S & W 9mm model 39-2 - 50 Years old

[Winchester-42]

Hello all,
I know there are threads that have discussed bringing guns into CA that are not legal. I have also heard that if a pistol (S & W 9mm model 39-2) is older than 50 years, it may be purchased out of state and registered. Can anyone please give me a definitive answer to this? Thank you

[Capybara]

Pretty simple really.
C&R Firearms are exempt from the handgun roster.
All firearms 50 years or older are C&R firearms.
Note that unless you have proof of the month the gun was manufactured, the cutoff is really 51 years old.
So guns made in 1972 are not C&R eligible unless they were made before today 50 years ago and you can
prove it with documentation of the exact date of manufacture.

Or unless the gun is on the ATF's list of C&R eligible firearms. I bough a Radom P64 yesterday that was made in 1975,
it's not 50 years old but it is C&R since it appears on the ATF's list of eligible C&Rs. The CZ82 was made in the 1980s and
it too is C&R eligible so worth checking the list to see if your Smith 39-2 might be on there.

[Winchester-42]

That (might) open the possibility of purchasing a S&W 39-2 out of state if I can prove it's older than 50 years with documentation, and listed as eligible C&Rs.
Thank you!

[MARKFP]

Info offered above is pretty much spot on about date of manufacture. Some brands can be difficult to nail down specific date. I ran into that a couple times with S&W 52's. Then you need to verify out of state seller recognizes the age exemption and is willing to ship, also need to verify your receiving FFL is willing. Sometimes one and or both only focus on the pistol being "off roster" and will not want to oblige. If purchasing on gunbroker communicate and verify before bidding. A good relationship with an FFL on the receiving end can help make things go smoothly also ! Good luck and share pics if it happens.

[Quiet]

AFAIK...

The S&W Model 39 was made from 1954-1970.
The S&W Model 39-2 was made from 1971-1983.

The vast majority of S&W Model 39-2 are not C&R.

[morrcarr67]

AFAIK...

The S&W Model 39 was made from 1954-1970.
The S&W Model 39-2 was made from 1971-1983.

The vast majority of S&W Model 39-2 are not C&R.

You are correct sir.

The last 39-2 made was shipped on February 15th, 1983. It is serial number A747148.

Speaking of serial numbers, in 1972 S&W started their semiauto pistol run with serial number A145801. This true for the 39, 41, 44, 46, and 52. So, you would need to find one with a serial number less than that to make sure it's a C&R.

[Winchester-42]

Capybara, the gun in question is a S&W 39 - no dash which makes it an early model. I contacted S&W CS with the serial number and the best they could do was tell me it was manufactured between 1954-1970. From my research, I put the gun at about 1968-69. If there is no definitive proof of the date, how can it legally be considered a C&R? I checked the C&R list and it is listed. If I purchase the gun and have it sent to my FFL, is it legal and will I encounter any problems? Thank you in advance.

[Winchester-42]

I read the other comments and believe I have my answer. If I am lucky enough to get it, I'll send pics. Thank you all!

[morrcarr67]

Capybara, the gun in question is a S&W 39 - no dash which makes it an early model. I contacted S&W CS with the serial number and the best they could do was tell me it was manufactured between 1954-1970. From my research, I put the gun at about 1968-69. If there is no definitive proof of the date, how can it legally be considered a C&R? I checked the C&R list and it is listed. If I purchase the gun and have it sent to my FFL, is it legal and will I encounter any problems? Thank you in advance.

Since it's a "no dash" 39 it is listed in the "brown book" by name as a C&R firearm. You should have no problems getting it.

Smith & Wesson, Model 39, steel frame pistol, cal. 9mm Parabellum.
Smith & Wesson, Model 39-1 (52-A), pistol, cal. 9mm Parabellum.

[Capybara]

Capybara, the gun in question is a S&W 39 - no dash which makes it an early model. I contacted S&W CS with the serial number and the best they could do was tell me it was manufactured between 1954-1970. From my research, I put the gun at about 1968-69. If there is no definitive proof of the date, how can it legally be considered a C&R? I checked the C&R list and it is listed. If I purchase the gun and have it sent to my FFL, is it legal and will I encounter any problems? Thank you in advance.

I agree with the others, sounds like you are home free. Post pictures when you get it.

[SVT-40]

I loved my M-39. I carried a nickel plated one as a duty gun for many years. Left it to go with a M-639... Carried that gun for quite awhile too.

Great pistols!

[sevendayweekend]

Do any of these above C&R laws change if the seller is a ca brick and mortar shop selling used guns?

[morrcarr67]

Do any of these above C&R laws change if the seller is a ca brick and mortar shop selling used guns?

Not sure what you mean.

C&R handguns are roster exempt and can be transferred to any one in CA.

Sent from my BE2026 using Tapatalk

[freonr22]

I had a model 39, with a BII frame, sn 0175, 2 tone was stolen. In 1994. Believe it was 1 of 50 for a PD build. Super bummer

[SkyHawk]

If it is listed in the ATF C&R list, it doesn't matter how old it is. It could be 5 years old.

There are guns on that list that are less than 50 years old. Being on the list makes it C&R, independent of age. Being on the C&R list is like the golden ticket, because sometimes age can be hard to prove.