19-8 in .38 Special

[d524ax]

I found a 4" 19 in .38 special locally. It looks really nice in the photos. The label reads model 19, Caliber .38, Barrel 4, Finish B, Stock SB, Features **Special**, Product code 148926, Serial No. CMDxxxx, Spec. Ord. 0056. I'm not interested in buying it to shoot. I don't know if it would ever be worth anything if I hung on to it to pass down to my Grandson. What are your thoughts?

[colt_saa]

Firearms are a terrible investment item unless there is documented historical accounts to go with them

I buy what I like, not all are shooters, and I enjoy the ones I shoot and the ones that I display.

Whatever they are worth when it is time to sell, I don't fret over it and I do not PLAN that they will appreciate in value.

[Deceasedeye]

What is the price? This is a MUST KNOW!

[swagmeister]

If the price was reasonable (what is reasonable these days?), I would get it just because of the novelty of having a .38 Model 19. Good luck.

[d524ax]

I think I could get if for $650.00

[Inusuit]

I agree with colt_saa. In most cases, firearms are not a good investment. I don't know how much the unusual chambering influences value on this particular revolver. However, $650 seems high to me. You imply that the asking price is higher.

Nice that you want to pass the gun to your grandson, but don't count on any appreciation over time.

[Deceasedeye]

19-8 in 38cal. is an anomaly since it is typically a 357mag. S&W did issue some by the request of some M/P in 38cal. Being an oddity one can only guess what will happen in the future. It's most likely a good bet IMHO.

[Deceasedeye]

I own several nice guns and knives that were left to Grandsons. I own them because the Grandsons didn't give a flip. Just saying, if the kid is an infant, don't assume he's going to like guns and knives. If you have a favorite piece explain to his parents and let them do the proper thing when the right time comes, maybe even write a note to go with it. JMO having seen what can happen, seems a shame!

[d524ax]

I know I can buy a Charter or Taurus for half the price. But I think it might be worth the extra for a piece that will last at least 2 more generations if cared for properly. I am definitely not a snob, as I own a couple lower priced firearms. But I don't want to have $650.00 in a $400.00 gun either.

[d524ax]

I am very blessed. I have 1 Grandson and 2 Granddaughters. They are being raised in a God fearing conservative home. The oldest girl is 12, and already has killed her first buck. The boy is 8, and not interested in hunting but loves target shooting. I have 2 .32 S&W long snubs for the girls, still looking for something for the Grandson. Between my son and me, they have enough .22 rifles to go around.

[ImDrRichard]

Sure would have liked to have seen a picture of this model 19. Never heard of it before this post.

[22hipower]

If it turns out in person to be as nice as you describe and with original box/papers etc. I don't think you can go wrong at that price. . . .or a bit better if they'll negotiate a little. If it is really a M19 in 38 Special it is unusual if not actually rare, I've never seen one. I'd buy it in a heartbeat if as described. If it is actually in 357 Mag as most are, I might buy it anyway, certainly many have been sold for more than $650.

As to value increases for firearms, it probably is wise not to buy them as investments. However, in 50 years of buying and selling I don't think I've ever lost money on one, have had a million dollars or so worth of fun from them, and some have doubled, tripled or more in value while I held them. Not much risk in buying that M19 if as described. If it turns out that grandson doesn't want it, one of mine will certainly help you out. Good luck.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

[22hipower]

Don't know how good this info is as I found it on another forum from a posting about two years ago. Sounds like you might have found a very interesting M19 though:

"It's a Model 19-8, marked as a "38 Special. Not just a mistamp but apparently they made in a batch for RSR distributing. Exactly who the run was for, isn't stated. It's a 4" round butt, K-frame, with a heavy ribbed barrel, and a shrouded ejector rod. The left side of the barrel is marked as "38 S&W Special Cartridge." It is marked as 19-8 inside the yoke window. I'm told the Uncle Mikes grips were the standard grips. Firing pin is in the frame. No lock. Hammer and trigger are mim.

Going by the below, apparently they had two product codes. 148926 seems to have been 213 made for RSR in 2000."

Edit: If you enter the product code in the search "button" at the top of the page you'll pull down a couple of previous threads about this version of M19. Based on what I read I'd be heading back to that LGS with some Benjamins in hand. Good luck.


Jeff
SWCA #1457

[k22fan]

Originally Posted by d524ax

[...] I'm not interested in buying it to shoot. I don't know if it would ever be worth anything if I hung on to it to pass down to my Grandson. What are your thoughts?

The SCSW 3rd ed. writes the Model 19 was discontinued Nov. 1999 but the gun's Spec. Ord. # tells it was boxed the 56th day of 2000. The product code is in the book without information on the number produced.

My thoughts. I like shooting .38 Special revolvers and would be tempted if the price was down to the most I'd pay for a nice example of a K frame normally made in .38 Special that is new enough to have MIM internal parts. I've not been buying since current politics motivated the buying panic so it's not likely that you'll get it for the price in my mind, $500 to $550.

