Model 59 Barrel

[tofuti]

In need a new(er) barrel for my Model 59.
They seem scarce as hens teeth at the moment.

Question is, if I see a barrel for a model 39, is that interchangeable? I think so but not sure.

Similarly, if I see a barrel for a 459, 559, or 659 can they be used?

If the replacement barrel is stainless, is that usable? I am thinking about possible issues with different metal types interacting negatively somehow (chemical interactions or mechanical "one steel is softer than the other" issues)?

Thanks

[cantdance]

Only the frames and drawbar maybe the mag catch are different on the 39 and 59. I had both long ago.

[blasterp7]

In need a new(er) barrel for my Model 59.
They seem scarce as hens teeth at the moment.

Question is, if I see a barrel for a model 39, is that interchangeable? I think so but not sure.

Similarly, if I see a barrel for a 459, 559, or 659 can they be used?

If the replacement barrel is stainless, is that usable? I am thinking about possible issues with different metal types interacting negatively somehow (chemical interactions or mechanical "one steel is softer than the other" issues)?

Thanks

I will try and give you an answer, but that also brings up a question

In theory any first gen smith (2 digit) 9mm barrel will work - i.e 39 or 59. any second gen (3 digit) 9mm barrel should also work as long as it is 4" i.e. 459, 559 or 659, of course any of the shorter 9mm barrels 669 etc will not work. Any third gen (4 digit) 5906 will NOT work, as the first two have barrel bushings similar to 1911 (removable) and the 3rd gen has a different barrel profile as the bushing is pressed into the slide by the factory.

The theory portion is this: a new barrel from the factory almost always had to be fitted. this involved taking metal from the rear of the barrel hood (back of chamber) until the barrel would properly fit into the slide with a little bit of play - yet not too much. So if you were buying a used barrel and got lucky - it might fit. If you were buying a new barrel, chances are it would have to be fit by a gunsmith familiar with that particular process.

My question is this: Why do you believe you need a new barrel. My original Smith 59 was issued to me in 1974 and I carried it until 1987 when we were issued the 659. I still have the original 59 and shot about 25,000 plus through the weapon - the barrel is still great. The only repair I have made on it is the manual safety (some call it the de-cocker) which sheared - it was made out of either aluminum or some kind of pot metal. Even so, I only replaced that within the last couple of years.

[blasterp7]

All parts for the Smith gen 1 , 2 and 3's are - to use your words - getting "scarce as hens teeth". The good news is that they are built like tanks and rarely need parts....

[cantdance]

The only repair I have made on it is the manual safety (some call it the de-cocker) which sheared - it was made out of either aluminum or some kind of pot metal. Even so, I only replaced that within the last couple of years.

You made me get my 1006, 411, and Ladysmith 3913 and check them with a magnet. It is made of steel. Can't imagine how a low stress part like that could break off unless you dropped it just right?

[JTROKS]

There are 2 listed on EBay as of now. One doesn’t have the muzzle end machined like my 5906’s barrel. The one selling for $135 looks like OEM.

[Sailormilan2]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Smith-Wesson-59-model-9MM-parts-Barrel/253158873862?hash=item3af171db06:g:p1AAAOSwCi9ZvodR

https://www.ebay.com/itm/SMITH-WESSON-459-559-59-659-39-439-539-639-39-2-BARREL-4-BLUE-J-3047/182995286023?hash=item2a9b5e7807:g:cG8AAOSwpOxZ~Heo

[blasterp7]

You made me get my 1006, 411, and Ladysmith 3913 and check them with a magnet. It is made of steel. Can't imagine how a low stress part like that could break off unless you dropped it just right?

Nope - never dropped it - I know because I owned it from 1974 to today. BUT, you are probably right it is probably steel. If you have ever looked at one out of the weapon they have a ton of machining point both through the safety and partially through the part. And 25,000 + rounds - something is bound to fail. By the way it was the original recoil spring - I only replaced it because I was feeling negligent, even though it still worked fine!!!!

[blasterp7]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Smith-Wesso...AAAOSwCi9ZvodR

https://www.ebay.com/itm/SMITH-WESSO...8AAOSwpOxZ~Heo

I looked at both of these and they have WAY more wear than my 59 with 25,000+ rounds. Which brings me back to the original question I posed to OP Why do you need to replace the barrel??????

[tofuti]

I looked at both of these and they have WAY more wear than my 59 with 25,000+ rounds. Which brings me back to the original question I posed to OP Why do you need to replace the barrel??????

OP here.

Reason I need a new barrel is that I am having a hard time getting MOA accuracy at 100 yards.

(kidding)

Actually my brass is coming out bulged slightly at the base. So... need a new barrel.

[Mr. Helio]

I think I found one for you. https://www.gunpartscorp.com/gun-man...ols-sw/5906tsw

[blasterp7]

I think I found one for you. https://www.gunpartscorp.com/gun-man...ols-sw/5906tsw

From my experience - that one will NOT work in your 59. It is only for the 3rd gen 4 digit Smiths - i.e. 5906 etc The profile on the barrel for a 59 should be straight from muzzle to forward portion of the chamber....

[blasterp7]

OP here.


Actually my brass is coming out bulged slightly at the base. So... need a new barrel.

Hummmmmm, well I was an armorer for my department for Smiths from 1976to about 2000 or so, when we switched over to Glocks. When we had the Smiths we had 1st, 2nd and 3 gens...Never had to switch out a barrel on any of the over 1,000 Smith firearms we had over that period of time. We did have to replace over a dozen of the frames on the 659 series as they developed cracks.

Do me a favor, I have my Smith Armorers manual at work some place and I will try to check it next week (if I can find it as its been about 17 years since I have used it). So I can't tell you the exact spec ----but if you take an index card (kind of like the NFL) and place it between the top barrel hood and the breech face of the slide, it should have resistance when the weapon is in battery. If you can double up the index card and get it in then you MAY need a new barrel....

You must be reloading to inspect the brass that carefully. We never checked it as we did not reload. As long as the weapon is functioning fine, I -personally would not be concerned about the brass - unless you have had failures to extract.

If you are reloading - they do make something called the full length resizing die

[DEPUTYBILL]

And maybe you are using brass that has reached its useful life?
Maybe try factory loaded of new brass for your reloaded ammo and see if the brass comes out bulged?
Also check your loading specs. Maybe your reloaded ammo is a little too hot?

[tofuti]

Hey guys, actually I am not reloading, all factory new brass/ammo.

Blaster, when I get a moment I'll try the index card thing and report back.