357 dilemma...opinions please.

B

Billy Shears

New member
Hi guys. Got a question for you. A shop near me has two as-new-in-box revolvers, both are chambered in 357 and both have 4" barrels. I can only afford one.

Whichever one I get, it will be primarily a recreational shooter. Not a safe queen collector edition. And it will probably see between 1500--2000 mid-level loads per year. No hot stuff. I save that for my old GP-100.

So, here goes:

Revolver #1 is a Smith & Wesson Model 19-7. Looks unfired. Comes with box and papers. Seller wants $700.

Revolver #2 is a Colt Trooper MK-III. Also looks unfired. Comes with box and papers. Seller is asking $900.

As both guns are discontinued models I know I should probably leave them for a real collector to buy and squirrel away somewhere, but I want to shoot them.

Assuming price is not a factor, which one would you prefer?

Thanks for sharing your opinions.
 
Seems pretty expensive to me. Love my K frame. In fact it's sitting right here on my desk. 66-7.
 
They were both marketed about the same time period. The 3 most popular carry guns for Cops, during that time, were the Colt 1911, the S&W M66 and the S&W M19. (The M19 was the regular steel gun the M66 was stainless). I carried a 1911 but I think that 80% of the guys I worked with carried the M19.
 
The Model 19 is the way to go. Less delicate, easier to find a gunsmith for it, parts and goodies up the wazoo. JMO. Both overpriced but the with the Colt you are paying for the name for a discontinued gun that most gunsmiths don't like to work on.
 
Stainless

IF youre gonna pack and shoot it, look for a model 66 S&W. Nothing beats good stainless in the brush and it doesnt cause heart attacks when it gets bumped. Experience here. JME, YMMV. I recently sold my 66 (I didnt really need it etc). While that was true, I have serious seller's remorse.
 
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You already have a beater, right, GP100

The M19 can cover more bases than the Trooper except one. A fast Bullseye match like PPC or Bianchi Cup where shooting has a par time.

M19 is better at IPSC & IDPA, police or security work, better at CCW..thinner & lighter, more people are looking to buy a M19 than a Trooper, M19 is eaiser to find speed loaders & holsters and it's about 100X eaiser to locate spare parts for any K frame vs Colt Revolver. Whoops...dropped it and now I need a new hammer & front sight. More gunsmiths can work on a S&W successfully vs a Colt. The M19 will handle faster.

So why the Colt?

Becaused you asked.

You are hooked on Revolver shooting. Admit it. And if you think you will stop wanting a M19 afterwards...forget it. You will and that's okay. Either way you can't go wrong. Phony-up and enjoy.
 
If you didn't already have a beater revolver plus money isn't the issue I'd say phony-up.

I'd like to know where everyone else is getting such great deals on popular revolvers of yesteryear.
 
The Colt MK III Trooper has a modernized action that works very much like the S&W action.

I would prefer the S&W though. I know sintered metal (mim) was introduced by Colt in their modernized Trooper models.
 
If you are limiting yourself to just those two options; I would go with the Smith.

$900 for a Trooper is waaaay too high.. like close to Python prices. A MK III is not a Python!
 
Smith & Wesson Model 19-7. Looks unfired. Comes with box and papers. Seller wants $700.
Click to expand...

That seems awfully high for what it is. Maybe if was a 19-no dash. I haven't been watching revolver prices much, maybe I'm behind the times.
 
I would say these prices are way to high, even with boxes. Look on gunbroker.com and places like that, as you are very likely to save a couple hundred after all the fees and shipping. $900 for a Colt Trooper MIII?:confused: That is good Python money. I would hate to see what they would charge for a Colt Python in the box.
 
I would say those prices are high too. But that's what they're bringing in that condition these days around here. LNIB is something I, at least, don't see every day. People who have them know what they have, and they know if "you" don't buy it the next person will. There is no incentive to drop the price.

So, I ask myself, "When was the last time you saw one in that condition for less?" And "When do you think you will again?" Yes, I'll "overpay" for something I want, if I really want it. I don't plan to sell it, but if I ever do, and I can't get what I paid for it, well, I'll just count that as the cost of owning it for a while. Find one cheaper on Gunbroker? Maybe, but I don't consider that as an option. I want to see it, and hold it before I say "I'll take it." Pictures just aren't good enough for me.

Personally, I'm a Smith & Wesson guy, but I think, since I'm spending your money, I'd get the Colt. I see a lot more S&W's than I do Colts especially with the box. I'd look for a Smith & Wesson next (and I'd look for a -4 or earlier.) No the Colt isn't a Python, but the people who want a Python and can't afford/fine them are buying the Troopers and Offical Police revolvers, and driving the prices on those up too.
 
I would agree with the post here in saying the prices are a little higher than expected.
I have a Colt Lawman (The Snub nose .357 MKIII) and I love it, IMO it's just as sturdy as the Smith but it is a little bulkier. CC is very possible but it depends on your comfort.
 
Both prices are to high by at least $150.00.
Three things can be said about the M-19/66:

It's everything you need in a revolver and nothing you don't need.

The M-19/66 is a carry a lot shoot a little revolver.

The M-19/66 is one of the best combat handguns ever produced.

So when you find one at a decent price get it if you can...
 
those prices arent even in the ball park....walk on by.........

if your looking for a "shooter" grade, you dont need something like new with the box. S&W model 19's sell for $450 - $500 on GB
 
Old Bear. That was your 1,000th post. Thanks for doing it on my thread! :D

The M-19/66 is a carry a lot shoot a little revolver.
Click to expand...

By "shoot a little" do you mean it isn't suitable for the 2,000 or so rounds per year I have planned for it? That's a disappointment. I love the size, but I definitely need sturdy.
 
People say the 19 can not handle a steady diet of .357s, others say it can handle all you can throw as long as they are 158 grain. I am not sure which is actually true, but it can handle .38spc all day everyday no problem. The magnum rounds are up to you.
 
I have a S&W model 19-7, 4" barrel that I payed $425 for about 2 years ago. I run predominately .38 special through it with the occasional cylinder of .357. I would say you would be fine at 1500-2000 mid-level loads per year.

The cracked forcing cone issues you hear about with the model 19 is due to the lightweight, high velocity .357 loads. Stick to 158 gr, mid-level loads and you should be fine.
 
Thanks, gunluvr. That's what I was thinking but it's good to hear it from someone with experience.

I appreciate all the responses so far. Thanks everyone.
 
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