Model 19-2

[murphydog]

My instructor told me about this 19-2 becoming available...the same instructor tipped me off to the gun shop where I purchased the model 36 I have posted pictures of here, and in my avatar. I spoke to the owner of the gun today & I'm going to look at the model 19-2 on Sunday. The owner is a local policeman that is selling off the last of his grandfathers gun collection. He assures me it is NIB & never fired. I will see if it has all the papers. Does this mean just the owners manual or is there more I should expect from the original purchaser? What tools should come with the gun? He is priced a little lower than the low end guestimate above. The owner says its blue, is pinned and has a recessed cylinder. I know about the cylinder. Not sure about pinned...does that mean the barrel has a roll pin securing/locating the barrel to the frame?



I really have my heart set on a stainless steel wheel gun for a second gun...a model 66 apparently...thanks Pilgrim. Any idea how hard it would be to find a model 66 with a 4 inch barrel that may be NIB or real close to it. I mean is a 66 as hard to find as a 19-2 I know many say they don't make them like they used to, and the old steel frame S&W's are better built guns compared to the newer products with cast pieces. From the education I have received here it looks like the model 66 came to be in 1960 and was discontinued in 2005. It looks like cast (MIM) parts were introduced in production in 1997 so I guess 97 and older are the models I should seek. What is the most desirable model 66 and why?

Tech23

It should have the instruction sheet, a warranty card, and a little plastic bag with a cleaning rod, a brass brush, a cotton swab, and a screwdriver (or "sight adjustment tool"). I don't think there was anything else; later guns would have a brochure for ammo, or holsters. You are correct about the pinned reference, this feature stopped in about 1982.

The model 66 started production in 1970. Which one is best is a whole separate topic. Many prefer the older, pinned versions, but functionally there is little difference between them and a newer one. Many 66s (and 19s, for that matter) were LE guns and are worn cosmetically and sometimes mechanically also. A nice 4" 66 would be in the $450-500 range and perhaps a little easier to find than a NIB 19-2; less than $500 for the latter gun is a pretty good price.

 

[Tech23]

It should have the instruction sheet, a warranty card, and a little plastic bag with a cleaning rod, a brass brush, a cotton swab, and a screwdriver (or "sight adjustment tool"). I don't think there was anything else; later guns would have a brochure for ammo, or holsters. You are correct about the pinned reference, this feature stopped in about 1982.

The model 66 started production in 1970. Which one is best is a whole separate topic. Many prefer the older, pinned versions, but functionally there is little difference between them and a newer one. Many 66s (and 19s, for that matter) were LE guns and are worn cosmetically and sometimes mechanically also. A nice 4" 66 would be in the $450-500 range and perhaps a little easier to find than a NIB 19-2; less than $500 for the latter gun is a pretty good price.

I picked up the model 19-2 yesterday. It was as claimed NIB and never fired, produced in 1965, and delivered from the factory with target trigger, target hammer, red ramp and white outline rear sight.


Tech23

 

[Doc44]

Tech23....Your 19-2 is a great looking gun, but assuming 1965 date is correct, the stocks should have the diamond around the escutcheon and escutcheon nut. It appears as though someone replaced the older stocks for a pair that date to the 1970s.

Bill

 

[Stu Honea]

Extremely nice 19. Looks like the one I started my policing with, with the exception of the target hammer and trigger.
I wouldn't touch that finish,at least for years to come.
My finish was well worn on the 2 1/2 incher when I had it redone.

As to the coating question,I just sent the gun to Robar with instructions as to what I wanted done. The chambers are coated.The only places not covered with the NP3 is the rear sight and the bore.

I'm not aware of any additional surface prep charge. I believe the NP3 was applied over the original finish but I'm not 100% on that.

 

[Tech23]

Extremely nice 19. Looks like the one I started my policing with, with the exception of the target hammer and trigger.
I wouldn't touch that finish,at least for years to come.
My finish was well worn on the 2 1/2 incher when I had it redone.

As to the coating question,I just sent the gun to Robar with instructions as to what I wanted done. The chambers are coated.The only places not covered with the NP3 is the rear sight and the bore.

I'm not aware of any additional surface prep charge. I believe the NP3 was applied over the original finish but I'm not 100% on that.

I'm not interested in the NP3 finish for the model 19, it's flawless. I'm interested in the NP3 coating for my model 36, which will see holster wear. The M36 is in excellent mechanical condition and for the most part so is the blueing. It has no holster wear, but the blueing on the backstrap is worn. I wanted a stainless gun and was thinking the difference in price between selling my M36 and finding a model 60 and having the NP3 coating applied to my M36 may be very close to the same out of pocket. From what you and Robar claim the interior coating will enhance the guns feel as well.....getting a M60 will only cure the holster wear problem with no other benefits. I'm just looking into all my options at this time, I'm still very new to all this. I would love to go to Robar for a tour though. I don't understand why gun manufacturers don't have robar coatings as an optional finish from the factory.

Can someone explain the rationale behind the (wide) target trigger and target hammer on the M19? Were they designed for competetive target shooting?

Tech23