S&w Mod 39 - The Smith & Wesson Model 39 is a semi-automatic pistol developed for the 1954 US Army Service Pistol Trials.
After the military abandoned its search for a new pistol, the Model 39 wt hit the civilian market in 1955 and was the first of Smith & Wesson's first semi-automatic pistols.
S&w Mod 39
During World War II, the German Walther P38 double-action/single-action pistol so impressed American ground personnel that the Army Ordnance Corps issued a U.S. communications proposal for the P38. In 1949, Smith & Wesson began development of the Model 39 chambered in 9×19mm Luger and hit the market in 1955. It was the first double-action (DA) semi-automatic pistol designed by the United States, and was designed to replace the popular M1911A1. The 1911 was still very popular with law enforcement, military and civilian use, but it only offered a single-action trigger and a heavy steel frame.
S&w Model 39 Image
A modified version of the Model 39 with a wider grip frame to accommodate a 14-round magazine was used by Navy Special Warfare units during the Vietnam War.
It was issued to the Officers in Charge (OICs) of the MST-2 units as their side arm. SEAL Teams used the unmodified Model 39 or a modified version, the Mk 22 Mod 0, called the "Shut Up Puppy".
The modified pistol had a slide-lock suppressor (which prevents the slide from moving backwards when fired, thus reducing the sound produced). The Mk 22 Mod 0 had raised iron sights, to provide an easier sight on a bulky suppressor. The purpose of the gun was to kill stray or guard dogs without disturbing the main target.
The Mk 22 was the basis for Smith & Wesson's later Model 59, which retained the original 9mm Parabellum caliber, but incorporated a wider aluminum frame with a straight backstrap to accommodate a two-column magazine which can hold 14 rounds.
S&w Mod 39 2
A revolution in the introduction of semi-automatic handguns to law enforcement. This publication helped commercial sales and set the stage for the more accepted Model 59 with its high capacity magazine at least in concealed or detective use, where the double action feature (and larger capacity of magazine) was considered by many to be superior to the single cartridge semi-automatics and pistols of the time.
The Model 39 was designed with an anodized aluminum frame, curved backstrap and a blued carbon steel slide carrying the manual safety. The grip was three-part made of two walnut wood panels attached to the aluminum frame handle with a screw. Later versions of the Model 39 will have black polymer grips. The Model 39's magazine release is located at the rear of the trigger guard, unlike most European designs which still used a heel release. The Model 39 used a regular slide, barrel bushing, slide arrangement, as opposed to the exposed barrel and falling locking block arrangement of the P38. Locking the slide into the barrel in the Model 39 lock is achieved by modifying the locked breech with the Browning P35 (High Power) chamber.
The first edition Model 39 slides used a long spring steel extractor or spring nail extractor. The long extractors were meant to be fragile and were replaced by the rotary type. However, the long extractor has proven to be more reliable than the rotary version.
The Model 39 used many features common to the Walther P38 such as an integrated safety and a decocker that disengaged the trigger and hammer. Smith & Wesson ev also copied the single-stack 8-round magazine, but added a magazine catch cutout to accommodate the release button next to the trigger guard more popular on American pistols. The overall length of the Model 39 was 7.6 inches, the barrel length is 4 inches. The weight of the Model 39 was 1.72 pounds; This light weight is due to its aluminum frame.
Smith & Wesson's Model 39 Gun Just Won't Go Away For A Simple Reason
During early testing, several steel-framed Model 39s were produced. This experimental steel-framed model provided the basis for the Model 52 target pistol. The Model 52 had a longer barrel and slide (5 inches), and was one of the few semi-automatic pistols ever produced. chambered in .38 Special (seated). flat whole Wadcutter bullets only). The boxed cartridge shape limited the magazine capacity to five rounds. Another version, the Model 952, in 9mm Luger, is still produced in limited quantities by Smith & Wesson's Performance Cter. The Model 52 was discontinued in 1992 when the machinery to make the gun broke and it was deemed too expensive. to be replaced.
