I finally made it to the range and I’m very happy with the pistol. It stays on target with little effort firing both 357 Mags and 38+P cartridges, both single and double-action. I would credit the compensator - but, in all honesty, it has been so many years since I shot a .357 Mag revolver that I don’t have anything to compare it with. It is shooting low - as confirmed by the rangemaster, who was pleased to have the opportunity to try it out. A slight half-turn or so to raise the rear sight should correct that - but no time to tinker on this trip. As for windage, it was dead-on. I’m anxious to see how much crud accumulated in the compensator chamber when I clean it.

Congratulations

Perhaps on your next outing you can have a buddy come along with a non-ported 357 Magnum do you can both compare the handling characteristics of your new revolver

Good idea! Our indoor range can provide alternate firearms to try out and perhaps they would have an older Model 19 on hand.

Compensators generally don't accumulate crud unless you are shooting lead bullets through the gun. Even then a few rounds of jacketed bullets will often dislodge most of the crud. It'll blow out the comp and come harmlessly raining down on your head.

.357, comp, and carry should never be in the same sentence unless you like the sound of a grenade going off beside you each time you pull the trigger.

They did the 586 L, now the 19, wonder if they will do this configuration on a J frame ?

Joe,
The J-comp, K-comp, F-comp and L-comp were first introduced probably 20+ years ago.


this one is probably called the Model 19 Carry Comp be cause the Model 19 K-Comp was a Distributor Exclusive Offering

This has been done to several other J-frames. My oldest is the 3" Model 60 ET-Comp. I wish I could rememebr what the ET stood for
My favorite in the J-frames is the 2" PC 940 Special
There have been several other J-frames with power port barrels . . . the 3" 632, the 2 1/8" 637, the 2 1/8" 642 and others that I can not recall at the moment.

There were other L-frame and N-frame snubby variations as well, not to mention the longer barreled versions in 357 Magnum, 41 Magnum and 44 Magnum chamberings

I wouldn’t want to fire rounds on an indoor range without good hearing protection! ——or even an outdoor range for that matter! It’s a wonder that any of us who use to shoot 357 and 44 Mags back in the early ‘50’s, without hearing protection, can still hear anything today.

I was excited to take off work early and hit the range to try it out, as mine was finally delivered from Bud's yesterday. No joy. Majorly defective. As in, having to use force on the cylinder to get it to open, star and detent gouges and scratches into the bare steel defective. I had to refuse it, now wait for the FFL to send it back, hope Bud's saved me another one, and wait for return shipment.

Outside of more design features and a PC sear, I'm wondering if the PC is really anything more than just a glorified assembly line with no QC at the end anymore. I guess I'll find out if (I hope) I get a "good" one back in 2 or 3 weeks.

In addition to those shown above, S&W also did a Performance Center Model 642-2 Powerport that was blackened/blued. Its not marked as a PC, but it was recorded as such in the SCSW.

__________________
Bill

THe new front pin lock-up definitely makes the cylinder harder to open. Other than the line on the frame caused by the rear locking pin I haven’t noticed any scratches. Can you elaborate a bit?

Same experience with my 66. Takes quite a flick of the wrist to get that sucker to snap open/closed. Joking.

Not joking, that is normal for the hidden ball and detent system.

Yes, that area, the rear pin-detent has left a very large gouge along its line of travel, BUT, portions of the star at the end of the ejector have gouged up the rear, as if the cylinder is being pushed too far back. The cyliner release feels strange to operate (it seems to go smoothly, hit a rough spot, then move forward with a bit more force), and you have to use a LOT of force on the right side of the cylinder in order to get it to swing out.

Otherwise, the revolver was perfect. No barrel clocking, no tool marks or scratches, nice handle fit, nice trigger. It was really disappointing. I just cannot believe that it made it out of the PC this way. The FFL and I tried a drop of oil on the front and rear pins and working them in and out a bit, but that wasn't the problem. It appears that the cylinder somehow got set too far back on the crane. I was too PO'd to think to check the cylinder gap, but it must have been huge, seeing how the rear of the cylinder was pushing back hard against the rear of the frame.

The FFL (a gun shop) was pretty aghast and strongly suggested not accepting it. I had to agree. I've owned a lot of revolvers (mostly S&W), and I've never seen anything like this. I've had to refuse or send a few S&W''s back before, but that was for clocked barrels and/or scratches. Never anything like this.

I had a new 4.25" Model 66 a few years ago, and had absolutely no problems with opening and closing the cylinder. Assuming the revolver is operational in such a state, I would hate to have to do a tactical reload under stress and have to fight to get the cylinder open.

you were VERY smart to closely examine the gun at the FFL's. Many dont do this and are stuck when they get home !!

Also, I'm not a fan of the porting either, looks "tacticool" and probably works but even with plugs and muffs indoors , uncomfortable. just my opinion, I've never shot one.

I can't get past the way the front sight looks.