Thirty or so years ago, a co-worker asked me to advise him on the purchase of a handgun. We went to the FJ Vollmer store and there was a very nice used nickel 39-2 in the case. He decided that was what he wanted. If he had chosen something else, I would have bought the Smith as I was actively collecting nickel Smiths as the time.

I don't think he has fired it more than once or twice in the years since. I did advice him to get additional magazines. On one of my trips South, I brought back a lot of Blazer aluminum ammo that was purchased for less than $4.00 and he got some of it.

He received a terminal diagnosis recently and I have helped him with a couple of long guns that went to relatives.

On Tuesday he sold me the Smith, 5 magazines and 11 boxes of Blazer ammo. I greatly regret the situation, but I now have the Smith. I told him I would not sell it.

Means a lot more than a nice gun doesn’t it.

Sorry for your friend’s troubles. Hopefully it always reminds you of him.

Great guns come and go, but great friends are irreplaceable. Sorry to hear about the diagnosis for your friend.

Very interesting to hear about FJ Vollmer. Back in the 86–88 timeframe, I picked up both a P7M8 and P7M13 from them. Those were the old Shotgun News days. I happened to work in the small office complex and there was a psychologist two doors down who had his FFL. But, now I am going to admit that I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer: both were sold over five years ago … but I still took home over 3K for the M13.

This was a tremendous gesture on your friend's part.

So sorry for the situation.

Enjoy the classic Smith!

I’m sorry about your friend. I’m sure it gave him comfort to know it wasn’t just being sold to whomever, but a friend who would take care of it.

Sorry about your friend ,that 39-2 is a fantastic gun,I had one and donated it to my daughter in law who carries it.
Mags are hard to find.

Better it stays with you than being sold off for nothing at a shop. The 39-2 was the first handgun I carried when I got on the job. Sorry I sold it.

My friend Bill passed away last night.

quote:

Originally posted by maxwayne:
My friend Bill passed away last night.

So sorry to hear. Not only do you have the memories but you also can remember him every time you see that Smith. Prays to you and all of Bill's family and friends at this time of mourning.

Truly sorry for your loss.

I took the 39 to the range a couple weeks ago and it didn't want to eject the fired brass. I took it to a smith and he replaced the extractor and its spring.

Back to the range today and it is perfect now. I fired some reload jhp's I did 20 years ago, some white box Winchester jhp's and a box of Herter's fmj's from Cabelas. Everything worked as it was supposed to.

I promised my friend I wouldn't sell it, but I don't think he would mind if I trade it to my son. I bought my son a Smith about 30 years ago when he graduated from law school. He doesn't share my passion, but his eyes lit up when he saw the nickel 39. I think we are going to trade. Hopefully he will get home sometime when it is warm and we can go shoot together. I want to shoot the 39 again someday.

Keeping the 39-2 in the care of your son seems to be within the spirit of your friend's intention. Can the legacy continue further?

My son has no children, Hopefully he will pass it on to someone who will appreciate it.