If you’ve ever handled a classic third-generation Smith, you already know the vibe: solid steel, purposeful lines, and that “built like a tool” feel that modern polymer pistols rarely try to imitate. The smith and wesson 639 sits right in that sweet spot—old-school enough to feel collectible, yet practical enough that people still carry and shoot them. But how does it stack up against today’s striker-fired, optics-ready, high-capacity 9mm crowd?

Let’s break it down with a modern lens—ergonomics, capacity, reliability, shootability, carry comfort, and long-term ownership—so you can decide whether the smith and wesson 639 is a smart buy today, a nostalgic range companion, or both.

Quick context: what the smith and wesson 639 actually is

The smith and wesson 639 is a stainless, single-stack 9mm in S&W’s classic double-action/single-action (DA/SA) family. It comes from an era when “duty pistol” typically meant metal frame/slide heft, traditional controls, and a manual safety/decocker system. That design philosophy matters, because modern 9mms are often optimized around lighter weight, simpler manual of arms, and modular features like accessory rails and optics mounting.

So the real comparison isn’t “old vs new” in a vacuum—it’s “traditional DA/SA metal gun built for durability” vs “modern, lightweight, high-capacity pistol built for convenience and scalability.”

1) Size, weight, and carry comfort: steel meets real life

The first thing you notice about a smith and wesson 639 is the mass. Stainless steel feels reassuring in the hand, and it tends to soak up recoil nicely (we’ll get to that), but weight is weight. Modern 9mm pistols—especially polymer-framed compacts—generally win on daily carry comfort. Less weight on the belt, less fatigue, and easier concealment for more body types.

That said, the smith and wesson 639 isn’t automatically a “bad carry” choice. A single-stack profile can conceal flatter than many double-stack guns, and some people find a slightly heavier pistol rides more steadily, especially with a good belt and holster. The catch is that today’s market offers slim, lightweight single-stack (and “stack-and-a-half”) options that give you similar concealment with far less heft.

Bottom line: the smith and wesson 639 can carry well due to its slimness, but modern pistols usually carry easier because they’re simply lighter.

2) Capacity and reload speed: the biggest practical gap

Capacity is where the age difference shows up fast. The smith and wesson 639 is a single-stack 9mm, and modern carry/duty pistols commonly provide significantly more rounds in the grip—often without becoming excessively large. For many buyers today, that’s the main reason to choose a modern 9mm: more capacity, fewer reloads, and broader magazine availability.

Reload speed is also a real-world factor. Older designs can have excellent magazine releases and reliable feeding, but modern pistols often benefit from bigger aftermarket support for mags, baseplates, and carry spares—plus a current production ecosystem where replacement magazines are easy to source.

Bottom line: for pure practicality, modern 9mms almost always win on capacity and logistics.

3) Trigger and manual of arms: DA/SA confidence vs striker simplicity

Here’s where preference matters as much as performance.

The smith and wesson 639 gives you a DA first shot and then a lighter SA follow-up. Many shooters love this rhythm: a deliberate first press, then crisp(er) subsequent shots. Others prefer the consistent pull of a modern striker-fired trigger—one feel, one cadence, and fewer moving parts in the manual of arms.

Also consider controls. The smith and wesson 639 typically uses a safety/decocker system that requires you to be intentional about how the pistol is carried and manipulated. Striker pistols, by contrast, are usually designed around “draw, press” simplicity (with safe handling and proper holsters doing the heavy lifting). Neither is “better” universally—it depends on your training style, comfort level, and willingness to practice consistently.

Bottom line: the smith and wesson 639 offers a classic DA/SA experience many shooters shoot very well, but modern pistols often win on simplicity and consistency under stress.

4) Shootability: recoil, balance, and real accuracy

This is where the smith and wesson 639 earns respect even today. Steel guns often feel smoother in recoil because weight and balance reduce snap. Many modern compact 9mms are incredibly shootable, but lighter guns can be more “lively,” especially for newer shooters or those sensitive to recoil impulse.

Accuracy potential is usually not the issue for either camp. A well-maintained smith and wesson 639 can be remarkably accurate in practical terms. Modern pistols can also be extremely accurate, and they often benefit from brighter factory sights, improved sight pictures, and easier support for red dots (if that’s your thing).

What tends to matter more than raw mechanical accuracy is how quickly you can get reliable hits. Some shooters run the smith and wesson 639 fast because the gun tracks smoothly and returns to target predictably. Others run modern compacts faster because the grip texture, ergonomics, and consistent trigger help them keep a steady cadence.

