I am hoping to draw on the expertise of my fellow K frame collectors. I am considering bidding on a Model 19-2 with a 3 inch barrel which appears to be in the correct serial number range and all. One thing that bothers me is in the posted photos, the barrel appears a slightly different shade than the frame (see photo). This may well be the lighting but I wanted to tap the knowledge base here and get your input.

Many thanks in advance for your input.

Attached Images

K622494.jpg (125.7 KB, 238 views)

There may be a difference in color between the barrel and frame; but it looks fine to me. That's a beauty!

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Dave Brown
SWCA #3279

They made 19-2's with 3inch barrels? Drat! Now I have another barrel length to add to my 19-2 wish list.

The Standard Catalog 3rd edition mentions 3” barrel length.

With regard to the color difference, I would have it lettered to verify the 3” length.

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Pine_Worker
Ex-LEO, NRA Life

If it is the gun that David Carroll is selling on Gunbroker (Woodlawn Boys), have no fear, the gun is correct. Send them an email and ask them about it, there is nobody that is more straight forward than David Carroll.

Stu

Model 19-2 with a three inch barrel shipped in 1966.

Bill

That's a beauty! I think it's lighting. Some older firearms do have this "thing" where some parts will appear to change color a bit as they age. The one I've seen the most is a very dark "plum" color. Nothing to worry about. If you can afford a 3" 19, get it! I think it's very safe to say that's one gun purchase you won't regret.

Given the scarcity of factory 3 inch Model 19-2's, I would want proof from S&W that it was built as a 3 inch barrel. It's too easy for someone to swap barrels, then try to sell it as a rare version when in reality it is just a nice, shooter grade handgun.

Personally, I think the 3 inch K-frames are pretty darned neat. Almost as compact as the 2-1/2 inch barreled revolvers, but you get a full length ejector rod with that extra 1/2 inch of barrel.

Thank you all for your input which has been most helpful. Based on what I learned, I am comfortable that it is an original 3" and the color differences are merely the lighting. The bids are already reflecting this. Now, do I eat PB&J for a year to afford it???

A year of pb&j would be too high a price to pay for that gun.

A Parker in 410ga would be worth a year of pb&j.

Sure nuff none of my business, but I looked at the pictures, from multiple angles, it sure doesn’t seem to match...way off.

At those prices I’d want to be 100% certain!

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Danny
SWCA #3370 - SWHF #672

That 3” mod. 19 is such a rare beauty if you and the peanut butter jar became intimate to buy the Smith what would you do with it? It is too rare to use as a carry pistol or to push a few thousand bullets down the short tube. You are bidding on a safe queen.....something I cannot handle. I just received a 4” mod. 19-2 (1978) papparently unfired with all target features and unblemished blue, a real collector’s piece that will be used in a holster to shoot feral Texas hogs next month...no safe queens here.