From a 19-6 to a 19-3

M

maxinquaye

New member
I had gotten an M19-6 in 2 1/2" barrel in near mint condition for $350. When I took it out to shoot, however, the cylinder would bind up consistantly. I brought it back and they had just recieved a 4" 19-3 in similar condition which I promptly traded it for.
I like the longer barrel and having one that is pinned and recessed is better as well (I hate the sight of the brass peeking out between the frame and cylinder).
So is the 19-3 in excellent condition worth any more or less then the 19-6 I traded in (which was practically like new)? BTW price paid for both was $350.

Clarification $350 per gun :)
 
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"So is the 19-3 in excellent condition worth any more or less then the 19-6 I traded in (which was practically like new)?"

No, not really.
 
Some people are willing to pay a little more for a pinned and recessed Smith. Is there any real difference between the two? Probably not.
 
I have a blue 6" Model 19-4 that is Pinned and Recessed, and a nickel plated 2.5" Model 19-5, which is not. I have owned the 19-4 for about 22 years and the 19-5 for 16 years, and both have been shot quite a bit. So far, the barrel on the 19-5 has not worked its way out of the frame and has never blown a case head. Frankly the non-recessed cylinder is easier to clean, while the recessed cylinder can accumulate gunk and make it difficult to load a cartridge. I haven't figured out why the pinned and recessed features are so sought after, other than S&W just doesn't make them anymore.

Ron
 
RS2 - thanks for the real world analogy. I don't think for a second that S&W would have made the switch to non-pinned barrels if there were any possibility of the barrel unscrewing. As far as recessed cylinders, I personally just like the looks more.
But your right, it's mostly a matter of aesthetics. I guess there's something about the bluing that looks nicer...the knowledge that a lot more craftmanship went into the gun. I think all Smiths are excellent, but older ones seem to hold more allure for me. Probably cause I'm such a young pup, I get a kick out of owning old stuff. ;)

Mike - Thanks for the price info. Just wanted to make sure I did not get took on the even swap.
 
Generally, and I mean very generally, the dropping of the pinned and recessed features on S&W revolvers coincided with a slowly declining level of fit & finish on S&W revolvers.

P&R was dropped about 1983, S&W started moving into the CNC age a few years later, and too many people bought into the concept that the machines could do it all perfectly all the time.

The dropping of the barrel key meant that the barrels had to be torqued into the frame a lot more heartily to ensure that they didn't shoot loose over time.

Unfortunatly, when you combine this with a drop in over all quality, it can lead to problems, such as stretched barrel extensions (you can see the effects in the barrel) and damage to the frame.
 
Pinned barrel worth more to some (me included)
Round butt snub worth more to some (me included)

Coin flip on which is greater value.
Would depend on desire at the moment.

Mike right re the pinned barrels. More precise barrel fitting and sight alignment.

Sam
 
Plus when you use it for a jack handle on a lonely road, it is less likely to unscrew and drop the car.

;)
 
Sam - Yes I am disappointed about the switch from round to square butt. I found some Synthetic grips that left the front strap of the frame alone and added bulk to the back of the strap (most are opposite for some reason - I find it less comfortable) for the little snubby, and both my girlfriend (who the gun's *really* for) and myself thought they were GREAT. Now we have some Pachmyers for the N-frame, giving roughly the same dimensions throughout the grip, except along the bottom. This is a problem for her with her smaller hands.

Did they make any 4" 19's in round butt?
 
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