The ultimate Model 19/66 Combat Magnum thread

[scooterfiend]

There are some beautiful guns pictured here. No wonder there seems to be a shortage of these fine pieces these days. I'm keeping my eyes peeled for any more that I might be able to find. Here's a few I've accumulated over the past little while. They're all shooters and good ones at that.
Thanks to you folks at this forum I get to see some fine examples of what I think is the finest revolver manufactured. (I guess w/ the exception of a MDL 27, which I've never handled)
From top left clockwise:
19-3 4" BBL
66 no dash 6" BBL
66 no dash 4" BBL
66-2 4" BBL
66-1 2 1/2" BBL

[SuperMan]

My first centerfire handgun was a 19-3 blue 4". Put 10K rounds through the gun and brought it back to S&W for a tuneup and had it nickel plated and had them leave the front sight blade blue. Put 10K more rounds through it and sold it in 1980...

Since then I have had one other 19 just like it and a 66-2 3" that one of the members here talked me out of... Then a few years ago one popped up on the Classified and I happened to be first in line...

A couple of years ago I bought an extra cylinder off eBay and sent it to TK Custom to be rechambered for .38 Super... It now is a 4-caliber gun taking .357/.38 Special/.38 Super/9mm...

I think the 3" round butt is the best combination for a K-frame .357....perfect balance and full length ejector rod...

Picture #1 is first shots fired with .38 Special at 10 yards... Picture #2 9mm at 7 yards...

Bob

[Leatherhead23]

I'll be adding something to this thread in a day or so that is quite interesting....Here's a teaser...

[Leatherhead23]

Combat Magnum in Nickel

Shipped April 1957

[sbowenjr]

Leatherhead23 these cannot compete with your Pre 19 combat magnum but here is my pair of 19 no dash.
I am still on the hunt for a earlier serial number pre 19 blued and pre 19 nickel. My Pre 19 / non marked 19 falls in the 3xxxxx serial range.

[Leatherhead23]

Nice pair, sbowenjr! Love the nickel/blued sets!

Thanks for sharing!

[saujaeger]

M66 no Dash, stainless sights, from `74

[sbowenjr]

Originally Posted by Leatherhead23

Nice pair, sbowenjr! Love the nickel/blued sets!

Thanks for sharing!

No problem. I like them as well. However I would trade both of the in a second for a Pre 19 nickel like yours and 4 screws. Those are both rare in my opinion and stand above the rest.

[GunarSailors]

Some old new shoes for my model 19-3... Advertised as Pachmayr grips (because they were in a Pachmayr box) on eBay for $37.00

[Leatherhead23]

Originally Posted by sbowenjr

No problem. I like them as well. However I would trade both of the in a second for a Pre 19 nickel like yours and 4 screws. Those are both rare in my opinion and stand above the rest.

I agree...love the 4 screw frames. I believe everything in my safe right now is a 4 screw....except for one 5 screw Pre15.

[Leatherhead23]

Nice group, Doc!

[sbowenjr]

GA 1911 really nice collection. I have been trying to pick one up in each dash for the 4" barrel length pinned and recessed . I am missing the the following Pre 19 nickel, 19-1 nickle, 19-3 blue and nickle and last 19-4 nickle. Its hard not to like a 19. So as you can see I have along way to go.

[Leatherhead23]

Model 66-2....my current EDC for a while. Mexican style, apendix carry.

[19leben]

Originally Posted by GA 1911

Mike,
Nice Model 66 K-frame. I found this locally from a member here. It's a 19-4 from around 1978 and my carry at times. I used this stock set-up from a Model 14-3 that I bought from another member here. I only change around non-matching parts (but still like period correct swaps). It's a good one:

Loving your -4 snubby.
What's your serial? I have one identical to yours, but I recently removed the Tyler adapter.
Mines 33K0979 BTW. Just curious to know how close ours might be.

[Leatherhead23]

Originally Posted by GA 1911

Mike,
Nice Model 66 K-frame. I found this locally from a member here. It's a 19-4 from around 1978 and my carry at times. I used this stock set-up from a Model 14-3 that I bought from another member here. I only change around non-matching parts (but still like period correct swaps). It's a good one:

Nice one, Doc! That bluing looks deep enough to swim in!

[VAPA]

I feel like a blind dog that found a bone. A few weeks ago I picked up a very nice 66-3, at the time I did not know much about them. Yesterday on another trade deal I got a no dash Model 19, I researched it enough prior to the trade to be comfortable with the deal. Both guns are in similar condition, not being fired very much, and original boxes. Since then folks on this site have provided lots of real good info on these 2 guns. It appears that I stumbled onto a couple of real jewels.

