S&W 19 w/2.5" barrel - guns like this just ain't made anymore... lots of pics

Z

ZWolfgang

New member
I've wanted a 2.5" model 19 for a very long time. My trusty 2.5" 66 has been good to me, but I really wanted it's blue brother. A fellow on another forum was kind enough to pass the caretaker role of this beautiful sample to me. Paid $400 plus shipping. Not a steal, but very well worth the money! No locks, forged parts (no MIM), no MSG (oooops!), firing pin on the hammer, where it belongs, beautiful deep blue polish. Guns like this just ain't made anymore... how could I resist?

Smith & Wesson Model 19-5 .357 Magnum 2.5" barrel ~ Ahrends Modified Grips

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The grips are a pair of Ahrends round butt grips that I decided to modify and refinish. I've come to like Ahrends round butt grips with finger grooves the best for fit to my hand and feel. They allow me to get my pinky fully on the bottom of the grip, something which my Spegel Boots don't allow, and they fill the hand beautifully. My one gripe about these Ahrends, however, is that they're finished in a thick urethane finish which surely protects the grips well, but doesn't do the beautiful exotic cocobolo much justice.

So one by one I've been refinishing them with a hand rubbed Teak oil finish. This particular pair I decided to modify to a flat bottom, leaving the space for the pinky, but then cutting straight back to the rear edge of the frame for maximum concealability. I'm really happy with how they came out.

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Thats a beautiful piece.And you're right,they just don't make 'em like that anymore. I bought one for my Dad in 1972 and it was his only defensive pice for 30 years. When he was 70 he was deadly with it. As he deteriorated with alzheimer's before dying in 1999,he was unable to care for the gun. It developed some surface rust. I got it back after his death.I had already had it reblued in a high lustre black years before ,so it now wears Rober's NP3 finish. It's still one of my favorite carry guns,and it got me out of 2 scrapes when I worked plainclothes as an officer in the 70's.
I used it often then,leaving my 4 inch 19 with my Dad.Your bluing looks perfect,btw. I wouldn't think of refinishing that one.
 
Argh! I still wish I hadn't passed on that LNIB nickel model awhile back for $250.

Problem with these guns is you buy them and then you don't want to use them. And the sellers nowadays think these guns are made of gold.
 
I agree with your comments on Ahrends. I think yours look great refinished. The 2.5" is not my cup of tea. Your photos always look marvelous!
 
My 3" M66 isn't much different than those good looking guns of yours. I may be lucky, but my 3" seems to be a relatively tight gun. Slightly more velocity than my 4" M586.
For some reason, the 3" was never produced in large numbers. Seems like it would be the perfect size for those who like to pack 'em.

I mentioned on another thread that all K frames have been discontinued. :( Only the M65 and M66 were still in production. They'll be replaced by the M's 665 and 666 which will be built on the L frame. Sound like 586's without the underlug to me.
 
I do favour 3" barrels myself. I still am impressed with the photos. Those JHPs jump right out at you! (I doubt S&W will make the M665/M666 revolvers w/o FULL underlugs.)
 
I will say this about that: The S&W Model 19 is THE best looking revolver ever made, in my opinion.

I've had a soft spot for the Model 49 Bodyguard since I got interested in guns.
It was the 1st Gun I ever wanted.
But, the Model 19 just has 'the look' of the revolver down as best as can be.
I suppose if I ever get a S&W, it should really be the '19'. :)

VERY NICE acquisition there.
Enjoy it.
 
I will say this about that: The S&W Model 19 is THE best looking revolver ever made, in my opinion.
Click to expand...

No arguement here... I absolutely LOVE my 6".

Man, those grips are beatiful... very nice piece
 
I'm a HUGE fan of 3" revolvers myself! I have about nine or ten of them.

However, I once thought the 2.5" 19 and 66 would give up too much in the power and accuracy department... that is until I chronographed my 2.5" 19 and 66 against my 3"ers. Not much loss in velocity, and in .357 mag caliber, there's still plenty of speed still available even from a 2.5" barrel. And accuracy? The 2.5"ers are every bit as accurate as my 3"ers, particularly at defense distances.

Winchester's .357 mag. 145 gr. Silvertips chronographed at 1241 fps from my 2.5" 66 and around 1300 from my various 3" ers. Either way, plenty of excellent defense power. Gave me new respect for the 2.5"ers! Of course, I still love my 3"ers too! They're all good.

Smith & Wesson Model 13-3 .357 Magnum 3" barrel, stock hammer, Spegels, & Bullets
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Smith & Wesson Model 686 CS-1 .357 Magnum 3" barrel w/Ahrends
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My Daughter has one on her nightstand. It is a Model 66 2.5 inch, tuned up by dad and re blasted with a soft gray combat finish. It is one of my personal favorites and why I can't keep one around here. Someone always wants them!
 
n3.... they were taken on the workbench in my gunroom... the green mat is a felt-like mat about 18" x 36", sold as a working surface mat for gunsmithing.
 
That's cool, beautiful pictures though I wish I had a gun like that :) I hope to have my own little shop someday when I get a house. Until then the basement it is for me on my old banquet table.
 
Got a 2 1/2 Model 66

My 66 has a trigger job thats really sweet. Secret Service cherrywood grips
make it a nice package. You can't go wrong with an old model quality Smith and Wesson.

But I wouldn't own a new Smith with the internal lock. We call them "expensive trotline anchors".

Why buy a gun where if an afterthought reverse engineered lock fails, the gun is inert club. You wont see any Police Departments or the military buying these guns. The guns made prior to the locks are demanding a premium at Gun Shows and Auctions!!!!!! Dealers are loaded up with the new models.
The old ones are selling like hotcakes. Just bought 3 myself and there are almost none left on the Auctions.


Some Police departments quit buying Reminton 870's because of the Infernal
Locks.
 
I'm trying to close a deal on one very similar P&R and stag grips. We're at 425 now and getting closer.

On another note, is S&W really going to make a 666? I think I'll pass on that one! :eek:
 
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