I recently picked up at 19-4 with a 4inch barrel. I had been looking for a blued S&W to have a shooter. Usually I’m a stainless guy but I think the older I get I have a desire for something more nostalgic and “old school” I found a guy locally selling one for $600 or $650. I forget but I offered him a M&P 2.0 Compact 9mm as a trade and he jumped on it as he was selling this to fund one.

I met the guy and he flat out admitted he wasn’t a revolver guy. He got it from a relative or something. The blued finish is in excellent condition. There are literally only a few marks here and there but you have to look. No wear at the barrel. Lock up and timing were spot on. I could not trade him fast enough. I know it was made between 77-82. I would have been between 5-10 years old so that was kind of neat. I think it’s what my dad carried as a LEO around then.

It came with a set of rubber Pacmyer grips and I pulled them off when I got home to inspect. No issues. No box. I just wanted a shooter. Now I’m looking at it thinking it’s too nice. But I will shoot it and even carry it on occasion. If it was original in the box with the grips that might be different

I put a set of VZ checkered grip in black cherry because it looks more like a wood pattern. I love them. I will look for a set of wood grips eventually to have too. But over all I’m really happy with it.

In the event I want to carry it I got a Bianchi holster and a Galco Phoenix witch is a lot nicer. I really love this 19. Yes I have my plastic guns and modern tactical stuff but I love these older Smith and Wesson’s. I wish I had appreciated them earlier.

All steel still rocks doesn't it????

Whats not to like on this fine revolver?

Randy

well done... would have made that trade in a heartbeat

Very nice. I would have made that trade too.

Putting it in a holster will wear the finish.

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You're shy a few manners.

Looks great. I like those grips on it.

I picked up a very similar gun over the winter. It belonged to the father of a friend of mine. It has the target grips on it but I am thinking of putting something else on for carry.

Model 19-4s are not so uncommon that there is any crime in shooting and or carrying that one.

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Robert
SWCA #2906, SWHF #760

Very good trade, I would say you got the better end of the bargain. Well done!

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Pine_Worker
Ex-LEO, NRA Life

Mine goes deer hunting, and I bought a pancake holster so it can double as my carry gun during the hunting trip. I like multi-taskers.

Thats a nice model 19-4. Congrats! Are you saying that he traded you this revolver for an M&P 2.0 Compact straight up? That's how I read your post.
If that is so you really did get a great deal. Congratulations again.

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John 1:17
NRA Life Benefactor

Has it been carried and shot? Yes it has. Will it hurt anything to carry it and shoot it some more? With proper precautions, not much. Use a quality, lined holster and mild ammo (stay away from the hot 357 and overpower 38s) and it will go on for a long time happy and undamaged. Nice trade by the way... I think most everyone on this forum would agree!

Froggie

Very nice. I like those grips. They don't look bad at all.

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John 3:16 .

Definitely shoot it. You’ll miss out on owning it if you don’t. I use the same VZ grips on my 66. Best grips made for shooting in my opinion.

Maybe not so much in the current market. Guns are flying off the shelves and novice buyers may be more inclined toward forking over big bucks for auto-feeders. That's what they see in cop shows / movies.

Not saying that's how it should be but pretty sure that's how it is.

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You're shy a few manners.

Sierra117, that's a great looking M-19 and I think you got the best end of the trade.

Thanks for sharing the pics and enjoy your new revolver.

Don

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Laus Deo! <><

I, too, am a huge fan of M-19's. I have a few, including my service revolver, 19-3, from when I was a rent-a-cop in the early 70's. Shoot it, enjoy it. Nice grips too. Congratulations !!

Nice trade, I sure like those grips

Yes it was a straight up trade yes.

The holsters I have are lined but this gun isn’t spending time in them yet. I really appreciate the input and feedback from everyone! Thanks so much for taking the time to respond!

Very nice find. You got the better end of that deal.

Wow that’s really nice

I appreciate all the comments. Yeah I definitely feel I made a really good trade. Honestly it was a shot in the dark. I offered up an M&P and the guy was all for it. I was literally selling it to fund a S&W revolver. He didn't know what he had and he admitted it and he didn't care. He flat said he wasn't a revolver guy.

Finding ammo is another issue. I went out a week ago and only found one place that had any. I mean I have some 38 which is pretty much all I will shoot. But the big box stores were out of everything in most calibers. Panic buying I guess.

I will scout for a 29 next I think.

But back to my 19-4. I am more than please with it and the condition. Its not going anywhere.

There is no reason, none, to not shoot this fine example of S&W craftsmanship. That's what it was made for. The only way I would not shoot it would be if I had another one in poorer condition and this one was certified unfired and had the original Alves target stocks and original box.
Don't store it in the holster; leather is the best holster for carry, IMO, but long-term can allow moisture to collect in an enclosed environment like a safe.

Be careful when carrying it and you won't ding it up, but normal wear won't damage its value. Also be careful, you'll love this one so much you'll start looking for more of them (S&W wheel guns). I've had a M19-3 for about 4 years (my 3rd S&W), been looking for more, and have bought two more S&W's since February this year. Enjoy that one; try to keep the loads below maximum, avoid 125 grain magnum loads. For everyday shooting, I find that .38+P loads are great, or if you reload, magnums using 140 grain or 158 grain at 1200-1250 fps work really well for SD or target use.