|
|
02-18-2017, 07:08 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Charles Town, WV
Posts: 13
Likes: 21
Liked 8 Times in 3 Posts
|
|
My New 19-3
Hopefully I'm on the correct forum, and if not let me know and I'll move.
My 1 yr search for a 19-3 ended today with a local purchase at a GS. The ser# 2K86811. Can someone point me to the S&W website where I can determine the yr of mfg, or if someone would know I would very much appreciate the information.
A funny story how I happened upon this today, which I won't bore you with, but I had come to a point where I thought I was going to have to make an online purchase to get one of these. I reluctantly stopped at a local GS, where I've been before looking for a 19-3, so I had little hope they would have one today, but I was wrong. Price $530. The action is very tight, and as you can see from the pics it's been well taken care of. A little holster where and cylinder ring, but not much more than that. I'm no expert, but judging what I've seen advertised and others have rated this model I would say it's at least 95% overall bluing. I couldn't believe they had this in a 4" model either, which is what I wanted.
Feel free to critique this, as like I said I'm no expert when it comes to 19-3s, and I want to learn what flaws it might have. I'm looking forward to shooting it tomorrow. The GS told me they had thoroughly checked it out, but should there be any problems they would make it right. I don't think I went wrong on this purchase. Max of 5 pics, but I have more if needed. What do you think?
|
The Following 6 Users Like Post:
|
|
02-18-2017, 07:16 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2001
Posts: 3,795
Likes: 993
Liked 1,923 Times in 956 Posts
|
|
I had the same gun.They are nice.Mine had newer serial number and was built in 1975,so yours is a little earlier.
Enjoy,but avoid 125 grain 357s.They're rough on the forcing cone.
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
02-18-2017, 07:20 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: South of Atl
Posts: 4,062
Likes: 38,572
Liked 14,464 Times in 3,107 Posts
|
|
No critique here. Your patience paid off. Very nice find!!!
__________________
Don't You Ever Wash That Thing
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
02-18-2017, 07:22 PM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Palmer, Alaska
Posts: 14,478
Likes: 5,112
Liked 18,983 Times in 6,863 Posts
|
|
That is very nice and you got it for a decent price.
The 2K serial numbers were spread over three years, 1970-1972. Yours was made in 1972.
Just so you know, the 4" barrel is, by far, the most common length on the Model 19-3. It is also a very good length for this model. It carries well and handles nicely.
The picture below shows a 4" 19-3, just a little bit newer than yours. This was the first nickel plated S&W revolver I ever bought. It remains a favorite after several years. I have taught a number of young shooters with it, using, of course, .38 Special ammunition. The picture shows the gun with non-original Magna stocks. I've found those to be better for teaching young shooters whose hands don't always comport with the larger target style. The Combat Magnum normally shipped with target stocks, like those on your gun.
__________________
Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
02-18-2017, 07:45 PM
|
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 3,305
Likes: 14,958
Liked 2,549 Times in 1,145 Posts
|
|
Congrats on a great find!
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
02-18-2017, 08:09 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Charles Town, WV
Posts: 13
Likes: 21
Liked 8 Times in 3 Posts
|
|
Thanks for the information! I've got various revolver lengths from 2 1/2" to 7 1/2", and for the 19-3 I wanted 4". As you said, it's the preferred carry length, though I'm not planning to carry it much.
Yours is a very nice 19-3, and it's very nice that you are teaching youngsters to shoot. A must, IMO. Thanks again for sharing the information.
|
02-18-2017, 08:19 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: North Texas
Posts: 49
Likes: 479
Liked 807 Times in 43 Posts
|
|
A great looking Model 19-3 at a great price. Feed it 158 grain 357 Magnums; 125 grain bullets are for lesser calibers.
__________________
Gig 'Em
SWCA 3493 - SWHF 808
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
02-18-2017, 08:21 PM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Palmer, Alaska
Posts: 14,478
Likes: 5,112
Liked 18,983 Times in 6,863 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by bxrowley
it's very nice that you are teaching youngsters to shoot. A must, IMO.
|
Agreed. "A must."
I've been a certified instructor since the late 1970s. I've lost track, but my "graduated" student list must run to several hundred by now. Most of my early reports have gone the way of all flesh after several moves. I probably have them for the past couple decades, but they are buried in boxes and I'm not going to spend the time digging them out. But it is a joy to see students develop skills and safety habits as a result of our range and classroom time together. If we just all do our small part, lots of good work will get done.
