Guys, I have the chance to purchase a Model 19-3 Combat Magnum, complete with target hammer and target trigger. However, when examining the pistol, I noticed that the rear sight seems to have a distinct "bow." In the picture below you can see how the rear sight leaf is lifted up on the front and back, and lower in the middle:



Would this represent a possible issue with the rear sight assembly, or do you guys think it's caused by the way that it's adjusted?

Also I was hoping someone could give me an estimated production year. The serial is 2K417XX.

Thanks for any help! I just wanted to ask about this rear sight before purchasing and having to turn around and fix something right off the bat without negotiating it into the purchase price.

-Phillip

I have seen this before and usually the issue is the forward screw ( small slot for which the standard s&w screw driver is too big) is simply loose and tightening it down will be a simple solution

Wrong rear sight assy and probably off an N frame. Should have grooves in top and end just past down slope in top of frame a little more than a 1/4" from the front of the frame. I just checked my 19-3

Correct one up to $100 but, one on it should sell well if grooved. Or you could just shorten the leaf to the correct length and dap end with good cold blue, if grooved on top.

1971 = 2K22038 - 2K55996. So yours fits into that year.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

I definitely see what you're saying. I just went online and looked at other model 19s, as well as my own 15-2. It does indeed appear have the wrong rear sight assembly, which should probably cut quite a bit off the asking price since it would have to be corrected.

-Phillip

If that is an N frame rear sight assembly, it's fair to assume it was done after it left the factory. So I would wonder why the rear sight was replaced, and if anything else and been done to the revolver.

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Always Stay Strong!

I am certainly no expert, but I did notice that the dash 3 engineering change in 1967, was "relocation of the rear sight leaf screw". Could the OP's potential purchase be a "factory" job that just got overlooked?

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Charlie B
SWCA#3083, SWHF#570

Take the stocks off and visually check to see if there are any other "things"
possibly incorrect.
My own Model 19 is a revolver that will be passed down when I can't use it anymore.

Go for it. The Model 19 is worth it.

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Mike
S&WCA #3065

Knowing that the rear sight was changed certainly now makes me wonder if anything else was done to the revolver. When I handled it, everything else seemed to be standard issue for a 19-3, except for the rear sight issue. It shows a normal amount of handling and holster wear. I'd say the bluing remains about 92% or 93% with a near new condition bore. The cylinder has some mild turn marks, but not as bad as some other 19s that I've seen. As mentioned before, it has a target hammer and target trigger.

The factory stocks have been replaced with a set of ugly Pachmayr stocks from the 70s or 80s, which (unfortunately) isn't uncommon, it seems. I have a set of beautiful checkered Nills for a square butt K-Frame which will remedy that problem. I was originally going to use these stocks on my 15-2 until I located a set of factory diamond target stocks to use on it.

The 19-3 also comes with its original box, which is numbered to the pistol, as well as the original instruction booklet and still sealed cleaning accessories.

I believe that the asking price was too high originally, nearly $700, but the rear sight issue will definitely have an impact on that. This revolver would be a shooter for sure. It wouldn't spend much time hanging out in the safe. I don't own any safe queens!

All this leads me to another question. Which rear sight assembly should I be on the lookout for IF I decide to purchase this 19-3? I think I remember that not all the K-Frame rear sight assemblies are quite the same. Is there a specific screw spacing that I should be looking for?

I could always order the parts from Numrich, but it's a real crapshoot on the condition of the parts you're going to get. I like purchasing parts from auction sites where I can see the condition of the actual part that I'm going to get.

-Phillip

Yes. The change to the -3 was the relocation of the rear sight leaf screw (1967), to get it away from the barrel/cylinder gap. So a rear sight for the -2 and earlier will not fit properly.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Browsing eBay, I've seen rear sight assemblies with two center-to-center distances between the elevation screw and the mounting screw. There are the 1.84" and the 1.76".

Was the mounting hole on the -3 moved forward or rearward on the frame?

-Phillip

It was moved forward, so it would be above the barrel.

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318