S&W 459 questions

D

Doc Hoy

New member
Picked up a 459 at the Virginia Beach gun show two weeks ago. Haven't had a chance to shoot it yet but have no hesitancies about the pistol from my initial examination and handling of it. It is eternally in good condition with no holster wear on the barrel and only minor wear on the frame. Came with a mag but no box. Operates properly and the half cock recall warning appears not to be a problem on this particular pistol.

Was looking for a serial number reference to determine the date of manuf but was unsuccessful at finding one. I found a couple sites in a Google search but wound up with malware on my computer when I visited the first two of those sites. Never got to the serial number cross reference list at either site.

So here are the questions:

1. Using the number A782XXX can someone tell me the year and month of manufacture or send me to a legitimate site which provides manufacture data based on serial number and model?

2. I see some photos of 459s with a squared off trigger guard and others with the rounded trigger guard. Mine has a rounded trigger guard. Can someone tell me about the history of the feature?

3. Mine also has a red site inlay (front site) and fixed rear sight.

The model seems to be of high value and gets generally good reviews.

4, Any thoughts on the pistol?
 
I bought a 539 fairly recently, and the 459 is of the same '80s era; 3rd Gen pistols were introduced in 1988.
The hooked trigger guard is a feature of later models; my 539 doesn't have the hook, but I've seen 639s with and without. For a brief time, a very brief time, holding the gun with the index finger of the support hand wrapped around the front of the trigger guard was promoted widely, if by only a few people (it apparently took 30 years for word to get to Europe, since just about every European pistol now has a square or hooked guard?).
My gun is absolutely beautiful, very well made, but the trigger is awful. DA pull is long and crunchy, and the SA pull is short and crunchy. The combination of black rear sight and nickel-plated front sight is poor.
Your fixed rear sight must be a pretty rare variant?
If you like the trigger, and the gun runs reliably, it's as good a hi-cap 9 as any.
 
If I were you, I'd ask about the date of manufacture over at the S&W Forum. There is a metric boat-load of collectors and experts there. I think some of them have all of that information memorized.

:D
 
I believe your pistol was made in 1982. If nothing else, the 459 does figure rather prominently in the 1986 Miami FBI shootout as the issued sidearm of the two agents slain during the incident.
 
1. Covered above, and yep, the S&W forums are a wealth of info on 'em!!

2. Design change at a certain year...I forget which year.
But they went from Squared to rounded.

3. Sight sounds like aftermarket...pic would help.
3 sights were available to order from S&W at that time,
the Standard, the Adjustable Sights with protection, and Novak's.

4. Danged accurate pistols, it will give you long service :)
Chances are it'll shoot better than you do.
Great duty or nightstand pistol.
 
Big Shrek said:
3 sights were available to order from S&W at that time,
the Standard, the Adjustable Sights with protection, and Novak's.
Click to expand...
I think you're confusing the 2nd-gen pistols with the 3rd-gen pistols.

The 2nd-gen pistols used a vertical blade that's drift-adjustable for windage only, or a fully screw-adjustable unit with big vertical protective "wings" or "ears". The Novaks emerged ca. 1990 on the 3rd-gen 39xx/59xx/69xx series, replacing the vertical blade.

I've seen a 2nd-gen pistol (M439 IIRC) with a red plastic front sight inlay like those used on S&W revolvers, but I don't know how common this feature was, when it was used, or even whether it was factory-original. To concur with the other posters, I suggest asking around on the S&W Forum.

Doc Hoy: Does your M459 have a RH-side ambi decocker/safety lever? Just curious—these pistols came both with and without.
 
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