I own a .38 Special Ruger GP-100 that is a similar odd ball. 90% of the people who see it ask how much it would cost to have its chambers reamed deeper for .357. The store I bought it from had it priced lower than .357s and assured me I could get it reamed for the price difference resulting in a desirable 3" .357. That was the sales pitch. I already have more than enough .357s that I mostly shoot .38 specials through. I did not tell the salesman I only wanted it because it was .38. I'm the odd ball. Realistically, all else equal, .38s sell for less than .357s.

I'd buy a gun I want to shoot or want to watch young relatives shoot in the near future.

[kaaskop49]

^^^what K22fan said. For me, this post sums it up. I'd love a 19 chambered for .38 since I can't for the life of me clean .38 fouling out of magnum chambers (I know everyone else can)! The 6" Model 68 in .38 would also be a cool gun to have and shoot. Saw one in person: Ooh-la-la.

Interesting comment about the dealer trying to push lengthening the chambers of a .38 GP100 as a sales pitch. I'd surely leave it in its original condition, altho my GP100 WC in .357 is my bedside gun. Great post, K22fan.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

[cmj8591]

If this is as you say and you can get it for $650, you would be foolish not to buy it. This gun is a bit of a unicorn and at $650, you are already ahead value wise.

[k22fan]

Originally Posted by kaaskop49

[...] The 6" Model 68 in .38 would also be a cool gun to have and shoot. Saw one in person: Ooh-la-la. [...]

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

Ooh-la-la indeed. I've always wanted a Model 68 but I've never seen one. I suppose at this late date it is never going to happen.

[kaaskop49]

Originally Posted by cmj8591

If this is as you say and you can get it for $650, you would be foolish not to buy it. This gun is a bit of a unicorn and at $650, you are already ahead value wise.

It certainly is a rarity (unicorn!) and definitely NOT a dog. $650 would be ok with me. Nearly impossible today to find a regular 19/66 for that $.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

[SmithNut]

Cause actually that's what they are.

These may be marked as 38 Special, but they actually chamber and shoot .357 cartridges.

Had a couple in my collection and was very disappointed to find out they are not chambered in 38 Special as they are marked.

I like unusual models/chambering, these didn't actually fit the bill for my collection, traded one away and sold the other some time back.

There are other models that were chambered in unusual flavors, as an example M66, M68, M681, M581 (supposedly, never seen or heard of one in private hands), M586 and M686's in 38 Special, now those are special.

I believe, and it's been surmised here, that these were marked this way as they were intended for export to fulfill Mexico/South American orders where the Magnum loads are illegal.

Not sure if these will ever command "collectible" prices, but who knows - shrug.

[prescobd]

It is much like the Model 15 Classic Series. As the model suggests, the 15 Classic is a .38 Special, but it has the Model 19 under lug, making it appear from appearances as a Model 19. I have one, it is a dash 8, if i recall correctly. Why S&W decided to make a 15 Classic with a 19 profile, I can't understand. Here is a photo of the 15 Classic,

[kaaskop49]

Originally Posted by prescobd

It is much like the Model 15 Classic Series. Why S&W decided to make a 15 Classic with a 19 profile, I can't understand.

They must have had a bunch of the shrouded bbls laying around that they wanted to use up. I think there is more of this in mfg than we know.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

[k22fan]

The original light weight Combat Masterpiece Model 15 barrel with the skinny rib that was scalloped in just in front of the frame was more expensive to make the the Model 19's straight sided barrel. Ignoring quantities produced that Logically would make a Combat Masterpiece through Model 15-4 more valuable than the .38 that is the topic of this thread and that does not take into account collector bias toward older vintage. My as new in box unfired modern Model 10 cost within $5 of what an unseen police surplus from Buds would have cost. I'd wager that the majority of the members here would have opted for the police surplus Model 10.

One the other hand, SmithNut wrote the Model 19 really is a mis-marked .357 and the unwashed masses what magnums.

[d524ax]

Update, I text the guy with the 19 this morning and told him I would take it for $650.00. He now wants $850.00. He was at a gun show this weekend and was told it was a collector piece. He said he turned down an offer of $650.00 from a dealer. It does chamber .357's.

[Texas Star]

Only if you live in Brazil or Mexico or live elsewhere a .38 is approved and a .357 isn't.

The dealer has gotten greedy.

Specialist collectors on this board will often pay more than the public. Most gun buyers want that model in 357.

[jcelect]

Here's a pair of the 19s and IMHO they were made for Brazil ! They would chamber a 357mag as stated by SmithNut(one of them came from him)! They DO NOT command a premium price because of the "labeling"! Run away from the $650!



Here is another set of 38Spl made for Brazil on the 586s

jcelect

[d524ax]

Thanks for everyone's input. I decided to walk away from it at any price now.