I am looking at a 19-2 2.5inch with a nickel finish. It's at a gun store here in town. I had the store employee remove the grips but I did not see an "N" stamped on the frame. There was an "R" and a "L" with another letter stamped low on the frame. Is this a factory refinish? I plan on carrying it so actually any finish besides blue works for me. What are your thoughts?

If it is an original factory finish it should have a N stamped on the butt frame. Somebody may have been off their game at the factory that day though. Look on the rear face of the cylinder and the underside of the barrel in the ejector rod housing. If there is no N stamps seen there it is doubtful that it's a factory nickel finish.

Hey Mac. a pic would be really helpful. are the hammer, trigger and extractor still not nickeled? If it meets spec, and price is correct, buy it and carry.

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member

That absence of an N could be a good bargaining chip, As far as I'm concerned for a carry gun and shooter, I wouldn't care if the finish was factory or otherwise, as long as it wasn't chipping or flaking off.

It is a consignment piece, I made an offer and am waiting for the store to call. The hammer, trigger, extractor, and rear sight are not nickel. I have been carrying a 4" 19 but with the summer comes lighter clothes. It is much harder to conceal that big revolver. Anyways that's what I am telling the wife. Whenever I get the reply from the store I will probably just buy it. It's not about need just want. Thanks for the replies. The revolver locks up very tight with hardly any wobble. When I go to look at it again I will check the other areas for the "N". I don't do the picture thing, I can barely turn these things on. Again thanks.

Mac, as far as the story to the wife, sounds good to me. Just buy it and carry, win, win. Best

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Mike 2796
SoFo Bunch member