This is the first gun I ever owned and love the way it feel and shoots. It has never jammed or misfired, and I've put a lot of lead through it. I call it my bed gun because that's where I keep it. ;-) I didn't realize the value was so high, but I'll hang onto it for the time being. Guns are more valuable than money in times like these.

I bought the pistol (used) for 3 reasons:

(1) the historical significance, i.e. the first 9mm DA auto to gain accceptance by a major domestic L.E. agency, that being the Illinois State Plice in 1967;

(2) I've read many reviews by respected professionals, including the decidedly anti-DA auto Chuck Taylor, that the SmW M39 is THE most ergonomic DA 9mm they've ever fired;

(3) next to the Beretta 92F, I think Smith autos (the traditional ones, that is, NOT the Sigma, SW99, and M&P) are the handsomest-looking autopistols out there.

Shoots okay, although it definitely doesn't group for me as tightly as my Beretta, Glock, Browning, HK, or M1911. Fairly comfortable, although I don't find it as ergonomic as those aforementioned gun writers make it out to be. Surprisingly good trigger for an older DA auto; not sure if it's a factory stock trigger or if the previous owner had some smithing done to it. Last but definitely not least, it's the least reliable of my autos, even with ball, ergo I wouldn't trust it for self-defensive duty. Rather, it's relegated to range fun gun and collectr's item status.

1st semi i ever carried. loved it even though it was a 9mm. thin enough for off duty as well

This was one of my first off-duty weapons. I was very pleased with it in spite of having to 'settle' since I wasn't able to get the more popular Browning 9mm.

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 first generation 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 has a magazine release located at the rear of the trigger guard, similar to the M1911A1 it was designed to replace.

Good pistol, and it really paved the way for the auto loader in police work. Some of the early ones tended to go "bang" when whacked on the hammer. If memory serves me, this is why they went to 39-2 designation. I never owned one, but fired quite a few. I had the Model 59, with the larger magazine capacity.

Just dont drop it, this model has no firing pin lock and can discharge in a fall.

I've had this firearm for aver 10 years and have had no issues with it. I used it in the police academy and it was flawess. The magazine capacity is low and I'm having trouble finding holsters for it for CCW. Othe than that this is an awesome gun.