A local shop has a decent 90-95% condition Model 19 (did not get the - number, but will). It is a 6" barrel with patridge sight. Gun appears to be in very nice shape other than a little bluing wear at the muzzle and some minor handling marks. This gun will be a shooter, so some handling marks don't bother me.

After some reading last night, I need to verify if it has a target trigger and hammer as well as carefully inspect the forcing cone. I will also check cylinder timing and lockup. What I am wondering is if there are other little things to check for that will make it worth more or less.

BTW: Asking price is $599, they have offered it at $550 but I think they would take $500. Is that a reasonable price? Too high, too low? Thanks.

Pull the hammer back all the way until it cocks and then push it forward without touching the trigger. The hammer shouldn't drop. This is called "Push Off," and if it happens it means the hammer and sear engagement is worn, or it's been worked on. In either case it's a problem.

Bill

Pinned barrel and recessed cylinders are worth more (can't remember if they went away during -3 or -4 but it was in the early 1980s). I'm at work away from my SCSW#4. :-(

I love my pre-19 and my birth year 66 no dash.

K frame .357s have been known to crack the forcing cone due to excessive use of hot-rod loads. Look it over carefully.

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Chris
SWCA #2243 SWHF #292

Look at the bore and the recoil plate. The recoil plate will tell you how much it has been shot. That would the first place I would examine. Good price if it checks out.

Yes, I fully agree with sinora, it's a great price if it checks out. Provide us with a serial number and we can give you an approximate oirginal shipping date.

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Ed

It is pinned for sure and I believe recessed. Will check it out closer and report back. Thanks for the info so far.

It is a 19-2, pinned and recessed. No push off, bore and recoil plate look good to excellent. $485

It followed me home.

Well done,

Looks lovely

Cheerio,

Roy

SN:K776926 The more I look at it the more it looks like it was shot a few time and put in a dresser drawer for 30 years. I cleaned the dust out of the bore, it looks perfect. Recoil plate had a little powder residue/buildup that I wiped off with a little hoppies #9. Front of the cylinder looks like new, ejector rod has all the bluing on it. Trigger breaks very smooth and clean right at 3#. Makes me think there is a box of 357's with 19 of the original 25 cartridges still in it! Hopefully it will shoot.

Thanks for all the input,
center_shot

Looks to be a very nice find at a very good price. Enjoy it!
I would guess at about a 1967 date. I'm sure someone will come along with better detail.

Those diamond targets are nice and probably original. They went away by the 19-3; somebody will know for sure. My K715XXX 19-2 has them also. Great price on that 6".

I have a 6" 19-3 that a blast to shoot. I've told the story before, but here goes. I was able to hit an old fire extinguisher 5 out of 6 with magnum loads at a range finder measured 125 yards from a seated position. For me, that was good shooting and a lot of fun.

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Tony

6" 19's do not get me very intrested but it looks like you knocked it out of the park on that one. The grips alone are worth a couple franklins.

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S&WCA #3012

Nice find and a good price. Well done!

If it's been shot a fair amount there will be no bluing left around the firing pin hole on the recoil shield. Even that doesn't hurt a darn thing.

I also look at the screw heads to see if they are messed up . I ck the cap nut on the end of the extractor rod to see how the knurling looks . How much bluing is gone from the extractor rod housing itself is another good sign of use . Regards, Paul

I did check the screws, they all look untouched. Knurling on the extractor rod looks good also. I will check the recoil plate bluing around the firing pin hole. It's no safe queen, has a few bumps and bruises (just enough where I won't feel bad about putting it in a holster and using it) but overall I think she is sound and is destined for a bunch of 38 special loads with unique and 158gr LSWC's.

Looks like standard hammer and trigger, no biggie and you got a great deal. Nothing my way compared to that.

The inside of these revolvers is important. My model 19 looks pretty bad on the outside. Dings, scratches, worn spots, freckles, and a backstrap so rusted that it looks like it was given a peened finish. The insides were just fine. No corrosion in the barrel, chambers or the internals. Mine appears to have been a former LEO weapon, carried a lot, shot little, and generally unloved. As ugly as it is, mine is a great shooter.