The original Model 39 is now known as the "first generation" design due to the number of similar designs that successively evolved into three generations of metal-framed semi-automatic pistols produced through 2004. First generation models use a 2 digit model number, second generation uses 3 digits, and third generation models use 4 digits.
The second generation version of the Model 39 was known as the 439 and was released in 1980. The 639 was also released, which was a stainless steel 439. In 1989, the 439 was replaced by the third generation model, the 3904, which had its own stainless steel version, the 3906. Both the 3904 and 3906 were discontinued in 1991, and more attention was paid to higher capacity double stack models such as the 5906. This marked the end of the Smith & Wesson Model 39 family and the third generation of tires will be discontinued later in 1999 in favor of the less expensive Sigma line.
A variety of compact versions of the third-generation Model 39 were introduced by Smith & Wesson beginning in the 1990s featuring short frames and slides, including the Models 3913, 3914, 3953, 3954, and 908. These pistols incorporated several innovations from Ferris Theodore used on the ASP pistols and Charles Kelsey on the Devel pistols, which were custom compact conversions of the Model 39. Thirty-one years before the US Army adopted the M9 Beretta as the -its primary service pistol, Smith and Wesson designed and introduced a 9mm double action pistol for military trials. The year was 1954 and the pistol was the Smith & Wesson Model 39. It borrowed heavily from the German P38 , which impressed its counterparts in the United States, the Model 39 was used by several law enforcement agencies, Adopted by the SEALs in Vietnam as the infamous Hushpuppy" (see Small Arms Review, The Hushpuppy) and it later served as the basis for the iconic ASP idd pistol signed by Ferris Theodore—a revolutionary compact pistol that incorporated many ideas common to contemporary defense pistols.
Smith & Wesson Model 39 2 S/a 9mm
The first Model 39 had steel frames and slides. Later the steel frame was replaced by an aluminum alloy.
I was first bitten by the ASP (and Smith 39) bug in 1994 when a friend gave me the coolest gun I've ever seen. The smooth lines, transparent grips and unique channel look left a lasting impression of the ASP. So persistent that I'm getting ready to build an ASP clone. As part of that process, I picked up the used Smith and Wesson Model 39-2 shown here.
The 39-2 is like the 39, except it has a different extractor that uses a coil spring. While the gun I bought has an aftermarket nickel finish, factory nickel guns were available and command a premium these days.
Once you get past the rough engine work, the Model 39 points and handles well. The double action trigger, single column magazine and slide mounted safety make for a nice handling pistol. Unlike more modern designs, the shooter's hands sit lower on the axis of the bore and the sights are somewhat rudimentary by today's standards. However, the gun shoots well, and was 100% reliable with the 200 rounds of 147 Bonded JHP's I put through it.
Restored S&w Model 39 — Gunsandammo
A single column 8 round magazine helps provide the shooter with a comfortable grip. The double-action trigger on this gun was 11 pounds 11 ounces, and the single-action trigger broke at 5 pounds 3 ounces.
Slide 39-2 disassembled. Notice how the single lock on the barrel is straight and not tapered. This is attached via a barrel bushing (above, right) which is locked in place by the guide rod.
The main spring housing is model 39-3 alloy. Note the sloppy fit to the frame, especially from the beaver tail.
The machine work on these early Smith and Wesson pistols was crude at best. This is the front of the slide, not the tool marks.
Smith & Wesson Model 39 2 9mm Da Semi Auto Pistol
The barrel boss is reminiscent of a 1911. Instead of locking with a plug like the 1911, the Smith 39 and 39-2 bushings lock in place with the tip of the spring guide rod.
I loved shooting the Smith and Wesson 39-2. This target was shot at 7 meters, double action from the ready position.
While the design is over 50 years old, the design of the Smith and Wesson 39 doesn't look that dated. It is still a serviceable gun that is remarkably up to date despite its age.
I asked an established guide for a well-known and respected federal agency his thoughts on the models 39 and 59. This is what he told me:
Smith & Wesson Model 39 2 Pistol
The model 39
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