Model 19 questions

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I'm looking at a S&W Model 19 .357 with a six inch barrel that appears to have been fired very little. The finish is perfect and everything seems tight. I sold the only wheelgun I ever owned 25 years ago (Colt Trooper Mark III) because I didn't like the trigger action and the large wood grips were very uncomfortable to shoot with. The Model 19 I'm looking at also has large wood grips which I find to be just as uncomfortable as my old Colt but I handled another Model 19 .38 Special with Houge grips which I liked so if I bought the .357 I'd change the grips.

So, tell me about the Model 19 .357 (compared to other S&W .357s) and how much should it be worth.
 
19 in the condition described would go from $300 to $375 around here. They seem to have gone up in the last couple of years.

If they are the large target grips (sounds like they are). Don't worry about them being too big. Aftermarket grips abound and there are surely some out there that will fit you well.

As for the gun itself reems have been written about it. Short summary, One of the finest revolvers ever made (maybe the best all around handgun ever made) but not made for shooting tons of hot loaded 357's through constantly. It's considered more of a 38 Special most of the time 357 as needed gun. My 4" 19 would likely be my last gun to go,

Best, Blueduck
 
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Nodel 19

This is the first revolver I bought. In fact I was going through the AF SP tech school when I bought it in 1986. It is one of the few that I've kept through the years. Nothing would make me sell that pistol. It is one of the most accurate and pleasant to shoot revolvers I own.
 
If it is more than about 5 years old get it, you won't regret it. I bought 2 new ones (1) three and (1) two years ago. Both were junk, and made trips back to S&W to get them into sell/trade condition. They both came with rubber grips on them that are a lot more comfortable than the wood target stocks. In short, if it is one that was made when they made good guns they are phenomenal. By far the best 357 platform out there IMO. If you get a bad one they are pretty easy to move, so you can buy a good one.
 
19 is arguably the finest all round gun design.
Heavy enough to handle a modest amount of heavy loads.
Light enough to carry even for the weeest of owners.
Accurate, durable etc etc.
Many grips available. Factory wood in several configurations. Rubber, plastic etc.
So many K frame Smiths over the years and the square butt grips are all interchangeable.

I prefer the older, pinned barrel Smiths....and if magnum, recessed cylinder goes with the pinned barrel.

Sam
 
Model 19 357 magnum is a great revolver My 1st -357 then I passed it around the circle ended up being a couple of buddys 1st 357 .They usually go around the $300 dollar range. Good resale if you dont like it.:eek:
 
Awe! My friend C.R.Sam graduated from the School of Handgun
Knowledge.:cool: :) He is 100% correct on his assestment of
Smith & Wesson's model 19 "Combat Magnum".:D

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
A few weeks ago I picked up a 6" Model 19-5 (no pin, no recess) to go along with my 2.5" and 4" Model 19s.

I've said this many times, but I'll say it again, the Model 19 is simply the best platform ever developed for the .357 Magnum. No, it doesn't have the durability of the 686 or 28s, Blackhawks, etc., but it does have superb ergonomics, handling characteristics, accuracy, size/weight to power ratio, etc.
 
I must agree with Mike Irwin. I have a 19-3 with a four inch barrel. It is a great shooter and carries well.
 
Agree....if only one gun, twood be a 4" 19. But 19s seem to follow me home and I like em in all barrel lengths and sight setups. Even had a factory single action 6" 19 briefly, had ordered it for special customer.

Sam
 
Bought my first M66 last fall- first M19 last Spring- Summer isn't done yet. Love em.
 
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C.R. Sam

Can I ask you to define "pinned barrel" and "recessed cylinder" for me. I'm not well versed on wheelguns, but am also considering a couple of S&W Model 19s. Any additional data regarding preferred dates of manufacture is appreciated as well.

Kirk
 
Pinned barrel -- A small pin was inserted through the frame where the barrel entered, just ahead of the topstrap. The pin acted as a key to keep the barrel in place without having to screw it really tightly into the frame. All S&W revolvers made prior to 1983 had this feature.

Recessed cylinder -- The cylinder is counterbored so that the cartridge rim lies flush with the rear cylinder face instead of sitting above the rear cylinder face. This was a feature of S&W revolvers chambered for magnum cartridges and .22 LR. Revolvers chambered for .22 are still recessed, but this feature was dropped on centerfire magnums in 1983 at the same time the pinning was dropped.
 
Mike Irwin put it well, but one might note that recessed cylinders were found to be unnecessary on centerfire cartridges, which seldom, if ever, blow out the case at the rim if an overload is encountered. The .22 case is weaker, so those cylinders remain recessed.

My M66 is my favorite handgun. I've owned M19's in all bbl. lengths, and would like another six-incher for trail use, where its weight-to-bulk ratio in view of caliber versatility is outstanding. I'll probably buy one when I can find the money. (My M66-3 has a four-inch bbl., best for all-round use.)

I got the old wooden target grips on my then-new M66-3, so I put Uncle Mike's grips on it at my expense. The factory later made those grips standard. I also like the older, two-panel, Pachmayr Presentation grips on this gun, and on larger framed Smiths, actually prefer them.

Lone Star
 
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