Hey all,

It's been a while since I have posted and would like to share some thoughts and gather some opinions on one of my favorite forums.

I currently own two Smiths a no dash 586 and a recently acquired 686+ 3". I love these guns but recently was out shooting with my Dad who brought along the only handgun I ever shot as a kid, his 6" model 19-4, it may be a 19-5 but anyway I absolutely loved the way that K frame felt in my hands compared to the beefier L frames I own.

Long story short I've been searching for a k frame since and just recently found out that my dad had purchased a model 19-6 4" that he intends to give me. I am very excited though I don't have the gun yet I will be posting pics when I get it. It's in excellent shape and he paid a pretty penny for it around $800. Prices have really gone up on these! It's a round butt and still has the case hardened parts, no MIM from what I researched and no lock.

Now here's where I want your opinions, I love my 586 (which I bought as an affordable alternative to a Colt Python, then ended up keeping as a safe queen), but I honestly think that I will love this one even more because I intend to shoot the heck out of it. I have read up on all the history about Bill Jordan and of course the famed problems with the k frames cracking at the forcing cone due to 125 gr .357 loads but I reload and don't intend to push the limits with this gun.

So, what are your thoughts?

What do you think about the model 19 in general compared to S&W's other popular revolvers?

Is the 19 the best all around Revolver they ever made?

What dash 19 do you think is the best they produced, i.e. 19 no dash (combat Magnum), 19-4, 19-3? Include pics and stories of your experience with this gun if you want. Let's revive some discussion about this classic.

I have a Model 19-5 with a 4" barrel, I also own four L frames in various barrel lengths that shoot 357. As much as I love my L frames, I will take my 19 to the grave with me. Sure it has some holster wear on the blueing and a couple of dings on the cylinder but I when I fired it for the first time I was instantly smitten. Such a well balanced revolver that is an absolute pleasure to shoot.

I was turned off to the m19/357 in the 70's when they said a steady diet of 357mag loads the m19 would hammer itself apart. I went with a colt Python. I lately leaned more towards the m27/28 in 357 mag. I do like the k38/k22.

It was that same balance that struck me as the biggest difference between the L frame and the model 19. Even though the 19 had a 6" barrel it just felt more natural to me a bit lighter too.

The model 19/66 is the best shooting revolver of all time. The balance is unbeatable. Especially with a 6" barrel. Everything else is a compromise.






The 686 L-frame guns would be a good compromise, except the awful full lug barrels ruin their balance. Especially with the 6" barrel.

All JMHO, of course.

I agree with you on that shinbone, although I have to admit that the full underlug looks good to me though, I still think the best looking revolver is the Python which is more or less the same size as the 586 with vents. That being said, the balance just isn't the same as the k frame for me, it's just too much steel/weight for the .357 IMO.

Thanks for the pics!

The 19 is, imho, prettier and maybe balanced better. that being said the L-frame will stand up to pounding that the K-frame will not. of course if you don't plan to pound it that would not be an issue. I don't blast full power loads out of my 19 snubbie.

My Model 19-3 with 6-inch barrel is the handgun, both semi's and revolvers, that I shoot better than any other handgun that I've ever shot. Overall, in my opinion, the Model 19 is the best handgun ever made.

God bless,
Birdgun

I have begun to like the 4" barrels more and more. My 6" K-38 is a great shooter but I have to say both the Model 19-2 that I have and the Model 28-2 are a lot of fun to shoot. Right now they have to be my favorites. I enjoy taking them to the range.

Model 19-2
image hosting free

19-2 range day
upload pictures online

Model 28-2
photo uploading websites

Model 28-2 range day
how to screen capture

__________________
Mike
S&WCA #3065

The M19/M66 probably is the best all-around handgun ever built. Don't ever hesitate to purchase a 19-5 or 19-6, or, for that matter, a later 66-2. During the 1980's (I was there and I was grown) Smith & Wesson started using the Target Trigger and Target Hammer with a high frequency. I am referring to the really wide target parts. . .not the "sort of" TT and TH. Also, the Combat Grips were readily available. The prettiest revolvers were made by them during this decade. You might not get P&R, but that has no effect on the function or appearance of the gun. The prettiest gun I own is a 19-5 from 1985. The most durable and functional is a 66-2 from 1983. Neither is P&R. Both have the 4 and 1/4 inch barrel. The 19-5 is in Nickel, and that sure doesn't hurt the appearance or value of the gun. I actually prefer the 6 inch barrel (have a couple of those too) since it is better for all-around use. The extra velocity is significant as is the longer sight radius when used for hunting.

