Click here for a video review of my Model 19, including a comparison with my 681.

Thank you the video review.

Probably the best produced video in terms of quality, useful and historical information I've seen in awhile.

I miss my 19-5, and almost pulled the trigger on a shooter at a local pawn shop.

Is it myth or rumor about 125 grain ammo and the detriments to the K frame? Is there a generation number that I should look for?

My 19-5 didn't seem to mind the loads.

you brought up the trigger stop which is also present on my 19.
my 66 no dash has the cutout but no internals and some of my other guns have no cutout at all.
can you shed any light on this subject, please?

In the 70s, it was discovered that the K frame trigger stop could loosen (it was held in by a screw that was under the sideplate, so to access it, you had to remove the sideplate) and rotate, thus interfering with trigger movement and preventing the weapon from firing.

S&W sent out a notice that any such trigger stop in weapons used for LE purposes should be removed.

After that, 4 inch K frames still had the slot, but no parts. The trigger stop was redesigned to eliminate the possibility of preventing firing even if it should loosen, but ultimately that type of trigger stop was eliminated.

I am not sure of the year. Trigger stops in N frames were not affected as they were a completely different design - a rod inside the rebound spring.

I am sure others can add pertinent dates and so forth. I remember getting the written instructions for removal of the K frame trigger stop, and making sure they were all out - even on the understudy Model 18.

very informative, thank you, Shawn.

I have wondered why the K-frames had a different trigger stop than the N-frames, the N-frame one seems to work so well.

It seems that they stopped using the trigger stops in Model 19’s with the .265” service trigger around 1979. Model 19’s with target triggers still had the stop until about 1983. The empty slot remained until 1994. It was eliminated on the 19-7(66-4).
It also seems that a lot less Model 66’s had (or retained) the trigger stops, even the early ones.

I would be curious to see how some of this compares to the other K-frames, I seem to only see Combat Magnums.