Model 19-4 date help?

[mhael]

Hi,

I just recently picked this Model 19-4 up for a pretty good deal. part of the reason of course is the rust that you will see on one side of the barrel. My two questions are 1. aprox date it was built? first 4 of the serial is 54KD. Second question is that my guess is that the rust on the barrel probably won't come out with a new blue/polish job am I correct? My other thought was trying to find another, shorter take of barrel but /i don't know how feasable that is.

Thanks for the help.

Trevor

 

[Davwingman]

SCSW says 1978/79

 

[nawilson]

Well, I'm don't claim to be an expert on finishing metal, but in my limited experience, if the rust is only surface rust, you should be able to remove it yourself. It appears that you have quite a bit of blueing missing (looking at this on a tiny phone screen). You have a few options at that point. You could leave the bare, unprotected metal exposed (probably not the best choice), you could try cold blueing it yourself, you could have another barrel installed, or you could have someone else refinish it. Cost will be the key factor. If the corrosion has gotten to the point of causing pitting, then more extensive work would be required (ie polishing) and you will probably want expert help.

 

[mhael]

Yah I'm currently planning on sending it to Hamilton Bowen to have him go through it, refinish it, and install a new barrel or possibly shorten the existing barrel.

Thanks for the help!

 

[mhael]

Btw what is the SCSW?

 

[snw19_357]

Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson by Jim Supica and Richard Nahas

 

[mhael]

Got it I just purchased that book and it should be arriving next week

 

[Tunachaser]

I just bought a 19-4 from a friend, it has the 2" barrel and looks new. The sn is 28557, he thinks it was built in 1977, does this sound right? also it has the rubber Houge grip which is not very comfortable, I would like to find a round grip for it, any recomendations?

 

[snw19_357]

Welcome to the forum!

28557 sounds like the assembly number on the yoke. The serial number will be on the bottom of the butt and look something like 43K2165.

 

[Tunachaser]

I'll look again, I was going off the reciept

 

[redlevel]

Think long and hard. You could easily end up with $700-$800 or more in a gun worth about $400-$500 at most.

It is always a temptation to take a gun you got for a bargain and spend money on refinish, etc. There is just almost no scenario where you will spend less than $400 if you replace the barrel and refinish, especially by a "name" 'smith like Bowen. Trust me, if you want a 4" gun, you can get a nice one much cheaper than you can have yours "converted."

I have a $300 Model 19, mechanically perfect, but pretty well finish-challenged. I could spend $200 for refinish, and guess what? It is a $400 gun at most. I could sell it as is for $300, put $200-$250 with it, and buy a very nice Model 19 with original finish, and it will continue to appreciate.

 

[nawilson]

Oh man, you can't get much better than Hamilton Bowen. You will get back a work of art!

 

[oldman45]

If I may suggest, leave it as it is. Use the money you plan on to get another gun with.

If you plan on it being a safe queen, then it needs to be a beautiful original.

If you plan on shooting it, then do not worry about it's minor flaws. Go shoot it and enjoy the good price you got it for. It will get more imperfections.

If you are unhappy with the gun the way it is, then ask yourself why you bought it in the first place.

Just as with a car, you can put as much money into a firearm as you can make. Yet the law of diminishing returns take effect. Putting more money in a gun that is not worth it does not make sense. When I am looking at guns (which is about five days a week), I make several decisions before the pruchase. 1. Is it as nice of a gun as I want in my collection? 2. Is it a gun that I want in my collection? 3. Am I buying it for looks or for shooting? 4. Is it an investment that will appreciate in time? If the answer to any of these questions is NO, then I do not buy, no matter what the price.

 

[Tunachaser]

Welcome to the forum!

28557 sounds like the assembly number on the yoke. The serial number will be on the bottom of the butt and look something like 43K2165.

Ok, found it, it is 84K6082, it has the Packmare grips that feal thin to me, I would like to find a grip with a little more meat to it.

 

[snw19_357]

I'll look again, I was going off the reciept

...Classic...

1981. I like the Hogue for the range but the original S&W target stocks for everything else.

 

[Tunachaser]

...Classic...

1981. I like the Hogue for the range but the original S&W target stocks for everything else.

Thanks, I'll look for em.

 

[Tunachaser]

target swtocks I mean.

 

[GJH77]

Think long and hard. You could easily end up with $700-$800 or more in a gun worth about $400-$500 at most.

I agree. I got a 6" mod 19 with a little freckling on the barrel, and with surprisingly little work, it came right off. Point is you have a great shooter for relatively little. I also found a cosmetically challenged snub nose 15 which with a little work with cold blue looks good also. Working on them both was also pretty fun and rewarding. Take the money you would spend on the barrel/refinish and buy a 4" gun!