[bruner1981]

Originally Posted by VAPA

I feel like a blind dog that found a bone. A few weeks ago I picked up a very nice 66-3, at the time I did not know much about them. Yesterday on another trade deal I got a no dash Model 19, I researched it enough prior to the trade to be comfortable with the deal. Both guns are in similar condition, not being fired very much, and original boxes. Since then folks on this site have provided lots of real good info on these 2 guns. It appears that I stumbled onto a couple of real jewels.

You did great on those trades. What did you trade to get them?

[snubbyfan]

[sbowenjr]

Does anyone know roughly how many pre 19 nickle combat magnums were manufactured? I have been reading up on it but still can't find the answer.

[sbowenjr]

Originally Posted by GA 1911

I have no numbers. I doubt anyone can tell you this. They are rare and expensive.

The .357 Combat Magnum (a pre-19) are hard to find. It was made two years. I would guess that a nice one in nickel is almost impossible to find.

Do you have one?

No sir. I was trying to do a little research on them. I also wonder if there were any with 6 grove back strap?

[sbowenjr]

Good morning. I would like to share a picture of my pair of Pre 19 Combat magnums.
Thanks again to Steve & Bud for passing these to me.

[Engine49guy]

Originally Posted by sbowenjr

No sir. I was trying to do a little research on them. I also wonder if there were any with 6 grove back strap?

While avoiding always or never when describing anything S&W have yet to see an original nickle Combat Magnum with 6 groove tangs (Yet)
(Was the JFK engraved gun Nickel ? )
The Combat Magnum was introduced at K-260,000 and the ten groove tangs seem to appear somewhere around K-261,600.

The earliest Nickel CM I have seen is just above that range and has 10 groove tangs.

Although Model marking was in effect some non model marked CM's shipped as late as Mid 1959,
Dont forget revolvers were not completed or shipped in numerical order.

[Leatherhead23]

Added a blued no dash Model 19 to the heard.


Thanks for letting me share.

[19leben]

Originally Posted by Leatherhead23

Added a blued no dash Model 19 to the heard.


Thanks for letting me share.

No, thank you for sharing your beautiful no dash! Congrats to you.

[flagman1776]

19-3 4" (duty)
19-4 4" 3Ts
66-1 4" (duty)
66-2 3" (OD)
66-7 4"HB bedside

[sbowenjr]

Nice 19 no dash Mike. I thought I had warned you how addictive they are.They should put a warning label on the box that reads This firearm will severely impare your checking account and if your wife finds out you bought it there is a strong possibility that it will induce a mood that is counter productive to producing offspring.Purchase at your own risk etc. etc. Congratulations again. One ain't enough.

[sbowenjr]

Originally Posted by Engine49guy

While avoiding always or never when describing anything S&W have yet to see an original nickle Combat Magnum with 6 groove tangs (Yet)
(Was the JFK engraved gun Nickel ? )
The Combat Magnum was introduced at K-260,000 and the ten groove tangs seem to appear somewhere around K-261,600.

The earliest Nickel CM I have seen is just above that range and has 10 groove tangs.

Although Model marking was in effect some non model marked CM's shipped as late as Mid 1959,
Dont forget revolvers were not completed or shipped in numerical order.

Thank you. I was thinking I had not seen one on the forum. B T W I learn alot from your posts. Alot of the more seasoned collectors on this forum have probably forgotten more than I ever will be able to learn. I appreciate it.

[MacGuffin]

My duty revolver when I began my career. I carried it for the first year and a half or so until I transitioned to the Glock 9mm. Things started off right!

[CH4]

Ok, here are my 66-1 and 19-4.

[sbowenjr]

Here is my earliest Combat Magnum. I was surprised that I got this one. Auction ended and when the smoke cleared I was the winner. BTW my wife said that ain't winning. I beg to differ. Its a little rough but heck so am I. This is the first blued one I have with the serial on cylinder.

[sbowenjr]

Anyone ever see a 19-1 nickel come up for sale?

[Leatherhead23]

Originally Posted by sbowenjr

Here is my earliest Combat Magnum. I was surprised that I got this one. Auction ended and when the smoke cleared I was the winner. BTW my wife said that ain't winning. I beg to differ. Its a little rough but heck so am I. This is the first blued one I have with the serial on cylinder.

Nice one, Stu. I'd call that a win!

[sbowenjr]

Originally Posted by Leatherhead23

Nice one, Stu. I'd call that a win!

