Just wondering if anyone has experience with the newer Model 19 Classic, and what you think about them. Been wavering back and forth about getting one. Would be more of an every once in a while range gun. Would spend most of its time as a display.

Last year I got a new 586 Classic and like it enough that it has me considering the 19. It’s coming down to that or a new Blackhawk.

Thanks.

Hard to go wrong with a S&W. Why are you hesitating?

Or there's a nice older one in the EE

I was gonna say, why new? Get a nice -3 or -4 on gunbroker or ee. They have such awesome triggers...

Nothing wrong with the new ones. Can add a lock delete if you care and a $20 wolf or wilson spring kit makes a world of difference.

Attached File

I’ve had a 19-3, 3” or 4” on my want list for awhile now.   I’ve got some company for it already in the 66’s, so they can play together.

My 19-4 is like a fine wine, she gets better with age.

I really wouldn't mind picking up a new one. My 66-8 has over 50k rounds through it. It's needed new parts but getting 0.2 splits is tough on the cylinder stop notches.

The Model 19 is the ideal peace officer's revolver.  You can't top that.  Bill Jordan was right.

Very nice. Looking for 4” though

Yeah. This is the most likely outcome.

Thanks everyone.

I learned how to shoot on a 19-3 - was my Dad’s and long since lost to history. No idea what he did with it and his Blackhawk. He just passed recently and I am feeling nostalgic. Wouldn’t mind buying used, but I’m always leery about buying a used revolver sight unseen. Just seeing if the Classic was a dud or worth getting.

I think I will just get both the 19 Classic and Blackhawk.

The modern m19 with have a roundbutt, 2 piece barrel, and a lock. If you don't mind that then it is ime a better gun than the original.

I bought one of the new classics a few years ago. I could not find one around here used and did not want to buy one without laying hands on it. I don't shoot it much but I have not had any issues.

I am a pretty hard core traditionalist so I would definitely go with an older used one. Most of my S&W’s I have owned are no newer than late 60’s

I will admit to 2 lock guns a 60 pro series 3” and a thunder ranch 45 and they were fine. The 45 did have exceedingly tight chambers ( ammo that ran my les Baer and reloads that fit in the go / no- go gauge wouldn’t fit in the S&W) I got tired of keeping a segregated pile of ammo for one gun, so away
Y it went

I was going to say the same thing. I love the pinned/ recessed Smiths, but I cannot bring myself to care one iota about the ones with the Hillary Hole. The older ones are fitted better as well.

I own a 19-5 and one of the new Classic models.    There were enough design changes for me to say the new one is the better gun:

1. Lock up was shifted from the ejector/cylinder pin to the crane detent system like the old triple lock guns, I believe this is stronger and less susceptible to damange and the ejector is less likely to get loose.

2. The forcing cone is full diameter, not that partial diameter of the old ones where it is cut on the bottom, and that forcing cone diameter is the known failure point for cracking in the old models when fed lots of .357 ammo, this is more the diameter of an L frame.

3. Because of the two piece barrel, the cylinder gap is easier for the factory to set correctly while keeping the sights clocked, mine is a perfect 0.04

4. I prefer round butt to square on a K frame

5. Top strap is drilled with the third hole so installing a C&S fixed U notch sight was a breeze, no gunsmithing.

6. The changes in trigger geometry they made and the new style sear and more vertical mainspring arrangement yielded a smoother out of the box trigger

I too hate the hillary hole, but 15 minutes with a file removed the flag from the lock arm (the way you really neuter the lock) and a $35 plug filled the key hole the first day I had the gun, no lock, no problems, looks fine.

Love my old 19-5 especially after Nelson Ford in Phoenix did his action magic on it, but the new gun is simply a stronger gun if you plan to shoot much of any .357 ammo.

I bought my S&W revolvers cheap when everyone else wanted a wondernine. Over the decades I have seen plenty of S&W revolvers from the 1980s and 1990s that were far from perfect, the barrels were over torqued, forcing cones not cut straight, the timing was marginally acceptable, chambers and extractors not lining up properly but what was most sad was what had become out of the trigger characteristics due to poorly fitted parts.

None of my remaining S&W did not get an extensive work over of the action, well beyond a spring change.

Just the 19s.

I own three model 19s and three model 66s and one Ruger gp101.

Model 19 everyday.

I bought a used one a few years ago because it was such a good deal, it’s now one of my favorite wheel guns, mainly shoot specials through it at the range, fairly accurate with just everyday RN stuff.

If you aren't going to shoot it much, get an early pinned/recessed model. There is a nice 19-3 that's been on EE for a while.  https://www.ar15.com/exchange/topicEE.html?t=2427956&f=88&type=1

One down, one to go….

Thanks again everyone.

Very nice. However, nickel is not for me.

Gratuitous pic with its much older K frame predecessor that I’ve had for quite some time now