I recently bought a 539, same gun with a steel frame. It is the most accurate 9mm pistol I have ever shot in over 35 years of shooting handguns, and is very comfortable to hold and to shoot. It ia also easy to carry because it is slim. I looked for one for sale for years before I found it. I'd recommend you keep shooting that old time pistol, get to know it a little better-it will shoot and feel better as you get used to it.

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Try this site: forum link removed Go to the autopistols section, register and search for Model 39 and 439, then post asking for information on your pistol-give them the SN and tell them it's your fires handgun, etc. The 39 series-what you have-is extremely popluar and there are quite a few on that forum who are real fans of these pistols. IMO, any of the later 39's-like yours-are first rate carry pistols, excellent shooters, reliable and accurate. I'd never sell it.

I first owned a S&W Model 39 back in the mid-1970s, and fell in love with it. However, I was tricked into selling it in order to leave Panama (where I acquired it) to go to Germany, 'supposedly' because I had bought it from a friend and not through a Rod & Gun Club! It took over 16 years to find another one! The one I did find was the second generation '439'. I was never happy with the OEM adjustable rear sights.

Finally (and recently), I contacted S&W to ask if the sights could be replaced with the 'lollipop' rear sights that my Model 39 had. I was informed that to do so would mean replacing the Model 439 slide with a Model 39 slide. I did so and am completely happy now.

I served as a military advisor in Venezuela, and was issued the Belgium Browning Hi-Power 9mm pistol. The S&W Model 39 and its second generation 439 are the closest I have ever found to John Moses Browing's Hi-Power. You have a great firearm that other would want to pick up if you auctioned it off. I do not intend to ever again let go of my Model 439 with the 39 slide and sights.

The 439 also has a firing pin lock making it 'upgraded' for safer carry in the event of a dropped pistol. There were certainly far fewer 439's made and sold than the 39-2. Probably need to compare pistol to pistol, but it's been my experience that the single action trigger break on the 1st Gen pistols is likely better than on their 2nd Gen counterparts, but neither are target pistols so most won't notice a big difference. For carry, I would prefer a 439. For joy of shooting and pride of ownership, I'd rather have a 39-2. Otherwise, they are comparable pistols and you have a great gun. Maybe I simply haven't been paying attention over the years where I should have been!

I want to hear someone explain to me what in the world is going on with the extractor in the pictured handgun! I have not ever, at least that I can recall, seen THAT extractor on a S&W 1-2-3rd Gen pistol. I am familiar with the old-style long extractor on the original Model 39 and the Models 52 and 52-1, but that one in the picture is different.

I have two 1st Gens and four 2nd Gens and more 3rd Gens but I don't have any S&W pistol with that extractor. Bill, I have a 439 that I bought used close to 20 years ago. The indoor range I belonged to had fun shoots every Wednesday night, and about once every 5 or 6 weeks had a plate match. The 439 became my plate gun, usually clearing 5 plates in under 5 seconds with 5 shots. I love this Smith. I especially like the winged rear sight.

I now have a non-resident CFP, and when I am traveling in carry friendly states, this is one of the first handguns I reach for. Please keep in mind, that in the early 1990s, the S&W model 439 was the subject of a recall, which I believe was centered on the decocker. You want to verify that your Smith was returned for the recall. If you decide to carry it concealed, good holsters are hard to come across. I found that Front Line makes a great Kydex IWB holster for the model 69 that fits the 439 like a glove. I did note that the nut on the magazine release had to be replaced not long after I purchased the pistol, because someone had stripped the threads.

I have a 459 and had a 559 with that same short/wide extractor. I have seen 439's with it as well.

I believe it was in use for just about one year of production, yet I have never seen a 639/659 with it. And have certainly looked for a 659 with one at the time I had both of the others, just to have a matching set. Never could find confirmation if the stainless were ever made with one, so settled for the typical style. Having both and shoot them extensively, I experience no difference in performance. Maybe I simply haven't been paying attention over the years where I should have been! I want to hear someone explain to me what in the world is going on with the extractor in the pictured handgun! I have not ever, at least that I can recall, seen THAT extractor on a S&W 1-2-3rd Gen pistol.

I am familiar with the old-style long extractor on the original Model 39 and the Models 52 and 52-1, but that one in the picture is different. I have two 1st Gens and four 2nd Gens and more 3rd Gens but I don't have any S&W pistol with that extractor. IIRC used on the first thousand or so 439 models.

