Thanks for this video. I bought a 39-2 around 1979 and still have it. It shoots great and feeds modern jacketed hollow point ammo. without any issues. There is an after-market 9 round magazine available that gives a total of 10 rounds including one in the chamber, so it's not totally antiquated in terms of ammo load. Beautiful firearm.
Couldn’t agree more, it’s a very beautiful and almost elegant firearm and I’m reminded of that ever time I pick it up, and really has some neat history with the SEALs and the IL. State Police.
Thanks for the comment, I’ve never personally gotten involved with the Beretta much but absolutely love the 39s and would love to have a 439, if I can ever find one….
Have a mint 915 model that's been flawless. Basically an updated version of the 39-2, 59 series. . Nothing wrong with the M&P's, but the metal frame, legacy models were bulletproof. As well as elegant. Currently in the process of buying a 39-2 dual tone with blue slide and stainless, alloy frame.
I also have gravitated to the S&W weapons. In my 22 years as a senior NCO in several duty functions, and my later 30+ years in various forms of law enforcement, I have carried S&W weapons exclusively after having a Colt revolver fail in testing. I was fortunate, because at that time I was in a situation that allowed me to determine what weapons I would carry to protect myself. I purchased a steel framed 39 (most were aluminum) but traded it off for a 1917 model .45 I wanted. Over the years I have carried model 36s, 60s, 19s, 13s, 28s, 39s, 3913s and the 6906. I loved them all. I wish you the best of luck with your endeavor, and believe you're doing a credible job.
Thank you for your comment and your service. The S&W connection with law enforcement is an extremely interesting one and they’ve produced some great firearms over the decades which obviously agencies picked up on. At times I don’t believe they get the attention or credit they deserve.
Ive had mine since 1980 ,priced at 188.99 brand new . Took the original grips off and put Them in my safe , i got a set of the smooth SMITH marked rosewood ,this is one of the best shooting firearms ive ever owned , ive been offered quite a chunk for it .ill keep it a while longer , Your channel is very good no b.s. material . Thank you
Thank for the comment and kind words. Wow great price of course and I’m always jealous of you guys who are original owners, you guys should have your own club. Mine was about 3x that but I’ve seen early ones w original boxes at the 1k mark. I absolutely love the 39 and love the history that it has and the role it played, which I don’t think gets the credit it deserves.
@@thedailydefender1408 Talking about older stuff with a lot of value ,about 25 years ago i came across a never fired ,cylinder ,absolutely no turn marks , no dings etc in the original serial numbered box with the original purchase receipt , bought at a hardware store in Dayton Ohio back in 1967 the price with tax ? 67 50 which included a box of remington 'high speed ammo ' (which didnt come with it ) darn it ! ive been offered 20 times that purchase price for it ,The gun? A 2 inch blue Colt Cobra, That asking price was 650 00 ,i bought it before he changed his mind. I still have it and have never fired it or turned the cylinder
Hello again Sir. From my research the reason the Illinois State Police adopted the model 39 was because of a couple things. The Illinois State Police were required to carry off duty ALL THE TIME. Their revolvers they were carrying were too large. The smaller revolver model 36 or colt detective specials were difficult to qualify with off duty. So to stop both of those issues they went with the model 39. Also it had 8 shots instead of 6. There's a lot more about this pistol but I won't bore everyone.
Thanks, yep love that one and love the history on the pistol and trying to keep it alive, lol…..actually just came across a 72’ ,and probably an early 72’ at that, 39-2 yesterday as it still have the pinhole in the hammer which would have been “left over “ parts from the 39s….
Thanks, that would be amazing and surprised they haven’t given the following the classic semi auto s and how In retro is….I actually stumbled into an early 39 today with original box and papers. I’ll be doing a video on that one soon……
The Illinois State Police used the 115 grain +P+ Winchester Jacketed Hollowpoint. Federal made the 115 grain 9BP and 9BPLE which was a +P+ load used by Border Patrol and various Law Enforcement agencies. The Oxnard Police used the S&W pistols.
I have one with a nickel finish, and enjoy it quite a bit. Sadly too many, but not all, ammunitions shoot about 3" low at 10 yards, and the sights aren't adjustable for elevation.
Interesting not what the accuracy level was on those, my guess is nothing amazing given the era it was built and I think it was considered a combat pistol with that level of accuracy.
I dont understand the rear sight. Why did they made it this way? This would only make sense if it would be adjustable for elevation but its not. Only for windage. Its so much effort to mill the slide for it and it has no funktion. That is really crazy.
I’m not sure myself, almost seems to hark back to a revolver style rear sight, but not completely sure on their original concept, also keep in mind that design goes back to the late 40s / early 50s with the us military spec or concept for that pistol. The answer could be buried back in those requirements.
@@thedailydefender1408 After my comment I found another video from you about the first 39 without dash. This had a fully adjustable sight like with revolvers. Maybe they keept the design just in case you whant to change it with this fully adjustable.
Always love how these classic smiths look
Thanks, I do too, just a gorgeous looking firearm IMO.
Thanks for this video. I bought a 39-2 around 1979 and still have it. It shoots great and feeds modern jacketed hollow point ammo. without any issues. There is an after-market 9 round magazine available that gives a total of 10 rounds including one in the chamber, so it's not totally antiquated in terms of ammo load. Beautiful firearm.
Couldn’t agree more, it’s a very beautiful and almost elegant firearm and I’m reminded of that ever time I pick it up, and really has some neat history with the SEALs and the IL. State Police.
S&W upgraded the OEM 8rd mag to 9rds shortly after introduction of the 3rd Gen 3904/3906. You can get the 9rd OEM followers from MidwayUSA.
