19-5 or 28-2?

H

HALLAUSTIN

New member
These are my options currently, it'll be my only revolver. At the moment it would just be a range toy, I hear bad things about the 19-5s forcing cone but I will shoot mainly 158gr 357s. For a shooter who shoots roughly 1500-2500 rounds a year what is the better option? The 19 is $175 cheaper than the 28-2. So what would you choose and why? Also any model 19-5 and older owners out there with a lot if rounds down the tube? If so I'd really like to hear from you. This will be my last gun for a while so I'm trying to collect as much info as possible before i choose.
 
Last edited:
I've been cutting back my collection recently and I asked myself the same question. I sold my last 19, and kept my 28.



Around here 19's turn up fairly often so it won't be hard to replace one if I decide I want to. 28's not so much.
 
How about both? :)

I'm not as much of a fan of the later 19s that don't have the pinned barrel & recessed chambers, but it's hard to go wrong with a Model 19.

Or a Model 28.

That's why I have two 28s and three 19s.

:p
 
S&W 19 vs. S&W 28

"...but I will shoot mainly 158gr 357s."

Both are great guns BUT...

If you are actually going to "shoot mainly 357s", I would forget the 19 and go with the 28 (or even better a S&W 27)...

If shooting mostly .38s and some .357s, either would be fine...

T.
 
I have two of each, showing that I also had a hard time deciding between them.
The 28 can handle a stronger diet of 357 mag rounds, the 19 will be lighter....
 
The N frame 28-2 is stronger for a lot of shooting, particularly with Magnum ammo. The 19-5 is post P&R so the 28 has more panache, IMO.
But the 28 sounds a little pricey if $175 more than the 19...
 
I would get the 28-2 over the 19 because of the ability to fire 125 grain loads without worrying about them hurting the piece. I have both and prefer my model 19-4 with target grips. That being said the 28 with target grips and 6 inch barrel just looks bad a$$!
 
The 28 (high patrolman) is a poor man's 27 (not being derogatory). Yes it's an N frame and it will handle a steady diet of 357 loads, but it's not as pretty as the 27 or the 19 in my opinion.

If you want to shoot a lot of 357 or just generally want the more rugged firearm, get the model 28. If you want a pretty gun that you'll occasionally shoot 357 but mostly 38 get the model 19. If you want to shoot a lot and you want a pretty gun, save your money and spring for the model 27.
 
In my opinion the N-Frame is too big and bulky for the .357 magnum. I would take the K Frame any day, but if you're shooting a lot of magnum loads then I would at the Ruger Security six. A medium frame revolver like the M19 or Ruger Six is the perfect size for the cartridge, but the Ruger Six will probably stand up to magnum loads better in the long term.
 
Here`s the deal. If your going to be shooting a lot of full power 357`s get the M-28. If your shooting a lot of 38`s and a few 357`s go with the M-19. The 19 will last years with a steady diet of 38`s. Full power 357 loads will wear it out.
 
In my opinion the K-Frame is too small and slender for the .357 magnum. :D

The model 19 was created for police use. At the time, it was the smallest, lightest .357 magnum available. The lighter size and weight, compared to the N frame made it a big hit with people who carried a revolver several hours a day, day in day out, and didn't shoot it much.

Meant to be shot mainly with .38 Special, and occasionally with .357 Magnum, it was proof of the concept that Bill Jordan and other influential gun writers and policemen had been lobbying for.

Its a great gun. I had one for several years a 6" P&R, although I now forget the -number. I have a no-dash model 66 I inherited. Also a great gun.

They do, however, have their limitations, and they are NOT model 28s or 27s!

They cannot handle the heaviest loads, loads in the original .357 Magnum levels. The 28 does.

