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Photo From: Mark Freburg - Album: Handguns--Classic or Antique

Description: Smith & Wesson Model 59, their first double-action, double-stack 9x19mm pistol, which appeared in 1971.  Based on the Model 39, a single-stack that had been around since 1954, the Model 59 was considered to have poor ergonomics, and reliability was so-so.  The M59 only lasted on the market for nine years when it was replaced in 1980 by the 2nd Generation Model 459 (and 659 in stainless steel).  This model itself lasted only eight years, when it was replaced by the 3rd Generation Model 5904 (and 5906 in stainless steel).  The third Generation 9mm double-stack Smith & Wessons were discontinued in 1998 (5904) and 1999 (5906), although S&W's Performance Center may have made some special models since then, and they continued to build them privately for law enforcement agencies still using them. 

Meanwhile, S&W had been trying unsuccessfully for years to come up with a worthy rival to the polymer, striker-fired Glock.  By late 2005 the company finally had a successful competitor on their third attempt--the M&P pistol.  This was essentially the end of all-metal service pistols from Smith & Wesson.

Uploaded: 6/6/2013 by Mark Freburg