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Bryant RIdge's Analysis: The Smith & Wesson Model 39-2 is a historic and reliable semi-automatic pistol that continues to garner respect among gun enthusiasts and professionals alike. Developed in the wake of World War II, the U.S. military sought a modern 9mm service pistol to eventually replace the iconic Colt 1911. Smith & Wesson responded with the Model 39, which was designed in 1954 for the U.S. Army. However, despite its innovative features, it was not adopted by the military and i …

Bryant Ridge's Analysis: The Smith & Wesson Model 39-2 is a historic and reliable semi-automatic pistol that continues to garner respect among gun enthusiasts and professionals alike. Developed in the wake of World War II, the U.S. military sought a modern 9mm service pistol to eventually replace the iconic Colt 1911. Smith & Wesson responded with the Model 39, which was designed in 1954 for the U.S. Army. However, despite its innovative features, it was not adopted by the military and i …

Bryant Ridge's Analysis: The Smith & Wesson Model 639 is an upgraded version of the Model 39, a semi-automatic pistol that was initially used by military and law enforcement. Smith & Wesson's first-generation metal-frame semi-automatic pistols started with the Model 39, which was released to the civilian market in 1955. As more similar designs were created, the Model 39 became known as a "first generation" design. Second-generation models have three digits in their model number, while th …

Bryant Ridge's Analysis: The Model 16 is a .32 S&W Long double-action revolver built on the square-butt K-frame, previously known as the K-32 Masterpiece. The postwar version introduced several key updates, including a new hammer block for enhanced safety, a serrated barrel rib, and a micrometer-click adjustable rear sight. It features a 6-shot, fluted cylinder with a nominal length of 1.56", a 6-inch pinned barrel, and checkered walnut magna-style grips with S&W medallions and a diamond …

Bryant Ridge's Analysis: The Smith & Wesson Model 48 was first produced in 1959 and was chambered in .22 WMR, a rimfire cartridge that had been introduced by Winchester earlier that year. The gun's performance quickly gained popularity among enthusiasts and continues to be a favorite to this day. However, the Model 48 faced a tough challenge in 1986, when semi-automatic pistols began to dominate the handgun market. Due to low consumer demand, production of the Model 48 was stopped. …