S&W Model 39 - Page 2 - The Firearms Forum

Jim K · 11-09-2012, 07:11 PM

Well, no. It is true that the German P.38 inspired several designs of DA/SA auto pistols, and some aspects of the S&W Model 39 (and its successors) were derived in part from the Walther design, the two pistols are basically very different, and no one familiar with both would call the Model 39 a streamlined P.38. The P.38 uses a unique locking block system (later copied by Beretta), while the Model 39 is a cammed dropping barrel system using a basic Browning lockup with some variations.

The double action system of the Model 39 is also very different from that of the P.38.

One common, and positive, feature is the grip, which in both pistols is very ergonomic and comfortable. S&W got away from that, though, when they went to a large capacity magazine in the Model 59.

Jim

Dog Soldier · 11-09-2012, 09:25 PM

Not so fast Jim K. Streamlined can mean brought up to date and modernized. S&W engineers did just that. No one said the P-38 was exactly like a M-39 S&W.

Jim K · 11-09-2012, 09:36 PM

I don't know any other way to interpret "The Mdl.39 9MM pistol was nothing more than a streamlined Walther P-38" other than to mean that the two guns are essentially the same. By that kind of definition, an M9 Beretta is nothing more than a streamlined Luger.

Jim

Dog Soldier · 11-09-2012, 10:27 PM

There you go you have it figured out. English as a first language is so helpful.

armenjs802 · 01-14-2013, 09:59 PM

WTS forum I just sold a sw 439. pics available.

11-09-2012, 07:11 PM	#26
Jim K Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 6,408	Re: S&W Model 39 Well, no. It is true that the German P.38 inspired several designs of DA/SA auto pistols, and some aspects of the S&W Model 39 (and its successors) were derived in part from the Walther design, the two pistols are basically very different, and no one familiar with both would call the Model 39 a streamlined P.38. The P.38 uses a unique locking block system (later copied by Beretta), while the Model 39 is a cammed dropping barrel system using a basic Browning lockup with some variations. The double action system of the Model 39 is also very different from that of the P.38. One common, and positive, feature is the grip, which in both pistols is very ergonomic and comfortable. S&W got away from that, though, when they went to a large capacity magazine in the Model 59. Jim

11-09-2012, 09:25 PM	#27
Dog Soldier V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Great Desert Posts: 154	Re: S&W Model 39 Not so fast Jim K. Streamlined can mean brought up to date and modernized. S&W engineers did just that. No one said the P-38 was exactly like a M-39 S&W.

11-09-2012, 09:36 PM	#28
Jim K Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 6,408	Re: S&W Model 39 I don't know any other way to interpret "The Mdl.39 9MM pistol was nothing more than a streamlined Walther P-38" other than to mean that the two guns are essentially the same. By that kind of definition, an M9 Beretta is nothing more than a streamlined Luger. Jim

11-09-2012, 10:27 PM	#29
Dog Soldier V.I.P. Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Great Desert Posts: 154	Re: S&W Model 39 There you go you have it figured out. English as a first language is so helpful.

01-14-2013, 09:59 PM	#30
armenjs802 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Well, one of the few banned States in US, and for the rest welcome to the GC party Southern Ca. Posts: 72	Re: S&W Model 39 WTS forum I just sold a sw 439. pics available. __________________ Bitterly clinging to my guns/ammo /religion since 11/6/2012 Join NRA