Personally, I love my Model 19-3 snub nose. The recoil is milder than I expected, and accuracy is quite good at the range I've used it at. To me, it seems like a good, cheap alternative to a Colt Python snub nose.

__________________
Yes, I do indeed feel lucky.

I used mine as my back up/off duty piece. Had to use it a number of times back in the day. It's one of my favorite pieces.

__________________
Don Mundell

Had one, let it get away.
No Damn Good GI!
Still have a 66 Shorty.
Was my primary car - carry gun before I went down the J Frame Rabbit Hole.

Attached Images

2E92575B-D63E-49D6-84E7-CD7673206487.jpg (44.7 KB, 27 views)

__________________
NRA LIFE MEMBER

Let mine get away too unfortunately. Looking for that perfect "one gun" They cost $180 new around 77-78.

I had one, a 19-4. I let it go, found that the adjustable sights made it awkward for carry and the 2.5" barrel was just a tad bit short. 3" Model 13 or 65 better suited for my needs.

__________________
Only a cold warrior

Either the Model 19 or the Model 66 snubby would be very comforting at my side. Concealable, reliable, and effective.

John

__________________
- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

Good gun but a little big to carry for only 6 shots, too light for grizzly country. Same complaints for my Model 24 snubby.

Accept no substitutes!

__________________
and what his trumpet saith

I've had my 19-3 blue 2.5" since February 1976. It's not going anywhere. Was a long time off duty carry gun and I also used it when I was in plain-clothes assignments. My gun was older than some of my co-workers!

__________________
Tony

I have a 19-4 snubby. But to me a snubby implies that it is for routine carry. And it is a bit too heavy for my taste. I currently carry a 4" model 67. It is much lighter, just as easy to carry and packs almost as much punch with some hot .38 special loads.

I've been lucky enough to have several 2 1/2" model 19's one of which is my daily carry revolver, as well as 2 1/2" model 66's. IMHO there is no better all around personal defense revolver. They are small and light enough to tote yet still feel like a real gun in your hand.

I generally use HOT 38 special ammo in my model 19/66's. Think 38/44 loads.

__________________
Always Stay Strong!

I bought mine in 1982 and shot it yesterday. I shoot it every couple of weeks.

Love my 19-5 and 66-4 but these tend spend more time at the range and less time on my hip which is now relegated mostly to my J's.

Attached Images

	A90AB888-E75B-4D69-A78B-003CF3493BE1.jpg (77.4 KB, 143 views)
	B172D38C-3DA6-469F-87FE-298EAD3E9DC1.jpg (86.6 KB, 139 views)

I had a 19-3 nickel in this size, I found myself carrying my 10 2 inch more and still do. The fixed sights and shorter barrel are easier to conceal.

Agree 100%.

The only thing better than a 2 1/2" 19/66 in a concealed carry revolver is a 3" 66( only 5500 built).

It was "The cc revolver" 1966-1999. Way better trigger than the Python IMO

Had one eons ago. Liked it well enough but sold for reasons I can't recall. I prefer the fixed sight guns (10/13/64/65) as carry guns.

This is a tough one.
I really like the 2 1/2" 19 and always have. I think it's especially good-looking. Not that looks should matter, but, heck, they do. And a 2 1/2" 19 really looks right to me.
The one I have nowadays, a -5, has a bobbed hammer as do all my non-competition revolvers and an excellent trigger. I don't know who did the work but it's close to perfect as a serious gun.
But the shorty 19's disadvantages are a thing, too. That ejector rod is a problem on a practical gun. Reloads are not as reliably done as they are with a 4-incher. The shorter sight radius is a negative.
And of course the power loss is a pretty good-sized deal. Especially if you are using .357 loads for personal protection, the short barrel costs some significant power. Plus, the blast and flash are much worse than the four-inch. That can be an issue used indoors in close quarters.
Years ago I shot a dark house IDPA stage (flashlight is all you had) with a different .357 snub and frankly, I never considered using such a gun again for possible self-defense. The flash was such that it caused trouble during multi-shot strings.
And the other side of the coin is that carrying a 4" 19 is barely more work than carrying the shorty. I experimented going back and forth between the two and really, the little weight increase wasn't much, but my ability to shoot much better (and hit harder) with the four-inch was a pretty strong tipping point.
Yeah, I really like that short one but if it's a carry-a-serious-revolver day, the 4" goes for the ride.
So put me down as "conflicted".

They just gotta alot of soul....

Well, I'm sorry Guys, but my true favorite Model 19 is my 19-5, with 4" barrel & Round Butt, which I absolutely love. BUT, and we know that there's always a 'but', is that if & when I carry a somewhat heavy Revolver, I usually prefer my M-64 4" HB Round Butt. That's what we initially ran in that Academy back when I started. To me, that 4" H.B. with +P+ .38's shoots like a true friend, all 6 in a nice tight center mass grouping. Lately, unless you count my 642, pretty much all my carry weapons are autos. BUT, that M64 just points dead on for me, even with my eyes closed.

