The ultimate Model 19/66 Combat Magnum thread

[Ohsheepdog]

Draal, carry some quality hollowpoints in it & make sure you have a flashlight & phone on hand...congrats on a great HD Revolver!

[blackdeuce]

Spent a little time in front of the tv with a polishing cloth tonight. It's one of my first Smiths. I'm the second owner of this 19-3.

[jjbrewst1]

Here's a early Pre Lock Performance Center 19-7 K Comp. Has the Blue PC Case.

19-7 PC K Comp

[the_drisin]

If someone could provide the approx. year for serial # 8K466XX I would appreciate it. I will post more info and pictures later as I would like to also know a ball-park value in terms of sale/trade-in.

Never mind ... traded it for a M&P 9c

[Minnehaha]

I posted some pictures of my model 66 , 2.5" with RR front sight and stainless rear sight last spring. Many of you said you had never seen that before, and some thought that the gun had been altered. Here is the letter from Mr. Jinks. The stainless rear sights are correct, as is the the rr front sight. This gun was new old stock, and still unfired outside the factory.

[K31]

Here ya go!

[jrandyh]

This site makes me envious. It's got the most beautiful gun in the world. I carried one for 10years I still have and lucky to find a couple if more lately. Still searching for pinned and recessed 66.

19-3

19-3

19-4 I carried. Has at least 50k through it.
JR

[Doug.38PR]

Me want one

[Isis1200L]

There are some terrific pics in this thread. Enjoying muchly.
I'll add a couple too.

My 19-3 in nickle.


And my 66-1.

[JCS&W]

Little different M19. A M19-P.

[tmh]

Hi Guys,

Newly joined this forum after I recently bought a Model 19 and found this thread. My wife and I mostly have modern S&W's (586, 617, M&P R8, M67 x2, M&P 9, M&P 22, and a couple of M&P 15 Sports (hers in purple!)), and one other older S&W - A Safety Hammerless in 32 S&W (was wife's grandfather's gun).

So I'm in my LGS last week, and after shooting I see a beautiful gun in the consignment case for a very reasonable asking price. I'm really not a collector, so I bought it as a shooter. It was a Model 19 and I knew virtually nothing about them, but it felt great in the hand and seemed to have a very nice trigger pull. As we need to get anything we can whenever it becomes available in the People's Republik of Californistan, I didn't leave the shop until the paperwork was done. Now after my unconstitutional state mandated waiting period (recently struck down - Hooray!), I picked up my new Combat Magnum. What a pleasant shooter!

No box, paperwork or tools, but this is a shooter. I don't even know whether all of the parts are OEM or not (I have my doubts about the front sight).

But I may have something. I believe that it is a "no dash" model, but then again based on the date estimation from the SN it would be a 19-1. And whereas it is stamped "Model 19" on the frame under the crane, there is a large "1" stamped on the crane (under a production number?).

Anyway, the SN is K421XXX and here are a few pics. Definitely a 4 screw, with the screw at the front of the triggerguard, so it is earlier than a 19-2.

I guess that my question is: For my $350 did I end up with a no-dash Model 19?

[Engine49guy]

NICE Model 19 (no dash revision) I would say you paid less than half price ...congrats !

[tmh]

Originally Posted by Engine49guy

NICE Model 19 (no dash revision) I would say you paid less than half price ...congrats !

Thanks! Would you be able to estimate the year of manufacture off the SN?

(I just ordered a copy of the SCoS&W today).

[Matt_G]

SCSW says K421xxx would be a 1960 vintage.
Very nice gun!
Cops will probably be banging on your door 'cause you stole that thing.

[Engine49guy]

Originally Posted by tmh

Thanks! Would you be able to estimate the year of manufacture off the SN?

(I just ordered a copy of the SCoS&W today).

The SCSW serial data is not completely accurate but kinda close , (it goes by ship dates not manufacture dates).
Also Im not sure why people X out their serials except that other people do it but a K-421 prefix is probably late 1960 mid 1961 .

The 19 no dash has an ejector rod that threads into the cylinder with right hand threads,
Problem was the S&W counterclockwise rotation tended to unscrew the ejector rod when loose,
The dash 1 revision changed the thread direction on the ejector rod to left hand thread and a small groove was cut behind the knurled end to differentiate the parts in case they were mixed together.

[ibewbull]

S&W 66-2, 19-3 , 640 WITH PATRICK GRASSHORN GRIPS

[IMG][/IMG]

19-3
[IMG][/IMG]



[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

19-7 round butt 4 inch special order blue front sight and grips.

I will have to shoot this one someday.

