Smith & Wesson Model 39
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Smith & Wesson Model 39 | |
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| Type | Semiautomatic Pistol |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 28 oz. / 1.71 lbs. (0.780 kg.) |
| Length | 7.55” (192mm) |
| Barrel length | 4” (102mm) |
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| Cartridge | 9mm Parabellum |
| Action | Short recoil, DA |
| Rate of fire | Semi-automatic |
| Feed system | 8-round single column, detachable box magazine |
The Smith and Wesson Model 39 was developed for the US Army service pistol trials of 1949.
It went on the market in 1955 and was the first of Smith & Wesson's 1st Generation semi-auto pistols.
It was the 9mm pistol that really prompted law enforcement in the US to switch from revolvers to semi-automatic pistols.
The Model 39 was manufactured with an anodized aluminum frame with a curved backstrap and a blued carbon steel slide that carries the manual safety. The grip is of three pieces made of two walnut wood panels joined by a metal backstrap. It uses a magazine release located to the rear of the trigger guard, similar to the M1911A1 it was designed to replace.
The Model 39 was also produced in limited numbers with a steel frame. This steel-frame model provided the basis for the Model 52, one of the outstanding target pistols of the day. The Mod. 52 had a longer (5-inch) barrel and slide and was one of the few semi-automatic pistols ever chambered for the .38 Special cartridge. The shape of the rimmed cartridge limited the magazine capacity to five shots. A further variant, the Model 952, once again in 9mm Parabellum, is still produced in limited quantities by Smith & Wesson's Performance Center. At 52 years, this may be the longest run ever for a target pistol.
The later S&W Model 59 was similar, retaining the original 9mm Parabellum caliber, but had a wider aluminum frame with a straight backstrap to accommodate a double-column magazine that could hold 14 rounds.
