[Tainan]

My experience with the 39's was back around 83 or 84. Right about the time S&W was entering the 9mm auto market.
Their service department handled things well, but from their comments, and the comments of several PD armorers I spoke with, this was a common problem with these model 39s.
S&W went through a lot of 'trial and error' back then with their new 9mm autos.
Interesting times.

[yarddog]

I have read several times that S&W had some quality control problems in the 70s and 80s. I guess maybe they did but I bought several N frames and they were all basically perfect.

Range was always right on. Barrel to cylinder gap was tighter than specs, they all had great triggers and were accurate. None of them ever gave any problems. I wish I had them all back.