Hello Everyone,

A buddy of mine finally decided to buy his first pistol. I told him this is probably the worst time to buy, but would help him out. I found a clean Smith and Wesson 59 locally. I have an affinity for classic, all metal 9mm pistols. And since used GLOCKS (Gen 3) are going for around $800 and up around here, I figured it's a good deal. I've never heard anything negative about these pistols. Does anyone here own one or have any experience with them?

While I have no experience with the model 59, I have had several m39 variations and have had no problems. I think that if the gun seems to fit his hand he's good to go. Smiths are great guns.

It's still a viable defensive firearm, in that it is a quality gun that you could stake your life on.

But it's kind of a catch-22... If he's wanting it for a carry gun, it's pretty large and heavy, and finding modern holsters will be tougher. If he's wanting it for a home defense gun, it doesn't have a means to attach a light.

And either way, night sights aren't an option on most S&W 59s without custom slide work. Plus you'll want to thoroughly test it to make sure it works reliably with modern defensive hollowpoints. And he'll have to train with the long DA trigger.

So while he could do worse than a S&W 59, he could also likely do better. (Although it very well may be the best he can do right now in California, given CA's handgun restrictions and the current firearms market.)

Hell yes.

A WWII era P38 or Smith 25 is still “viable.”

A Smith 59 is damn near perfect.

Folks get hung up on the latest greatest itty bitty 365 or Glock of the moment etc. those may be lighter or hold a few more rounds or have more accessories but they throw the same chunks of lead we have been throwing for a century and I would argue that big ass Smith will do it even easier.

That was the first gun I ever owned. A hand me down from my Dad. Had it for many years in college and afterwards. Eventually traded it for my first Sig.

As long as the rails are in good shape and the parts are maintained, I don't see why it wouldn't be a viable option. I think Rogue's assessment is accurate.

Definitely a good gun. It was a very popular LE sidearm for years. As others have stated it's a big heavy duty gun. If it's in good shape it should be reliable.

However Smith is no longer supporting these. Getting parts, if necessary, will be a problem. I don't know if it has any third party support any more (thinking explicitly about springs.)

The old Smiths are workhorses and built like tanks. I have a 5906 that is smooth as butter and feels twice as good in the hand as many of the new plastic fantastics.

quote:

Originally posted by cslinger:
Folks get hung up on the latest greatest itty bitty 365 or Glock of the moment etc. those may be lighter or hold a few more rounds or have more accessories but they throw the same chunks of lead we have been throwing for a century

Yeah, but it isn't always about chasing the coolest and newest whiz-bang inventions here... Modern improvements like weapon mounted flashlights, rifles with red dot optics, improved sights, triggers that aren't long 15 pound DA pulls, defensive hollowpoint technology advancements, etc., can be important factors in improving your outcome in a defensive shooting.

There have been big steps taken in firearms and related accessories in the last half-century. Just because it's newer doesn't necessarily mean it's better, but in some cases it does, and one should be wary of becoming a luddite who clings to "it's been good enough for X years" as the gold standard and is resistant to change or the potentially dramatic advantages provided by some newer advancements.

Sure, you could certainly successfully defend your home with a lever rifle and a USGI-spec M1911, but a more modern rifle and handgun with some modern accessories attached have enough advantages over those that they'd be (and are) the preference for most folks, given the option.

One of my first handguns, but I no longer own.

I would make sure the magazine spring and recoil spring are good to go. I prefer the OEM mags in these because the MecGars I used are really optimized for the 3rd gen S&W and don't fit quite like OEM.

I would probably clean the firing pin channel and check the firing pin along with the decocker function.

I would go with a hollow point like the Federal 9BP as the feed ramp is narrower than newer guns like the M&P.

The trigger is heavier than a Beretta 92, SIG P226 or 5906 and I would really have to train with the DA a lot. I would keep the hammer at half cock.

I don’t have a 59 but I do have a 5906 (I think) all steel 9mm. Love that gun. I would gladly use a 59 for HD.

