S&W Model 59 Owners?

[Pilgrim]

Hey, I'm usually not one to start such incredibly irrelevant threads, but since others do, why NOT??

I'm checking out an S&W Model 59 at a local shop. They'll take $380 for it, and I'd say condition is about 80 to 90%. A bit of carry wear on the sharp edges, but generally nice condition and good blueing. Barrel is dirty from the last firing. The grips are about as wide as my hand can fit, but it points well and feels good. I have years of experience with handguns, so I'm not worried about the feel and handling.

I had a Model 39 for some years - fantastic 9MM, sold it to one of my best friends and never been able to buy it back.

Anyone out there own a Model 59? If so, please tell me your experience with it...just thought there might be some good thoughts from the guys on here who are into firearms.

[Georynn]

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

Hey, I'm usually not one to start such incredibly irrelevant threads, but since others do, why NOT??

I'm checking out an S&W Model 59 at a local shop. They'll take $380 for it, and I'd say condition is about 80 to 90%. A bit of carry wear on the sharp edges, but generally nice condition and good blueing. Barrel is dirty from the last firing. The grips are about as wide as my hand can fit, but it points well and feels good. I have years of experience with handguns, so I'm not worried about the feel and handling.

I had a Model 39 for some years - fantastic 9MM, sold it to one of my best friends and never been able to buy it back.

Anyone out there own a Model 59? If so, please tell me your experience with it...just thought there might be some good thoughts from the guys on here who are into firearms.

I'm not a huge fan of S&W automatics... have a couple of wheel guns from S&W, and have owned a few autos in the past... clean it and trade it....

[Steve]

I had one along with a 39. I really kinda miss that 39. not so much with the 59.

I think the 59 might be the first of the hi cap double stack 9's so, it's kinda cool from a historical persective.
For $380 I think I could probably do a little better but admittedly, I'm a .45 guy. It's hard for me to love any 9

[fhm555]

Originally Posted by Steve

...It's hard for me to love any 9...

^this^

Traded for one years ago and traded it off pretty quick. It worked fine with hardball but had problems digesting most anything else.

[Bongolation]

M59?

Boy, that takes me back.

My recollection of when I was considering buying one ages ago was that absolutely everyone without exception advised me against it for one reason or the other.

At the time, M39=OK, M59=Not-OK.

Anyway, one more vote of no-confidence on 9mm. Too many stories of it just not getting the job done, including those of friends in terrible situations. I can hit what I'm aiming for; I don't need all those rounds to miss with. Give me a caliber I can rely on.

[Pilgrim]

Let's set aside the 9MM issue - it's not debatable.

Whatever I buy, it will be a 9MM. That ammo is the least expensive (other than .22) today, and with accurate shot placement it will serve fine for "social work".

I have .38 and .357 handguns, but they're not as convenient to carry as a 9MM. Besides, I'm not interested in carrying a Colt Diamondback around since it's worth some real $$.

I admit I wouldn't consider a .380 or .32 ....they might make someone mad if I hit them. I'd rather carry a .22 with hi-vel loads.

[Bongolation]

OK, you're going for 9mm because it's an easier carry and you can hit what you're aiming at.

Get a more compact 9mm with a better reputation. I'd pass on the M59.

[Pilgrim]

Originally Posted by Bongolation

OK, you're going for 9mm because it's an easier carry and you can hit what you're aiming at.

Get a more compact 9mm with a better reputation. I'd pass on the M59.

Fair enough! I'd kind of come to the conclusion that I should look around for a while. There are a ton of semi-autos in the compact to sub-compact range that would be good shooters, and I'm not convinced that I need a double-stack weapon in any case.

Irrelevant aside: Back in the 70's I owned a satin chrome Colt Combat Commander for a short while - .45, of course. I don't think I could have hit a barn standing inside it with that thing! (It really needed a thorough going-over by a gunsmith.) But I wish I had it to sell today - man, that beast would be worth a mint.

And shortly thereafter, I qualified with the sheriff's office on a 50-yard course using a 2-inch barrel S&W Combat Masterpiece.

[Mike Dunbar]

I've heard the early model Smith semis had a bad rep. I like the Smith 4566 and its little cousin the 457, both .45 semis. Hundreds of rounds, never one jam. Great trigger reset. A gunsmith friend says their counterpart 9mms are just as good.

For what it's worth, the 59 looks like a browning hi power which is the semi-auto that feels best in my hand. Seems like a good price.

