S&W Mdl 19 - a few questions

K

Kirk Mo

Inactive
I am shopping for my first handgun and came accross a used S&W 19 that I like.

While I was looking at the gun, a guy in the store recommended that I get a GP-100 instead. When I asked why, he stated that the firingpin on the hammer of the S&W would cause the gun to not be as reliable as the Ruger (or a new S&W for that matter).

My questions are:
1) what is the probability that the S&W will miss-fire and damage the pin, and

2) what is a fair price for the S&W (excellent condition, pinned barrel, 6 in., and target (i.e. wide) trigger) ?

Thanks for any info. you can provide.
 
The guy at the gun store is FIS. (Full of you figure it out) :)

I've got well over 100,000 rounds through S&W handguns that have the hammer mounted firing pin, in 20 or go different guns.

Not a single misfire due to the hammer mounted firing pin.


Here in Northern Virginia I picked one of these up for $200, but that's about $100 less than the going rate these days here in Virginia, which is more than the going rate in other areas of the country.

What's the guy asking for it?
 
The 19 is a good one. This is a gun built by S&W at the request of Bill Jordan, a famous border patrol/ shootist. His book, "No second place winner" is a classic read on gunfighting. The smaller K frame that the 19 is made on (as oppossed to the "L" frames model 686) is not intended to take the pounding of full house loads for a steady diet. Jordan's intension was the gun would use 38's for practice and be loaded on the job with .357. The stainless version of this is the 66. Around here, they go for between $250-300 last I checked. Easiest to find will be 4" barrell due to police trade ins.
 
Agree with Mike.

19 is a great all round gun. Mine have served impeccably and reliably for years...since they came out.

Like LF said....don't give it a steady diet of real hot stuff.

Sam
 
Gotta go with the rest, if I thought smiths were unreliable I wouldn't have as many smiths as I do and still looking for more, luv my 19.
 
Great response

Thanks for all of the responses.

A couple of things I should have been clearer on.

The guy offering his opinion was a customer.

I plan to shoot mostly 38s and plan to use the gun for target shooting.

The asking price is $350.

From what I have learned so far, sounds like a good gun, but a liitle on the high side price wise.
 
I do think that the price is a little high.

RE: hammer-mounted vs. frame-mounted pin...

Suppose the jury is still out, but my choice is always for the hammer version.

The Model 19 is one of the very best revolvers ever mfd. by S&W and some would say [hello, Mike! :cool:] the best ever. The GP-100 is a *very* good revolver...but just not in the same class.

Negotiate on the 19; given your intended use, it should last several generations with the most minimal/proper care.

Let us know...
 
Hello. I usually try and be polite so I won't mention that I fully agree with those who've advised you that the customer needed to learn a few things.

All firing pins can break; anything made by man can break, but having fired LOTS of S&Ws over the decades with pins on hammers, I can say that I've trusted my life to such revolvers on more than one occassion.

I, too, have an older Model 19. I'll bet you any amount of money that it'll fire and fire and fire.

You enjoy that revolver; it'll serve you well.

Best.
 
I've had my 19 sence mid 60's........never a problem............use
38's and mild 357's.............Use my 28 for full service mags....
Both will do for a lifetime!
Dan
 
Patience...
And carry cash.

Should be able to find a nice one for $300 or less...out the door.

The really good buys usually pop up when you not prepared and the guy behind you gets it.

Sam
 
The really good buys usually pop up when you not prepared and the guy behind you gets it.
Click to expand...

I think that is a built in interlock between me and getting new guns. Another is when I am prepared but the guy ahead of me is already fondling and drooling over it. For some reason, the mental signal Put it down. You don't want it. Put it down. never seems to work.
 
Combat Magnum

Once upon a time I owned a 4 inch stainless Combat Magnum.
I think it was mod. 66.
After 5 years and about 10000 rounds everything what could get loose and worn out ( except the barrel ) was loose.
I changed to Ruger ( Security Six, Speed Six, GP 100 ) and I never regretted it.
 
what is a fair price for the S&W (excellent condition, pinned barrel, 6 in., and target (i.e. wide) trigger) ?
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I paid $250.00 plus tax for a 4" barrel version about 4 years ago. Prices have increased between $50.00 to $100.00 since then here in NE Ohio.
6" pinned and recessed in excellent condition would bring between $300 to $350 here these days. I've seen blued ones go for less. With a Nickel finish 19, in pristine condition (no flaking or burn marks on the cylinder face) expect to pay a bit of a premium. The Nickel finish is really rare just because of the finish. It's usually rare because of the condition of the finish.

I'd offer the dealer $325.00 for it, if it's indeed in 98% condition or better, only if the original box (showing the correct serial number), wrapper, screwdriver and literature were included. No box,wrapper, screwdriver,lit---drop the offer to $300--Boxes sans accutrements sell for about $10.00, add in the accutrements and they sell for about $20.00. Above all, don't quibble too much over 20 or 30 bucks that you risk letting a gem get past you. It isn't like Smith is turning out new pinned and recessed square frames these days. What's out there is it.

"Joe Customer", is probably very biased towards Rugers,,,OR,,he's extremely shrewd and interested in the Smith and wants to drive the price down on it.
 
I just got my paws on one just like you are describing a few weeks ago. 6" pinned & recessed, close to 100% blue, simply beautiful.

Make sure the cylinder does not have excessive play in it, then buy it for as low as you can. I am willing to bet you won't be sorry in the long run. The double action on mine is as slick as ball bearings, and the single is as good as it gets.

Like RAE said, they don't make em like that anymore. Get it, and if you want a Ruger later, I promise you will be able to find one. Can't say that about the one in your shop.
 
For some reason, the mental signal Put it down. You don't want it. Put it down. never seems to work.
Click to expand...
You just need to work on your Jedi mind tricks. "This is not the gun you're looking for. Move along."

Mike :D
 
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