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S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980 3-Screw PINNED Barrel SWING-OUT Cylinder Hand Ejectors WITH Model Numbers


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Old 01-22-2011, 01:27 AM
Combatmagnumlover Combatmagnumlover is offline
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Default My first Handgun

I just got a new to me Model 19-3 today for what i thought was a bargain at $350 at a local gun show. I'm proud to say my first handgun was a classic Smith and Wesson. I'm pretty new to the gun world so I had a few questions about my combat magnum. What kind of loads are good for my 19? Is it normal when i eject my empties for one to hit my wood grips? Will it handle .357 loads ok? Also if someone could give me a DOB that would be awesome! I'm gonna try to post a pic but im new to the forum so ill try and figure it out. Did i get a good deal?
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Old 01-22-2011, 01:29 AM
Combatmagnumlover Combatmagnumlover is offline
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Default Forgot the ser.# oops!

serial number on the 19-3 is 2K70xxx that might help for the DOB haha
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Old 01-22-2011, 02:04 AM
bennettfam bennettfam is offline
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Congrats on a good choice. I can't get to my book right now but my 19-2 is a late 60s gun. The 19 will handle any loads but I think most folks practice more with .38 for economy and comfort. But your gun will be fine with .357. Play with it and see what IT likes best as far as accuracy goes. If the brass hitting the grip bothers you consider different grips. Great revolver there. Enjoy it.
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Old 01-22-2011, 02:18 AM
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si--------

Last edited by sw282; 07-02-2011 at 07:03 PM.
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Old 01-22-2011, 09:25 AM
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Flint Ridge Flint Ridge is offline
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You have football grips on yours, presume that they are to the gun, see if they have serial numbers stamped into them on the inside (don't get rid of them). Cutouts style grips may work better, but won't be original.

Concerning .357 magnums, look around here, there is plenty of dicsussion on the matter. However the 19's may suffer from cracks/chips in the forcing cone area along with frame issues.

The abbreviated version of this discussion seems to be .38 specials are fine. The gun was meant as a law enforcement tool, to shoot mostly .38 spls and then some firing and carrying of the .357 cartridge of the era. And this is the key point, at that time 158 gr bullet was the standard.

Well bullets have changed and folks went for more power and we now have much higher pressure rounds available in lets say a 125 gr magnum. So we have available a higher pressure bullet that is shorter and lighter. (did I say this was the short version of the story?)

So, pull trigger, bang bullet leaves the chamber and "jumps" to the forcing cone. Before the short bullet can make it to the lands (can't remember the term) and really get engaged in the barrel, its back end has left the chamber. So for that brief instant it is hanging out, not touching anything. Extra pressure behind it along with powder escapes (could slowly start cutting the frame like a little torch). However, if it is a 158 gr round it is already engaged in barrel and has not left the chamber and the pressures do their thing and get the bullet on its way with no risk to frame etc.

Realize we are seemingly speaking about a very small % of folks with problems & too many variables, but for me I say why risk your new baby with the light .357 loads? I have a couple 66-1's (recently aquired the Stainless version of the 19 basically) and when I try some .357's they will be of the 158 gr variety.

So search here on this sight. Also found this link yesterday that was interesting, not sure I "buy" it all, as to his stats on past failures. So it is a potential issue, some have the problem - others never do.

Use of Magnum Loads in S&W Model 19 and Other K-Frame Magnums

And to correct my manners, welcome aboard!

Last edited by Flint Ridge; 01-22-2011 at 09:26 AM. Reason: Tweaked for clarity of thought - hopefully
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Old 01-22-2011, 04:34 PM
Smithboomer Smithboomer is offline
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Welcome to the forum. $350 sounds like a very good price for your new revolver.
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Old 01-22-2011, 04:48 PM
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Welcome, $350.00 sounds like a very fair price. The K frame magnum revolvers were designed as police carry weapons. The thought was that 38 special ammo would be used for practice and the .357 Ammo would be saved for combat. I shoot 38 special +P ammo in my K frames 90% of the time, but for S/D I carry .357 Magnum ammo.

