola. Shoot it.

03-20-2008, 04:49 PM	#8 (permalink)
Snakeii Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 1	I had a 39-2 for a several years that my stepfather had, and he was the second owner of it. It was a great shooter, pretty accurate considering how many rounds were put through it, better then the Glock 23 I usually carry. The only problems I had with it was a worn down sear and drawbar, and the safety had literally broken in half. I placed a order (Gun Parts, NY) and rebuilt the gun myself. Drawbar, sear, hammer, safety and a few other pieces. After that it was like a brand new gun for roughly $100. I ended up selling to a friend of mine a few years back, and hes still carrying it. I found the 39-2 better for concealment then the Glock, either on the hip, in shoulder rig, etc. The single stack helps with that. For selling it, put it up on Gun Brokers or some other auction site, you should be able to get a good buyer. Just be sure to follow the laws in gun ownership transfer.

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