One time in my LE days I was issued a new model 19 -4. I was the only person to ever carry it or fire it. Of course I took very good care of it and always felt very confident with it. Years later my agency decided to convert to Glocks. (revolvers were going to become obsolete) When I recieved my new Glock I was told that I could keep the 19 for $150. I still very clearly remember handing it back and saying "no thanks". I had small kids then and maybe $150 was a lot of money. Talk about a brain time out!!! I think about that almost every day and every time I see a 19 for sale.

You have a good excuse to go shopping

There are those transactions, or lack of a transaction, that I still kick myself over. That would have been one.

The good news:

Your looking at it all wrong!
Just buy one now and the pain really won't be any worse than the pain that the $150 was way back then. Everything is relative.

Bad news:
But I will admit, the regret of not buying something when you could have, always lasts a lot longer then the regret of spending the money. Especially in your case since the gun was your 'baby' so to speak.

Good news:
Now you can pick and choose. Is that what you'd really like to have? There's nothing special about a 19-4. But you can buy a much nicer made 19 with panache like a four screw from the 1950s or a 1960s era 19 with target grips, hammer and trigger, and there's lots of new choices out there now on the used market. Or if you don't have one, you might get a lot more enjoyment out of a nice older .22 Model 18. Almost the same gun but a lot cheaper to shoot and more fun with the kids or grandkids.

Hope that helps.

The Great Enabler,

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Amen to that!

Yep, well recall when my agency transitioned from M66's to M1076's.

We were offered the M66's at $200 each. I did buy mine 'cause I had formed a bond with it, it having saved my hide a few times. It still has a case report number engraved on it (under grips) when it was taken as evidence in an unfortunate encounter I had.

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Ret'd LEO
SWCA #2275

After carrying a plastic gun for a while I developed a greater appreciation for the quality a a fine steel gun. Guess I realized they were more than just a work tool. I have a couple of nice 19's now. Most recent acquisition is a 4 screw full target. Now always keeping my eyes open for a deal on the pre '82 guns. Can't get enoough of blue steel and walnut nowadays. Hope my kids will appreciate them.

Can't get enoough of blue steel and walnut nowadays. Hope my kids will appreciate them.

If We do our job right they will.
I have high hopes for my 12 year old.
Now the walnut.....expand your horizons some

You had your priorities (family) and like man you took care of them first. For that you deserve credit, plus it hasn't been too long ago that $150 was real money. You should go shopping for a nice early 19 now, you earned it. One more thing... love your orange juice.

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NRA Cert. Inst. RSO

I often think that myself. I KNOW what I like, but at my age I think more and more about buying stuff that my kids will want. I have more guns than I can shoot, but NOT all the guns I want to own. Should I buy the guns I LOVE, or they guns they will want someday? Tough to know for sure...

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-H
John 3:16

"Should I buy the guns I LOVE, or they guns they will want someday?"

Uh, buy the ones YOU want NOW. When you are gone, if the kids want something different, THEY can buy what THEY want.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Hondo, you made a statement here I am going to always remember.
. "The regret you have from not buying something you really want, will always last longer than the money you spent to get it"....That is better than my old adage of: never go back home and leave something you found and have wanted awhile, if you are 150 miles from home.

Here are the 19's I have now. The nickel is a 19-3. The blue one, my favorite, is a 19 no dash, with a very nice trigger. Serial is k391XXX. Under the left grip there is a 3 stamped over 80681.

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When we transitioned to Sigs, we were given the chance to buy our Model 66's. I bought both my 4" 66 that I used on patrol, and my 2 1/2" 66 which was NIB, that I issued to myself when I was assigned to the Det. bureau. Cost was $75.00 each.

That's another excellent adage!
My dad and I had a few we called Gun Show Rules. We sometimes forget our own rules and on the long drives to shows, we would mock each other by reciting rules the other had broken or forgot to our great regret.

Yours was one. A coupled of others on our list:

"Never turn down a really good deal, even if it's not something you want; you can always pass on the good deal to a friend or turn it and make a little money."

"Never buy anything at the first table in the door unless it's a real steal".

Brings back fond memories (smile)!

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Jim
S&WCA #819

sunnyd,

Ahh...those are gorgeous and IMHO easily make up for turning down your 19-4 old duty gun!

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Jim
S&WCA #819

Hi:
I feel your pain.
As a LEO raising six children plus a large German Sheppard that thought he was a child also, $150.00 was a fortune (and a take home paycheck)