Bought a used but unfired Model 19-7 and brought her home today. Absolutely gorgeous bluing on this firearm, even the grips are gorgeous (maple? maybe aftermarket?) and this will be be my new EDC as soon as I get the holster I ordered for it from Tucker Gunleather.

Relatively new to wheel guns (but not firearms)especially for EDC, so if anyone cares to chime in about their experiences with this particular weapon I'd be grateful.

Would particularly like to hear recommendations for carry ammo.

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Congrats on a great piece!
What’s not to like about a 2.5” 19/66.
Be careful they can be addicting...

For carry ammo any of the current non FMJ will work fine. I prefer Speer Gold Dot, Hornady Critical Defense, Remington Golden Saber, etc., usually .38 +p. If you buy magnums, try to use bullets <140 grains, it’s easier on the forcing cone.

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213th FBINA

I think that you mean to try and use bullets "greater then" >140 grains, not "less than" <140 grains, right? I always thought that the lighter bullets hit the forcing cone harder.

And yes, the 2.5" Model 19's are great revolvers, Congrats! Here is mine.

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That’s a nice Model 19. I have a 4” 19-7, it was my first service revolver. When I carried it for work I loaded it with the old .38 Spl “FBI load”. I also own a 2.5” 19-3. Model 19’s are great revolvers.

Those are probably not the original grips. Every new 19-7 I saw came with Uncle Mikes grips. A 2.5” would have had round butt Uncle Mikes, the 4” had round to square conversion Uncle Mikes. The wood grips look better, but I prefer the Uncle Mikes for shooting.

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Wheel guns are real guns.

That was a great engineering run. I think it's equivalent to the 66-4. I also have 19-7 snub. Fantastic action and finish.

Here's a better look at the grips

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Does anyone know if the 19-7 had MIM parts? Mine doesn't look like it, at least from the what I can see of the hammer and trigger.

Also, what is the value? I'm never selling it, but I am curious what the fair retail should be.

No MIM in -7. Last run for forged. MIM started with -8 for the 19.

Thanks, she sure is a beauty. I can't believe how incredible the bluing is. I know the earlier S&W's were a beautiful blue, but this one is more modern so I had lower expectations.

Thanks, for catching my typo. Yes, greater than 140 grains.

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213th FBINA

Congrats on a great revolver. I had one follow me home too. Curious to learn about your holster choice. I’m hoping to find one holster to handle all three of my snubs (3” 696, 2.5” 686, and my 2.5” 19).

I like Underwood ammo. They put out some really nice coated 158 grain .38 lead hollow point cartridges in standard pressure and +P. I think they get 980fps from standard and 1,200fps out of +P loads! They also have 150 grain wadcutter that runs 1,000fps. Underwood claims the coating helps them run slicker and quicker without lead fouling. For magnum defensive ammo in a snub, I like Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel Personal Protection bonded hollow point which is a real mild 990fps magnum that still gets good expansion. I don’t feel much need to run hot magnum ammo in a 2.5” just to turn it into a flamethrower You probably know, but it’s still worth mentioning, that staying subsonic (below 768mph, or 1,126fps at sea level) avoids the loud crack we could all do without.

I picked up a set of Altamont Santos Rosewood round to square presentation target style grips. I like the feel -- fills my large hand, I get a full grip, but is still on the narrow side. These allow a nice high grip on the gun. I need to fill the back strap channel with some Talon Grip tape. Pretty good deal for $30 on Altamont’s “CLOSEOUT-spring sale” page.

Good luck with your new gun. Please let us know how the new holster works for you.

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Regards,
-MrMoose

Thanks for the ammo suggestions.

I'm looking at this holster:

Revolver Pancake Holster - Tucker Gunleather Store

You might be able to get it to work with all three of your snubbies.

Beautiful wheelgun! Congratulations!

Back to the ammo question! 125 grain 357s that are advertised at 1400fps and above will wreak havoc on any 19 or smaller S&W 357. Due to physics.
HOWEVER, There are alternatives that do not manifest excessive muzzle blast and flash and erosion and cracking of the forcing cone.
Some of these loads are great for a K frame Smith 357: Remington Golden Saber 125 grain 1250 fps load (my carry load). Speer Gold Dot Short Barrel 135grain 357 1065fps (great choice) Buffalo Bore has a great 38Special+P 158 LSWCHP load that is doing over 1000fps out of a two inch barrel. Spendy but a great load. 158 grain bullets won't hurt your 19. The secret to barrel longevity on your 19 is keep the cylinder face and forcing cone, CLEAN, debris from firing will create an environment for erosion and cracking. Been packing a 19 since 1970. My old duty 19.

Nice gun you have there, I have the same model. Kind of a misnomer though, can't really be used if it is unfired now can it??

No, but then a dealer can't advertise something as "new" unless it's from a distributor straight from the manufacturer, hence "used but unfired"

Excellent advice, thank you sir! I'll also check out those ammo suggestions.

Hornady ammo with 158 grain XTP bullets or Federal Hydashock in the same bullet weight are the choice for my 2.5" .357 magnums.

Great looking Mod. 19 and if it isn't now, it will become one of your favorite for EDC!

Str8shtr - Welcome to the Best S&W Forum. Congratulations on
that excellent condition S&W Model 19-7 357Mag.

As far as Ammo for it I would recommend a mid range load,
something that's not going to punch through every wall in
the building and accidently harm someone else.

Revolvers are nice in the respect that they always go bang, straight
forward on how to use, and easy to teach safety.

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SD social distanc'n since 1889

Well, when it rains it pours. I just found another Model 19, this one a 19-3 LNIB. I wasn't planning to, but I've noticed prices on these are getting crazy so I decided to scoop it up while I could.

Speaking of which, anyone know why there is a 19-5 on GB selling right now for over $1500???! Another has a Buy it Now price of $1795. What's going on?

I have a m19-4 snubby with Pachmayr grips. It's a great gun. My carry gun is a m469 9mm auto, but the m19 is still a favorite to shoot. I stopped using magnum loads some time ago because of arthritis. With the short barrel, the magnums are probably not much better than a .38 anyway. 158 gr hollow points in .38 special are okay for me.