Introduction; Me & My 19

RoyS · #1 05-14-2018, 06:11 PM

Greetings Gents,

This is my first post on the forum, so I thought I would introduce myself here as this is the section that is of most interest to me.

Not so long ago I got a bout of nostalgia and acquired this circa 1977 M-19 in near unfired condition along with an (un-matched) box & contents. I bought this as a shooter, so the miss-matched box was not a huge issue but did want something that was near new condition. I LOVE this gun and it took me right back to the days when I learned to shoot handguns with the 686 back in the early 1980's.

I'm so enamored by the quality and the distinct lack of 'plastic', I do believe I'm hooked. As a collector at heart I feel that more vintage/boxed examples are in my future (as funds allow).

Anyway, that's enough for now, just wanted to say 'hi', introduce myself and my single example of a model 19 and very much look forward to catching up on threads and seeking advice from those more knowledgable than I (which will be just about everyone).

Cheers,

Roy

markeb · #2 05-14-2018, 06:17 PM

That is Classic looking. Welcome to the Forum. Enjoy.

lonestar57 · #3 05-14-2018, 06:17 PM

Welcome. One of Smith and Wesson's most iconic handgun models.

yfdcap · #4 05-14-2018, 06:22 PM

Congrats and welcome. Boxes are overrated. They take up a lot of room and do not make the gun shoot any better. I get why some want them though. I do have some nice ones. All said and done just give me the guns please.

Nightowl · #5 05-14-2018, 07:42 PM

Beautiful gun!! Mine is long gone, I made a big mistake and traded it for a 66, also long gone! Hang on to that one!

scooterfiend · #6 05-14-2018, 07:47 PM

Welcome to the forum.
You've chosen a beautiful firearm.
The 2 1/2 in K frames are about my favorite.
Enjoy, the gun and the forum.

Targets Guy · #7 05-14-2018, 07:50 PM

Welcome to the forum.

IAhunter · #8 05-14-2018, 08:35 PM

Very nice 2 1/2" M19. I've been looking for one for a while and I have purchased 2 M 66s, 2 M 15s, a M 10, and a M 64 since I started looking.

K frames are addicting. The search continues.

Aemsl69 · #9 05-14-2018, 08:38 PM

Welcome,

here’s mine.

Edmo · #10 05-14-2018, 08:43 PM

Welcome Roy, and nice looking Model 19.

Below is my snubbie 19-4. Great revolvers!

Edmo

LPD256 · #11 05-14-2018, 09:08 PM

Welcome Roy. Love those K-Frames. Lots of folks here are great sources of information. Ask a question and you’ll get numerous replies.

snubbyfan · #12 05-14-2018, 09:14 PM

Very nice Roy. Thanks for sharing.
And welcome from the eastern panhandle of West Virginia.

Walter Rego · #13 05-14-2018, 09:16 PM

Roy, you will find this Forum is populated with enablers. We like pictures. Buy more S&W's and show them to us. It's a win-win situation.

00Buck2 · #14 05-14-2018, 09:20 PM

Welcome to the forum and that is a very nice combat magnum you have!

The 2.5" is one of my favorites as well

rwsmith · #15 05-14-2018, 09:20 PM

And a Hound Dawg Howdy to you from SC!

I believe that you have the magic formula. And being a 686 appreciator myself......

RoyS · #16 05-14-2018, 09:28 PM

Gosh Gentlemen,

What a wonderful warm welcome, my sincere gratitude.

Love seeing other examples of this classic.

I just had an interesting email from a friend, early days yet but just maybe another example may come my way soon. Either way I will keep all you chaps up to speed.

Looking forward to chatting and learning more about these classic Smiths.

Cheerio,

Roy

JP@AK · #17 05-14-2018, 09:29 PM

Okay. Since we are playing "show and tell" here is a 2 1/2" Model 19-3, made in 1973.

Doug.38PR · #18 05-14-2018, 10:29 PM

I really don't know why S&W didn't make their "Performance Center" M19 like this. This has a shorter snub barrel and a round but and is more ideal for concealed carry compared to the ugly looking 3 inch barrel thing with the ramp sight sitting halfway down the barrel and full underlug.

Nice gun. Good choice. Pre 1990s Smith & Wessons are always better

jscott · #19 05-14-2018, 10:43 PM

Very classy revolver. Mine is long gone, a victim of the endless search for a better carry piece in crime ridden and humid South Florida.

shouldazagged · #20 05-15-2018, 12:19 AM

Welcome, Roy, and I hope you'll stick around. This is the best gun forum I've found. It's full of knowledgeable, helpful, supportive, and slightly crazy people.

That's a beautiful revolver. I love the K-frames.

dr. mordo · #21 05-15-2018, 12:44 AM

Well, you have excellent taste.