The story I heard was that S&W was trying to win a military contract wherein the purchasing agency did not want pin pivot extractors. Being only retained by an interference fit at the top, I suppose they felt the pins might be undependable in the heat of battle. When contract fell through, S&W went back to the pin. I can think of two quick answers for that-- First is the catch-all 'S&W did so many crazy things that you simply cannot read in to serial number sequences' Such as. They produced piles of frames in numbered order and then a stack of them got placed on a shelf while another stack was turned in to pistols and shipped -- the stack on the shelf sat three years before they were later turned in to pistols and shipped. The other reason is that the serial number range you show with those two pistols doesn't include simply 439's but rather EVERY single model of S&W pistols being made at that time. Including the Models 41 and 52, vastly different handguns than a casual 9mm service-type pistol.

I can think of two quick answers for that-- First is the catch-all 'S&W did so many crazy things that you simply cannot read in to serial number sequences' Such as. They produced piles of frames in numbered order and then a stack of them got placed on a shelf while another stack was turned in to pistols and shipped -- the stack on the shelf sat three years before they were later turned in to pistols and shipped. The other reason is that the serial number range you show with those two pistols doesn't include simply 439's but rather EVERY single model of S&W pistols being made at that time. Including the Models 41 and 52, vastly different handguns than a casual 9mm service-type pistol.

That's kind of what I was thinking, but wasn't certain. Especially your last reason. Thanks for the knowledge.

RECALL: This warning is issued for Smith & Wesson 9mm Semiautomatic Pistols which were shipped from the factory between May 1, 1983 and February 26, 1986. Included are Models 439, 459, 469, 539, 559, 639, 659 and 669 but only with serial numbers in the following ranges: A745000-A865000 and TAA0001-TAL9999 The pistols within the serial number ranges listed above must be inspected for function from the half-cock notch.

The safety mechanism will function in a perfectly satisfactory manner in many of these pistols, as well as in all pistols with serial numbers outside these ranges and in all pistols shipped from the factory after February 26, 1986. Every one of these models bearing a serial number within the ranges listed above should be carefully inspected by the owner for this special condition. To determine if your pistol has this condition, do the following: 1.Point the muzzle in a safe direction. 2.Completely unload the pistol.

Check both the magazine and chamber to assure they are empty of live rounds. 3.With your finger off the trigger, operate the manual safety with the unloaded pistol fully cocked and fully uncocked so that you can recognize how the manual safety looks and feels when it is fully in the safe position. The hammer will fall from the fully cocked position into the 'at rest' position when the manual safety is moved down toward a safe position. When you are thoroughly familiar with placing the manual safety fully in the safe position, place it up in the fire position. 4.With the manual safety in the fire position, place the hammer in the half-cock notch: For the Model 439, 459, 539, 559, 639 and 659, put the hammer of your pistol in the half-cock notch by pulling the hammer to the rear slowly until you hear the first click and then releasing the hammer so that it catches between the full cock and the 'at rest' position. For the Model 469 and 669, put the hammer of your pistol in the half-cock notch by inserting an empty magazine and slowly pulling the trigger until you hear the first click and then releasing the trigger so that the hammer catches between the full cock and the 'at rest' position. 5.With the hammer in the half-cock notch, push the manual safety down toward the safe position.

If you can push the manual safety fully into the safe position and the hammer falls into the 'at rest' position, your pistol does not require modification. If you cannot push the manual safety fully into the safe position or the hammer does not fall into the 'at rest' position, your pistol is being recalled for modification free of charge. Recalled pistols should be sent promptly to a Smith & Wesson Warranty Service Center for modification. Call 800-633-0164 for the name and location of the one nearest you or for answers to nay questions you may have. Law enforcement departments who have pistols, which exhibit this condition, should contact the Smith & Wesson Service Department to arrange for modifying the pistols.

Also got a chance to shoot the 439 for the first time. My first attempt was not too successful. I filled the magazine with some of my lead reloads that my 5906 ate with no problems. The 439 barrel did not like the lead reloads, the slide jammed going into battery. A quick test showed the cartridge would not pass the plunk test in the 439 barrel. Marvell 88se9230 Linux Driver In Alabama Eviction.

I can only assume the older 439 9mm barrels were made to a tighter spec than the 5906 barrel? I picked up some cheap factory 9mm from Walmart and the 439 had no problems with the in spec factory ammo. Top target is my first 8 rounds off hand through the 439 at about 12 yards. First 5 (lower) were getting a feel for pistol, last three were in the center.

Did not even have to change the sight. The S&W 439 is a shooter!