Bottom line: the smith and wesson 639 still shoots “modern-good,” especially in recoil feel and steadiness—modern pistols may pull ahead with sight options and faster handling features.

5) Reliability and durability: old-school rugged vs modern refinement

The third-gen Smith reputation for durability didn’t come out of nowhere. Many examples have lived long service lives, and stainless construction can handle plenty of use with routine care. The smith and wesson 639 was built in an era when manufacturers expected duty guns to be fired a lot, carried a lot, and maintained by agencies with armorer support.

Modern pistols, though, are also extremely reliable—often more tolerant of neglect and environmental exposure thanks to modern coatings, simplified internal designs, and widespread availability of replacement parts. If something breaks on a current-production pistol, parts are generally easier to source, and many armorers have direct familiarity with popular modern platforms.

One important note: reliability today depends heavily on the condition of the specific used gun. With a smith and wesson 639, you’re often buying a decades-old pistol. Springs, magazines, and small wear parts matter. A clean example with good magazines can run beautifully; a tired example with worn springs and questionable mags can be frustrating.

Bottom line: the smith and wesson 639 can be extremely reliable, but modern pistols offer easier parts support and more predictable “out of the box” ownership.

6) Ergonomics and handling: classic lines vs modern grip science

Older pistols often feel “right” in a timeless way—slim grip, straightforward angles, and a natural point. The smith and wesson 639 benefits from that single-stack profile; it can fit smaller hands well and still feel stable. But modern 9mms have poured decades of research into grip texture, undercuts, beavertails, and modular backstraps—features that help more shooters find a consistent grip quickly.

Controls are another ergonomic factor. Some shooters find older levers and slide stops smaller or less optimized than today’s designs. Modern pistols often include more aggressive serrations, enlarged controls, and easier manipulation under sweat, gloves, or rain.

Bottom line: the smith and wesson 639 feels great in the hand for many people, but modern pistols tend to be more universally ergonomic and configurable.

7) Sights, accessories, and “modern readiness”

If you want a weapon light rail, optics cut, suppressor-height sights, or an “ecosystem” of aftermarket parts, modern pistols are built for that world. The smith and wesson 639 comes from a time when pistols were expected to be carried with iron sights and little else.

That doesn’t make the smith and wesson 639 obsolete—it just means you’re choosing a more traditional setup. For many owners, that’s the appeal: classic iron sights, a clean profile, and a “shoot it as it was meant to be” experience. For others, it’s a limitation, especially if their defensive setup centers around a light or red dot.

Bottom line: modern pistols win decisively on accessories and modularity; the smith and wesson 639 wins on simplicity and classic purpose-built design.

8) Cost, value, and the “why” factor: tool, collectible, or both?

Modern 9mm pistols are typically the most cost-efficient choice for someone who wants a dependable daily-use handgun with easy parts access and current support. They’re everywhere, magazines are plentiful, holsters are abundant, and training resources are endless.

The smith and wesson 639, on the other hand, often sits in that “enthusiast value” category. You’re paying for a piece of S&W history, stainless steel craftsmanship, and a shooting experience many people genuinely prefer. Some buyers want it as a range companion. Some want it as a classic carry piece. Others enjoy it as part of a collection of third-generation Smith pistols.

The practical question to ask yourself is: do you want the smith and wesson 639 for what it does, or for what it is? If you want maximum efficiency for modern defensive use, a current production 9mm is usually the easiest choice. If you want a durable, shootable, classic DA/SA pistol with real character, the smith and wesson 639 still makes a strong argument.

So… how does the smith and wesson 639 compare today?

In pure “2025 practicality,” modern 9mm pistols generally win on capacity, weight, accessory support, and parts availability. But the smith and wesson 639 still holds its own where it matters most to many shooters: shootability, durability, and the kind of confidence that comes from solid steel and a proven DA/SA system.

If you’re choosing one pistol as your only do-everything option, modern 9mm platforms are hard to beat. If you want a classic that still performs, appreciate the DA/SA manual of arms, and like a slim, stainless single-stack that shoots smoothly, the smith and wesson 639 remains a worthwhile buy—especially if you find a clean example with strong magazines and sensible maintenance history. And if you’re shopping around for availability and pricing, you’ll sometimes see listings and collector chatter that even mentions GunsAmerica.