Do tool kits vary from model to model and year to year?
I just posted a WTB for a Flat sight adjustment tool (screwdriver), and looped rod for my Model 19-3 4".
What I don't know is what to look for... what would be the correct tools for my gun? How can I tell if I am getting the correct ones? Anyone have pictures of the correct tools?
Yes, tool kits did change over the years. They were caliber and barrel length specific and included a sight adjustment tool if the gun had adjustable sight. The 19-3 dates from 1967 to 1977 and I'm pretty sure you want a kit with a knurled aluminum handled hollow ground SAT. Earlier tools has brass threaded bases on the swab and brush, but I think a 1970's gun should have aluminum threaded bases.
Thanks for the info! I do have the swab and brush already, I just need to SAT and rod. I just checked and my swab and brush have brass threads. Oh... and my gun is a 1971 if that makes a difference.
I found a thread with a pic. It's hard to tell but it looks like this 19-3 has brass threads... Looking at it again it is actually impossible to tell from this pic...
S&W did not start shipping the flat, stamped steel sight adjustment tools until around 1990-91. Watch ebay, the fluted aluminum tools have gone up in value a lot in the last few years, expect to pay $15-20, the 4" aluminum rods are common, and just a few bucks each. You can often find the whole kit still in the sealed bag, and the kits for the fixed sighted guns that lack the sight tool can be picked up rather inexpensively if you just want to salvage the components.