Hi, I'm french and I live near Paris.

Since one year ago, I had to inherit my father's gun. I have no information on this firearm. Some person said me my S&W is made in a 1970 years, but I want more and exact informations. Can you give me informations with just this serial number ?
45K0214
Mod19-4

Best regards
Marc

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Bonjour Marco. Tres bien.

Your revolver as you know is a S&W Model 19-4. It is has a 4" barrel, target stocks/grips and a blued finish. It's chambered in .357 magnum. Based on the serial number I would say it was made in 1977-78.

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BCCI Life Member #2068

Welcome from New Mexico!

Let me say your father had very good taste in firearms. The 4 inch Model 19 with a pinned barrel and recessed cylinder is a very popular and desirable revolver. And having the original target stocks is a nice bonus too!

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I'm gonna grow fins.

Welcome to the FORUM! Sorry about the loss of your Father. He did leave you a "Nice Smith". You must have been a "good son". Hope you can take it to a range and enjoy shooting it! Bob

Welcome to the forum from Va.

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Roger

Sorry for the loss of your father. As others have said, The Model 19-4 is a solid revolver and a pleasure to shoot.

Vive la France!

welcome from the middle of America - Nebraska...
sorry for the loss of your father... he had great taste...
my father also gave me a 19-4 4 inch from 1978
... enjoy it and think of your father every time you see it... and smile...
P.S. I was in Paris 2 years ago with my wife and son... we love your country and its people...

Welcome to the Smith & Wesson Forum from Arizona.
Your Model 19-4 is the "Three Ts" version. Target Trigger,Target Hammer and Target Grips.

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Living a dream - S&WCA #2364

Thank you for your welcome over the ocean and more thank for your informations ang nice words. This firearm was the favorite of my father. It's just amazing, the year of build of this s&w 357 would be the same of my birth :1977!!

Welcome from the Ozarks of S/W Missouri.
Great looking Smith your dad left you.

Welcome, Marcothefrench.

That is a very fine revolver, in beautiful condition.

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Oh well, what the hell.

Marco-


We have another member near Paris. He is patvince. He is a herpetologist and answers some questions here about snakes, in The Lounge area of this board.


Welcome to the board. It's one of the best gun message boards, and the absolute best about Smith & Wesson products.

Welcome to the forum Marc. It never ceases to amaze me how far out our forum reaches. Your gun most likely shipped in the latter part of 1978, possibly Nov/Dec time frame. Nice gun!

Thank you for these precisions
One year ago, I drove for 15 days with my wife along Arizona, New Mexico into the greats parks or historical monuments. I never forget these nice views and people. We go back, surely!!
You're welcome in France

Hi Marco,

Next time you make it to the U.S and the Desert South west, Come on down to Texas. Many, Many things to do and see down here. The food alone is worth the trip !

We have a few MOPARS and various other brands also that would turn your head as well as Gun shops galore to explore

A little history on your gun's development might be interesting to you, Marcothefrench. The 357 Magnum cartridge was developed in the 1930s for the largest S&W revolver, the N frame. It was designed to be a more powerful handgun cartridge than any previously available. About 30 years later there was a strong demand for this caliber for police use, but in a smaller package, so the smaller K frame revolver was given improved heat treating and built for the task. They proved highly popular in all areas of law enforcement and a huge number were sold, both as Model 19s and as the stainless copy, the Model 66, right up until departments began converting to semi-autos like the Glock, etc.

I would provide one cautionary note however. There were some high speed light weight rounds (125 gr bullets) available for a while, and these seem to have put undue strain on the K frame magnums... most of us avoid them now. Also, although it is chambered in 357, nothing says you can't enjoy it with mild 38 Specials... in fact probably more of the 38s get shot in many Model 19s than do hot 357s.

Oh yes, and let me add my welcome to the S&W Forum as well!

Froggie

The Model 19, as the Combat Magnum, was actually introduced in 1955-56, much more time ago than Green Frog realized.


Bill Jordan, the US Border Patrol agent whose idea the gun was, told me in person that he envisioned firing it just some 10-15% of the time with full .357 ammo. Most .357 owners shoot mostly .38 Special ammunition. Heavy use of full magnum loads will wear the gun prematurely , causing cylinder endshake and timing problems. The guns last well if not abused or fired too often with Magnum loads.


In France, you cannot carry the gun except to and from shooting ranges, and there's no need to fire many .357 cartridges so this is of small importance to the OP, Marco.


If he wants to shoot some .357 ammo to see how much more it recoils and if he can shoot it well, fine. He's not a GIGN agent who has to frequently practice with full power ammunition and who may have to shoot a terrorist.


The stainless form of this gun, Model 66, is my favorite all-round revolver. But I fire most of what .357 ammo I shoot in a larger Ruger GP-100, to lessen wear on my M-66-3.


The M-19 was at one time one of the most popular police guns in Amerca and a version was also used by some French police, until the use of heavy loads in frequent practice caused them to ask Manurhin to make the more durable MR-73. Manurhin also made a version based on the Ruger Security-Six, the MR-88. It too, endures heavy use of .357 ammunition better than will K-frame S&W revolvers.

Hi Mr HEMI
Texas? Surely! I ve seen last week "hell or high water". Probably a caricature but the pictures are B eautiful.... i love atmosphere of desert, and little towns.... i have a 78 camaro but i like mopar too. a 69' Chally or charger is a dream!!

thanks Froggie for this interesting little history of the N and K frames And your advice. An old friend give me the same advice with ammo in 38 spec.

What culture! I appreciate advice too. I use 38 special and wad cutter ammo, and rarely 357 just 5 bullets max to appreciate the charge l've already shooting with the manurhin, it s a good gun.