Why do we consider the model 59 to be such a heavy gun? According to Wikipedia, it weighs about 840 grams, and that’s only 30 grams or about 1 ounce more than the 9mm P226 I weighed. It’s also virtually identical to the weight of a 357/40 P226 which I never considered to be all that heavy.

quote:

Sure, you could certainly successfully defend your home with a lever rifle and a USGI-spec M1911, but a more modern rifle and handgun with some modern accessories attached have enough advantages over those that they'd be (and are) the preference for most folks, given the option.

I certainly don’t disagree. I am just saying that it seems we have reached a point where “ohh my god I can’t mount a weapon light or night sights this thing is literally useless.”

We get so hung up on gear and forget about the “software”. Is a fresh off the line Glock 17 more optimal, yeah probably, is it NECESSARY for actual self defense??? I would argue not in the least, assuming what you have is reliable and you are trained/skilled in its use.

There are a great many new shooters right now and many have dad or grand dads hand me downs and suddenly realize they might be worth keeping or loading up in case shit. Would they be better served by a LTT Beretta with a dot, probably, but they are far from functionally unarmed either, again assuming good working equipment and the will and skill to use it.

The Smith 59 series was a mainstay choice no more then 15-20 years ago and the average asshole hasn’t changed greatly in that time so the tool is still plenty viable.

Yes, I have lights on all my social guns, and night sights and a semi auto rifle at the ready.

If I had instead my “puppy’s” “thutty thutty” and any of my DA revolvers I wouldn’t loose much sleep over it.

I consider a Ruger Blackhawk a viable option so for me the S&W 59 or 5906 would be just fine. The advice about spring replacement, cleaning, ammo testing and magazine function is spot on.
How strange... I recall when the 59 was "state of the art".
I date myself!

And nothing said above should be construed as I would be totally cool actually being shot at with any of the. In the event of actual altercation besides screaming like a little girl I would be wanting a belt Fed, close air support and a claymore perimeter at minimum.

Not bad at all, as long as you can find something to feed it!

If he wants to go full-bore cool retro:
https://www.gunauction.com/buy/8840726

The grips & mags can be done with a Dremel & Vandalay mill.

The safety/decocker and slide release can also be done with a Dremel & care.

For an additional $100, get a 3/4" 11* crowning cutter & handle, and crown it flush with the bushing. Looks really nice on these 50 & 30-series guns.

Great gun, but I may be biased. My wife used one to defend against a clever home invasion. Apparently the big ass gun was impressive.

quote:

Originally posted by sigfreund:
Why do we consider the model 59 to be such a heavy gun? According to Wikipedia, it weighs about 840 grams, and that’s only 30 grams or about 1 ounce more than the 9mm P226 I weighed. It’s also virtually identical to the weight of a 357/40 P226 which I never considered to be all that heavy.

I've owned both and have always considered the M59 heavier. Upon reflection, it really isn't any heavier, but feels more awkward or unbalanced in the hand.

I remember when the M59 was the hot new gun on the LE scene and was considered a great alternative to the only other high cap auto loader at the time...the Browning Hi-Power. I had previously owned a M39 and it was a great gun, so I bought a M59...which was almost a hard to get then as a M29. I didn't even had to shoot it before feeling that it was awkward in the hand. While a H&K USP feels like a 4"x4", the M59 felt like a 3"x3". It didn't point very well, was very slick (rubber grips only made it thicker), and was finicky about what it would feed.

The 1st Gen S&W autos deserved their reputation for unreliable feeding. The 2nd Gen, 459, was a bit better, but still felt bulky. The 3rd Gen 5904 finally started to feel pretty good and would feed hollowpoints reliably. Unfortunately, by then the P226 was available and felt great in the hand, was more accurate, had a better trigger, and would feed anything

Never owned a M59 but if I remember right at one time it was the sidearm of the Michigan State Police, allegedly the 1st LE agency to switch to an auto pistol. Might not be the latest greatest but if there's limited choice it's not a bad choice.

I have owned and carried the 59 and several variations of it. It is a damn fine pistol.

The Illinois State police were first with the Smith 39.

quote:

Originally posted by Kobren:
Never owned a M59 but if I remember right at one time it was the sidearm of the Michigan State Police, allegedly the 1st LE agency to switch to an auto pistol. Might not be the latest greatest but if there's limited choice it's not a bad choice.