Attached Images

	M19-5 Combats.jpg (86.5 KB, 118 views)
	M66-2 1983 Pic 2.jpg (98.4 KB, 93 views)

__________________
Dr. B

In the late '70s - early '80s I was stationed in Las Vegas. All my buds and I had 6" Model 19s, and we shot them more than was "normal" -- sometimes five days a week for three or four hours. Three of us worked part time in the gun department at a large sporting goods store so our guns and ammo came at a good discount (our part time jobs funded our hobby).

I'd owned a pre-model 29, a blue Model 29, a nickel Model 29, a stainless Model 629, and a nickel Model 57 (8 3/8"). They were okay (alright, the Model 57 was spectacular). One day I was doing the receiving "bill" for the gun store and logged in a blue Model 27 5". I had never felt a more perfectly balanced handgun. It was mine. (Most of the "good" S&Ws never made it into the case.) To this day that is the "best revolver S&W ever made."

Added: we received our first X86 S&Ws during our tenure at the store. We sold them all to customers.

__________________
Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

I will differ from many here and tell you that i prefer my (3) 686's over my (3) M19's, and if I had to choose between them, I'd keep the 686's and sell the M19's.

I will also tell you that I prefer my M10's/64's and M13's/65's over my M19's.

Also, IMHO, the finest and best "around revolver" ever made is the Ruger Security Six series.

For me, if I want to shoot a .357 I want my 4" 28-2. The weight of the large N frame handles the recoil of heavy .357 loads better than any other IMO.
If I want a .38, it's my well worn old 4" 15-2. Best shooting .38 ever made. Smith didn't call it the Combat Masterpiece for nothing.

If I could have only one handgun it would be the 4" 19-4 that I've had forever. Doesn't have as good of a feel in my hand as the 15 and won't shoot heavy loads as well as an N frame but the model 19 Combat Magnum will do it all.

My 6" 586 no dash stays in the safe.

__________________
"I gots to know"

My Model 19



And along with his little brother Model 17....



Sent from my SM-J320P using Tapatalk

Great discussion guys, love the pics

Well, everything is a compromise, but the K frame is a darn good compromise. I can't argue that the Model 19 isn't the best example, but the other K frames are great too.

For one, they are superbly balanced in the hand. My Model 10-10 with the 4" barrel is magic. My Model 65-5 with 3" barrel is not quite so well balanced but she's pretty to look at; 3" barrels just look right. And you can get all sorts of grips for these revolvers, and experiment with which barrel length looks and feels right for you. The versatility of the K frame contributes to its greatness!

That versatility extends to the ammo -- depending on the model. The .38/.357 round is a joy to work with, whether store-bought or handloaded, and you can get everything from mouse-fart 'cowboy' loads to absolutely smoking .357's.

The L frames have virtues, too -- strong enough to withstand prolonged use of 125 grain JHPs at 1500 fps, and heavy enough to tame most of the recoil from those rounds or the heavier 158 grain ones. The L frames are brutes, and I guess they represent a failing of the K frames -- unable to handle lots of hot 125 grain .357's, as everyone points out. Well, that takes us back to the idea of everything is a compromise.

Attached Images

	65-5_zpspxrevgr5.jpg (224.2 KB, 62 views)
	Model 10-11 pic 1.1.jpg (129.8 KB, 60 views)

__________________
S&W Rover

Although I love my Python and the 586/686 L frames the model 19/66 is to me the best feeling revolver ever made.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I've shot many S&W revolvers, but only owned three; the first was a M19-3 6", which I shot PPC with, and traded for a M66-1 4" so I could shoot in Service Revolver class. My issue sidearm was initially a M10, but the DOC changed to the M65. This was back in the late-'70s. I kept the M66 until about 12 years ago and sold it, regretting it every day since. I found another M19-3 about a year ago, it was gorgeous; well kept, had an action job, target hammer and trigger, original box and target grips. I paid almost 3 times what I paid for the M19 I bought back in 1977.

The K-frame fits me better, the L and N frames are just a bit too large for my smaller hands and I don't like their balance as well. I like the shorter ejector shroud, it makes the barrel more graceful. If I wanted a full-length shroud, I'd buy a Python

If the M19 isn't the best revolver ever made, it's pretty darn close.

Attached Images

DSC09055.jpg (147.7 KB, 83 views)

My 357's-2 N-frames, 4 L's, 7 K's. I like them all. But if you were to pick the best all around gun, with everything considered, it would be tough not to select the 19/66 4 incher. And being stainless, the 66 would get the nod.

I think a 3 inch k frame fixed sight is the best looking most versateto me would be a 3 inch adjustable sighted k frame. k frame issues were due to negligence in cleaning. a member here has a model 19 with over 50,000 rounds through it that still looks new

I would love to get my hands on a 3" model 19 but I don't think they made them or at least not very many from what I've researched. Would love to see some pics of one. Of course I suppose one could always chop a 4" down but Then the roll marks would be off...

