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Sep 18 2011, 9:22 PM EDT (current) chitoryu12 273 words added, 108 words deleted
Sep 18 2011, 9:14 PM EDT chitoryu12 299 words added, 81 words deleted, 1 photo added

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Smith & Wesson Model 39. Image courtesy of xdtalk.comModel: Smith & Wesson Model 39
Developed for the US Army's attempt to replace the M1911 in 1954, the Model 39 was the first American double-action pistol to be marketed in the United States; the weapon was designed after ordnance personnel in World War II were impressed by the German P-38 and asked them to design a similar weapon. The Model 39 is an excellent example of a simple, cheap, and sturdy 9mm pistol. As a single-stack design, it's very slim and easy to conceal for its size. The Illinois State Police began issuing it in 1967, easing acceptance of semi-automatic pistols into the American law enforcement market (which had been dominated by .38 or .357 revolvers) and in turn making them commercially popular in the country that invented the .45 ACP.

Variants include the Model 59, which is wider and accepts double-stack 14 round magazines, the Model 52 chambered in .38 Special and meant to fire wadcutter bullets for target shooting, and the Mk 22 Mod 0 "Hush Puppy" of the US Navy special forces, which includes a silencer, taller iron sights, and a slide lock that can be activated to prevent the slide from cycling when fired to lower the noise and turning the gun into a manual repeater.



Specifications:
Weight:
 1.71 lbs. (0.780 kg)
Length:
 7.55” (192 mm)
Barrel Length:
 4” (102 mm)
Cartridge:
 9x19mm Parabellum
.38 Special (Model 52)
Action:
 Short-recoil
Muzzle Velocity:
 360m/s (1,181ft/s)
Effective Range:
 50m (164ft)
Feed System:
 Detachable box magazine. 5 (Model 52), 8 (Model 39), 14 (Model 59)
Sights:
 Front blade, rear notch.
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Where to find

The Model 39 made semi-automatic 9mms popular in America, but the different models and years means that the value of a gun could range from $200 to $1500 for an especially rare model. The Mk 22 Mod 0 is especially difficult to find, with the suppressor being quite costly with the $200 tax stamp (and possible illegality in your area!) added on.


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Complexity

How difficult is it to use this gun? Discuss any complex mechanisms, average reliability, any particular problems (firing pins often breaking, for example), difficulty using (controls, unusually heavy trigger pull, etc.)
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Controls
List all controls in a bullet point format, with their location and how to manipulate them; what does what, basically. Example below.
  • Safety:Safety/decocker: Located on boththe sidesleft side of the receiverframe behindor theslide, trigger;depending pushon upthe model. Down for SAFE, down up for FIRE.
  • Magazine release: Located behind the trigger on the left side.
  • BoltSlide release:catch: Located above the magazine on the upper receiver onbelow the left side; press in to close the bolt. Charging handle: Located on the right side of the upper receiver.slide.

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Loading

Condition One, or "Locked and Cocked." Chamber loaded, magazine full, hammer cocked and safety applied.
    StepNot 1possible Stepdue 2to Stepthe 3decocker.
Condition Two. Chamber loaded, magazine full, hammer down, safety off.

  1. StepPoint the weapon 1in a safe direction. Critical step in case it accidentally discharges!
  2. StepTake 2a loaded magazine and push it up into the magazine well until it clicks.
  3. StepPull the slide all the way back and let it snap shut.
  4. Push the 3safety down to decock the hammer.

Condition Three. Chamber empty, magazine full, hammer down, safety off.
  1. StepPoint 1the Stepweapon in a safe direction. Critical step in case it 2accidentally discharges!
  2. StepTake a loaded magazine and push it up into the magazine well until 3it clicks

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Unloading

How to unload the firearm and make safe. Presented in a numbered list.
    1. StepPoint the weapon in a safe direction. Critical 1step in case it accidentally discharges!
    2. StepPush the safety down to activate it and decock 2the hammer.
    3. StepPress the magazine release and remove the loaded magazine.
    4. Pull the slide back and check the chamber for any ammunition. Move the slide forward.
    5. Push the safety up to deactivate it.
    6. Pull the 3trigger.

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    Field Stripping

    How to disassemble the firearm for cleaning. Presented in a numbered list.
    1. StepPoint the weapon in a safe direction. Critical step in case it accidentally 1discharges!
    2. StepUnload the weapon as described above and push the 2safety up to deactivate it.
    3. StepWhile pushing the slide catch to the left, pull the slide back until the recess on the slide is lined up with the slide 3catch. Remove the slide catch, then pull the slide forward off the frame.
    4. ReverseCompress the recoil spring to allow you to reassemble.pull out the recoil spring guide assembly.
    5. Rotate the barrel bushing to the (Editor'sleft note:side ifof therethe areslide extraand stepspull beyondit merelyoff performingforwards.
    6. Lift the aboverear backwards,end listof themthe inbarrel up and anotherpull numberedit out list.)of the slide.
    Reverse to reassemble.