One of my grail guns: A steel 39.

I know they made a few of them, but don't remember how many or who got them.

I was at the factory in the early 70's, they had developed the 39 when all that was available was hardball ammo. When the factories started making other 9mm bullets available they would not feed. S&W found the problem could be solved by modifying the magazines, they did so and it worked!

They had one Mod 39 that had shot over 100,000 rounds and was still going!! I carried one for years and still do at times. I find it a delight to shoot and carry.

The early ones were all steel then came the alloy frame. If you want a steel frame, the Mod 52 frame will work, kind of an expensive deal, but if you demand all steel, you can do it - or find an all steel one, they are rare and expensive!

I don't think you can wear out one of their alloy frames!

My old Chief gave me his old personal purchase M39-2 when he retired. I treasure it's old world craftsmanship.

It really seems odd to hear the Mod 39 as old world craftsmanship!! Hell I was there -- and love it then and now.

I bought a used one in the early 70s, but it wouldn't shoot mil-surp ammo with hard primers. I think the stuff was Italian, for the 38-42 slamfire smg. I was poor, and had several cases of the cheap ammo. It was fine with new commercial stuff, but I couldn't afford that, or thought I couldn't. It went down the road. Found one in the box couple years ago at a local show. The spare mag was still wrapped in the wax paper, neither mag had any brass tracks on the follower. I bought some new stainless mags from Greg Cote, nice plastic bases with no sharp edges. I've put a couple boxes thru it, mostly Blazer, some Fed 9BP. 100%. Oh yes, fits great in a 225 holster.

quote:

Originally posted by Ed Fowler: When the factories started making other 9mm bullets available they would not feed. S&W found the problem could be solved by modifying the magazines, they did so and it worked!

Any thoughts on what modification the factory did to the magazines, so they would feed other than ball ammo?

Also where would someone find spare magazines for the 39-2?

I purchased a 39-2 couple years back for $450.00
Looked as not shot,no box and one mag with period holster .
The prettiest blue i 'v seen
Shoots great.
Mags are as scarce as hens teeth.
You can get a s/w that fits but 3/16 ths gap on base that pinches your hand.

quote:

Originally posted by RC:

quote:

Originally posted by Ed Fowler: When the factories started making other 9mm bullets available they would not feed. S&W found the problem could be solved by modifying the magazines, they did so and it worked!

Any thoughts on what modification the factory did to the magazines, so they would feed other than ball ammo?

Also where would someone find spare magazines for the 39-2?

As I remember all they had to do was bend the magazine lips.

Bob Brownells sells them for $45.00, as do other outfits. Just do a search for Mod 39 magazines.

To handle and look at, the model 39 has always been my favorite pistol; it fit my hand better than anything else, and has an unmatched elegance. I even saw one in Vietnam with a steel frame and a dust cover over the ejection port: talk about gunlust. I suspect the EOD captain who had it managed to purloin it from some official cache in the days when accountability wasn’t so strict, or perhaps he acquired it after it had been in the temporary possession of the VC or NVA.

I’ve had the opportunity to acquire a replacement for the one I let go, but I’ve always recognized that it would only satisfy a bit of nostalgia and take up storage space.

While at the factory had mine engraved and refurbished carried her in a home made shoulder holster for about 8 years while in Law Enforcement.

quote:

Originally posted by 220-9er:
Weren’t they the basis for the ASP pistols?

Yes, they were.