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01-17-2022, 12:26 AM
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First time revolver 19-3
Hello All,
I just bought my first revolver today and am amped to get it. I have been sitting on buying one for a very long time now and something about the 19-3 caught my attention. I ended up getting a 1972, 6 inch (I think)
I ended up getting it for 710 but 828 after tax and shipping (GunBroker). Did I get bamboozled on the price or was it a fairly decent deal?
The seller said the bore was excellent condition, I cant see the recoil shield but I have attached what I have from the sellers profile. I think its a target hammer, post war sight, and I have no clue what kind of trigger is on it.
Any tips for first time owner of a revolver? anything special for care other than routine cleaning and lubricating I should be aware of? (I have 7 other pistols and many rifles)
Do you guys have any tips on how to best handle the sellers concern for some mild corrosion? I don't want to re-blue it to try and keep it original but I will if I have to.
Please note these are sellers pictures and am still awaiting my FFL to receive it.
Last edited by Whackywheels; 01-17-2022 at 12:30 AM.
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01-17-2022, 12:38 AM
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WELCOME! And congratulations. You did good, with a decent price in today’s inflated market, especially up on GB…
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Last edited by demkofour; 01-17-2022 at 12:40 AM.
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01-17-2022, 01:26 AM
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Really nice clean low-round count P & R Mod 19. You did well price wise. It's old enough that the action could have congealed lube under the sideplate. Definitely want someone with proper fitting screwdrivers and adequate skills if it's necessary to open it up and clean.
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01-17-2022, 02:12 AM
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Looks like a good solid specimen, as others have said, you did fine on the price for the market. The weak link of the 19 is shooting magnums can sometimes cause cracks in the forcing cone at the 6-o-clock position where it's thin. The frequency and cause of those cracks are a matter of debate but it seems like lighter weight bullets (110-125) and full-power magnum loads are the most likely culprits. It also seems like it usually takes many rounds to be an issue. You can find many threads already on the forum with opinions about how big a deal it is and I don't propose to start another but just to inform you that if the 19 has a weakness, that's it. It's not something I'd tear my hair out about if you want to run a couple boxes of 110 JHP magnums through but it's also best practice to either use lighter loads and/or heavier bullets.
Congratulations, starting your revolver shooting with a vintage 19 is a classy way to go.
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01-17-2022, 03:02 AM
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Mazel tov!
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01-17-2022, 04:18 AM
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Beautiful gun, congratulations !!
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01-17-2022, 07:46 AM
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First, welcome to the S&W Forums! Your Model 19-3 does have a 6 inch barrel. In today's market $700 is a fair price for a 6 inch Model 19 with the pinned barrel and recessed chambers in the condition pictured. Enjoy your Model 19, but as previously mentioned, limit the use of full power 110 and 125 grain magnum ammo. Reduced power ammo with these lightweight bullets is probably ok and full power ammo with bullets of 140 grains or more are ok.
When S&W developed the Model 19, they did so with the idea that they would be fired mostly with 38 Special ammo, 357 Magnum would be used for sight in and carry. During the 1970's, it became common for law enforcement to use nothing but 357 Magnum and the 125 grain load became legendary for its stopping power. This is when cracked forcing cones became more common and lead S&W to develop the L-frame 586/686.
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01-17-2022, 09:24 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by minconrevo
Really nice clean low-round count P & R Mod 19. You did well price wise. It's old enough that the action could have congealed lube under the sideplate. Definitely want someone with proper fitting screwdrivers and adequate skills if it's necessary to open it up and clean.
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This is REALLY good advice. Please take it to heart. A lot is made about the durability and reliability of revolvers, and they are very good in that regard, but they are finely fitted machines and they do not take kindly to dirt and debris. The single most important thing you can do to ensure reliable operation of your revolver, beyond using quality ammunition, is to keep it clean.
That’s a fine looking Model 19. It appears to have a standard trigger, but I can’t be sure. Don’t replace it until you’ve used the gun a bit. Lots of people prefer the standard trigger on 19s. I am one of them. Particularly if using the gun double-action. The Combat or Border Patrol trigger is also nice. I like them both, but for me, thinner seems to be better for double-action shooting.
I’d say your price was good, given the present circumstances. Have a great time with that revolver. If it’s as good as it looks, you picked one of the best, IMO.
PS… looks like a standard hammer.
Last edited by M29since14; 01-17-2022 at 09:28 AM.
