In 1970, I joined the Chicago Police Department, and a year later, I purchased the Model 39 ASP. I loved this gun. Later, when I transitioned to plainclothes duty, it became my primary weapon, even though it violated department regulations, which required officers to carry a revolver chambered for .38 caliber ammunition. There was no faster gun to draw from a holster than the ASP-it was designed to fit perfectly in the hand.
One of the first owners of an ASP was a Sacramento (CA) County Sheriff (I don't recall his name), who offered one while a detective. He sold the gun and I acquired it in the 80's. I only had it a few weeks. Someone made me an offer I couldn't refuse, and I sold it for an obscene (at that time) amount of money. Mine did not have the relieved trigger guard.
One of my duty pistols was a S&W model 39. It was the department's gun so mostly I had it as a spare/off-duty/car-gun (different times). But when we started water patrol in the Gulf of Mexico on wave-runners (tough job, such a tough job, heh-heh-heh) I carried that model 39 rather than my Browning or SIG because, if I lost it in the Gulf well, hey, it wasn't MY pistol rusting to ruin at the bottom (sorry, Chief, what-had-happened-was...). As happens, it did fine, the then-new nylon gear held it well, the alloy frame didn't rust (I'd rinse it off really well with a hose as we were flushing out the wave runners after a patrol then re-oil it ... same as I did with my handcuffs and expandable baton. It was quite accurate and very reliable and I love the way the old model 39's grip fits my hand. For 9x19 ammo, we issued Federals +p+ 9bple load and despite what one can read in the gunrags, that old gun ate 'em up without showing any signs of advanced wear. I hated giving it back years later, but I'll get another one some day just for memories' sake.
Bond used a P7 9mm then a VP70 9mm briefly before going to the custom ASP 9mm. Bond used blue Glaser safety slugs. These were "exotic" or pre fragmented loads that in the 1980s ran $2.50-3.00 per round 😲. 💲💲💲. Glaser later rolled out the Silver slugs & made a more rounded tip. Better feeding.
There really isn't anything clumsy or antique about that design though. This design was ahead of it's time, even the the theory behind the guttersnipe sight, using a single point to aim, exists today with modern pistol red dots that they clearly didn't have at the time.
when i really started in shooting i knew someone who used one of these as EDC, he pointed me to my first carry piece ( still got it 70 series commander).
I think the choped and welded slide might be incorrect. That spot is just a blemish. Looking at my M 39, it looks like they would have chopped and reprofiled the front of the slide.
I'd wear nitrile 🧤 too. Paris Theodore was a top weapons engineer. 😎. Bond 007 used a ASP 9x19mm. In a few novels, 1980s to 1990s. PS: a ASP 9mm was used by the CIA, head of security; US Embassy Saigon 🇻🇳. 1975.
Дуже елегантний конструктивно виваженний пістолет. Не треба його ображати і порівнювати з пластмасовим ширпотребом Глок. ASP не виглядає застарілим, такі елегантні речі завжди виглядають доречно чого не скажеш про глок з його модними "прикрасами" які на завтра вже сприймаються як монструозні.
Paris Theodore made approx 239 changes, modified to a stock S&W model 39 9x19mm. The ASP is a excellent gun of that era, 1970s-1980s. The SIG P225 9mm was also vogue with bodyguards, PIs, federal agents, "spys" 😎.
For 70’s plastic those grips aged pretty well
It's Lexan. This was a remarkably poor and uninformed presentation about this rare firearm.
In 1970, I joined the Chicago Police Department, and a year later, I purchased the Model 39 ASP. I loved this gun. Later, when I transitioned to plainclothes duty, it became my primary weapon, even though it violated department regulations, which required officers to carry a revolver chambered for .38 caliber ammunition. There was no faster gun to draw from a holster than the ASP-it was designed to fit perfectly in the hand.
One of the first owners of an ASP was a Sacramento (CA) County Sheriff (I don't recall his name), who offered one while a detective. He sold the gun and I acquired it in the 80's. I only had it a few weeks. Someone made me an offer I couldn't refuse, and I sold it for an obscene (at that time) amount of money. Mine did not have the relieved trigger guard.
