It has been awhile and I lost a lot of my reference materials in a move a few years back, on the Devel modified S&W 39-2 pistols.

As I recall tward the end of his efforts........and perhaps along the way, Mr Charlie Kelsey had varying degrees to which he would modify the 39-2, based on the customers preferences. Can anyone confirm this?

Anyone here have a modified Devel 39-2? Full house or lightly modified? Thanks! Regards 18DAI

Devel are very interesting and Kelsey from everything I've read was an interesting person. I've only seen one Devel and it was at the NRA museum I believe as part of a special collection.

Wayne Novak has probably the largest Devel collection in the world. A Google search will come up with lots of very pretty pictures.

I bought a S&W M39 in 1967. Very nice gun. I do recall a number of gun rag articles covering Devel and specifically his M39 variations later. Can't remember any details though.

I was always astounded how he could get those guns down to size and still function. He was a real pioneer.

I love the video work that Ian and Karl put out. I've lost many hours to their content.




Link to original video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-t3T0_bFkE

I have one of the Devel catalogs. He had three levels: a Functional & Reliability package; a Basic chopped down package; and the full-house package.

Thank you gents! I appreciate the info! Regards 18DAI

The Devel SW's were cool for sure, I couldn't afford one back then, Devel also made some awesome 1911's.

I have a bought-new M39-2, but I'd never heard of the Devel before. I do remember the ASP.

One of my friends is Ted Mautz, with whom I was priviledged to work when I was at Devel.
As he was much more involved in building the S&W's, he is encyclopoedic on them. He also built 1911's and we worked together on numerous projects. It's amazing to consider that was about 35 years ago now. Wow.

-Bruce

I had a Devel back in the late 80s to early 90s.
Neat gun, I liked it a lot.

Back in 91, author Duane Thomas wrote an article comparing my Devel vs the new 3913 in a Harris Publications Guns '91 issue.

The gun is long gone now, but I did like it. I've always wanted to pick up an ASP 9mm, maybe someday.

A few years back as I walked through a gun show I saw the 39 ASP with holster and 3 mags for 275 the guy got from a sale he never saw one I took it home . I have run into the Devel but I liked the ASP better .

There are a couple of persistant stories (as there often are) surrounding the ASP, its creator Paris Theodore, the Devel 39 and 59, their creator Charlie Kelsey and the company S&W.

Allegedly, both Theodore and Kelsey went to S&W, albeit at seperate times, and showed them examples of both the ASP and the Devel 39/59 pistols. Reportedly both innovative gentlemen were treated rudely and dismissed.

Shortly thereafter S&W unveiled its model 469 "Mini gun". Which borrowed heavily.......if not outright copied, features from both the ASP and the Devel pistols.

It is said that Charlie Kelsey was extremely upset by the treatment he recieved. Legend has it that he purchased a 469, improved it, and sent it to the suits at S&W as an in your face gesture.

Dont know if any of that is actually true, but I love the story. Regards 18DAI

http://forum.ltwguns.com/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=5063

A thread on ASP vs Devel. I was looking for info about the murder and found the above.

Reviving an old thread. I happen to have a basic model Devel 39-2 in my collection. Long retired from carry it came with two extra magazines. I had both an Alessi and a DeSantis rig for this when I used it. She will still shoot very nice groups if I do my part.

https://ibb.co/jRDPNCf