Smith and Wesson Model 59

[Cwalker]

So I was just given a Smith and Wesson Model 59 9mm as a gift. I have not have not done the paperwork yet to sign it into my name but that has nothing to do with this.

I was just wondering if you guys could give me some info on the gun since I know nothing about it. All I know is it is a fully chrome S/W M 59 that that came from Montana. I am not sure when it was made or if there is a submodel like the M16 were there is the M16 then the M16A2 and so on.

I was just wondering if you guys could give me a little more info about the gun. Is it it a reliable gun? Are there any issues that people have had with this model I should know about and so on.

Thanks guys and gals, I appreciate it.

[bwiese]

Whoooa. Sounds like you might be unfamiliar with CA gun laws, the mention of Montana has me worried.

Came from Montana? Unless it was from an inheritance/bequest, it needs to go thru a CA FFL. BATF really doesn't like guns crossing state lines.

If comeing from a CA resident as a gift, I hope it was from a father/grandfather/son/grandson - otherwise it'll have to go thru FFL as a PPT.

It can't otherwise be imported to the state as it's a non-Rostered handgun and it's less than 50 years old (only around 38 or 40 max).

Also, you need to hold a valid HSC card before accepting the gun. This gun may well also have high capacity magazines (those holding over 10 rounds) and you can't import or take possession of those mags - even if you can legally accept the gun, you couldn't accept the mags. 10rd mags are readily available - they also fit the 459/659/5906 etc.

The S&W Model 59 is Smith's classic autoloader 9mm. It's a double-stack mag upgrade to the Model 39, which only took a single-stack mag. They're robust and reliable and accurate guns that came out in early 1970s (prototypes were used it Vietnam w/silencers and were called "hush puppies"). Quite a few LE agencies have used S&W Model 59s (or 459/659 derivatives) with no issue. They aren't 'sexy' like Glocks or Sigs but work equally well. I myself am a fan of the 3rd generation S&W autos in 45ACP, 10mm and 9mm [I am not a fan of the 4006 40S&W variants]

Your problem is not that this is not a good gun (I have no idea of the condition but if in good shape it's a great gun you can bet your life on). You do need to ensure you take possesion of this gun legally.

[Cwalker]

Thank you very much for the information. I am actually pretty new to firearms and I do not even have a safe for it. I am currently keeping the gun unloaded with a one of those lock things going through the slide and mag well The 9mm ammo is being stored in a different part of my house in a locked container. As far as all of all of those other abbreviations you used I am unfamiliar with. The only one I know which I think I know and may be wrong is 459, I am thinking of the California Penal Code Section 459 for burglary.

It does have one high capacity magazine (14 round mag +1 in the chamer when shooting)and I do not want to get into trouble for that. I was told by a Los Angeles Police Officer Metro Division that is was only illegal to buy or sell high capacity mags but just to possess them I am fine. It currently has one 14 round mag that I may be illegal. Can some one clarify this for me? I have people told me it is flat out illegal and then like I said if it is given to you and you did not purchase it, it is not illegal to posses.

It was not given to me by a family member unfortunately, it was given to me my my moms friend who lived in Montana and moved here from California. It is still technically registered to her and when I turn 21 in 3 months I will DROS it over to me so it is legally registered to me.

If you guys could advise me what to do so I do not violate the law I would greatly appreciate it.

[Cwalker]

I appogize for my ingornace to these abbreviations and laws in advance. There are just so many I can't keep up.

[Cwalker]

Oh as the condiditon of the gun, it was very dirty on the inside, my buddy cleaned it well and to my understanding less than 500 rounds have been throught it,

[bwiese]

Thank you very much for the information. I am actually pretty new to firearms and I do not even have a safe for it. I am currently keeping the gun unloaded with a one of those lock things going through the slide and mag well The 9mm ammo is being stored in a different part of my house in a locked container. As far as all of all of those other abbreviations you used I am unfamiliar with. The only one I know which I think I know and may be wrong is 459, I am thinking of the California Penal Code Section 459 for burglary.

I was just making a comment about the model 459 which is a derivative of your model 59 gun.

It does have one high capacity magazine (14 round mag +1 in the chamer when shooting)and I do not want to get into trouble for that. I was told by a Los Angeles Police Officer Metro Division that is was only illegal to buy or sell high capacity mags but just to possess them I am fine. It currently has one 14 round mag that I may be illegal. Can some one clarify this for me? I have people told me it is flat out illegal and then like I said if it is given to you and you did not purchase it, it is not illegal to possess.

It was not given to me by a family member unfortunately, it was given to me my my moms friend who lived in Montana and moved here from California. It is still technically registered to her and when I turn 21 in 3 months I will DROS it over to me so it is legally registered to me.

1. The hicap mag itself was imported into CA illegally by mom's friend. You then illegally acquired it. Ignore the idiots talking about not purchasing it, etc. - you illegally acquired a hicap mag. Disassemble it and don't reassemble it while in CA.

(Also, mom's friend should have filed a New Resident Handgun Ownership report and $19 fee within 60 days of moving to CA. I'm sure she didn't to that.)

Anyway, arrange to give her back her gun WITH THE MAGAZINE DISASSEMBLED. You acquired the gun illegally. It cannot be yours yet, and you cannot legally take possession of it. You also have publicly outed yourself on an internet forum where LE do monitor things: it's highly unlikely this'll cause you trouble, but it's a demonstration of unwise behavior to confess crimes on a public forum instead of asking questions in hypotheticals.

Over the next 3 months, get your ducks in a row: get an HSC card (take test at gunshop when you do the deal), acquire proof of residency in your name (power bill/landline phone bill/cable bill, or car registration), have your mom's friend come to the local gun shop with you and transfer the gun via "PPT" (private party transfer) . Get some quality S&W 10rd magazines - don't buy aftermarket junk.

Use care transporting the gun back to your friend or have her pick it up herself. Gun should be in a locked case and unloaded. Since the gun is not reg'd to either of you any invalid transport that ended up being charged as a CCW violation could be charged as a felony instead of a misdemeanor.

If you guys could advise me what to do so I do not violate the law I would greatly appreciate it.

Do what I said above.

[Alexjr1967]

^^^^

sound advise from one of our finest!

[liketoshoot]

What bwise said will keep you out of trouble, IIRC you can have the gun if you are over 18 as long as you have taken the HSC. I'm sure this will be answered.
But you need to get it back to her and do the transfer at a FFL.