The following sums up most members feelings about the M - 19, "everything you need in a revolver, and nothing you don't need."
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Old 01-22-2011, 04:56 PM
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Welcome to the forum. I would say you did very well on your selection. The 19 was one of the most popular law enforcement revolvers out there until the 66 came along. The 66 is the stainless steel version of the 19. Legendary Border Patrolman Bill Jordan had a small hand in its design and loved it when it came out. Flint Ridge is right about the ammo. If you have limited handgun experience you will want to use 38 Special until you feel you can handle the recoil of the magnum round. It will take any 38 Special ammo all day long and ask for more. When it comes to 357 Magnum ammo stick with the heavier weight bullets (145 - 158 Gr.) as they are less likely to crack the forcing cone. Practically every holster maker has at least two holster models for it; finding a holster should not be a problem. You can even find some old police holsters on ebay. A few years ago I got one from ebay that would fit the 19 that was absolutely brand new (never used) for less than $20. This holster had not been made in 15-20 years prior to the sale. You got a winner there. Treat it well and it will take care of you when needed.
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Old 01-22-2011, 05:28 PM
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I had one of those too when I was young. I ran dynamite through it and never had a problem. Always used 158gr lead SWC. That said and knowing what I know now, I would mostly shoot .38 Special if I still had it.

Sure wish I had never got rid of it. Enjoy yours!!
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Old 01-22-2011, 06:56 PM
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Default You will love it!

The price is right for sure. I just put a 19-3 with a 6 in barrel on lay-a-way for 352.00 after taxes. The blue is still like 98%. You will enjoy shooting it.
Flint Ridge - thanks for explaining the short bullet workings as I wondered what caused the flame cutting. now to visit that link.
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Old 01-22-2011, 07:38 PM
Combatmagnumlover Combatmagnumlover is offline
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Thank you all for the helpful info. Kind of reassures me about getting the revolver! This is a great forum for smith and wesson fans! Can't wait to buy my second ( model 29 for sure )
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Old 01-23-2011, 12:25 PM
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Congrats & great deal on the 19-3. Without a doubt the 4 inch K frame are my favorite revolvers. Enjoy!
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Old 01-23-2011, 07:44 PM
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...and a FINE first handgun it is!

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Old 01-23-2011, 07:49 PM
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Welcome and Congratulations on a fine revolver. I love the K frame magnums.
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Old 01-23-2011, 11:45 PM
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A very nice first gun there! But be warned you WILL collect more as the years go by! I started with a model 28 myself and now have several Smiths of all shapes and sizes, some of them or even semi-autos!
Enjoy your Combat Magnum, they are a delightful handgun. Dale
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Old 01-24-2011, 12:21 AM
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Congrats on picking one of the best revolvers in history. You can't go wrong with a Combat Master Piece and very good looking.
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Old 01-24-2011, 12:53 AM
wnr700 wnr700 is offline
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Nice purchase. You will love it. They handle the .38's like fine wine. I shot plenty od 125 grain before I knew what I was doing and had no issues. The 125 grain .357 will be a bit stiff but very manageable, but I wouldn't risk it.

I bought one for $400 in December '09 and stupidly sold it...

Last edited by wnr700; 01-24-2011 at 12:55 AM.
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Old 01-24-2011, 02:40 PM
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I wouldn't worry too much about damaging or wearing out a 19... My first centerfire revolver was a brand new M19 bought in 1970. In the 10 years I had it of the documented 20K rounds through it only six rounds were .38 Special. The rest were almost exclusively a handload of a 158 grain Lyman 357156 gaschecked bullet driven to 1250 fps with I believe Al-7 powder. Didn't shoot many jacketed bullets in those days.

The gun went back to the factory after the first 10K rounds to be tuned and nickel plated. The front sight ramp was left blue and a yellow insert installed.

Great find...and enjoy it...don't baby it....

Bob
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357 magnum, cartridge, jordan, k frame, k-frame, m19, model 19, model 28, model 29, patrolman, smith and wesson

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