Smith Model 19
- Thread starter Nightcrawler
- Start date
I also believe the Model 19 is the cream of the crop when it comes to the .357 cartridge. It is the one gun I would keep over all others if I were limited to one handgun.
I agree that other .357's have fans and features that might improve on one aspect or another of the 19 but the total package of the 19 makes it my king.
In the case of the Python, I have always hated the stacking problem of that lockwork style. No matter how smooth it is reported to be it gets harder to pull at the end and that sucks. It is also to big and heavy for my taste. If I found one at a good price I would scarf it up to resell to some Colt junkie, make a profit and get another 19. I doubt I would keep it.
Under $300 for a good S&W M19 in my neighborhood is a good price from a dealer. Between friends they are still a little more affordable.
I agree that other .357's have fans and features that might improve on one aspect or another of the 19 but the total package of the 19 makes it my king.
In the case of the Python, I have always hated the stacking problem of that lockwork style. No matter how smooth it is reported to be it gets harder to pull at the end and that sucks. It is also to big and heavy for my taste. If I found one at a good price I would scarf it up to resell to some Colt junkie, make a profit and get another 19. I doubt I would keep it.
Under $300 for a good S&W M19 in my neighborhood is a good price from a dealer. Between friends they are still a little more affordable.
Chuck McDonald
New member
M19
When discussing how long the M19 will last we should keep in mind that the 19 was designed as a carry gun in the days when cops seldom fired a .357 Mag round in practice... only .38 LWC rouinds were used for practice/qualifications.
I have a M19 I bought in 1968. I would say I have fired about 5K rounds of factory or factory equilivalent through the gun, as well as BUNCH of lighter stuff. The gun still locks up well (though it is not like new) and is still superbly accurate.
One of these days I'll have it serviced at the local S&W service center (yes... authorized service centers are back) and have it serviced... and I expect it will be good for another 35 or so years.
Guns are tools... they require maintenance from time to time... it's normal and to be expected. Best advice is shoot and enjoy.
Grab a .357 while you can...they are excellent.
FWIW
Chuck
When discussing how long the M19 will last we should keep in mind that the 19 was designed as a carry gun in the days when cops seldom fired a .357 Mag round in practice... only .38 LWC rouinds were used for practice/qualifications.
I have a M19 I bought in 1968. I would say I have fired about 5K rounds of factory or factory equilivalent through the gun, as well as BUNCH of lighter stuff. The gun still locks up well (though it is not like new) and is still superbly accurate.
One of these days I'll have it serviced at the local S&W service center (yes... authorized service centers are back) and have it serviced... and I expect it will be good for another 35 or so years.
Guns are tools... they require maintenance from time to time... it's normal and to be expected. Best advice is shoot and enjoy.
Grab a .357 while you can...they are excellent.
FWIW
Chuck
I didn't comment on that because others had covered the fact that the M19 is usually blued carbon steel, the equivelent in stainless is the M66. However, it just occured to me that if the dealer had it labeled as a M19 and it looked stainless it still may be a 19. It could have the nickel finish.
Mike Irwin
Staff
I also covered the nickle-plated option in the second paragraph of my post, Chaim. 
Rocklobster
New member
S&W not even in the same ballpark with Colt. I'd rather have a Rossi.
Mike Irwin
Staff
Yeah, Colts are pretty crappy, Rock...
Rocklobster
New member
Mike, old buddy, maybe someday you'll be able to own the best, instead of settling for second-best.
BTW, the worst, most worn-out Python on earth still has a smoother action, better trigger, and better accuracy than the newest, best thing S&W makes.
BTW, the worst, most worn-out Python on earth still has a smoother action, better trigger, and better accuracy than the newest, best thing S&W makes.
Sorry Rock,
You've missed something.
Big Time.
Like Model 27's.
or Model 19's.
or M28's.
or M&P's.
or K22's.
or K38's.
In fact, my 4 inch Model 19 is better than ANY Python I've ever felt. I've shot maybe a dozen Pythons over the years.
I guess the "stacking" of the Colt sways me away from saying that a Python can run with the big dogs in the pull department.
Smiths can have triggers that are the same weight throughout the pull. I've never seen a Colt that doesn't get heavier towards the break. That's just the way they were designed. The laws of physics are involved.
I own and have played with many new Smiths. Some of their triggers are not the best, but can be made to be. Some of the new Smiths have great triggers.
In my opinion, there is no handgun on Earth that can match up with a nice older Smith when comparing pulls.
Last edited:
Cool!!!
Been years since I've seen a good Colt/S&W knock down!
Python:
Quiche.
Bee Gees.
Shushi.
White Wine Spritzer.
911 w/auto trans.
Hair stylist.
Polyester.
Lawn Boy.
Snow Blower.
Trout/Flounder/Grouper
Bayliner- 90HP Force.
Vespa Motor Scooter.
Ginger.
Model 19:
Ham and eggs w/sides of sausage and bacon.
Bach to Rock to ZZ Top.
Bait.
Shot and beer or Dr. Pepper.
4X4-grab a handfull of gears. 4:56 Rear Axel Low/Low = pull bricks outa walls.
Floyd the barber.
Denium.
Gravely.
Warm spell.
Bass/walleye/channel cat
Ranger!! Pro Max 300 Merc.
BSA Rocket III.
Maryann.
Last edited:
Blue Duck357
New member
Well, I think that sums it up much better than the trigger stacking issue
VictorLouis
New member
Normally, it's S&W all-the-way. However, I've learned that there is a marked difference in the Python of yesteryear, vs. those made in the past decade, or so. You know, much the same way as we tend to fawn over the 'antique' Smith actions. 
Blue Duck hit the nail right on the head. The price of older Smiths is steadily going up and they're getting harder to find. Politics aside, most real revolver folks just don't care for the new breed of S&W revolvers. What with the changes to the lockwork, MIM parts and lousey quality control of the newer guns, the older guns are very much in demand.
If you ever wanted a good S&W revolver its time to mortgage the house, gag the wife and sell your first born so that you can buy one now before they all disappear or get too expensive to purchase.
Mark my words, the good older Smith's are just gonna get more expensive and harder to find as time goes on.
If you ever wanted a good S&W revolver its time to mortgage the house, gag the wife and sell your first born so that you can buy one now before they all disappear or get too expensive to purchase.
Mark my words, the good older Smith's are just gonna get more expensive and harder to find as time goes on.
It is true that because the number of "older Smiths" is finite, they will become harder to find.
But remember that a lot of the models were made by the Gazillion. There are a Gazillion old Smiths out there right now.
Most are ignored by people seeking semi-autos. They watch too much TV. Our gain, their loss.
The rest of us who are "in the know" have the Gazillion to choose from. Sure a lot of rare stuff is hard to find. But finding a "good old Smith" is easy to do. Sure, the prices can be inflated, but with patience it is pretty easy not to fall victim to blatant profiteering.
If I had to pay $400 for a nice Model 19, I wouldn't feel ripped off. For that $400 you'd get a helluva lot of gun.
But remember that a lot of the models were made by the Gazillion. There are a Gazillion old Smiths out there right now.
Most are ignored by people seeking semi-autos. They watch too much TV. Our gain, their loss.
The rest of us who are "in the know" have the Gazillion to choose from. Sure a lot of rare stuff is hard to find. But finding a "good old Smith" is easy to do. Sure, the prices can be inflated, but with patience it is pretty easy not to fall victim to blatant profiteering.
If I had to pay $400 for a nice Model 19, I wouldn't feel ripped off. For that $400 you'd get a helluva lot of gun.