All great shooters.
Front to back.
19-2, 19-0, 19-4

Attached Images

20170119_115748.jpg (94.1 KB, 1277 views)

yeah they are extremely rare.... I think a member here has like 3 of them though

The Model 10 family of S&W revolvers will always have a place in my heart. The L frame .357`s too. Oh , cant forget the Model 29/629 family of S&W revolvers.
I sure cant pick just one.
Jim

The grips and trigger reach are the same for the K/L frame, not to take away anything from the M19. Great gun!

Although the M27 was supposed to be the apple of S&W's eye, I'll let you be the judge.

John.

I know the grips are the same but I'm not so sure about the trigger reach since the frame is larger, are you sure about that? I'm no expert but it seems a bit longer... never mind did some research and apparently they are identical, my mistake.

My first revolver was a M19 6" for NRA Bulleye target shooting.
But for 357 magnum, my M 27 5"
screen capture
is the best over the Colt python, M 28 4' and the 6" 28 I just sold. Do have a M 66 2.5", but not as good as a 4" to me except for CC.

__________________
Only difference Fool/Mule-ears

Without cheating and looking it up on Google the way I understand it is the 19 was a hit from the grip/trigger reach ergonomic perspective so they didn't want to change that, but did want to address the shortcomings of the 19

Yup after reading up on it it sounds like trigger reach is identical main difference is weight due to larger cylinder, barrel and frame.

If you are a mechanic, you have a chest full of tools, if you play golf, you have a bag full of clubs... nobody asks you to pick the one best tool or club, and to a shooting enthusiast it's pretty much the same. I might be able to get along with a pair of pliers, a nine iron and my Model 60-4, but why would I want to? OTOH, if you want to know which are the most VERSATILE items in those sets, the examples above would probably work OK, or you could go with a Leatherman Multi-tool, a pitching wedge, and a Model 19 or 66 if they would better cover your primary needs. JMHO, and as always, YMMV!

Froggie

I bought a very slightly used Model 19-5 with 2 1/2" barrel in 2008, paid $500 for it. I almost hate to admit it, it's the only Model 19 I've ever owned. It's a great shooter, and it's not going to get away.

__________________
Dave Brown
SWCA #3279

Years ago, when I was just a teen, a combination of the writing of Bill Jordan, Skeeter Skelton, and a photo on the cover of "Guns and Ammo" magazine convinced me that the Model 19 was if not the best, was the best all around handgun.

Nothing I've seen over the years has changed my mind. I don't know how many I've had over the years, but I've got three now. Of course, I added the stainless steel Model 66 to the same catagory.

19-3



19-4



Normally I'd say I don't care for barrels of any length except 4", or for round butt revolvers, but I made an exception for this one.

66-4, Lady Smith.



I almost never shoot magnum ammo in them. The paper targets at my range don't take a lot of killing.

__________________
John 3:16 .

In 1973, when I entered the law enforcement academy, the Sheriff's Dept. didn't provide weapons, we had to purchase them ourselves. The guidelines were: the weapon had to be a double action revolver, chambered for the 357 Magnum with a 4" barrel.

Most of the recruits in my class opted for the Smith M-19 4". One guy who had to be different bought a 4" Python. Having handled and shot both 19s and N-frame 357s I wanted a 5" M-27 but the department was adamant about the 4" barrel. I tried to get them to compromise on a 3.5" M-27 but they insisted on a 4" barrel. I ended up buying a M28-2 and it served me well through my probationary year.

The Model 19 just never appealed to me and I've never owned one, despite having more S&W revolvers go through my hands than I can remember. I still prefer the N-frame, particularly the earlier 357 Magnums and early M-27s.

Dave

__________________
RSVN '69-'71
PCSD (Ret)

Lets just say I have more than I need in the K/L frames.......blue and Stainless

That said..............

If I could only have one it would be my 4" 686-nutting which I round butted in the 80s.

If I want/needed to carry a .357/38 all day.......my concealed carry choice is a 3" 66 or 65..... if I didn't have the 3" guns......... it would be a 4" 19/66.

Carry guns get carried a lot more than they ever get shot in anger!!!!!

Why, yes. Yes, it is! Without a doubt!

Got a 6" 19-3 for my 70th BDay last year. It is equiped w/a partridge front sight and is a joy at the range with either .38 target or .357 loads.

__________________
Old Cop
LEO (Ret.)

Lots of good insight and opinions here, as mentioned earlier it's hard to narrow down to one best revolver but I think the general consensus is that the model 19 if not the best is darn close to it. For me the balance, overall weight, size and feel of the 19 can't be beat, as much as I like the looks of the full underlug, the 19 has a classic appeal to it that even my 586 lacks. The N frame has gotten a lot of nods here as well and as the original, deserves it. The only drawback for me when it comes to the N frame is the size, with my smaller hands it's just too long of a trigger reach. To each their own.