My opinion is the quality of the pinned & recessed guns (either model) is the best S&W ever did. It is damn good. When you get to the newer models, the quality sometimes suffers a bit. Few will argue that the newer guns are fully the equal of the older ones. Some are still VERY GOOD, just not quite as good, to my jaded eye. ;)

As to the price difference, I would eat it and shut up. Its a one time thing, right? Model 28s are now going over $700-750 at gun shows in my area, WHEN you can find them. One friend of mine recently scored a "deal" on a pre-model 28 Highway Patrolman for $900! Gun is about 95% still has the original grips (#'d to the gun), a very sweet piece.

Bottom line, if you are fully satisfied with what the model 19 gives you, the 28's extra weight and strength aren't needed, or useful.

But, if you want or need what the 28 has, and is, NO model 19 can give it to you.

Your call.
 
Another vote for the 19.
The shooting advantage of the 27/28 is heft and weight.
And that's only useful if the gun is going to get a steady diet of full bore .357s.
Maybe not even then, depending on the shooter.
 
I have model 19's and 27's / 28's...--- and while I think the model 19's are fine with the traditional 158gr .357 Mag loads...there is a risk on that frame especially if you go with faster lighter grain bullets / but if you're only going to put 2,500 rds a year thru it, with 158 gr, I think the model 19's will hold up just fine - even over the long run.

All of my model 19's are older versions ( no dash, dash 1's ).../ but they all get at least 2,000 rds a yr thru them...and with 25+ yrs, show no signs of any problems.

However, I do prefer the N frames...model 27's and 28's ...over any of the K frames or L frames for that matter../ ...the extra weight is nice in my hands and I like it as a heavier gun. If I wanted to carry a revolver in .357 mag, and I don't very often, but when I do it is either a model 19 4" or a model 66 in a 2 1/2" or 4"...
 
I have a 19-5, have never had any problems with it, love it.
I recently sold a 28-2, also a great weapon, just that the N frame was just a bit to big for my hands, and not as comfortable to shoot.
I personally feel either weapon is a can't go wrong choice.
Good luck
 
No one, not even S&W, claims that the Model 19 is as strong as the Model 27/28. But it also is a lot lighter and more of a "fun gun" on the range where the weight of the bigger gun can become a bit of a PITA after while.

Like Mike Irwin says, the best choice would be both. But if you can't do that, and are going to shoot mainly .38's or the lighter .357's, I would choose the Model 19; for a steady diet of hot .357's, the Model 28 is the way to go.

Jim
 
I have seen the M-19 described as a 38 that can fire 357s and the M-28 described as a true 357. I would get the M-28, I find its heft more comfortable when firing 357s. In both case comfortable grips are a must.
 
I like heavier guns, so my choice would be easy. However I almost exclusively shoot .38 Special so that the K frame would be more than heavy enough.

So if you intend to shoot only or mostly .357 get the N frame. If you plan to shoot mostly .38 get the K frame.
 
Different frame size. An 'N' frame(the 28) fit your hand? No point buying something you'll never be able to shoot well.
Had a 4" 19 for years. No matter what grip I put on, it never quite fit my hand. An 'N' would come close.
 
I have both and my answer almost sounds like SO many others but it is not the same answer:

If you will shoot mostly .357 Magnum, get the Model 28 for sure. It makes shooting ANY/ALL .357 Magnum a pure pleasure.

If you will shoot mostly .38 Special with the occasional box or two of .357 Magnum, then get the Model 28 for sure and find the extra money to nail down a four-inch, heavy barrel Model 10. They only made like a GUJILLION of them and while we have seen irrational boatloads of former LE issued Model 10's available for sale at/around $250, these prices are inching higher. Let's say, for the sake of argument, you can get one for $350. I am 100% certain I could, I can't imagine that you couldn't.

So...
Buy the Model 28, it's a fantastic workhorse.
And skip restaurants for a month, or quit smoking, or quit drinking, or just pick any place where you routinely dump money on some activity that you simply need a little will power to hold off for a month or two and find a way to gather the chump change money it would take to secure a four inch heavy barrel Model 10.

For shooting .38 Special, a four inch heavy barrel Model 10, in my (strong!) opinion, just blows the doors off any Model 19 or Model 28. The four inch HB Model 10 is THE platform for shooting .38 Special.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top