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01-17-2022, 09:46 AM
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Welcome to the FORUM from Michigan! Not sure why, but I have never owned a 19. Yours sure looks nice in the pics. NICE stocks also! Bob
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01-17-2022, 09:50 AM
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Beautiful Model 19. Unless the action feels sluggish I see no reason to remove the side plate. Shoot it and enjoy it.
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01-17-2022, 10:04 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by teletech
Looks like a good solid specimen, as others have said, you did fine on the price for the market. The weak link of the 19 is shooting magnums can sometimes cause cracks in the forcing cone at the 6-o-clock position where it's thin. The frequency and cause of those cracks are a matter of debate but it seems like lighter weight bullets (110-125) and full-power magnum loads are the most likely culprits. It also seems like it usually takes many rounds to be an issue. You can find many threads already on the forum with opinions about how big a deal it is and I don't propose to start another but just to inform you that if the 19 has a weakness, that's it. It's not something I'd tear my hair out about if you want to run a couple boxes of 110 JHP magnums through but it's also best practice to either use lighter loads and/or heavier bullets.
Congratulations, starting your revolver shooting with a vintage 19 is a classy way to go.
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I have a Honady AP reloader so i might take that advice and make some half loads for it with the data sheet and work till i have a decent velocity light load
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01-17-2022, 10:05 AM
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Congratulations, you did well with picking up this 19-3 for a fair price. From your pictures, I don't see any mild corrosion unless it's in the cylinder holes or under the wooden stocks. Remove the stocks, and clean your revolver with Hoppe's No. 9 or other suitable Clean-Lube-Preserve product (Ballistol, TetraGun, Breakthrough, etc.). Bronze brush for the cylinder and barrel bore, and bronze wool (in a pinch you can use 0000 steel wool) with very light pressure for any surface rust/corrosion. Those CLP cleaners work well on cleaning the internal parts, too. A good waxing with Renaissance Wax (or Johnson's Paste Wax) after cleaning will make that baby shine! Enjoy!
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01-17-2022, 10:35 AM
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Dude! You did well....first revolver, and you get a champ right out of the gate,damn..... beautiful gun, and what stansdds said was spot on. These were made as duty guns. Expected to run limited numbers of fullhouse 357 rounds. But will run forever with 38spl. I said duty guns, but the 19s like yours were at the absolute peak of Smiths days , in my opinion, of producing service revolvers that were still top drawer in fit and finish........( someone will be along shortly to smack me down , probably ��) but seriously, you done real good for a first revolver. The price, while not stupid cheap, is way more than reasonable these days.....
Last edited by rogerwnuss; 01-17-2022 at 10:36 AM.
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01-17-2022, 11:39 AM
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Beautiful M19-3 doesn't look like it's been shot a lot, the cylinder turn line is very slight, so any corrosion or finish damage is probably from life in a safe. Yours has the standard trigger and a semi-target hammer, the sights are a Patridge front and white outline rear. Stocks are Goncalo Alves target stocks with the "football" cutout, my guess is original to the gun, but at any rate are period correct if they've been replaced
If everything works smoothly with no "stickiness", I wouldn't try any disassembly until you're much more familiar with revolvers. There are hundreds of youtube videos on revolver maintenance, there is a specific procedure for removing the side plate, and you should also invest in a proper screwdriver for the type screws used. The stocks can more easily be removed to look for any corrosion under them on the frame, but don't pry on any parts to remove them. Buy a silicone cleaning cloth, Hoppes makes a nice one, to wipe the gun down after cleaning. It leaves a non-oily protective film, and you can find "gun socks" of similar material to store it in. Don't keep it in a holster, especially a leather one, as that attracts moisture.
When opening the cylinder, press on the top, opposite the side it swings to, it lessens pressure on the cylinder stop. never "snap" the cylinder shut by swinging the gun, like you see in gangster movies. Instead, press on the yoke in front of the cylinder until it snaps in place.
You got a good deal on this gun, IMO. I paid a bit more for my 4" M19-3 in very similar condition and age about 6 years ago.
Here's what a target trigger would look like, and you may be able to see the target hammer as well, which is a bit wider. :
Last edited by Hair Trigger; 01-17-2022 at 11:48 AM.
