Picked up a nice nickel 19-4, 4 inch at local gun shop. Was told grips were original and somewhat rarer being smooth and not checkered is that true? Could someone tell me date of manufacture? Serial 57K178* Also I only shoot the 158 gr semi jacketed hp In .357 just the classic load I think. Would that be safe in this model 19?

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Nice nickel Model 19, I shoot 158gr .357s in mine all the time with no issue. If memory serves me correctly it's the 125 gr that possibly causes forcing cone damage. Again beautiful handgun.

Thank you this is the first model 19 I've had. What a Cadillac! Can't wait to get some rounds through it

Nice 19.
1980.

Thank you sir! Ahh 1980 i remember it like it was just A LOT OF yesterday's ago. The age of technological enlightenment,Reagan,punk rock,new wave,and beautiful s&w's!

These are great guns! You can't go wrong with a model 19. These were designed to run the heavier grain magnums, such as the 158's. You should be perfectly safe. Enjoy that rascal!

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Matthew 5:9

Thank you,that is good to know I don't plan shooting a ton of .357 but I do like to run her up to her full potential when needed. the rest of the time just good ol .38 especial is just plain fun for shooting!

I don't believe those grips are original. It is possible, but smooth targets were never standard issue on the generic Model 19. Could have a been a special order, but I doubt it.

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FBINA, 204th Session

S&W sold high end smooth grips at any shop that sold S&W.

I bought several in the day.

Very nice M19!

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Thanks guys,I wondered about the grips but they are really nice! It does have the wide spur hammer and serated trigger which is awesome.

jaimiemc,

That's a really nice nickel Model 19-4. I bought a blued 4" Model 19-4 about two months ago that I have also guestimated to be approximately 1980 production. The serial number on it is 71K657#. Enjoy your new .357!
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Dave Brown
SWCA #3279

Nice grab! I find, in my case anyways, that smooth grips are easier on my hands than checkered grips if the gun/load kicks a lot.

Those smooth target grips are often referred to as Presentation stocks. Frequently included when a firearm is supplied in a wood "presentation" case.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Ok thanks,I haven't seen that many but they are pretty neat! Sure wish it had the wooden box if that is the case.

A Model 19, probably a -4 but I knew nothing of such things in those days, was my first handgun. Between Bill Jordan and Skeeter Skelton they had convinced me it was the "best all round" handgun you could buy. I must admit I haven't seen much to change that view.

I've still got a -4, not that first one, but a replacement. I don't shoot 357's at all in it. I don't know how many rounds it's had through it, or what kind of rounds, so I limit mine to 38's.

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John 3:16 .

I am in the camp that believes the Model 19 was created with the idea of mostly shooting .38 Specials in practice and reserving the use of full-charge .357s to maybe 20% or so of the ammunition used in the gun. People have been arguing this way or that over this "theory" for a long time, but it's undeniable your gun will last longer if you use it that way. That said, there is no reason to completely forswear .357s. The gun was made to use them and bullets heavier than 125s seem to be the preferred type.

I doubt the smooth stocks are OE, but so what? You'll probably like them for most of your shooting with lighter loads. With full-charge .357s, I prefer Pachmayr Presentations, but they're not much in the way of looks. Congratulations on your new Combat Magnum!

Here's my 19-4 from 1979 with factory "speed-loader" relieved stocks. I think yours would have come from S&W with this type.

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Jeb

One fine looking gun!!! Awesome pics too! Bob

Thanks guys,these are some fine revolvers to be sure! I too remember reading skeeter skelton and bill jordan articles myself. Dont want to date myself but john taffin was my math teacher back in those days and a all around gun guy expert himself! Dont know why exactly it took 30 some years to get a model 19 but glad i finaly did....

I have a 19, 4" (1958) and a 19-4, 6" (1979). The 6" is the CA Highway Patrol Commemorative. I shoot them both, mainly .38 Special and load only 158 grain projectiles in .38 or .357, just to be safe. Regardless, the 19 is a great revolver and a pleasure to shoot.

All 71K numbers were issued in 1981. So, you were close!

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Jack
SWCA #2475, SWHF #318

Those Stocks were not the ones originally on your gun in all likelihood as they would more likely be on a Presentation gun of some kind.

However, they are S&W Stocks and they are from the 80's so they definitely go on that gun well.

You will love that Model 19.

I am 64, and do not have 1 yet! Closest I can come is a 66-2, 2.5". Just got it in March of this year. Bob

Beautiful 19 jaimiemc. Had my 6"er out yesterday.

Thank you so much JP@AK for nailing down the Manufacturer Date on my Model 19-4!

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Dave Brown
SWCA #3279

I believe that one has the standard hammer. A target hammer would be slightly wider with a longer spur. The .265" serrated trigger was also standard.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Here's one with the presentation grips

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A buddy shooting mine yesterday. He shoots it very well.



Me when I first got it.


The 4"ers look really nice and probably balance a little better I bet.

Nice looking revolver. I sold a 19-4 on Sunday and bought another 19-4 in nice shape for half what I sold mine for. It is a 56K serial gun. It also has Magna stocks serialed to the gun.. Again you got a really nice one

Just bought my first model 19 off the forum and can't wait to get it in!

That is a very nice model 19. I can't read all the text on the barrel, but seems it was given to a chief of police somewhere after ?0 years of service! Sure beats the clock I was given after 20 years with my employer!

What a deal! I have a beautiful 19-4 but the stocks are NOT serialized. I wish S&W had been more consistent in that regard.

I'm envious! I couldn't afford to buy a model 19 that also had the box, papers, and accessories!

That's a beautiful nickel 19-4! It looks great with the smooth stocks. I also have a nickel 19-4 but with the original checkered stocks. I was lucky to find some .38 Special +P 158 grain lead hollow points for it. The dealer I bought if from said it looked like only a few .38 Special rounds had been shot through it. Apparently the .357 Magnum rounds can cause flame cutting on the top frame. So, to maintain the firearm's value, I will only run the 158 grain .38 Special with a +P load. That will give me the maximum self defense capability without going to the Magnum cartridges. However, this gun is going to sit idle most of the time, since it has just a faint turn line which I already worsened by shooting 30 rounds through it first time at the range.

I have shot lots of full power 357 mag loads through my 19's using 180 grs cast bullets using current load data . They are as tight today as the day I bought them .. that bs about only shoot sparingly 357 mag loads is pure bunk . They are not the " weak sisters " that the uneducated will tell you . Use current load data and enjoy and NO bullets lighter than 158 gr .