Combat Magnums?

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bamabiker

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The last time VM and I went looking at guns we got to talking about CMs and early M19s (19, -1 & -2) and how we don't see them for sale. Last night I was looking through the SCSW and came to the part about CMs. There is only a small section with little info about these guns. It got me thinking that I don't see them on here much either.
I guess my question is where are these guns? Were there not many made?
If you have one and have a photo handy I'd love to see them. Thanks in advance.
 
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Sir.
I have a couple CM's:
4 screw Model 19
4 screw Model 19-1
Model 19-3 6 inch.
I have pics at home and can add them this evening.
I don't use, shoot, or carry any or them. They look nice when I get them out of safe. I have never found a good use for them. I own enough guns that I have favorites and CM's have not worked their way into the favorites catagory.
They are not for sale, either.
Bill@Yuma
 
Looks like I'm the first one to post a picture of a CM, so I'll post the
picture of the first CM .

mikepriwer-albums-mlp3-picture3473-six-priwers-1-033.jpg


Mike Priwer
 
Mike, is that your gun because I would be surprised if it was sold out of the Jordan family.

Or maybe not based on all the first timer posts about "How much is this gun I inherited worth so I can sell it?"
 
Hey, those Combat Magnums are out there, and their owners are by and large not getting rid of them at gun shows. I own four Model 19s, a 4" blue, a 4" nickel, a 6" blue, and a 2.5" blue. I think they are the ideal combination of power, portability, and control. You won't find me giving up any of them soon, that's for sure.

Same goes for the Model 66s, of which I own three - a couple of 2.5" models and a 4".

Whenever I DO see a Combat Magnum at a gun show, I notice that if it's in decent shape, it doesn't last long on the table.

The L-frames are too heavy and bulky compared to the K-frames. With proper care and the correct feeding, the K-frame magnums will serve well and last virtually forever.

John

MODEL19BLUE.jpg


19NICKEL001SMALL.jpg


MODEL1965.jpg


MODEL66-1.jpg


3KS.jpg
 
SP

Rex Applegate bought the gun from Bill Jordan years ago - no later
than 1980. Roy lettered the gun for Rex in 1980. Following Rex's
death, his collection, including this gun, was auctioned in Sept 1999.
That is where/when I acquired it.

Here is a condensed page from the auction catalog, showing this
gun along with an early model 57 that Jordan had. Both guns have
similar carved ivory stocks. The 19 was shipped with walnut target
stocks, and that is what I have on it presently; the ivories are
set aside!

mikepriwer-albums-mlp1-picture1729-devine-auction-1.jpg


Regards, Mike Priwer
 
All.
Here are pics of the Model 19's I mentioned in my first post. I can't add them there. They would be in front of Mike's serial number 1 and that would not be right.


Model 19: 4 screw
CSC_0042.jpg




Model 19-1: 4 screw
19-1014.jpg


19-1007.jpg



Close up:
DSC_0018.jpg


Bill@Yuma
 
My only four inch 19 at the moment, I bought it used but like new about 84. Lots of rounds down the tube but pretty much retired now after being replaced with a 66.
DSC_0005.jpg


Keith
 
Combat Magnum

There's Combat Magnums and there's Combat Magnums, if you get my drift.

My preference is for the real deal .357 Combat Magnum or "Pre-Model 19" as some call it. Produced from 1955 (starting at K260001) until model marked in 1957 as the Model 19. As I understand it, Bill Jordan's input in the design was invaluable. Beautiful gun to carry, as well as shoot.

Out of all of my CMs here's my own favorite, courtesy of Papalondog. I believe he may have a few more like it tucked away.

CombatM 002.jpg

S/N K2609XX

And don't get me wrong, that Model 19 S/N 1 unit of Mike's is fabulous. A true piece of Americana.
 
In the 1960's and 1970's, the Combat Magnum/Model 19 was probably the most popular optional sidearm carried by U.S. cops. Lots of them were purchased by the officers with their own funds and many departments bought and issued them, too. It remained so until some of the luster was stolen by the Model 66, the same gun made in stainless steel. They were often hard to find and many dealers marked them up well over suggested retail. The popularity of both waned when the switch to semiautomatic pistols gathered steam.

I think that when shooters mentally picture the S&W revolver, the image of the 4 inch Combat Magnum most often comes to mind.

They are such a useful gun, that when an owner decides to sell his, it often goes to a shooting buddy, with no advertising involved.
 
Last edited:
Mitch_D said:
There's Combat Magnums and there's Combat Magnums, if you get my drift.

My preference is for the real deal .357 Combat Magnum or "Pre-Model 19" as some call it. Produced from 1955 (starting at K260001) until model marked in 1957 as the Model 19. As I understand it, Bill Jordan's input in the design was invaluable. Beautiful gun to carry, as well as shoot.

Out of all of my CMs here's my own favorite, courtesy of Papalondog. I believe he may have a few more like it tucked away.

View attachment 32703

S/N K2609XX

And don't get me wrong, that Model 19 S/N 1 unit of Mike's is fabulous. A true piece of Americana.
Click to expand...

I appreciate all the pics but these early ones are the ones I was really looking for. I just don't remember physically seeing a pre 19 or a M19 or even a M19-1 for sale. I've only seen a couple of -2s that I remember and one of those had been re-nickeled.
I should have ask in my first post, for the ones that have the pre 19s with target grips, is the serial number stamped in the right grip panel?
The reason I ask is I have a set of grips with an early CM serial number stamped in them. Was wondering if most came this way.
 
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