[Basshappi]

I am primarily a wheelgunner but the 3rd Gen S&W autos have a very good rep.
That being said, there are many high quality compact 9mm pistols on the market and since the Glock and S&W M&P have been widely used in law enforcement for quite some time it should be possible for you to find some very good police trade-in deals.

[Georynn]

Originally Posted by Mike Dunbar

I've heard the early model Smith semis had a bad rep. I like the Smith 4566 and its little cousin the 457, both .45 semis. Hundreds of rounds, never one jam. Great trigger reset. A gunsmith friend says their counterpart 9mms are just as good.

For what it's worth, the 59 looks like a browning hi power which is the semi-auto that feels best in my hand. Seems like a good price.

I had a 4566 and the trigger pull was a mile long and felt "gritty" even after a thorough cleaning and a gunsmith polishing and shortening the trigger pull...

The newer S&W auto's do look interesting, and I have not tried one... so, maybe my opinion is still a bit colored by my previous bad experience with them.

I have just been too spoiled with my H&Ks and Glocks... Cant say enough good things about them. My P7 is my main CCW... I will own it forever, and it's a 9mm. It's a "squeeze-cock"...

[Mike Dunbar]

Originally Posted by Georynn

I had a 4566 and the trigger pull was a mile long and felt "gritty" even after a thorough cleaning and a gunsmith polishing and shortening the trigger pull...

The newer S&W auto's do look interesting, and I have not tried one... so, maybe my opinion is still a bit colored by my previous bad experience with them.

I have just been too spoiled with my H&Ks and Glocks... Cant say enough good things about them. My P7 is my main CCW... I will own it forever, and it's a 9mm. It's a "squeeze-cock"...

Georynn, I'm guessing you mean the DA shot, yep it is long and gritty, which is what I want in the first shot so nerves and adrenaline don't have me shooting at something or someone I don't want to shoot at. But after the first shot, on both the 4566 and the 457 there's less than a half inch travel and a crisp break for the SA shots. It's the reset that I like in them. But no argue on the Glock and the "ticket puncher" H&K. Fine pistols.

[Georynn]

Originally Posted by Mike Dunbar

Georynn, I'm guessing you mean the DA shot, yep it is long and gritty, which is what I want in the first shot so nerves and adrenaline don't have me shooting at something or someone I don't want to shoot at. But after the first shot, on both the 4566 and the 457 there's less than a half inch travel and a crisp break for the SA shots. It's the reset that I like in them. But no argue on the Glock and the "ticket puncher" H&K. Fine pistols.

Even the SA seemed a bit "dirty". I didn't mind the length so much as the inconsistent and coarse feel of it... I just couldn't get over it... Three trips to the range, a 75 dollar gunsmithing tab and 2 more trips to the range and I was done. I love 45s but that one was just insufferable to me...

[Pilgrim]

OK, I think I have shifted my sights.

The Stoeger Cougar 8000 is the Beretta Cougar - just made in Turkey with the original tooling and less expensive labor. Comes in 9MM, .40 and .45 - I'm interested in the 9<< version.

Reviews are consistently excellent, and my favorite local sporting goods store has it at $379.

DA first shot, SA after that, 15+1 rounds, exposed hammer (which I like), ambidextrous safety and a nicely milled front end on the trigger guard for two-handed practice. The grips fit my hand better than the S&W 59, too.

[Georynn]

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

OK, I think I have shifted my sights.

The Stoeger Cougar 8000 is the Beretta Cougar - just made in Turkey with the original tooling and less expensive labor. Comes in 9MM, .40 and .45 - I'm interested in the 9<< version.

Reviews are consistently excellent, and my favorite local sporting goods store has it at $379.

DA first shot, SA after that, 15+1 rounds, exposed hammer (which I like), ambidextrous safety and a nicely milled front end on the trigger guard for two-handed practice. The grips fit my hand better than the S&W 59, too.

Sweet.

[HeavyDuty]

I'm not a fan of 1st or 2nd generation S&W semiautos due to bad experiences (I had a flakey 39 and a totally unreliable 669). Their third gen guns are generally great, though - I have a 3913 that will probably get cremated with me. I certainly wouldn't pay $380 for a 59. I wouldn't even pay $180.

If you're looking for a good deal in a used 9, I see AIM just got in another batch of SIG P225s for $340.

[Pilgrim]

AIM - ? I'm not familiar with the acronym...

[HeavyDuty]

AIM Surplus, out of Ohio.

[Pilgrim]

Thanks!

[Pilgrim]

And now...the 9MM project is delayed. My water heater tank sprang a leak this AM and $1000 later I have a new water heater...and am glad to get it installed same day, before the New Year's day holiday. This puts off my firearms purchases for a little while.