[Isis1200L]

Welcome to the forum from CT, tmh. You'll like it here.
The more you visit, the more you learn.
Nice no dash 19! And for that price! WOW.

[Tom_R]

My Model 19-4:

4" Barrel
Blued Finish
Red Ramp Front Sight
Wood Combat Stocks (Not Original to the gun, but look nice and feel nice):

Left Side:



Right Side:



Backstrap:



Barrel/Red Ramp:

[ds8514]

This one was saved from the LGS and was in real bad shape when I took her home. Had a lot of pitting underneath the grips and a broken rear sight. Gave her some TLC and this is what I ended up with. What a great shooter. Most accurate hand gun in the stable.

[ddd]

I have a blued Model 19-2 with a 4" barrel, round butt frame, smooth trigger and a ramp sight attached to the barrel rib by two pins. Serial # K623... means a 1965 shipping date, right? Most of what I've read indicate 4" barrel guns of that vintage have square butts, not round. Do I have a rare or unusual one?

[BAM-BAM]

ddd

Grips look like a modified factory stock.......

Need some more pictures.....

back strap...... is it serrated or partially smooth? Indication the frame was modified and re-blued....

Area where the barrel meets the frame...... might help to see if a 4" barrel was swapped onto a snubby frame.

Was not common, but also not unusual, to have a square butt modified to round..... or could be a special order..........

[eatmydust]

Here is a little more eye-candy for us M19/M66-ophiles! It is a 19-3, I believe it was built in 1970(?).

[ddd]

Originally Posted by BAM-BAM

ddd

Grips look like a modified factory stock.......

Need some more pictures.....

back strap...... is it serrated or partially smooth? Indication the frame was modified and re-blued....

Area where the barrel meets the frame...... might help to see if a 4" barrel was swapped onto a snubby frame.

Was not common, but also not unusual, to have a square butt modified to round..... or could be a special order..........

What do you all think?
Grip frame looks unmodified to me. Barrel to frame looks like 19-2 four inch square butt guns.
Anyone know how many 4" round butt Model 19 guns were shipped in 1965? Or how many total in that configuration during all years of 19-2 production? (including ONI/NIS, Navy SEALS and FBI special orders)

[majbgd]

Here is a Model 66 No Dash with interesting target grips. The box is marked special order. Let me know what you think.









I purchased it about 9 years ago. It comes with the original box and paperwork.

[majbgd]

It also came with a set of non diamond service stocks that I have in the safe but cannot find right now.

[Frank237]

Four inch, four screw with serial #K 260026. Unfortunately not the original stocks but I think period correct. A recent find at the last Reno Gun show. Been looking for an early Combat magnum for some time. At $450 I couldn't resist this one.

I have a few interesting 19's and 66's I need to add to the thread, but need the time to haul out the light box, find my tripod and do them some justice.

FN in MT

[BAM-BAM]

Originally Posted by ddd

What do you all think?
Grip frame looks unmodified to me. Barrel to frame looks like 19-2 four inch square butt guns.
Anyone know how many 4" round butt Model 19 guns were shipped in 1965? Or how many total in that configuration during all years of 19-2 production? (including ONI/NIS, Navy SEALS and FBI special orders)

Wow.... not sure ....... a letter might be in order!!!!

[Fredo Batali]

I picked this guy up last Saturday at my LGS for $450.00. It's been carried a lot but not shot much. Stocks were modified by previous owner but they look pretty good. I stopped by the shop a while ago and they have another six-inch Model 19 in much better shape cosmetically but not as tight a lock up. Anthony hasn't priced that one yet so I'll be going back pretty soon.

De Oppresso Liber

[JayCeeNC]

Frank237, that's a very low serial number for a Combat Magnum. Serial numbers started at K260001.
Nice find!

[CajunBass]

A Model 19 was my first handgun. I traded it off, but have since replaced it with a couple more.

A 19-4 that has the best trigger of any handgun I've ever owned.





And this one that's marked as a Model 19 (no dash). It's a four screw, but I'm told the S/N (K436xxx) indicates 1961, so it should be a -1.





It's finish challenged, but locks up tight.

[MrTrolleyguy]

This one maybe the Queen of the safe for a while.

This is as close to Museum Quality as I am liable to get in this life.

Brand spanking new Model 19-3 4" fresh outta da box. It even has the tissue paper, how often do you see that.
Serial number K892975 SB semi target trigger & hammer.

If the cylinder was turned it was at the factory. I am not going to open it up. I might some time. Until then I'll stick w/the -4.

[fletre]

My Model 66 family.
And my lonely Model 19.