Every month or two one of these pops up at auction somewhere. Definitely gonna snag one eventually, I love the S&W 39 family of handguns
Devel was known for custom style M39 & M59 Smith and Wesson models. They were a lot like the ASP.
I own a 3913, which is Smith & Wesson’s in house version. Minus the grips and the strange guttersnipe sight.
One of my duty pistols was a S&W model 39. It was the department's gun so mostly I had it as a spare/off-duty/car-gun (different times). But when we started water patrol in the Gulf of Mexico on wave-runners (tough job, such a tough job, heh-heh-heh) I carried that model 39 rather than my Browning or SIG because, if I lost it in the Gulf well, hey, it wasn't MY pistol rusting to ruin at the bottom (sorry, Chief, what-had-happened-was...). As happens, it did fine, the then-new nylon gear held it well, the alloy frame didn't rust (I'd rinse it off really well with a hose as we were flushing out the wave runners after a patrol then re-oil it ... same as I did with my handcuffs and expandable baton. It was quite accurate and very reliable and I love the way the old model 39's grip fits my hand. For 9x19 ammo, we issued Federals +p+ 9bple load and despite what one can read in the gunrags, that old gun ate 'em up without showing any signs of advanced wear. I hated giving it back years later, but I'll get another one some day just for memories' sake.
This series is gold!
Anyone else read John Gardner’s run writing James Bond novels? This is what he eventually settled on to have Bond use.
Bond used a P7 9mm then a VP70 9mm briefly before going to the custom ASP 9mm. Bond used blue Glaser safety slugs. These were "exotic" or pre fragmented loads that in the 1980s ran $2.50-3.00 per round 😲. 💲💲💲. Glaser later rolled out the Silver slugs & made a more rounded tip. Better feeding.
When I was a kid, searching for good gun fiction. Loved it...
Black ops gang anyone?
James Bond 007 used a ASP in the 1980s 📚. 6-7 licensed novels. He used Glaser Safety Slugs too. Older blue version.
yes sir. first gun i ever got a kill with I think
i wished they would produce it today again
There really isn't anything clumsy or antique about that design though. This design was ahead of it's time, even the the theory behind the guttersnipe sight, using a single point to aim, exists today with modern pistol red dots that they clearly didn't have at the time.
The modern Guttersnipe sight would be the Meprolight FT Bullseye on a SIG P365 SAS
when i really started in shooting i knew someone who used one of these as EDC, he pointed me to my first carry piece ( still got it 70 series commander).
Its pretty practical considering how many guys go anti snag and micro holo....
Gun makers should get this gun & make more of this gun.
Anybody agree?
knew a NIS CI S/A who had back in 85. that was a great shooter. why it never caught on?
John Gardner wrote this gun into his run of James Bond novels when he took over from Ian Fleming
I think the choped and welded slide might be incorrect. That spot is just a blemish. Looking at my M 39, it looks like they would have chopped and reprofiled the front of the slide.
ASP
I heard that there were other versions of this….same kind of clear grips but different sights
Cool
I'd wear nitrile 🧤 too. Paris Theodore was a top weapons engineer. 😎. Bond 007 used a ASP 9x19mm. In a few novels, 1980s to 1990s. PS: a ASP 9mm was used by the CIA, head of security; US Embassy Saigon 🇻🇳. 1975.
That sell price is damn low
Дуже елегантний конструктивно виваженний пістолет. Не треба його ображати і порівнювати з пластмасовим ширпотребом Глок. ASP не виглядає застарілим, такі елегантні речі завжди виглядають доречно чого не скажеш про глок з його модними "прикрасами" які на завтра вже сприймаються як монструозні.
First view!
Welded slide? Sounds creepy
How so?
@@Totemparadox O mean a solid piece os better
@@tatarugabriel4328 welds are usually stronger than the piece itself (as I was told in welding school) unless itś cast metal
Paris Theodore made approx 239 changes, modified to a stock S&W model 39 9x19mm. The ASP is a excellent gun of that era, 1970s-1980s. The SIG P225 9mm was also vogue with bodyguards, PIs, federal agents, "spys" 😎.
@@tatarugabriel4328 Sorry, but that's just untrue. Welds are almost always stronger than the base material if done correctly with correct materials.