While everyone at home slept in this AM, I took the S&W Model 19 that I purchased earlier in the week to the range. Upon arrival, I had their in house smith have a look at it. I had already done the tests recommended in Jim March's fine post. Everything looked good to me, but I wanted a smith to check for any battery issues. After a thorough once over, the smith pronounced the weapon fit for duty. He also pointed out that the barrel was pinned and the cylinder recessed and pointed out these details on the pistol. He went on to say 'they don't make 'em like that no more.'
On to the range with a box of 50 138 gr. fmj WWB and a suitable target. Placing the target at the 7-8 yard range I commenced to working. The trigger pull in DA was silky smooth. Once I understood the rhythm of the gun, I could anticipate the hammer drop. Trigger pull in SA was very light and crisp, so much so that I popped a flyer or two because of it...must remember the four rules. The sights were unlike any handgun I had ever fired, large and bright which made for easy target acquisition and quick follow up shots. Felt recoil was somewhat sharp but buffered by the balance of the piece, the load I was firing and the weapon's Pachmayr grips. I did not start out to shoot for accurate grouping as this was more of a shakedown cruise. After 50 rounds, though, there were enough holes in groups of 5 or 6 in very close proximity to one another in the vital areas of a human sized silhouette target to make a very favorable impression on me as to this weapon's accuracy.
I think I've found 'the one'. Having always shot semi-auto, it's a relief to not have to worry about magazines that don't fit, failure to load, fire or eject,
stove pipe rounds, etc.
Some questions...
When did S&W stop the pinning and recessing of barrels and cylinders?
Is it possible to tell the age of this pistol?
What's the best home/self defense load for this pistol in both .38special and .357 magnun?
What are the best speed loaders for this weapon and how much can I expect to pay for them?
Thanks, everybody!
On to the range with a box of 50 138 gr. fmj WWB and a suitable target. Placing the target at the 7-8 yard range I commenced to working. The trigger pull in DA was silky smooth. Once I understood the rhythm of the gun, I could anticipate the hammer drop. Trigger pull in SA was very light and crisp, so much so that I popped a flyer or two because of it...must remember the four rules. The sights were unlike any handgun I had ever fired, large and bright which made for easy target acquisition and quick follow up shots. Felt recoil was somewhat sharp but buffered by the balance of the piece, the load I was firing and the weapon's Pachmayr grips. I did not start out to shoot for accurate grouping as this was more of a shakedown cruise. After 50 rounds, though, there were enough holes in groups of 5 or 6 in very close proximity to one another in the vital areas of a human sized silhouette target to make a very favorable impression on me as to this weapon's accuracy.
I think I've found 'the one'. Having always shot semi-auto, it's a relief to not have to worry about magazines that don't fit, failure to load, fire or eject,
stove pipe rounds, etc.
Some questions...
When did S&W stop the pinning and recessing of barrels and cylinders?
Is it possible to tell the age of this pistol?
What's the best home/self defense load for this pistol in both .38special and .357 magnun?
What are the best speed loaders for this weapon and how much can I expect to pay for them?
Thanks, everybody!
I like the Model 19 a bunch. 
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