Pawn Shop 19-4

CH4 · #1 05-26-2020, 08:17 PM

Stopped by a pawn shop and was shocked to find several interesting Smiths to include: 6” 28-2, 640-1, 2” 10-5, 6” 586,
3” 29-4, and a clean 2.5” 19-4 with ACE combats. Other than a little holster wear on the muzzle it’s immaculate (95%) and it’s mechanically sound- DA trigger is buttery smooth. It’s not a collector piece, but it’ll make a great shooter...or smolt.
I added the target/bananas.

girvin02 · #2 05-26-2020, 08:40 PM

A 19-4 is an excellent gun. Not to be a downer, but did you notice that the hammer and trigger are not original?

Hair Trigger · #3 05-26-2020, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by girvin02

A 19-4 is an excellent gun. Not to be a downer, but did you notice that the hammer and trigger are not original?

How do you tell that? Because they aren't case-colored? They look like a target trigger and hammer, maybe they've been changed from standard ones.

OP, that's a beautiful wheel gun, if it passes the push-off and the action is as smooth as you'd expect a S&W to be, go for it. I've got a square butt 19-3 4" and it's a sweet gun.

girvin02 · #4 05-26-2020, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hair Trigger

How do you tell that? Because they aren't case-colored? They look like a target trigger and hammer, maybe they've been changed from standard ones.

At first glance, I thought that they were flash chromed, but on further inspection, they look like they were just polished. I suspect that, like you suggested, someone preferred the wider target hammer/trigger and swapped them out. Also, it could just be the angle, but it looks like the trigger is smooth instead of serrated.

For comparison, this 19-4 came with target trigger/hammer.

CH4 · #5 05-26-2020, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by girvin02

A 19-4 is an excellent gun. Not to be a downer, but did you notice that the hammer and trigger are not original?

Yes, I am aware the trigger and hammer are the target versions - I plan to bob the hammer and send the entire gun to H&M for black nitriding. The trigger is buttery smooth and mechanics are solid - no push off, end shake and timing is spot on. Even though Ive seen 2.5” 19/66s come with target trigger and hammer before, I used the oddity as leverage to negotiate a $200 lower price.

girvin02 · #6 05-26-2020, 09:23 PM

I actually prefer a smooth trigger as opposed to serrated.

CH4 · #7 05-26-2020, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by girvin02

I actually prefer a smooth trigger as opposed to serrated.

Me too, especially the usual skinny serrated one found on the 2.5” 19/66s.

Pine_Worker · #8 05-26-2020, 10:51 PM

Nice 19. I would shoot and enjoy it as is. No need to smolt it.

pantannojack · #9 05-26-2020, 11:10 PM

I hope you fare better than I on my latest "find", a 13-3 RB, fine, but defective from I believe factory manufacture. I gave it back for a small loss. S&W denied that they could repair it. I have dropped my search for desirable smiths drastically since learning that few living GS's will work on them.

CH4 · #10 05-27-2020, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pantannojack

I hope you fare better than I on my latest "find", a 13-3 RB, fine, but defective from I believe factory manufacture. I gave it back for a small loss. S&W denied that they could repair it. I have dropped my search for desirable smiths drastically since learning that few living GS's will work on them.

What as wrong with it?

16thVACav · #11 05-27-2020, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CH4

What as wrong with it?

Looks like the firing pin bushing is recessed.

Dieseltech56 · #12 05-27-2020, 02:04 PM

I have a nickel 19-3 2.5” with a red ramp, target hammer and trigger. These could definitely be ordered this way from the factory

How much was the pawn shop 29-4 3 inch?

D1911 · #13 05-27-2020, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CH4

Stopped by a pawn shop and was shocked to find several interesting Smiths to include: 6” 28-2, 640-1, 2” 10-5, 6” 586,
3” 29-4, and a clean 2.5” 19-4 with ACE combats. Other than a little honest wear there’s no rust and it’s mechanically sound- trigger is buttery smooth. It’s not a collector piece, but it’ll make a great shooter...or smolt.

Mmmm, target trigger and hammer, factory short barrel with proper long rear sight and no step down at the front of the top strap, would be a perfect Smolt...

CH4 · #14 05-27-2020, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D1911

Mmmm, target trigger and hammer, factory short barrel with proper long rear sight and no step down at the front of the top strap, would be a perfect Smolt...

Exactly one of the things I was thinking when I spotted it.

CH4 · #15 05-27-2020, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dieseltech56

I have a nickel 19-3 2.5” with a red ramp, target hammer and trigger. These could definitely be ordered this way from the factory

How much was the pawn shop 29-4 3 inch?

$1099 and I got em down to $999, but the two rear side plate screws had been replaced with Allen buttonhead screws, the front screw was very boogered and other signs bubba had been inside. I am still thinking about returning to take a second look. The last one I saw was $2200. Definitely not a collector piece and I already have a couple 3” 629-1s.

Hair Trigger · #16 05-27-2020, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by girvin02

…. but it looks like the trigger is smooth instead of serrated.

For comparison, this 19-4 came with target trigger/hammer.

I think you could get a smooth target trigger, or "semi target", not sure what it's called. My Model 28's trigger is like that; smooth, but the same width as a target trigger, and has the case hardening. I like it better, actually, than the target trigger on my M19-3, which looks exactly like yours, except I took the target grips off for a conformed grip that fits my hand better.

H Richard · #17 05-28-2020, 09:27 AM

I also found a 19-4 in a pawn/LGS a few years ago. It had been left in a gun rug and got damp in a small fire and left unattended for some time. Of course it has some light surface rust, but the action etc was literally unfired. I was offered it for a give away price, so I grabbed it, cleaned the rust and decided to have it refinished. I decided on Metaloy which had done a 1911 frame for me several years earlier. I spec'd to leave the top strap/sight black and kept the trigger & hammer out. I did add the rosewood boot grips, which since have been replaced by the original stocks and a T-Grip.

Hair Trigger · #18 05-28-2020, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H Richard

I also found a 19-4 in a pawn/LGS a few years ago. It had been left in a gun rug and got damp in a small fire and left unattended for some time. Of course it has some light surface rust, but the action etc was literally unfired. I was offered it for a give away price, so I grabbed it, cleaned the rust and decided to have it refinished. I decided on Metaloy which had done a 1911 frame for me several years earlier.

That looks really good; the matte finish is nice, almost better than a stainless steel. I never really cared for nickel finish, too shiny and "flashy". This looks sinister and all-for-business.

CH4 · #19 05-28-2020, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H Richard

I also found a 19-4 in a pawn/LGS a few years ago. It had been left in a gun rug and got damp in a small fire and left unattended for some time. Of course it has some light surface rust, but the action etc was literally unfired. I was offered it for a give away price, so I grabbed it, cleaned the rust and decided to have it refinished. I decided on Metaloy which had done a 1911 frame for me several years earlier. I spec'd to leave the top strap/sight black and kept the trigger & hammer out. I did add the rosewood boot grips, which since have been replaced by the original stocks and a T-Grip.

That looks great!!

Igiveup · #20 05-30-2020, 03:14 PM

Hair Trigger, who made those grips? They look nice.

CH4 · #21 05-30-2020, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Igiveup

Hair Trigger, who made those grips? They look nice.

Look like Altamont