I'm contemplating getting a S&W Model 19 and wanted to know what you all think of them. I already have two  S&W handguns ( an M&P Full size and a Victory .22) and I like S&W quality.

Find an old one with no lock hole.

Watch the frame just above the barrel for gas cutting to see how much it has been shot and how much life is left in it.  Once the frame is gone, the revolver is finished.  Also, check the timing and end shake before buying a used one.

Great revolver.

Usual checks for used revolver but especially if this S&W is ex police, pay attention to the bottom of the forcing cone for a crack.  Greatest failing for a M19 that has seen a lot of hot 125 gr.  loads.  You will grow old and die before flame cutting of the top strap degrades the revolver.  A 2 1/2 inch or 4 inch Model 19 is about the finest .357 revolver ever made; light, well balanced and smoother than snot on a door knob.  Repair parts readily available.  The preceeding does not apply to revolvers with a lock, stay away.

Usual checks for used revolver but especially if this S&W is ex police, pay attention to the bottom of the forcing cone for a crack.  Greatest failing for a M19 that has seen a lot of hot 125 gr.  loads.  You will grow old and die before flame cutting of the top strap degrades the revolver.  A 2 1/2 inch or 4 inch Model 19 is about the finest .357 revolver ever made; light, well balanced and smoother than snot on a door knob.  Repair parts readily available.  The preceeding does not apply to revolvers with a lock, stay away.

2-3" round butt Model 19 is one of the great carry pistols, closest thing to a hand held nuke I ever carried. They used to be general issue in a lot of PD Detective Depts.

They are my favorite revolvers.

I sure do like mine.

19-4

19's are great.
Why the hesitation?

I wanted one a few years ago and could not find a used one to save my life. Ended up getting a new one. I know it has the hole but I wanted one. I dont have to many rounds through it but it seem solid.

Probably my favorite revolver although I really, really want a Model 65 Lady Smith to carry (prices on clean examples have gotten insane).

My dad bought one around 1970. Still going strong although the bluing has seen better decades. It has digested a lot of 38 special loads from mild to Keith.

Jerry Miclic ( spelling) says in a video that the new model 19 with the lock is really strong.

I have to agree with this, even as a total Colt fan boy, a 4" 19-3 is just about the absolute pinnacle of combat revolver evolution.

MLG

I have two vintage model 19s.  They are perfection.  

In reality with the ammo I shoot a pristine model 15 combat master would serve me as well.  (.38 special cal but not a magnum)

Oh and the guys that got the newer ones with the lock.  If they also have the slightly enlarged frame where they did away with the milled flat under the barrel forcing cone, that’s a pretty good upgrade nonwithstanding the Hillary hole.

My biggest thing with the newer ones is the homely rubber grips.  They work and shoot fine though.  It’s funny that that bothers me as I usually take my nice target square butt grips off and stash them and shoot with Pachmeyer grippers with the exposed back strap. . I shoot better with those grips.

.

Near and dear to my heart. My first duty gun and one that I regret selling the most. Ditto the model 66 that I switched to for lower maintenance.

Buy it.

Love my 19-4. Also have a 66-2, a 65 LS, and a model 10. K frames are awesome.

Really wanting a 19 with a 2.5" bbl.

I have been wanting to find a local trade to offload the ExCondition model 28 that I never use.  My hands just don’t fit that gun.  I’d love to turn it in to a model 66, 67 or 15.

K frames rock.  L frames are pretty good for me too. (same grip size). N frames are awesome, but my digits don’t measure up.

Couple weeks ago I purchased a 19-3 nickel that was likely gramps' duty gun.
Only drawback, it's magna ported and filthy.
$400 befo taxes.

Pist pics!!! I'd have spent 400 on that in a heartbeat.

Those 2.5" bbls.

They are great guns.
I had ms gamboolgals fathers 1961 Model 19 with 4" barrel refurbished by S&W.  It was fine.

Family trivia follows:
Sadly, my own Father who was living with us after Mom died,  stole it and 7 other guns, Silver, Jewelry and Cash from my Gunsafe and pawned them all    Total was in the ~$15K range...

I got 2 of the Pistols back years later from the Police who recovered them from Thugs.  But the rest were gone and not the S&W.

I recommend that you do not leave your Combo to the Gun Safe in a notebook like dumbass me did

The Police told me that in majority of cases it is family.  They were right.  The Police figured it out when my Fathers Pal pawned some of the Silver and stuff at a Pawn Shop.

It was hard to believe even with all the evidence.  But it was true.  The law wanted to put him in jail, but he was old, heart disease and I couldn't do it.
When confronted with the evidence he was unrepentant and got very angry.  
He did move out and died alone and bitter a couple of years later.
He bragged to people about stealing from us and laughed about it.
I think when my Mom died that it broke him mentally.  Because I had grown up like Leave It To Beaver living in Mayberry.

I regret losing ms gamboolgals Fathers Model 19 the most.  The thought of some shitstain using it for Crime makes me unhappy.

We changed the Combo's on the Gun Safe(s) and they are only in ms gamboolgals and my head.  

I will give the Police full credit - they were right about everything.

Inlaws and Outlaws.....

The new ones are better made and more rugged.

I do love my -3 though
Attached File

I love mine. Dad got it off an old boy for $250 with the smith and wesson holster. His Dad carried it when he hunted. It's in pretty good shape and the only thing I'd change is it's a 6 inch barrel. I'd prefer a 4".

I got a 4" barrel from Numrich. It was the only one I could find at the time but the may have another by now.

19-3.



19-4




N's & K's...


The Model 19's are a delight to shoot.  I prefer blued and no lock (pinned and recessed, naturally).  Great shooting pistols.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1069165059