smith and wesson

[NHSHOOTER]

Back in the 80's I had a smith and wesson 9mm single stack I think 8 rds magazine with adjustable sights, very accurate piece, had to sell it. I dont remember the model but I would really like another 1, the one thing I do remember was that it wouldnt fire without the Magazine in it..Just looking for the model number so I can search for another 1. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated..

[105kw]

It might be 3900 series pistol. The last digit, was the frame alloy. 3904, 3905, 3906.
They came both fixed sighted, or adjustable.
Before this were the 3 digit models, 439, 539, 639. With the same sight options.
Both are good single stack Semi-autos.

[bac1023]

If it was during the 80’s it likely would not have been a 3rd gen model (4 digits)

[jar]

But still likely part of the 39 family.

[RickB]

439 (blued, aluminum frame), 539 (same, in nickel), 639 (all stainless).
The Colt Commander and S&W 39 were competitors for a contract to replace the M1911A1, and when Uncle Sam balked, both guns were offered on the commercial market.

[bamaranger]

And before the 3-digit models, the original Model 39 was offered. I saw new Model 39's for sale into the early '80's.

[rc]

I would look for one of the older model 39 with the stainless receiver as a shooter. I like this model but getting one in CA would be a legal challenge. I feel so safe

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1032917480

[105kw]

Because any information can be of value.
The Model 39 was built until 1982.
The second generation of the 439, 539, and 639, were built from 1979, until 1988. With the 539 only from 1980 until 1983.
The third generation, models 3904, and 3906 were built 1988 to 1990.
Info from Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson.

[jetinteriorguy]

Sounds like my model39, I regret selling mine as well.

[Sevens]

Back in the 80's I had a smith and wesson 9mm single stack I think 8 rds magazine with adjustable sights, very accurate piece, had to sell it. I dont remember the model but I would really like another 1, the one thing I do remember was that it wouldnt fire without the Magazine in it..Just looking for the model number so I can search for another 1. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated..

If we go by simple statistical probability, based on the information you provided, you are looking for a Smith & Wesson Model 39-2.

I say this because you owned it in the 1980's. You did not say that it was manufactured in the 1980's but that is when you owned it.

For sure, S&W made lots and lots of 439's and 639's and some 539's and they made 3906 and 3904 also, but they made over 347,000 examples of the Model 39-2.

It was a single stack 9mm with a magazine that held 8 rounds, had adjustable sights and also had a magazine disconnect safety.

Without any other information... a 39-2 is what you likely owned.

Did it look like this?
https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl...AQMygXegQIARBf

[gwpercle]

Look at model 39's .
The Baton Rouge Louisiana Police Dept. went to the model 39 when the 9mm semi-auto became the rage . The officers liked the magazine disconnect ... push the magazine release button and the gun was disabled ... the Bad Guy could take it away but by hitting the button , he couldn't fire the gun ... or at least that was the thinking at that time .

I wished I had one now ... a rather nice shooter ... it fit my hand well .
Gary

[ballardw]

Originally Posted by gwpercle

Look at model 39's .
The officers liked the magazine disconnect ... push the magazine release button and the gun was disabled ... the Bad Guy could take it away but by hitting the button , he couldn't fire the gun ... or at least that was the thinking at that time .

Gary

I've seen this "push the magazine release" thing before. I always wondered what else was going on that hitting the release was the optimal choice.

[rc]

the 59 series had the same magazine disconnect and probably the same slide as the 39 series guns with the double column magazine and fatter grip.

[Skans]

The 659's (stainless version) are rock-solid guns. I've had mine for decades. Used to shoot it quite a lot. Prices have stayed down on these as well.

15,000 years from now, there will be 2 pistols that survive: Glock 17's, S&W 659's. I would include the Ruger P89's as well, but after 11,000 years the aluminum becomes prone to corrosion.

[bamaranger]

Consider that prior 1982, there were not a lot of 9mm choices in the US. The 1911 came in 9mm, the Browning HP, perhaps a P38 or a Luger. But there were just not a lot of options for anything else. The wave of euro and DA pistols had not occurred. There was no Glock.

The M39 and M59 were available domestic offerings and available. Truth be told, the 9mm ctg was not all that popular!

[Sevens]

^^This is true and I only base my opinions on what I’ve read from digging back in old gun magazines of the day. And before the internet and gun forums started rolling in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s, the gun periodicals -WERE- the pulse of the industry.

Outside of the Government Model, centerfire semiautomatic handguns were generally not all that popular for serious use. Exceptions were limited. Serious handgunners were using .45cal Colts (and a few others) or they were toting revolvers.

[jetinteriorguy]

Growing up in NoDak in the 60’s/70’s I never knew a single person that had a pistol. Typical armory would be a .22 rifle, a shotgun, and a high power rifle or two. Our only concern was hunting and you were pretty well covered by these three.

[jmr40]

I always wondered what else was going on that hitting the release was the optimal choice.

A surprising number of cops over the years have been shot/killed with their own gun when they were overpowered trying to arrest someone. There are also a surprising number of accidental shootings by people who drop the magazine thinking they've unloaded the gun and don't think about the one in the chamber.

The BHP which came out in the 1930 had a mag disconnect and many others followed this design. And there are a few documented cases where it saved a cops life.

That trend has changed, most newer guns don't have that feature.

[Pumpkin]

Today the bad guy doesn’t even need to look for a safety in most cases.

[SIGSHR]

The 2nd generation-3 digit model numbers-came with either a "fixed" rear sight-windage adjustment only-or a fully adjustable rear sight with protective ears. I have the 639 and 659, just bought fixed sight slides for them. I prefer steel frames for shooting comfort.
The slides for the 3rd generation-4 digit model numbers- do NOT fit on the 2nd generation, a shooting buddy just bought one, harhar.

[Drm50]

I’ve had several m39 S&Ws. In fact I just a few hours ago picked up a mint specimen in the box with docs and extra mag. The first one I had was bought same day with a Colt 1911 Commander and a Browning HP by my old man with my check book. I was out of country at time and wanted him to send me a good 9mm pistol. When I got home I tried them out. Actually the HP was a little more accurate but the tiny sights didn’t bring it out unless shooting rested. The Colt was last on accuracy totem pole. The 39 was just right.
Nice sight picture, decent trigger , DA just all round all purpose shooter.
* this is first gun I destroyed being young and dumb. Beat it up firing French 9mm meant for SMGs.
* The magazine disconnect in Browning HP was a set requirement by French Army who were shopping for new pistol.

[NHSHOOTER]

Sevens and all you others that have offered me insight, much appreciated, I am going to keep looking and try to find one at a decent price, I really liked that piece and financial hardship forced me to sell it, Thanks again for all your help..