Best, dpast32

If someone were to ask me what I am wearing ... the answer would be 19-4 snub, Uncle Mike's grips, in a Lobo enhanced pancake. Loaded with Speer .38 Special 135 g. +P Gold Dots.

__________________
Some collect art; I shoot it!

Fun to shoot and probably the last .357 I'll ever let go. I had Pythons and sold them the M19 stays...

The 19’s in 2 1/2” are under appreciated now days.

They’re excellent handguns!

I love mine.

Attached Images

83BF7287-0201-42BE-8EA8-94285B5D8578.jpg (60.1 KB, 115 views)

__________________
“What you got, ain’t new.”

I like mine a bunch.

Attached Images

43F46624-E082-4AD0-A59F-38E80A9D0897.jpg (135.8 KB, 80 views)

__________________
SWCA 3255 SWHF 615

I have a 3" model 66 that I bought in the 80s. Andy Cannon did the action work and it is still one of my most favorite guns!

I love my 2.5 m66. I hit more accurately with my 4” m66, but prefer my 2.5s for quickness and pointability.
3” K frames eject empties better, but just do not feel as agile as the 2.5s to me.
I also have a pair of 2.5” m10s I’m very fond of. Some folks don’t seem to like the 2.5” Ks, but I swear by them. I once had a short m66 and had the sights removed, to carry as an on duty backup. I found it to be very comforting.

The Model 19 2 1/2" revolver was the primary gun used to protect POTUS and several other Government agencies. Of course it may have been the lowest bidder contract but the agents I knew loved them.

My Fathers last duty carry hand polished bluing in a snub. I carried it as a back-up pushing a radio car Walther with Nazi proof marks was my backup family member brought it back as a souvenir still have it in the safe. Beretta hidden behind my vest when I work a day here and there now

I love my 66no dash snubby. But I’d trade it in a heartbeat for a 65 3 inch. Prefer the fixed sight guns.
Favorite all time is my 4” 681.

Carried mine as a back up in a shoulder holster under my jacket while working uniform duty with a 6” M-19, and also when I was assigned to a plain clothes Admin Div assignment. I carried it in a shoulder holster and sometimes in a belt slide then.

Carried one for a number of years, circumstances changed, carried a 4 " Model 10 because I didn't want the blast of a .357. Circumstances changed again, but by that time, I felt that .38 Spl was acceptable for my low-threat situation. Started carrying a 2" Model 15, still mostly do. However, there is litlle question but that many .357 loads are more effective than the best .38 Spl. Although I haven't carried my M19 in years, I still consider it an excellent revolver. I also have a snubby 66.

__________________
Formerly Model520Fan

My nickel 19 snubby will be the last pistol I ever sell.

I have a 19-3 snub. It's my favorite revolver but I don't carry it. I have a 36 for that. The one thing I really like about it is the accuracy with such a short barrel. I run it with a 6" model 19 and honestly, it's not that much different at 25 yds. I shoot reduced loads in both, <1000 fps.

__________________
That's just somebody talkin.

I once had a beautiful 19-3 snubby. I let it go when someone wanted it more than I did. The only issue I had with it was it was too pretty and too valuable to be tossing it in a holster and carrying it.
I already had a 66-1 snub that was my primary carry gun. I still have the 66 but do not carry it that often anymore.
Now days when in civilized confines I carry my Sig P365XL and trail duty usually falls to my 60-10. I prefer the 3” barrel over the snub and the J frame is much better trail carry due to weight. I will forego the 6th round in favor of the weight reduction.
I like the looks of the p&r 19 snubs enough to have one just for drooling on and wiping it off.

I have a 2.5 inch 19-6. I bought it because it was a cheaper!? alternative to 13/65. I never would have dreamed that the 3” fixed sight magnums would bring such high prices but I was in Buds a month ago and they had a 65 in terrible shape that they were asking a grand for.

__________________
Useless political propaganda

I’ve had -3, -4, and -5 2.5” Model 19’s, but only have the 19-3 now. I bought the very nice 19-3 from a retired cop who was moving to a nursing home, it was his last off duty gun. The 19-4 was a deal at my local shop, ended up selling it to a colleague. The 19-5 was a very abused gun I bought used for $299. I kept it hidden in the trunk of my gov’t car for several years. Ended up selling it for a obscene profit during the gun buying panic in 2013.

__________________
Wheel guns are real guns.

I agree 100%. Have a few 2.5" Models 19, mix of blued and nickel. They are stunning with combat grips or other wood grips. Also, look like serious business with rubber grips. Fun to shoot. I usually do not carry them around town because of the size / capacity issue. Too many more comfortable options to carry 5-6 rounds. Will occasionally carry on in a shoulder holster while hiking.

