$1500 for three decent selections is doable but not easy. The 39 in particular has gone up in recent years and non-police trade in Smith nines have always tended to be on the high side.
I have a 39-2, 439, 5906, 6946, SW99, SD9, a couple of M&Ps and a Shield. The 39-2 and the 439 are probably my favorites. The SD and one of the M&P and the Shield all have Apex triggers, a useful addition. The SW99 is kind of quirky but I like it.