Here is my 19-4. I got it back around 1977 if I remember correctly.
For quite a few years it was the only handgun I had, so it got shot quite
a bit. I usually practiced with .38s and carried 125-Gr. JHP .357s.
Back around 2001 I sent it to S&w for a tune-up and they installed
the McGivern gold bead front sight. The stocks are Herrett's Jordan
Patrolman stocks. If I could only have one, this would be it.

Attached Images

	SAM_0270.jpg (55.3 KB, 90 views)
	SAM_0272.jpg (25.4 KB, 68 views)
	SAM_0303.jpg (58.8 KB, 66 views)
	SAM_0319.jpg (114.6 KB, 66 views)

__________________
In Omnia Paratus

P.S. the holsters, left to right, Brill style by Barranti, Jordan Border Patrol by Myres, and Heiser model 713.

Attached Images

SAM_0245.jpg (106.0 KB, 48 views)

__________________
In Omnia Paratus

Speaking of holsters, I'm looking for a holster for my new 4" 19. I would like something classic, comfortable and secure. Any suggestions guys? Any used ones for sale?

Good lookin holsters crazyphil!

Bianchi 5BHL...high ride, thumb-break

In my opinion, yes the Model 19 is the best double action revolver ever made, with a couple of BUTS... lol

Part of my bias is because I, like others, grew up reading Jordan and others who preached that it was the perfect fighting handgun. That has a lot of influence on some of use, and it sure did for me. Plus, I spent some time when I was very new at the gun game hanging around with an old Deputy Sheriff and that was the gun that he carried. If it was good enough for Harold, it was fine for me.

It's not suited to a steady diet of full house magnums, BUT it handles them well enough for the amount of them that I shoot.

It is not the ideal concealed carry gun, due to it's size, BUT I've carried a 4" M19 a lot of miles concealed under a jacket. Mostly because I can shoot the damn things so good.

The M19 is probably the most "shootable" 4" 357 Magnum I have ever fired when I consider fit to my hand, weight and balance.

I've owned dozens of 19s over the last 2+ decades and currently have a few. One (or more) will always live where I live.

Plus, it's just a BEAUTIFUL handgun. The lines and fit and finish are just about perfection, in my humble opinion.

Here is my latest (both in purchase date and date of manufacture), a 19-8 4" that I picked up last year. While it's not a P&R gun and it does have some MIM parts, it is a pre-lock gun and it has a very smooth action. I love it and it gets carried afield more than some of my older, more desirable examples in order to save bluing wear on them. I love carrying this one in a Bianchi leather holster when knocking about in the woods.

TRE

Attached Images

20160417_161527_resized.jpg (118.2 KB, 74 views)

__________________
Fine guns and fine smokes.

I am a big K frame fan and the .357 magnum/.38 special is a favorite of mine. Maybe in my book
the model 15 would be a close 2nd. Here is my 6 inch model 19-3.

__________________
USAF AMMO

My vote for best revolver would be the model 19. Only revolver I own multiples of

Attached Images

20170124_211638.jpg (153.7 KB, 59 views)

Related: I have a stainless 4" Model 66 (pinned/recessed, made in 1977) that I'll keep forever. The balance, just like the 4" Model 19, is amazing, even more so with early Model 15 grips, which I added later.

One thing that puzzles me, though: the Model 66 is bright, shiny stainless, not dull stainless like they usually are. Anyone know why? I bought it slightly used. It does not looked "buffed."




---------------------

I'm partial to the N frame model 27, but the model 19 is a great gun also. They do feel really good in hand. A buddy of mine had one back in the mid 70's and it felt really good. But, it didn't like the steady diet of hot 125 grain 357s we were shooting back then and he traded it in for a 686 when they came out. But it was a beautiful pistol.

On the Accessories for Sale, robbt has an extensive list with
some classics. Take a look. He is reliable. I have bought
several from him.

__________________
In Omnia Paratus

I love the 19/66's. I have 2 19's a -8 4" and a -4- 2.5" along with a 66-3 2.5". The 19-4 snub is my EDC.

It wasn't so much gripping the gun and reaching the trigger as it was the balance in the hand. The L always felt, and sort of looked, top-heavy, with the larger diameter cylinder and the enlarged frame around it.

If you compared them to athletes, the L frame is sort of the light-heavyweight boxer, and the K frame is more like a gymnast.

If limited to just one, it'd be my M-66-3, four-inch. Probably the best all-round revolver, ever.