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01-17-2022, 02:12 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hair Trigger
Beautiful M19-3 doesn't look like it's been shot a lot, the cylinder turn line is very slight, so any corrosion or finish damage is probably from life in a safe. Yours has the standard trigger and a semi-target hammer, the sights are a Patridge front and white outline rear. Stocks are Goncalo Alves target stocks with the "football" cutout, my guess is original to the gun, but at any rate are period correct if they've been replaced
If everything works smoothly with no "stickiness", I wouldn't try any disassembly until you're much more familiar with revolvers. There are hundreds of youtube videos on revolver maintenance, there is a specific procedure for removing the side plate, and you should also invest in a proper screwdriver for the type screws used. The stocks can more easily be removed to look for any corrosion under them on the frame, but don't pry on any parts to remove them. Buy a silicone cleaning cloth, Hoppes makes a nice one, to wipe the gun down after cleaning. It leaves a non-oily protective film, and you can find "gun socks" of similar material to store it in. Don't keep it in a holster, especially a leather one, as that attracts moisture.
When opening the cylinder, press on the top, opposite the side it swings to, it lessens pressure on the cylinder stop. never "snap" the cylinder shut by swinging the gun, like you see in gangster movies. Instead, press on the yoke in front of the cylinder until it snaps in place.
You got a good deal on this gun, IMO. I paid a bit more for my 4" M19-3 in very similar condition and age about 6 years ago.
Here's what a target trigger would look like, and you may be able to see the target hammer as well, which is a bit wider. :
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I have a gun safe that i use sleeves with my pistols i also use 2 jars of dehumidification pearls/Silica Gel. Should i be concerned with this type of pistol? Photo attached
Last edited by Whackywheels; 01-17-2022 at 04:28 PM.
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01-17-2022, 03:57 PM
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I wouldn’t store a S&W revolver the way your pistols are stored. The nylon holster-like door-attached gun holders are going to wear your classic blued finish every single time it goes in or out, just like a holster would.
Further, the dessicant in the safe is a good idea but the holders will do their level best to attract and retain moisture, open air on pistol racks are far better for storage. If your safe sits in a dry environment, it probably is no issue. If it sits in a damp basement, those holster-like devices will try to hold moisture and apply that moisture to handguns directly.
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01-17-2022, 04:00 PM
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I only have two Model 19s...a nickel 2-1/2" Model 19-4 and a 4" Model 19-3 Texas Ranger Commemorative that's a shooter not a collectable. I love the fit and finish, and the modifications that S&W included with the TR. I plan to keep it for a long time. Enjoy!
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01-17-2022, 04:01 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Whackywheels
I have a gun safe that i use sleeves with my pistols i also use 2 jars of dehumidification pearls. Should i be concerned with this type of pistol? Photo attached
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I use much the same setup. I wouldn't worry too much, you're taking moisture precautions. if you're like me, you still examine the guns regularly, wipe them down and replace them in their sleeves or hangars to ensure their condition, and to "play" with them and admire them.
Last edited by Hair Trigger; 01-17-2022 at 04:02 PM.
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01-17-2022, 04:33 PM
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Congratulations Whackywheels, what a great choice for your first revolver.Hope that you will enjoy buying and shooting many more.
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01-17-2022, 04:34 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sevens
I wouldn’t store a S&W revolver the way your pistols are stored. The nylon holster-like door-attached gun holders are going to wear your classic blued finish every single time it goes in or out, just like a holster would.
Further, the dessicant in the safe is a good idea but the holders will do their level best to attract and retain moisture, open air on pistol racks are far better for storage. If your safe sits in a dry environment, it probably is no issue. If it sits in a damp basement, those holster-like devices will try to hold moisture and apply that moisture to handguns directly.
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it sits in a corner 15 feet from the master bathroom where my wife regularly shuts off the vent fan far too quickly. I have to cook the Silica Gels about twice a month to remove the moisture and put them back in the safe. I have had only 1 gun in my safe that showed signs of corrosion and put a stop to that quickly with a very thin coat of Mystik JT-6. Call me crazy but that stuff puts a stop to any rust I have ever thrown it at lol.
this is the stuff I use as a desiccant
Last edited by Whackywheels; 01-17-2022 at 04:38 PM.
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01-17-2022, 07:48 PM
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This is what I use, totally disposable and very effective. You can get these at Lowes or Home Depot, about $5 each. You can see the water in the bottom increase over time, when the water gets to the bottom of the desiccant, replace the whole thing. The package takes up about as much space as two boxes of shotgun shells.
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01-17-2022, 08:12 PM
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I shoot the 4" 19-3. You're going to enjoy shooting that piece.
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01-17-2022, 08:55 PM
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Awesome revolver, I have one just like it.
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