GF

[Checkman]

Model 19-4. Date of birth on or about 1980.

[iggybabble]

about 5 years i back i bought a 66-1, 4", ser.55kxxxx that had been originally sold to an FBI agent in SF, ca.....it came with all its paperwork, box, even an invoice with description of the gun, serial number, agents name and FBI address in SF. from what he told me, he had it converted to a round butt for better concealability, ive heard of FBI converted model 19's but not 66's. has anyone else seen one of these FBI issue guns?

[koz5614]

So far, I've only got 3
19-3

66-1

66-4 F Comp

[Dirtywaterdog]

I know comp means compensated, but what does the F and L mean in F Comp and L Comp?

[Marine24]

Picked this 66-5 up recently from an auction site. Still waiting for it to arrive, but details state that it was shipped on 21 Aug 1998 to the San Diego Sheriff's Dept according to the factory letter that is coming with the revolver.

It was drilled and tapped at the factory and engraved with SD SHERIFF 871219 on the left side. Assume the engraving was applied after it was received and I'm curious about the numbers. Appears to be a date. Serial number is CCW5892.





Interesting revolver, particularly with the factory D&T modification (assuming it is factory). Unusual that the SD Sheriff's Department would be ordering a revolver in 1998 and the mystery of the numbers engraved on the side.

[DevilDog72]

I know I am late with this, anyway, I have 2 Mdl.19's one is a 19-8 4" bbl and the other is my well worn and used EDC a Mdl 19-4 2 1/2" bbl will provide pics and s/n's when I can find a camera. Bye the way how do you post the larger sized pics I see on this thread.

[Ohsheepdog]

Marine24, it looks brand new! More pics & info when it arrives!

[snw19_357]

Originally Posted by Dirtywaterdog

I know comp means compensated, but what does the F and L mean in F Comp and L Comp?

Frame. "F" is the factory designation for a stainless "K" frame.

[CH4]

Originally Posted by blackdeuce

Spent a little time in front of the tv with a polishing cloth tonight. It's one of my first Smiths. I'm the second owner of this 19-3.

I did the same with my 657 3". Using a Flitz polishing cloth and Mother's, it was surprisingly easy. I repeat infrequently to see if I can make it shinier. lol

[Leatherhead23]

Model 19-2
Shipped June 1965

[Frank237]

Originally Posted by JayCeeNC

Frank237, that's a very low serial number for a Combat Magnum. Serial numbers started at K260001.
Nice find!

At the Show after I bought the gun I ran back to the room and checked the SCS&W for more info. When I saw that the CM's started at #260001 and mine was #260026 I about fell over. Knowing S&W it could be a first week production gun or months later. Doc44 mentioned their serials can bounce all over the place in the production line.

I am going to send off for a letter this week. Been putting it off, NEED to get it done. As an early gun it may have some interesting history?

If I get anything back amazing I'll surely post it.

FN in MT

[strangelittleman]

Originally Posted by Marine24

Picked this 66-5 up recently from an auction site. Still waiting for it to arrive, but details state that it was shipped on 21 Aug 1998 to the San Diego Sheriff's Dept according to the factory letter that is coming with the revolver.

It was drilled and tapped at the factory and engraved with SD SHERIFF 871219 on the left side. Assume the engraving was applied after it was received and I'm curious about the numbers. Appears to be a date. Serial number is CCW5892.





Interesting revolver, particularly with the factory D&T modification (assuming it is factory). Unusual that the SD Sheriff's Department would be ordering a revolver in 1998 and the mystery of the numbers engraved on the side.

The revolver was most likely issued to the Detention Division, the Patrol Division was issued autoloaders at the time. Even the CDOC carried (possibly still carries M686s) wheel guns at that time.

[Marine24]

The factory letter states it was shipped in Aug 98 to the Range Master A Range of the San Diego Sheriff's Office. I haven't dug much beyond that but does add a little uniqueness to the revolver.

[chisels]

Looks like a Tom Freyburger engraved piece or maybe Steve Kamyk

[Poohgyrr]

Originally Posted by majbgd

Here is a Model 66 No Dash with interesting target grips. The box is marked special order. Let me know what you think.
.

I think I see a speck of dirt. Luckily, I can clean it and get it right back to you. Just as soon as I uhhhh can.

Those grips look amazing. Pistol is sweet too. Congrats.

[diggler1833]

Well, I finally took a couple of photos of my last acquisition on something other than a cell phone.

19-4

[Biker Bill]

Gotta love a 4" blue Model 19!

Very nice!

Bill

[Pinski1015]

S# 9K38xxx no dash 66. Any idea on date?