Reliability of Smith and Wesson 39/59 series pistols

[Metal Wonder Nine Guy]

I've heard mixed things about the Smith and Wesson Model 39 and 59's reliability.

One such example I have heard was from an older friend who joined the DEA in 1971 right after he finished his USMC flight service in Vietnam. His unit was issued model 59's- with the stipulation that they could not be sold for a year because those pistols were highly sought after. And given what the Model 59 brought to the handgun market in 1971, it's pretty easy to see why the 59 was sought after. This pistol carried 14+1 onboard with a round in chamber, unlike some of the single action autoloaders like the 1911 or Browning Hi Power that were usually carried in condition 3 in this time period.

Yet a year later, my buddy's DEA department had to send back their 59's to S&W because of frequent failures to feed. Apparently, there were issues with the feed ramps. I know this issue was eventually fixed, but these early failures seem to dog the 59's reputation. The first post in this forum post illustrates the early issues with 59's and 39's.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/smith-wesson-semi-auto-pistols/436348-what-happened-s-w-459-a.html

In the 1993 book Great Combat Handguns  by Leroy Thompson, he starts his entry about the 3rd generation Autos with the following: "Although Smith and Wesson has been producing service type automatics since the 1950's, it was not until the introduction of the 3rd generation autos in 1988 that Smith and Wesson really got it right with a stable of pistols that could attempt to compete with the best large autos of the world."

Paul Harrell has shown the model 59 in a couple videos too, and I emailed him about his experiences with his model 59. He got his 59 used at a local shop, so the gun was broken in and functioned pretty well. However, he was kind enough to send some testing info as follows:  "I fired 35 rounds of HP ammo through the 59. I had one malfunction. It appeared to have been possibly caused by the round gouging on the feed ramp. So perhaps the 59 may be sensitive to using HP's with very large cavities. I'm sure there are some HP's that will work fine, but it would require testing with each individual gun."

So for you folks who have shot or owned these pistols, what do you think of them?

[SI VIS PACEM PARRABELLUM]

Keep in mind that defensive ammo from the era when those guns were produced was just as problematic as the semi auto pistols were. No one had really spent much time yet designing defensive ammo for a pistol that would cycle reliably and hollow point slugs were mostly wide open and flat nosed often called flying ashtrays because of their shape. you can find reliability issues with just about any semi auto pistols from that era even with ball ammo though and that had alot to do with why the vast majority of law enforcement agencies stayed with revolvers. 
I had a model 39 briefly years ago and it functioned well for the short time I owned it and I liked it for what it was. The 3rd gen guns were highly reliable and pretty sturdy built guns. I had many of those and never ha any reliability issues with them.
I wouldn't be interested in owning either version today unless it was going to be a safe queen as S&W no longer produces parts for either model so you'd be at the mercy of what could be found in the used market if you had a breakdown. At any rate I'd say they were no better or worse than anything else from that era. Also keep in mind that many guns produced in the Vietnam era had issues as manufacturers were spread thin trying to fulfill military contracts and alot of QC issues slipped out the door. Colt and S&W revolvers often shipped out with serious problems and had to be returned.

[AZ_CZ]

Had several 5900 and 6900 series 9mm. Ran 100% with 115 Gr FMJ ammo as I recall. With defense ammo you had to find one it liked.  The 6900 compact had its own favorite. These were my first semi-automatic pistols and they convinced I me I was a poor shooter. Others would shoot great while I struggled. Then I found CZs and its been Rainbows and Crackerjacks everyday.

Had a gunsmithing friend who thought they were solid guns but hated rebuilding them because of all the parts.

My cousin, ex marine and 30 year PD, Still carries a 5900 series 45acp. He has trusted his life to them and shoots them darn good.

[david s]

I dont have any personal knowledge on the first generation model 59's. My understanding of the problems with the early hollow points and aluminum frames is that the bullets tended to be of truncated profile with a sharp hollow point edge. This edge tended to eventually cut thru the frame anodizing into the bare aluminum underneath and gouge the feed ramps. I heard this at least second person so take it for what it's worth. My 639 has never had any issues but it's a stainless frame and a later production (early 1980's) by S&W.                                                                                                                                 

[jwc007]

My very first handgun was an S&WM39 and it had all sorts of issues.  Later traded it off for a Six inch M19 Revolver, which also had issues.  Traded off the M19 for a WWII AC Code Walther P-38, which I still have.  Later, I picked up a second generation S&W 669 which was fairly accurate and reliable.  I gave the S&W 669 to a dear cousin and he still has it.  Later on, I bought a Police Trade in S&W 4506 in NRA Excellent Condition.  That S&W 4506 proved to be a very good handgun, but it always seemed to lose out to my EAA .45 Witness Pistols, when I was shooting IPSC Major Matches and I considered it a bit awkward handling wise when compared to the .45 Witnesses.  I sold off that S&W 4506 to an S&W Collector, who was very very happy to get it.  Were I to buy a third generation S&W Pistol these days, I would go after a S&W 5904.  Currently, the only S&W handguns I have are my Uncles old M10-6 Police Revolver and an SW9VE, the latter which I like quite a bit and will often carry.


S&W 4506

[eagle-eye]

I have a 659 2nd generation gun. It's been very reliable, and accurate, though I must admit I don't shoot it as often as some others I own. The stainless steel is kind of heavy, I can't imagine being a cop and wearing that on my hip all day.
S&W doesn't support these anymore, which is a shame. For many models, that has meant hard to find parts, including mags. Thankfully, MecGar still makes 59 series mags.

[Flip18]

I have a M39 no dash that I got from my LGS of all places. Very nice looking and quite reliable once cleaned up. Also have a NIB M539, well NIB until I got it. Again reliable. Thought I was going to collect S&W single stacks, then I realized magazine $$ and lack of any meaningful parts supply would make them the safe Queens they have become.
Nice design, great in the hand.

[P35guy]

I acquired a brand new M59 and thought I struck gold.  Turned out to be the clunkiest piece of junk I ever owned. Had no trouble selling it however.  There were bigger fools than myself out there.

[SI VIS PACEM PARRABELLUM]

I acquired a brand new M59 and thought I struck gold.  Turned out to be the clunkiest piece of junk I ever owned. Had no trouble selling it however.  There were bigger fools than myself out there.

Semi auto pistols of that era were just about all clunky and loose fit. The thinking was they need to be loose fit to cycle properly. I've handled old Colt pistols even commercial models that rattled like baby toys. The question is did the gun function reliably.