Videos tagged with Model 459

The Smith & Wesson XM10 was a contender in the US Army's XM10 pistol trials, a follow-up to the XM9 trials that selected the Beretta M9. This rare prototype, based on the Model 459, featured a 20-round magazine and removed the magazine safety. Despite S&W's improvements, the Beretta M9 ultimately won the final trials in 1988, leading to the XM10 program's discontinuation.

The Smith & Wesson Model 59, released in 1971, was a pioneering 'Wonder Nine' double-stack 9mm pistol that challenged the revolver-dominated market. Despite early criticism of its 15-round capacity, it proved to be a reliable and accurate firearm, with a surprisingly short trigger reset rivaling modern pistols. While its grip is considered chunky by today's standards, clean examples are collectible and historically significant, representing a key step in the evolution of modern handguns.