Looking for 19-3 opinions

[bigbren]

Hey all,

Picked up a 19-3 at a gunshow I was determined not to buy anything at. Went over it as well as I know how. No wear on the bluing, Target stocks are a little beat up, looks like it was dropped maybe, as it shows little holster wear, unless it was re-blued. Forcing cone looks OK, and it locks up pretty tight. It has the sweetest trigger ever! Puts my 28-2 to shame. It feels perfect in the hand. Only thing that comes close is a Hi-Power. Serial # is 2k8xxx. Bought for under $300, couldn't pass it up.

My questions:

1. The price seems low. The gent I bought it from didn't know much about Smith revolvers, so I was hoping I just got lucky. Do you guys generally have someone go over gun show buys before you shoot them?

2. Any suggestions on CCW IWB holster and grips? The target stocks are a bit bulky, even though they feel great.

3. I have a stash of 135 gr .357 GDHP short barrel loads. Anyone have any luck with these thru a K-frame, or should I stick to +p .38's?

4. I'm guessing this pistol is right around my age! Anyone have a DOB?

Thanks in advance.

[pharmer]

2K8xxx looks like 1970. Joe

[pharmer]

Oh yeah, 100 out of 100 around here would have the same opinion about a sub $300 Model 19. Did he have any more at that price? Joe

[P&R Fan]

First off, Welcome to the Forum.
A 19-3 Combat Magnum for under 300 bucks is a heck of a deal, even if it's re-blued.
The K-Frame Magnums are fine to shoot with .357s. A ton of them will increase wear more than .38s, but I wouldn't worry about it. I don't know anything about the 135 Grn load you mention. The 125 Grn ones are the ones that everybody says are the hardest on these guns. If you shoot the 158 Grn loads most that would probably be best if you are going to shoot a lot of Magnums.
That said, my 2 1/2" M66-1, which is the stainless version of the M19, is one of my most carried revolvers. It is always loaded with Federal 125 Grn loads.
Jim

[semperfi71]

Welcome to the Forum.

Please go here: K Frame cracks

Your M28 and M19 are too different birds, enjoy them for their differences, they are both great guns.

Whiz around here on the Forum and search for threads on: "inspecting a revolver", "end-shake", "common revolver problems", etc. or use your own descriptions over mine to find them.

You did very well on your buy, congratulations.

[murphydog]

The 135 gr Short Barrel .357 load clocks about 1050 fps and is fine for your model 19. The problematic 125 gr loads go about 1400 fps. Enjoy!

[rxbrew]

I am fairly new to Smiths. I have 3 Smiths one is a 1919 1905 M & P, and 2 N Frame a 27-2 6 " and a Model 25-5 6 " in 45 Long Colt. You state that they are 2 different birds. I like the feel of the N Frames and am impressed by how easy they are to shoot on target. The old M & P has an absolute beautiful trigger pull. What are the differenceces? Would you recommend a Model 19 to my meager Smith Collection? You sound like a knowledgeable gun guy and would be interested in your opinions.
Thanks Fred

[semperfi71]

Pard, if you are speaking to me I do not claim to be knowledgeable and I learned a heck of a lot right here on this forum.

I like all frame size S&W .357 revolvers. The N Frames to me are robust and historic. The L-Frames to me are the most "sensible" for the .357. The K-Frames to me are the most compact and easy to carry, but I (my opinion alone) am careful as to what I load in them. Quite frankly even the N-Frames do not need "fullhouse" loads. A 158 grain bullet at 1100 fps is probably going to kill as well as the same bullet at 1300 fps.

I would suggest you buy the K-Frame .357 and shoot it. If you do not like it you will be able to sell it for probably as much as you paid for it or more. Then take your money and go find something else.

Good luck in your quest. And guess what, you're now HOOKED if you already have that many S&W's!!

[bigbren]

Thanks for the help. I thought I did pretty well. Usually don't see that sort of thing around here for less than $400. Even though I wanted a Model 13, just couldn't pass it up. Doesn't quite make up for all the times I overpaid, though. And I swore I wasn't going to buy anything...now if I could just find an I-frame...

[JCS&W]

bigbren, $300 for a M19-3 would be a steal in my area. The M19's that are P&R are commanding a premium around here. You will not be disappointed. You may have wanted a M13, but you got a great Smith at a great price. Congrats.

[squidsix]

Worst case: You find a model 13 you really like, it's $400. You put your 19 up here, you sell it in, say, five minutes. You get the 13....

[bigbren]

Like any Smith, once you have it in your hands, you don't want to give it up!

Any thoughts on the stocks? I was looking for a 13 for CCW, but the target grips are a little wide. I'm built like Pee-Wee Herman. I'm assuming square and round butts are 2 different frames?

[squidsix]

Get a set of square-butt magna style grips and a grip adapter, like a Tyler T, or a set of Eagle secret Service grips, or something like the standard "boot grip".
I have big hands, but my wife has "tiny" hands, and K-frame boot grips are small enough for her to get her little mitts on.
I like the magna/tyler T combo the best, but there are some close seconds out there in very similar profile.

[stevieboy]

Less than $300 for a 19 in even decent condition is a helluva price. I'd buy it in a heartbeat if there's nothing obviously wrong with it. I'd buy it even if I really didn't need it. I bought a 19-3 2 1/2" at a show about 6 months ago, paid $600 for it, and felt that I'd gotten my money's worth. With the passage of time I've grown even more satisifed with that deal. For my money, the 19 is as close to perfection as any revolver can be if it's not abused. Mine has the best trigger, bar none, of any revolver I've handled. It's as accurate for me as any 4" gun that I've fired. It's compact and easily carried. And its pretty damn rugged, too, so long as I remind myself that it's a handgun and not a flamethrower.