The 2.5" M19 is one of my two absolute favorite S&W revolvers (the other being the 4" M29). I'm very fortunate to have a M19 snubbie about as nice as yours as well as a 4" M19 with many, many more miles on it. If I can find a good price on a 6" M19, I'll have to round out the collection. I guess maybe they are addictive...

Anyway, welcome to the forum!

Lobster Picnic · #22 05-15-2018, 11:59 AM

RoyS, you are absolutely right about the quality of these mid-century Smiths. There are enough of them around still in mint condition that it makes sense to tuck a few away before the prices get outrageous.

SFIDEC · #23 05-15-2018, 02:19 PM

Welcome to the S&W Forum Roy. A tremendous amount of knowledge is available at your request.
Attached is a Model 19 Snubbie and a 4" from my accumulation. The Snubbie is ported and lots of fun to shoot. Best of all...it hits the target in spite of me. It is very loud and ported barrel actually blew out the front sight insert shortly after I took this picture.

Old_Cop · #24 05-15-2018, 02:52 PM

Welcome from NW PA. Nice introduction.

RoyS · #25 05-15-2018, 03:22 PM

Gents,

Thank you all again for all of your generous welcomes. I have always been reluctant to join 'gun' forums as so many are, well to put it politely 'un-gentlemanly' but not so here. What a splendid, welcoming and knowledgeable group you all are.

I'm loving seeing all these really lovely 19's, some stunning example and such variety to. More the merrier!

While on the topic of 19's, I have a quick question to pose in regards serial numbers; the reference I have shows 25K001 - 56K9,999 for years 1978/9. Does anyone have anything more specific as to which numbers pertain to each of those years?

Cheerio,

Roy

JH1951 · #26 05-15-2018, 03:40 PM

Welcome to the forum.
Very nice choice to start...

JP@AK · #27 05-15-2018, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoyS

While on the topic of 19's, I have a quick question to pose in regards serial numbers; the reference I have shows 25K001 - 56K9,999 for years 1978/9. Does anyone have anything more specific as to which numbers pertain to each of those years?

Roy
It is complicated, but in the range you asked about, here is the best I can do for you, based on experience and the data I've gathered over the years:
35K through 44K were used in 1978

25K through 34K and 45K through 56K were used in 1979

That may seem counter-intuitive, but it is probably quite accurate. As you can see, the year/range you had was basically correct, but never assume serial numbers were actually used in order. For example, N prefix numbers are all over the map because blocks of numbers were reserved for specific models.

Keep in mind that the year a serial number was assigned may or may not be the year the gun shipped.

RoyS · #28 05-15-2018, 05:19 PM

Hi Jack,

Thank you indeed for that, very helpful. I'm likely off to see a friend in a few days who has a 19-4 within these serial rangers which I may acquire, so wanted a little more knowledge about potential dating.

Great info and very much appreciated.

Will post with more details if it works out.

Cheerio,

Roy

apollo99 · #29 05-15-2018, 06:05 PM

Welcome Roy, Like a few others I had one just like yours, traded it off, have been regretting it ever since. Enjoy your model 19.

ST BERNARD · #30 05-15-2018, 06:32 PM

We should all have at least one of these. Don't be surprised if it ends up being your favorite.
Outstanding choice for your first one....... I predict there will be more.
All our best;
Bill

vrichard · #31 05-17-2018, 05:32 PM

A decent 19-1 (top) and a nice 19-2
Dick

RoyS · #32 05-17-2018, 06:09 PM

Hi Dick,

Very nice indeed, a lovely pair.

Cheers,

Roy

bananaman · #33 05-19-2018, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoyS

Greetings Gents,

This is my first post on the forum, so I thought I would introduce myself here as this is the section that is of most interest to me.

Not so long ago I got a bout of nostalgia and acquired this circa 1977 M-19 in near unfired condition along with an (un-matched) box & contents. I bought this as a shooter, so the miss-matched box was not a huge issue but did want something that was near new condition. I LOVE this gun and it took me right back to the days when I learned to shoot handguns with the 686 back in the early 1980's.

I'm so enamored by the quality and the distinct lack of 'plastic', I do believe I'm hooked. As a collector at heart I feel that more vintage/boxed examples are in my future (as funds allow).

Anyway, that's enough for now, just wanted to say 'hi', introduce myself and my single example of a model 19 and very much look forward to catching up on threads and seeking advice from those more knowledgable than I (which will be just about everyone).

Cheers,

Roy

Welcome to the FORUM! That 1 is a beauty! Good picture too. The closest thing I have is a 2.5" 66-2. Bob

RoyS · #34 05-19-2018, 08:25 AM

Thank you Bob,

Some lovely revolvers you have these.

Slick looking grips too.

Cheerio,

Roy