Elegant is a nice description. 👍
My favorite 9mm pistol is Berettta 92FS and in a very close second place the S&W Model 39-2 and the model 439!!!😊😊❤❤
Thanks for the comment, I’ve never personally gotten involved with the Beretta much but absolutely love the 39s and would love to have a 439, if I can ever find one….
I own 2 S&W pistols.
The 39-2 and a 19-3.
Both are great guns that I will keep for a long time.
So the 39 and what is the other pistol?
Model 19 is a .357 magnum revolver in a K-frame@@Gieszkanne
@@motorosso3349 Yes I know. But you wrote you have 2 S&W pistols.
@@Gieszkanne I have a model 39 (no dash) and a 39-2.
Have a mint 915 model that's been flawless. Basically an updated version of the 39-2, 59 series. . Nothing wrong with the M&P's, but the metal frame, legacy models were bulletproof. As well as elegant. Currently in the process of buying a 39-2 dual tone with blue slide and stainless, alloy frame.
The 915 is a very solid platform, very very close to the full feature 5904.
I also have gravitated to the S&W weapons. In my 22 years as a senior NCO in several duty functions, and my later 30+ years in various forms of law enforcement, I have carried S&W weapons exclusively after having a Colt revolver fail in testing. I was fortunate, because at that time I was in a situation that allowed me to determine what weapons I would carry to protect myself. I purchased a steel framed 39 (most were aluminum) but traded it off for a 1917 model .45 I wanted. Over the years I have carried model 36s, 60s, 19s, 13s, 28s, 39s, 3913s and the 6906. I loved them all. I wish you the best of luck with your endeavor, and believe you're doing a credible job.
Thank you for your comment and your service. The S&W connection with law enforcement is an extremely interesting one and they’ve produced some great firearms over the decades which obviously agencies picked up on. At times I don’t believe they get the attention or credit they deserve.
Was the steel frame 39 a 39 or 39-2? Either way a neat pistol. I hadn't heard of steel frame ones before.
Ive had mine since 1980 ,priced at 188.99 brand new . Took the original grips off and put Them in my safe , i got a set of the smooth SMITH marked rosewood ,this is one of the best shooting firearms ive ever owned , ive been offered quite a chunk for it .ill keep it a while longer , Your channel is very good no b.s. material . Thank you
Thank for the comment and kind words. Wow great price of course and I’m always jealous of you guys who are original owners, you guys should have your own club. Mine was about 3x that but I’ve seen early ones w original boxes at the 1k mark. I absolutely love the 39 and love the history that it has and the role it played, which I don’t think gets the credit it deserves.
@@thedailydefender1408 Talking about older stuff with a lot of value ,about 25 years ago i came across a never fired ,cylinder ,absolutely no turn marks , no dings etc in the original serial numbered box with the original purchase receipt , bought at a hardware store in Dayton Ohio back in 1967 the price with tax ? 67 50 which included a box of remington 'high speed ammo ' (which didnt come with it ) darn it ! ive been offered 20 times that purchase price for it ,The gun? A 2 inch blue Colt Cobra, That asking price was 650 00 ,i bought it before he changed his mind. I still have it and have never fired it or turned the cylinder
@@robertsr.249 wow amazing. I’ve heard the stories of the hardware store purchase that’s really going back.
Hello again Sir. From my research the reason the Illinois State Police adopted the model 39 was because of a couple things. The Illinois State Police were required to carry off duty ALL THE TIME. Their revolvers they were carrying were too large. The smaller revolver model 36 or colt detective specials were difficult to qualify with off duty. So to stop both of those issues they went with the model 39. Also it had 8 shots instead of 6. There's a lot more about this pistol but I won't bore everyone.
Thanks for the additional info, please feel to share as much as you’d like.
Really enjoyed the video. Well done on your homework. Very cool history. The 39-2 is still a shooter today.
Thanks, yep love that one and love the history on the pistol and trying to keep it alive, lol…..actually just came across a 72’ ,and probably an early 72’ at that, 39-2 yesterday as it still have the pinhole in the hammer which would have been “left over “ parts from the 39s….
Love your series on these Smith autoloaders! I hope they resurrect the series one day.
Thanks, that would be amazing and surprised they haven’t given the following the classic semi auto s and how In retro is….I actually stumbled into an early 39 today with original box and papers. I’ll be doing a video on that one soon……
@@thedailydefender1408 Very cool!
I have a S&W model 39-2, first semi auto S&W I ever owned.
My favorite….
The Illinois State Police used the 115 grain +P+ Winchester Jacketed Hollowpoint. Federal made the 115 grain 9BP and 9BPLE which was a +P+ load used by Border Patrol and various Law Enforcement agencies. The Oxnard Police used the S&W pistols.
Thanks for the comment and info!
I think in the 70s they also used 90gr JHP Super Vel ammo!!
That could be . @@iaidagger8278
I have one with a nickel finish, and enjoy it quite a bit. Sadly too many, but not all, ammunitions shoot about 3" low at 10 yards, and the sights aren't adjustable for elevation.
Interesting not what the accuracy level was on those, my guess is nothing amazing given the era it was built and I think it was considered a combat pistol with that level of accuracy.
I dont understand the rear sight. Why did they made it this way? This would only make sense if it would be adjustable for elevation but its not. Only for windage. Its so much effort to mill the slide for it and it has no funktion. That is really crazy.
I’m not sure myself, almost seems to hark back to a revolver style rear sight, but not completely sure on their original concept, also keep in mind that design goes back to the late 40s / early 50s with the us military spec or concept for that pistol. The answer could be buried back in those requirements.
@@thedailydefender1408 After my comment I found another video from you about the first 39 without dash. This had a fully adjustable sight like with revolvers. Maybe they keept the design just in case you whant to change it with this fully adjustable.
Thx
can i add more rounds?
You'll have to resort to
Actually aiming.....