I haven't gone to the LGS nearly as much this year as in the past. It used to be a three or four trip a week deal for my wife and I. This year we probably haven't been in three or four times since the Covid started.

So I was looking at their online page, and noticed they had a Model 19-4 that must have just gone up. I knew that because it was still there. It was priced a little high, but then I haven't seen one in a while, and I didn't expect to see any for less anytime soon, so I hit the "buy it" button, and got an email a few minutes later that said it was ready for pickup.

Turned out it was a 1980, 19-4, in what appears to be unfired outside the factory condition. It is a Pennsylvania State Police 75th anniversary model. It has the "three T's." Target hammer, trigger, presentation target stocks, and a trigger stop. (does that mean it's 4T's?) As a bonus, it also had the cardboard box, all the papers, cleaning rod, mop, brush, and sight adjusting tool, still in the original unopened plastic bag.

Sorry for the poor pictures. Best I could do with a cell phone, and indoor lights.





My wife and I went up, filled out the paperwork, got told the system was acting up, so we went to get a bite to eat. On the way out, I glanced into the cabinet and noticed a SS N-frame with a 4" barrel. It was on the other side of the barrier, and I didn't want to wait in line, but it looked to be a 629. I called back and checked. No 629 in the case.

After we ate, we went home, I grabbed up a gun I didn't like near as much as I thought I would when I bought it, and took it along with me when I went to pick up the Model 19. This time I got in the line, waited a minute or so and got "inside." The SS N-frame was still there, but whoever told me they didn't have a 629 was right. It was a 624 (no dash) with a 4" barrel. 44 Special of course.

It's on layaway for now, but I may not wait.





I've always liked the 44 Special, and I have a well known almost fetish for a 4" barrel revolver. The diamond target grips don't hurt. I have no idea if they're the real thing, aftermarket, period correct, or what but they look good.

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John 3:16 .

Nice, both of them; great day at the LGS I's say. The stocks on the 624 are "cokes" but I don't think S&W, maybe Eagle. In any case they didn't leave the factory on the gun but look very nice anyway. I think I've got a set of the Eagle version around here somewhere and will post a picture if I can find them.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Edit: Here's a picture of the Eagle Heritage "cokes." Still not sure what yours are, the diamond looks too big to be S&W factory but they don't look exactly like these Eagle stocks either. Whatever they are I like them.

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Nice day at the LGS. Wish there were finds like that around here. Almost never see a vintage S&W. The grips look like they may be Eagle Heritage cokes. I have 2 sets. One came on a purchase ( walnut), and I bought a set of rosewoods cheap that were new. I like em.

How does eating Spam 3 meals a day taste?

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Pete
I ain't no fortunate son

Diamonds were not used on factory grips when your 624 left the mother ship. A good look all the same. I concur on the 4" N Frames. They are like those famous potato chips.

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I need ammo, not a ride.

With my S&W addiction going unchecked, I'm used to bologna on crackers...Spam would be a rare treat......Ben

I just had a moment of insane jealousy; no - there it is again. Congrats on your excellent finds!

.

I like Spam and Ramen noodles.

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John 3:16 .

I feel your pain...





...but in a good way. Two great scores - congratulations.

Adios,

Pizza Bob

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NRA Benefactor Member

I’m surprised that they had S&W’s . My LGS is a huge two story store and they haven’t had any Smith wheelies in 2 months . Before all of this 2020 nonsense they always had at least 2 dozen Smiths at any one time .

This is a pretty good sized store. They buy estate sales and entire collections then put them out a few at a time. They had several that I didn’t even look at.

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John 3:16 .

My local gun store has always had a nice , but small inventory of S&W's for sale , until about a month ago . 3 bad guys wearing hoodies came in and robbed him , cleaned him out of hand guns and a few rifles . It's been slim pickings since then . I did get an almost new Colt Police Positive Special several weeks ago . But I still stop in to see what he has . Regards Paul

I'm guessing that was at GT. I bought my first gun at their "old old" location next door to their "old" location about 53 years ago. I still have it. I bought the first gun they ever sold at their present location, and I bought my newest gun there about a month ago. I can't count all the guns I got there. I also sold off most of my collection of shotguns there last year.

Yes. It’s Greentop. No big secret there. I’ve bought a lot of guns...and fishing tackle from them over the years.

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John 3:16 .

My taste runs to sliced Spam fried with a slice of Pepper jack cheese on bread, mouth watering just at the mention.

Excellent find CB! I still have the grips we swapped in Dances parking lot a few years ago :-)

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

My mother used to grill Spam in a skillet and top it with a browned pineapple slice. Sounds horrible but tastes great.

I to am a long time customer at Greentops.A very different store these days

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SWCA#2208
KK4EMO

Nice trip tp the gun store. You did well for sure.

I gotta find a better LGS.......

Congratulations on some nice pistols.

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Who watches the watchers?

Very nice! From your location I bet you were at Green Top. Every once in a blue moon luck comes your way. Like matching all the numbers on a lottery scratch ticket!

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Looks like money well spent.

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No baby we aint

By the way. The grips are Eagle.

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John 3:16 .

If I remember correctly, wasn't there a recall for weak cylinders on some 624s?
Look into it before you go to the range.

There are several earlier threads here on the recall which can be found using the Search button. I wouldn't worry about the recall though as the essence of the situation was that some chambers were bored deep enough for a 44 mag to fit although I don't know that S&W ever acknowledged that as the problem instead issuing some "fuzziness" about metallurgical issues. Anyway, I sent two of them in, no problem reported, not marked as having been tested/modified in any way. Shoot it and enjoy it.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

Good score. Those grips look like Eagle Heritage to me. Some of my favorites, but they've gotten expensive.

I try to stay out of gun shops. With my diverse interests, I'm always finding something to take home. It's time to start paying down the CC. I went a little crazy with my pre-Biden purchases.

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Watch & Pray

Yea, this isn't my first 624, so I've worried myself sick over that issue a few years ago. Then I realized that I'm not going to be shooting anything, anywhere near a "hot load" in any of my guns. All I shoot is paper targets and they don't take a lot of killing. Besides, S&W hasn't got the parts to "fix" it, so I just don't worry about it anymore.

That reminds me. I need to load some 44 Special ammo today.

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John 3:16 .

Ah, Green Top! That’s just one reason I couldn’t afford to live in the Greater Richmond area. The last purchase I made there came after I got a phone call just as I was planning to leave here (Lynchburg) and go to Winchester. I figure I only drove a couple of hundred miles out of my way that day, but I bought a Marlin Model 90 OU shotgun... in 410. Now there’s a gun you don’t see every day! That place truly defines the phrase, “Toy Store for Big Boys.”

Froggie