__________________
Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
02-18-2017, 08:46 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Charles Town, WV
Posts: 13
Likes: 21
Liked 8 Times in 3 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Camster
I had the same gun.They are nice.Mine had newer serial number and was built in 1975,so yours is a little earlier.
Enjoy,but avoid 125 grain 357s.They're rough on the forcing cone.
|
What grain do you suggest? I don't have 125gr but do have 142gr FMJTC.
|
02-18-2017, 08:50 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Charles Town, WV
Posts: 13
Likes: 21
Liked 8 Times in 3 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by JP@AK
Agreed. "A must."
I've been a certified instructor since the late 1970s. I've lost track, but my "graduated" student list must run to several hundred by now. Most of my early reports have gone the way of all flesh after several moves. I probably have them for the past couple decades, but they are buried in boxes and I'm not going to spend the time digging them out. But it is a joy to see students develop skills and safety habits as a result of our range and classroom time together. If we just all do our small part, lots of good work will get done.
|
We need more people like you... Curious, what state are you in? When I was growing up in PA in the 60s we had mandatory hunter training class during school. I've lived in MD, WV & VA and none of those states have hunter training, as far as I know.
|
02-18-2017, 08:52 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Charles Town, WV
Posts: 13
Likes: 21
Liked 8 Times in 3 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chopper1388
A great looking Model 19-3 at a great price. Feed it 158 grain 357 Magnums; 125 grain bullets are for lesser calibers.
|
Thanks! I have 142 grain FMJTC. How would they work?
|
02-18-2017, 08:55 PM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Palmer, Alaska
Posts: 14,478
Likes: 5,112
Liked 18,983 Times in 6,863 Posts
|
|
The standard answer is 158 grains and up. But unless you plan to shoot 10,000 rounds a year, the matter is pretty much moot.
I will say that over the past 50 years, I have shot a heck of a lot more .38 Special rounds through my .357s than magnum loads. They are cheaper (especially since I roll my own), easier on the gun, easier on the hand, easier on the ears and easier to achieve excellent accuracy. A couple dozen .357 rounds per year is enough to maintain proficiency if you are practicing a lot with .38 Specials. Just a thought for you to consider.
__________________
Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
02-18-2017, 08:55 PM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: R.T. P, area NC
Posts: 9,701
Likes: 29,446
Liked 22,969 Times in 5,777 Posts
|
|
bxrowley, as you have learned "all good things come to those who wait." Your wait paid off in spades.
__________________
Always Stay Strong!
Last edited by old bear; 02-18-2017 at 08:56 PM.
Reason: Sp?
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
02-18-2017, 09:05 PM
|
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Palmer, Alaska
Posts: 14,478
Likes: 5,112
Liked 18,983 Times in 6,863 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by bxrowley
Curious, what state are you in?
|
Alaska for the past 33 years. 10 years in Oregon before that. Moved to Oregon after I came back to the World and separated from Active Duty.
In Oregon, I taught under the auspices of the state F&G, mainly in the 4H program. After I moved to Alaska, I got my NRA certifications, and have maintained them ever since.
Alaska does not have mandatory hunter safety, except for a few specific hunts. It also does not have a minimum age for hunters (again, except for a few hunts). But we encourage training and many seek it. Most of my students for the past 25 years or so, have been hand gunners. Training is mandatory for the CCW permit, although now we have no permit requirement for open or concealed carry. The permit program is still in place, however, and because of reciprocity, some people still get permits.
__________________
Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318
|
The Following 2 Users Like Post:
|
|
02-18-2017, 09:13 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Charles Town, WV
Posts: 13
Likes: 21
Liked 8 Times in 3 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by JP@AK
The standard answer is 158 grains and up. But unless you plan to shoot 10,000 rounds a year, the matter is pretty much moot.
I will say that over the past 50 years, I have shot a heck of a lot more .38 Special rounds through my .357s than magnum loads. They are cheaper (especially since I roll my own), easier on the gun, easier on the hand, easier on the ears and easier to achieve excellent accuracy. A couple dozen .357 rounds per year is enough to maintain proficiency if you are practicing a lot with .38 Specials. Just a thought for you to consider.
|
I'm stocked up on .38 Spec that I'll use mostly. I've got an old Ruger SSA I use the .38s in (mostly), and a new model Ruger I use the .357
|
02-19-2017, 03:22 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 157
Likes: 643
Liked 112 Times in 69 Posts
|
|
I think you did good!
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
02-20-2017, 02:07 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Carson Valley, NV
Posts: 316
Likes: 2
Liked 364 Times in 102 Posts
|
|
Nice score on an excellent revolver!
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
|
|
|
|