My New 19

McShooty · #1 08-01-2020, 09:15 PM

I did not own a Model 19 when this 19-4 appeared at my local gun shop. The tag said $699. After a little discussion I took the gun and a box (50) of Federal factory loads home for $649. I am happy with it because it has no holster wear and there are no shiny edges. And it shoots well.
I would like to share a story about one of the fellows who lobbied S&W to offer a .357 magnum on the K frame.
I was at the National Muzzleloading Rifle Association Range near Friendship, Indiana in 1967. The fall matches were going and I was at the 25-yard line practicing for offhand matches. Some dudes showed up on the line near me, one of them about a head taller than the others. I recognized him as Bill Jordan from many articles written by or about him. I don’t know what he was doing there. Possibly the board of the NMLRA or someone on the board who knew him, had invited him to come and see what happens at the national matches. At the time he was an NRA field representative but not for our area. The guys were buzzing around him like bees around a blossom.
Then someone showed up with a modern handgun, a snubbie of some sort. Maybe an S&W 2-1/2 inch Model 19? If I had shown up on the line with a cartridge gun I would have been summarily ejected from the range, but nothing happened to these fellows and Mr. Jordan was encouraged to try it out.
There were no targets set up but some of the holders had plain, cardboard backing in place. Bill Jordan addressed the line with a very relaxed one armed bullseye stance and when he popped it off a hole appeared more or less in the center of a target backer. The bees buzzed reverently. It became clear he was going to send another, and apparently with no additional concentration a hole appeared about one inch from the first, The bees buzzed wildly at this demonstration of expertise, and when the hubbub died down a bit Mr. Jordan said “Jus’ wanted tuh see what it would do.” We all bought it because he was a famous border patrol officer and exhibition shooter, and we were just bees.
Soon the group moved on and I never saw Bill Jordan again at this meet, or at any other event in my shooting travels. But I have always remembered this day fondly. And, I won a third place medal in one of the offhand matches.

Scharfschuetzer · #2 08-01-2020, 09:17 PM

Nice story and a very nice Model 19.

Hair Trigger · #3 08-02-2020, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McShooty

I recognized him as Bill Jordan from many articles written by or about him. The guys were buzzing around him like bees around a blossom.

Bill Jordan addressed the line with a very relaxed one armed bullseye stance and when he popped it off a hole appeared more or less in the center of a target backer. The bees buzzed reverently. It became clear he was going to send another, and apparently with no additional concentration a hole appeared about one inch from the first, The bees buzzed wildly at this demonstration of expertise, and when the hubbub died down a bit Mr. Jordan said “Jus’ wanted tuh see what it would do.” We all bought it because he was a famous border patrol officer and exhibition shooter, and we were just bees.

I laughed out loud at the 'bees' analogy when I read this story, it's a perfect description of people reacting to a celebrity out in public. They all want to rub against the "blossom" and hope to get some of his pollen. Great story, thanks.