I have both Models 19 and 66 with 2.5” barrels. Use both to compete in Concealed Carry segment of local PPC competition. I like the looks of 19, but shoot the 66 better. Fantastic guns!

Had the blue version. Sold it to get the stainless, 66 version. Sold that to get the 3” 66 version. Took a couple of decades, but now I’m where I want to be.

__________________
Metro Man

had one--really liked it !! using a 3" Andy Horvath now---love it !!!

Had a 2.5" 66-2 purchased NIB and carried it for a few years. I sold it to purchase a 3" 66-2 for the longer sight radius, longer ejector rod to extract empties and love the 3" gun. Never had a 19.

When the snub 19 was born in the 60s, the only .357 loads were 158gr lead and jacketed bullet rounds. SORRY, R-P did make a 158gr jacketed SP then and maybe Norma too. While the RB snub 19 was great for concealment, it was a brute when firing magnum loads. The gun would 'dive' into the hand, making follow-up shots difficult. Tyler T-Grips (available all over back then!) helped, but many people went to the Pach ComPac grips which did tame the recoil and that 'dive' tendency. Unfortunately, they added a lot of weight to the gun, where it weighed about as much as the 4" model, but with lesser ballistics.

The intro of the 110gr JHP magnums was a Godsend: their ballistics were not as hot as the 158s and the 125gr "planet wreckers", but they allowed the snub 19/66 to be controlled in rapid fire. My snub 66s have factory grips and T-Grips and are loaded with the 110 Mags. Magnificent guns, I have no complaints.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

Separate post, but I finally landed a 19-2 snubby this year. To me an absolutely beautiful revolver, nothing quite like it. Having said that, the muzzle flash and weight do not make for a great carry gun, at least not for me.

I don’t shoot it or any revolver very well, and as much as I love wheel guns, my 43x will ring an 8” plate each time every time from 25’, and it’s light enough that I don’t even know I have it on me. That confidence level ensures it’s with me anytime I leave home.

Still, the 19-2 is fun to shoot, and makes frequent range trips. If you want one, and who doesn’t? Stop waiting, finding a nice 19-2/-3 for less than $1000-1200 is almost impossible. They ain’t getting any cheaper, and like real estate, they ain’t making any more.

Attached Images

3674CD0F-F28D-466A-B431-9E567E54EA4B.jpg (68.0 KB, 44 views)

__________________
Danny
SWCA #3370 - SWHF #672

In 2017 I walked into a pawn shop and found a rough but honest pinned 2.5” model 19 priced at 899. I thought what a shame. I would like to own it. I looked closer and realized it was priced at $399. I held it and realized it was tight and smooth. The shop owner said he could do $360 out the door. He pointed to some new 38 j frames and says I do them brand new for $399. This may be the best gun deal I have found in the last 10 years. I took it to the range and it outshoots my 4” revolvers.

Attached Images

A85859CA-190B-4C35-A290-9EAA3478821E.jpg (84.6 KB, 82 views)

I have a 2 1/2" Model 19-3

[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]

and a 2 1/2" Model 19-5.

[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]

I have probably fired ten times as many rounds through the Model 19-5, but that's just because I've had it a lot longer than the Model 19-3.

Both are wonderful guns, and I plan to hang onto them.

__________________
Dave Brown
SWCA #3279

Jim Rockford shot down a plane with his.

And these two old timers liked ‘em too.

Attached Images

	A1857219-D3BB-4F1E-8330-F3748DE293F2.jpeg (77.3 KB, 103 views)
	CF41EC3C-30E6-4FD3-A9E6-A7EB6531390F.jpeg (65.3 KB, 123 views)

__________________
“What you got, ain’t new.”

The 2-1/2" M66 was my father's favorite revolver. I actually like my -3 3" better. I think the aesthetics of the longer barrel are more handsome, not to mention that you get a full-length ejector rod with it. I think my father would have appreciated it to if he had the opportunity to see one.

I was able to pick up a 3" M65-5 Lady Smith last year for a steal (at least here in California). "Lady Smith" markings or not, that's nice handgun for defensive use.

I’ve had a number of 19’s but early on I let them all go.
Finally got my hands on a 66-3 a few years ago for a good price.
From the holster wear you can see it’s with me most of the time and I certainly don’t feel under gunned.

Attached Images

38E39B01-1DCD-4AD4-A5E1-628A305F2162.jpg (36.9 KB, 78 views)

Back in the late 80s I let all my snubby and 4 inch 19/66s go to trades or sold to friends.... the only ones I kept were my "best in class" 3" 66s.

As we entered the 21st Century decided I wanted to replace them.... took me almost 10 years to find P&Red samples of shooter grade and/or really nice examples in LGS's.