Tweet
In the 1970s, the late gun writer Robert T Shimek coined the term “Wonder 9” when describing the revolutionary new 9mm from Smith & Wesson, the Model 59.
It had a double stack, 14 round magazine (+1 in the chamber), double action first shot like a revolver) and single action subsequent shots like a 1911. It also had a well thumb placed safety that doubled as a de-cocker and firing pin safety! It took the double/single of the existing, single stack 8 shot Walther P38 and S&W Model 39, and the double stack of the browning P-35 Hi Power. The idea was born with the Navy Seals in Vietnam, who modified a S&W Model 39 “Hush Puppy” sliced pistol (used to whack 4 legged and 2 legged sentries), to use Browning HIPower mags for more firepower. That design was refined by Smith and Wesson into the Model 59. The Model 59 was introduced in 1971.
I first was first exposed to the S&W 59 when I was attending The California POST, Central Coast Counties Police Academy in Gilroy, CA in 1975. Salinas PD had about 10 guys in the class, and the were armed with Model 59s. I got to shoot one, and it was instant love. My Issue was a 1911A1, which I liked, but the Wonder 9 stole my heart.
Fast forward to 1978, and I bought one for an off-duty weapon (the Northern CA SO I worked at, issued Model 66 .357s,) In 1979, I switched to a small Department in Southern Washington state, and for two years, the 59 was my duty weapon. In 1981, I was hired by a large agency in the Seattle area, and the Model 59 was the issue weapon there. I was forced out due to a severe on the job injury in 1988, Due to Washington’s terrible labor laws, my retirement was a joke.
After three years of rehabilitation, in 1991, I returned to work once again as a Deputy in northern CA, First couple years, I carried my 59 as a duty weapon. In 2000, I was forced retired out again due to three blown disks fighting a tweaker on PCP. At that point I called it quits…..I had been an LEO for 26 years at that point, and that was enough.
So I have dusted off my 1975 vintage Model 59, and am carrying it (in my old Tex Shoemaker basket weave paddle holster) on the days I work the local gun shop. For old time sake, I have it loaded with the Illinois State Police load, Federal 9BPLE 115 grain +P+ (1,350 fps) “BPLE, making bad felons into good felons for over 40 years!”
AH, nostalgia! When you are 73, you can do silly things, just because LOL
It had a double stack, 14 round magazine (+1 in the chamber), double action first shot like a revolver) and single action subsequent shots like a 1911. It also had a well thumb placed safety that doubled as a de-cocker and firing pin safety! It took the double/single of the existing, single stack 8 shot Walther P38 and S&W Model 39, and the double stack of the browning P-35 Hi Power. The idea was born with the Navy Seals in Vietnam, who modified a S&W Model 39 “Hush Puppy” sliced pistol (used to whack 4 legged and 2 legged sentries), to use Browning HIPower mags for more firepower. That design was refined by Smith and Wesson into the Model 59. The Model 59 was introduced in 1971.
I first was first exposed to the S&W 59 when I was attending The California POST, Central Coast Counties Police Academy in Gilroy, CA in 1975. Salinas PD had about 10 guys in the class, and the were armed with Model 59s. I got to shoot one, and it was instant love. My Issue was a 1911A1, which I liked, but the Wonder 9 stole my heart.
Fast forward to 1978, and I bought one for an off-duty weapon (the Northern CA SO I worked at, issued Model 66 .357s,) In 1979, I switched to a small Department in Southern Washington state, and for two years, the 59 was my duty weapon. In 1981, I was hired by a large agency in the Seattle area, and the Model 59 was the issue weapon there. I was forced out due to a severe on the job injury in 1988, Due to Washington’s terrible labor laws, my retirement was a joke.
After three years of rehabilitation, in 1991, I returned to work once again as a Deputy in northern CA, First couple years, I carried my 59 as a duty weapon. In 2000, I was forced retired out again due to three blown disks fighting a tweaker on PCP. At that point I called it quits…..I had been an LEO for 26 years at that point, and that was enough.
So I have dusted off my 1975 vintage Model 59, and am carrying it (in my old Tex Shoemaker basket weave paddle holster) on the days I work the local gun shop. For old time sake, I have it loaded with the Illinois State Police load, Federal 9BPLE 115 grain +P+ (1,350 fps) “BPLE, making bad felons into good felons for over 40 years!”
AH, nostalgia! When you are 73, you can do silly things, just because LOL
Comment