It has some rough spots under the trigger guard. Thanks Mike.

[tlr16]

Just a few of them at my current location. I need a group pic of mine

[helmsp]

Got a 66 no dash and two altamonts yesterday. Had to post it with a matching 19-2.
Next pic I'll include my 66-1.


S&W 19 and 66 by Patrick Helms, on Flickr

[loeman]

Guess I'd better get on board with mine. This is a Md 10-4 in nickel, made circa 1980.

[CajunBass]

I have a thing for 19's I suppose. I've probably owned a half dozen or so over the years. I'll keep them for a while, trade or sell them and think "Well, so much for those." Yea...right.

It's even worse now that I'm a big fan of the Model 15, especially since I 99.9% shoot 38's in my Model 19's. I'll tell myself, "I don't really NEED a 19. I'm got a nice 15 for 38's."

But sure enough, a nice blue job, with a nice set of target grips will catch my eye, and home comes another 19.

The latest is a -3, made in 1973.





Target trigger, target hammer, trigger stop, etc.

[klind45]

finally I can add mine to the mix.

Sent from my SM-N900W8 using Tapatalk

[3S16]

Here is a pair of 66-2 's

[19leben]

Originally Posted by 3S16

Here is a pair of 66-2 's

Sweet you have a 3 incher!

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

[klind45]

3s16. Those are just beautiful I'm jealous. 😢

Sent from my SM-N900W8 using Tapatalk

[sbowenjr]

Originally Posted by geoff40

Here is an unusual 66-1, a NH State Police gun, equipped with target stocks and a lanyard loop. Not everyday you see this configuration!



Here is an early 6" 19-2, which belonged to Charles Wendell. He was the man who created Kearsarge stocks. When I found this gun it was wearing the set of stocks below, with his own personal monogram on them, CBW.





Nickel CM, from the first block of 5000 serial numbers. This gun belonged to a very close friend of Mr. Wendell, and it had a set of smooth stocks on it also carved by him. The stocks are marvelous to hold, I have never held a better fitting set of stocks in my hand. The smooth stocks are shown below:



I have a few other examples as well, probably time to update some of my gun porn....



Not a very good picture, but this is a 66 no dash with the stainless rear sight. One of my all time favorite revolvers to shoot, to die for accuracy.
I'll try and get some more pics up soon.

I was revisiting this thread as I do frequently. Trying to learn more. If I have seen a 6" -2 nickel with pronounced front sight pins I have forgotten them. After seeing this one I won't forget again. Beautiful model 19-2. 6 " 19's usually don't grab me. But this one does. Awesome 19.

[kraynky]

This was a police trade in I nabbed from a pawn shop back about 1998 or so, for $200 bucks. It had some gawdawful black rubber grips at the time. My Uncle Bill (a Deputy Sheriff at the time who was packing a 66) presented me with these target stocks, which improved the looks tremendously! It's a 66-1 P&R with DPD engraved under the stocks. I'll try to get a photo of that and the SN to add to this photo. I absolutely LOVE this gun!

[MetalMan]

My new-to-me 66-4.....this was my grail gun that I was able to pick up from another forum member. (Photos courtesy of "wheelyfun66")

[MetalMan]

And another.....not sure how to add multiple photos from iPad...

(Could someone PM me to discuss process for adding multiple photos, not from a URL?)

[sbowenjr]

Originally Posted by sbowenjr

Anyone ever see a 19-1 nickel come up for sale?

Anyone? I am beginning to think they are few and far between. I have looked through the older posts. I think I have counted less than five.

[Skydivinglawyer]

Several people have suggested I 'letter' this 66 no dash.
I do have the original box and the action is very smooth.
Somebody knew what they wanted when they ordered it.
Smooth grips, w/o, r/f, tt, th.

[got2hav1]

Added a nice set of Presentation grips to my model 19. Turned out pretty nice. Grips were used but in fantastic condition.

[TRE]

Here's a 19-8 that I picked up (unfired I believe) a few months ago. The LAST model 19 I guess. The -8 was only made for a couple of years, so it was made in 98-99. Round butt (obviously), MIM parts, no lock.

It's wearing a set of faux ivory grips with S&W medalions, but it came from Smith with ugly Uncle Mikes rubber grips.

Serial #CDS07XX

I have other 19s, and I've owned dozens, but this is my latest and is my current range/carry/knockabout gun.

I love me some M19s. It is my favorite handgun.

TRE

[grcoffman104]

I've discovered a way to yellow those fakes. Pm me if you need to know. Process is not for the faint hearted.

From the desk of Cpl. Coffman (Retired)